'Traile-blazer' embraces art
Published:Sunday | December 1, 2013 | 12:00 AM
Amitabh Sharma, Contributor
"Art found me, it was in me and all I had to do was to let it flow," said Tashanya Traile, a young, self-taught artist. Traile says she is an artist inspired by personal experiences and struggles.
"I love to transfer these experiences to canvas," declared the 27-year-old, who chose to hang up her crisp business attire and embrace art and its myriad of shades.
Traile was living in New Jersey, and
one day, the world of possibilities opened in front of her when when
she walked into Michaels (an art supply store).
The
transformation had seeded, she said, as Traile was as delighted as a kid
in a candy store. "There was so much in the store. I was so
excited!"
But this journey began not on a colourful
path, but was mired in shades of grey, with detractions, naysayers and
dissuasion. Her decision to tread a path of self-expression was met with
more resistance than encouragement; gloomy as a New York
winter.
"All I needed was someone to believe in me,"
Traile said, as her smile transitioned to choked emotions, and tears
streaming from her eyes.
But an ounce of encouragement
was enough to counter the pound of discouragement. "My uncle, who I was
living with in New Jersey, supported me wholeheartedly," she said.
"Mummy used to call everyday and say that I should believe in
myself."
Tashanya chose not to live the proverbial
9-to-5. "I was taking the bull by the horns and seeing where it would
lead me," she said.
Armed with her paintings and a
never-say-die attitude, she set out to ensure that the world would see
her emotive expressions.
Traile, who has a degree in
mass communication, followed her heart and instincts, and is now one of
the first Jamaicans to exhibit at The Art Factory in Paterson, New
Jersey.
The Art Factory is a 400,000-square foot, old
silk mill that has now been repurposed as an Art Facility and Event
Centre. The facility has hosted Yoko Ono, famous sculptor Willie Cole
among others.
The premiere party for The
Walking Dead series was hosted here as well as Fear
Factor and the International Textile
show.
Her debut show - Reverberation: Story of a
Pebble in Water, with 12 pieces in mixed media, went up on September 14,
2013.
She also recently participated in the
Mandeville Art Fair.
A St Ann native, Traile says she
is inspired by her own personal experiences and struggles. "I enjoy
transferring these experiences to canvas," she
informed.
Creativity is not bound by any predefined
borders and is limitless, "By applying abstraction, I try and create
intense personal moments," the budding artist says, adding, "The works
don't always reference recognisable form."
"Every
painting has a meaning and story behind it," Traile explained, "It is a
reflection of what is going on in the society; whenever I come across
any incident in the news, it compels me to express
it."
Traile, who is also an avid photographer, affirms
she wants to not only wow the people with her work but also help
youngsters, whose dreams might have been nipped at the bud in their
creative pursuits.
Walt Disney once said, "All our
dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." Tashanya
is one of those youngsters who not only has the grit, courage and
talent, but the face of transformation and a
'Traile-blazer'.
Photos by Amitabh Sharma