Malisa
“Art is what helps me to go through tough times and goes along with celebrating great times. It’s about trying things out. Expressing what is in your mind, in your heart and in your soul. Maybe it’s the bridge between these three sources.”
Malisa understands that becoming who you are meant to be and pursuing your passions can sometimes come with true sacrifice and risk-taking. After leaving most of what she knew behind to focus on her career in art, she became the best version of herself. She sees the beauty in all that surrounds her, and is able to express herself with every brush-stroke. To her, art is an outlet and a safe haven. Meet Malisa. This is her story.
K: Please introduce yourself!
M: My name is Malisa. I am a woman and an artist, living in Berlin. My life is about going my path into my inner world, to the source of light. By living life and its changes, art is my way to learn to understand who I am.
K: Describe yourself in your own words
M: Well, there is a lot I could tell about myself, but the first thing that comes to my mind and probably captures best what I really am is: I am an artist. It's what I love with all my heart and what I am doing all day long. Art is what helps me to go through tough times and goes along with celebrating great times. It's about trying things out. Expressing what is in your mind, in your heart and in your soul. Maybe it's the bridge between these three sources. It's what I see, when I look in the sky, when I smell flowers or when I listen to music while painting my pain out of my heart. Art is everywhere.
K: What is your favourite thing about yourself?
M: I would say, it's the courage I proved when I was most afraid. When I look back I see how brave I was to leave so much behind in order to follow my real path here on earth. It was challenging and scared me so much not to know what awaits me, but I did it: the step out of a small world into a big world full of magic, colors and miracles.
K: Tell us a story. Have you had an experience that’s defined you or made you stronger?
M: I think it was the decision to leave everything behind and get to know who I really am. And my dreams were (and are) my guidance to this version of myself. But during this time I had no idea what I should do and had so many doubts in myself and what I am feeling. A lot of people wanted to keep me as I was, in a version of myself, which became too small for me. They told me a lot of things about life and dreams and tried to push me in a completely different direction I felt I had to go. And even when I knew they weren’t right, my fear was too big and I stayed. But after a while I realized, I’d rather take a risk and know at least I tried to make my dreams come true, than living a life that I don't find any sense in. I knew even when it frightens me so much (and it really did) and I will probably lose everything, I have to trust in life and the reason why I feel like this.
The thing is, in life there are so many chapters, but often we are too afraid to experience what life will guide us through and we hold on to something which is over. We are afraid of change. But I learned that change is necessary to become the person you want to be. Sometimes it's tough, that's true, but living a life you aren't meant to be is even harder, I think, because you always fight against something in yourself and that hurts so much more than any change ever could. I believe there is always light. I find it in my dreams and I decided to believe in them and follow my inner voice, step by step into the future.
K: What is one piece of advice you’d give to your younger self?
M: Trust yourself, believe in your dreams and go your own way no matter what. It will always be the most colorful and lightful one and the only one which matters in the end. Because in your own path lies the truth your soul wants to get to know. Trust and everything will be okay.
K: What does being a woman mean to you?
M: That's a really good question. Well it means your peerless soul has chosen to experience life in this version of a human being. To explore itself as a woman. It's a gift as great as being a man. It's just a different experience and your soul decided to make this one. I think now it's time to embrace to be a woman in all facets. Dare to show who you are in your abundance of being.
K: Who is one woman that inspires you? What would you say to her if she were here now?
M: It's Elizabeth Gilbert. She's a writer and a beautiful soul. I love her energy and how she sees the world. She is a great inspiration to take life in all its ups and downs, and even when it's getting darker, still to trust in life and its lessons. It will give you what your soul wants to know. When I would have the chance, I would say to her that I am grateful her words found me and brightened up my life and showed me: there is so much more.