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Inside the Studio: Seleta Harvey
- Art Dealer Street
- May 6
- 6 min read
Seleta Harvey’s art is an exploration of identity, empowerment, and the personal journey of healing. With her background in Architecture and Interior Design, Seleta brings a unique lens to her creative process, blending technical precision with emotional depth. Her works are a testament to resilience, often depicting intricate forms and shapes that reflect the complexities of life and the soul’s evolution. In this "Inside the Studio" interview, Seleta shares insights into her art, her journey of self-discovery, and how she transforms personal experiences into powerful visual narratives.
Read on to learn more in an exclusive interview with Seleta Harvey :
1. Seleta, your art often explores themes of identity and empowerment. Can you talk about how these themes influence the visual language you use in your work?
When it comes to my art, I have always tied the themes of identity and empowerment to my spirit. The stronger my spirit is, the more it is felt in and through my art. It is one thing to visually see art, but it's an entirely different thing for it to touch you at a soul level. There are certain colors, shapes, forms, etc., that make you feel some type of way, which can enhance your mood, and I enjoy testing and pushing those boundaries. My favorite quote that I love to use is one we’ve all heard before, but I always like to add a twist: “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but what if the beholder is blind?” That’s where I come in, because I invoke all the senses for a full, encompassing experience. My art is not just visual, but some pieces require you to close your eyes and touch, wanting the viewer to interact with it. It makes it even more personal and creates a lasting memory.
2. You’ve shared that your art is a form of storytelling. How do you begin a new piece, and how does the narrative evolve as you work?
Before the creation of each piece, I take a moment and go sit in nature and then meditate for 15 to 20 minutes. It allows me to empty my mind and body, enabling me to flow more freely. That true essence of “tuning out and tuning in” gives my mind the time to explore, and taking nature in visually helps. I am a full believer in “find inspiration everywhere.” The storytelling evolves from being physical to spiritual, and in doing that, it allows me to paint from my soul. If there is a color that isn't resonating with me, I will change it because even the color combination tells a story within itself. There are many layers within each painting, from the smallest detail to the largest; one feeds off the other. Once it is complete, the narrative transforms beyond what I expected, and I always surprise myself.
3. Your style seems to draw from both contemporary and traditional influences. How do you blend these different elements to create a cohesive artistic voice?
I view the contemporary and traditional influences from the past as trying to put a puzzle back together in a unique way. Being that I have a background in Architecture and Interior Design, traveling to various countries in Europe and seeing certain influences has taught me how to blend styles effortlessly. I love putting things together that you would not think would go, creating that juxtaposition and making it odd but visually fascinating. In this, it helps me establish a cohesive artistic voice, like a blend of different elements from Georgia O'Keeffe, Salvador Dali, Vincent Van Gogh, and even Bob Ross. With my voice, there is also a healthy madness to how I create all my work.
4. How do your personal experiences shape the characters and figures you depict in your work?
To be honest, heartbreak and heartache have pushed me in a way to paint from a place of emotion and to leave it all on the canvas. I have laughed, cried, screamed, etc., all the while painting, so there is a little piece in every single one of my artworks—for myself and my clients. My art has healed me in ways that have helped me heal others all over social media. The most humanistic thing to do is to feel deeply and have a healthy outlet to pour all of it out, and when I am done, I am empty because I gave it my all. It can be a draining experience in creating the shapes, forms, etc., but I never regret it.
5. The use of bold, strong colors in your work feels like an invitation to see the world with clarity. What role does color play in conveying strength and emotion in your pieces?
Color theory plays such a significant role in my artwork, and I enjoy bringing that out in myself as well as others. It is a well-known fact that color can affect the psyche in many ways, so when my clients come to me with an idea in mind, I always ask, “What colors come to mind? And why those colors?” It opens up the dialogue a little further, and nine times out of ten, my clients are dealing with some kind of pain they unknowingly want to heal. So it is my job to dive deep and transmute that pain into healing art, hence creating a new memory in the place of that pain. Yes, life is going to have some black, white, and gray moments, but I am also a visual reminder that the right colors brought into an individual’s life can help them see their world in a new, emotional, and freeing way. They go from just existing to living an entirely different way.
6. Your art speaks to resilience. Could you explain how your creative process helps you process life’s challenges?
If life does not challenge you in some aspect, then it certainly is not going to change you. The creative process can mimic the trials and tribulations that life will bring, so with that being said, sometimes I have to take a pause and see what is truly in front of me. Just allowing my mind to process what is being asked of me to do, and oftentimes, I am staring at a blank canvas in complete silence. This is the part where, in my mind, I can “see” the design, colors, forms, etc., appear on the canvas. The creative process is teaching me how to better handle whatever life’s challenges may bring my way. To come to a peaceful and sound resolution lessens the chance of frustration, helps in a dual capacity in life, and in art.
7. How has the digital age and social media impacted your connection to the art community and your audience?
The digital age and social media impact have helped my connection to the art community and audience in the most beautiful way! I love the fact that I can reach people from all over the world just with a single post and using the right amount of hashtags. Getting inspired and inspiring people is a very fulfilling experience and just adds to my level of excitement. However, I still enjoy the original way of connecting through art shows, gallery openings, pop-up shops, networking, etc., but the digital age with art has transformed many things for me, my art, especially for my business, Pure Vision Art Company LLC, providing incredible opportunities for connection, exposure, and innovation. It also presents challenges related to competition, authenticity, and the very definition of art in this new environment.
8. For aspiring artists, especially those focused on narrative and social themes, what advice do you have for staying motivated and authentic to their vision?
The best advice I would give to aspiring artists is to stay motivated and authentic when it comes to narratives and social themes in conjunction with their vision. Simply put:
Remember your why!
As you evolve as a spiritual being having a 3D experience, your art will evolve and embrace that change.
Do what creatively speaks to your heart!
Take a break to reset and allow yourself grace.
Be patient with yourself!
Seleta Harvey’s artistic process is a deeply personal and transformative journey. Her work beautifully intertwines emotion, healing, and empowerment, inviting viewers to reflect on their own experiences through her vibrant compositions. Seleta’s advice to aspiring artists is both grounded and inspiring, emphasizing the importance of staying true to one’s vision and allowing creativity to evolve naturally. Through her art, she continues to touch lives, creating space for self-exploration and healing, and reminding us all that art, at its core, is a mirror of our human experience.
You can learn more about Seleta Harvey and her work via these links: Website: https://purevisionartco.wixsite.com/4everguardedartist Instagram: @4everguardedartist Facebook: @PureVisionArtCo X(Twitter): @purvisionartist
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