For local artist Victoria Sukhasyan, COVID-19 has created new challenges, although she continues to make time to be inspired and create throughout the pandemic.
The search for the motivation to connect with people through art has become increasingly difficult, but Sukhasyan continues to use art as a form of expression, as well as an activity to calm mental stress during these times.
Sukhasyan has a unique perspective on the world.
Through her Iranian background and influence from Russian culture, she aims to bring elegance to the rough streets of Los Angeles through her work.
Sukhasyan’s accent reminds us of the language barrier most immigrants have managed to overcome.
Her comfort zone dwells in “painting her words.”
“Painting is my way of communicating with the world,” Sukhasyan said.
Her paintings create a way for her to be transparent about where she has been in life.
Before quarantine, Sukhasyan was able to venture to art exhibitions and art shows, displaying her traditional watercolor, acrylic and oil paintings, along with her digital illustrations.
Much has changed for her life as Los Angeles has become a ghost town and nightlife is non-existent.
As an artist that follows her heart, she revealed a personal hardship in these global circumstances: “I don’t have my muse every day.”
Quarantine has kept her busy and altered her schedule, as a full-time mother of three children, a teacher to her oldest two and a businesswoman in the art community, she is constantly in a crunch for time.
She explains how the constant change of identity hats leaves her exhausted and sometimes without inspiration.
Her struggles revolve around staying motivated.
“There are days where I don’t feel inspired at all,” Sukhasyan said.
She has to rely on social media more than ever to find inspiration.
Instagram has kept her connected with her supporters.
“I paint sketches of people now, anybody, I just do it for free,” Sukhasyan said.
Although her schedule has changed drastically, she keeps routine tactics, as she said, “I try to take my brush to paint every day.”
Being an artist is a part of who she is and has been her way to express herself for years.
There isn’t much that has changed with her art business as the coronavirus keeps many indoors.
“Selling art is always like a swing,” Sukhasyan said.