Fantastical Escape Fall 2024

I grew up in a crowded house with twelve family members in a tough neighborhood in San Diego. From a young age, I took on adult responsibilities, helping to raise my cousins and handling most of the cleaning at home. My family nicknamed me "CinderShalie," a playful yet poignant reminder of a childhood that often felt out of reach. Life in our neighborhood was marked by constant danger—high gang activity, frequent burglaries, and violence. I was nearly abducted right in front of our house, and one day, my older sister was shot while sitting with friends in our front yard. Thankfully, she survived, but those close calls left a lasting impact.

We faced ongoing financial struggles, and my grandfather would walk me to school and pick me up in a shopping cart, which often made me the target of teasing. After school, we’d collect rusty nails and cans to make a little extra money. When my mother, my only parent, passed away from cancer, I was separated from the family I’d always known. One of my aunts presented me with a list of relatives I could live with, scribbled on a piece of paper towel in red magic marker. Not fully understanding why I had to leave, I moved across the country to North Carolina to live with another aunt and uncle, who eventually became my adoptive parents. I went from having four siblings to becoming an only child, separated from my family across the country. This is just touching the surface of my story—it runs much deeper.

Throughout it all, my imagination was my sanctuary. As an artist and empath, I spent countless hours escaping into fantastical worlds. In school, I struggled to pay attention, and teachers would often say, “Shalimar always seems to be daydreaming.” Little did they know I was carrying unprocessed trauma. I had anxiety, severe rage and anger management issues until my early twenties. It wasn’t until college that I sought therapy, it was never offered to me prior. Disney movies and magical scenes filled my mind with positive imagery, offering an escape from the pain I experienced. Even today, I find peace spending hours immersed in fantasy novels, losing myself in otherworldly realms.

This collection is inspired by my journey and the wonder of watching my four-year-old daughter bring her own imagination to life. Seeing her captivated by the same kinds of stories I loved as a child is a joy, grounding me in the present and reminding me to savor the simple, often overlooked moments. Each piece in this collection holds more than just a story of escape; it’s a deeply personal journey woven into every stroke. I’m thrilled to share it with you and hope you find yourself just as enchanted, enjoying each fantastical escape.