love unframed

By Christian Shane Dougherty

Fer Da Silva is a Venezuelan and Portuguese visual artist, who currently resides and creates most of his art pieces in New York City. I had the pleasure to discuss art and life with him

How many years have you been painting?

Professionally between 8 and 10 years, but if I go back to when I was an exchange student, sixteen years old, living abroad in the United States alone. And, when I felt a bit depressed, I painted and loved it So, I have been painting my whole life

From which sources or experiences do you derive the greatest inspiration for your artwork?

In my formative years, nature served as my primary source of inspiration However, my focus has since evolved it is now firmly rooted in emotion and a clear message of love, coupled with expressions of gratitude My aim is to continually remind people about the transformative power of love.

A few years ago, I was going through a bad time and was depressed I recently moved to this country and had broken up with someone – I was heartbroken I would write songs that reminded me too much of the heartache I took a real and conscience approach and decided to do what I love to rise above I painted The words I use now, “You have to give love to receive it,” was foreign to me in the past when I was feeling unloved and lost I knew what was happening; I didn’t know how to bring love back into my life and how to heal. So, I started thinking I would give love out through my paintings And maybe, just maybe, I would receive love back! Although, at the start, the paintings were not hearts, they were abstract waves When I painted two waves, I immediately saw the heart. I would have never expected all the love I have gotten back, so I continue to paint hearts inspired by all my blessings –everything happens for a reason.

What’s happened lately in your career and life?

I have a new contract with Suzhou Center Mall in China, and they’ve asked me to be a part of their 5th anniversary! I am so very excited, and things are so amazing compared to how things were several years ago – I am grateful Many new projects are on the way!

Suzhou Center Mall is a large shopping mall located in Suzhou, China The mall opened in November 2017 and was developed by the Singaporean Management company CapitaLand

The mall spans over 300,000 square meters and houses over 600 different branded stores

The Suzhou Center mall is currently the largest mall in Suzhou It is 7 stories tall and features attractions such as an area for horse riding lessons, an Olympic sized ice rink, and a gourmet grocery store.