From Canvas to Storybook: How Shima Zarei Uses Illustration to Rewrite Reality

In an age dominated by fast content and fleeting digital images, finding art that pauses time, provokes deep reflection, and offers genuine emotional resonance feels rare. Yet, illustrator and painter Shima Zarei has built a quietly powerful creative universe that does precisely this, resonating with audiences young and old alike. In this heartfelt episode of Cozy Corner with Hossein Nasiri, we sat down with Shima to explore her extraordinary artistic journey—from a child fascinated by stories to a creator whose illustrations speak louder than words.

This is not merely a tale of artistic success but an intimate narrative about identity, emotional truth, and the power of imagination as both refuge and revelation. Through candid introspection and a commitment to emotional authenticity, Shima has transformed everyday realities into fantastical worlds rich with subtle lessons and deep empathy. It’s a journey that started not with a career strategy, but in the boundless imagination of a reflective child.

Childhood Beginnings: Stories as Second Nature

Long before Shima’s illustrations appeared in books and exhibitions worldwide, her life revolved around storytelling. Her childhood was steeped in picture books, illustrated magazines, and the emotional nuances of everyday life. Shima vividly recalls drawing a simple but meaningful childhood memory: the visit of her grandmother and uncle. This seemingly minor event encapsulated her instinctive storytelling ability—a capacity she would nurture throughout her life.

Her early artistic endeavors were always intertwined with narrative, music, and emotional depth. While she briefly flirted with music as a creative outlet, painting ultimately spoke to her soul. “Creating through painting made me feel better than playing music,” she explained. Even as a child, Shima instinctively understood the emotional resonance inherent in visual storytelling.

From Painter to Illustrator: The Emotional Transition

Although her academic path began with painting and graphic design, Shima gradually found herself leaning toward illustration. It wasn’t a deliberate career choice; rather, it was an emotional evolution guided by her profound connection to stories. The shift happened naturally during her master’s studies, as her drawings became increasingly narrative-driven, cartoonish, and illustrative.

“My main profession is illustration now, but I always maintain a painter’s perspective,” Shima clarified. This blend—grounding her illustrations in the fine arts tradition—infuses her works with nuanced emotional depth, elevating them far beyond simple storytelling aids.

Illustration as Emotional Transmission

For Shima, illustration is not a passive act of representation but an active process of emotional and psychological transmission. When she receives a story commission, Shima doesn’t merely read it—she lives it. She places herself within the characters, even the smallest ones, seeing the world through their eyes. “Even if it’s a tiny snail,” she explained, “I imagine myself as that snail, viewing the world from its perspective.”

Her illustrations often extend beyond the written narrative, adding subtle characters and scenarios that enrich the emotional texture of the story. For instance, in a story about a dog and cat’s conflict, Shima might insert a mouse and ant friendship in the corners of the illustration to amplify the emotional depth, subtly reinforcing the story’s underlying message.

Art as Self-Reflection and Discovery

Illustration, for Shima, isn’t just about depicting external stories; it’s a profound journey inward. She candidly discussed how she often confronts her inner darkness, insecurities, and mischievousness through her characters. Her inner child—a recurring theme throughout our conversation—guides her artistic choices, fueling creativity that is deeply personal and emotionally honest.

“I always create from something genuinely existing within me,” she explained. For example, during a challenging period, she created a painting series called “The Inner Parasites,” using ants to symbolize intrusive thoughts consuming her from within. This raw emotional honesty makes her illustrations resonate deeply with audiences, providing a gentle mirror reflecting universal truths.

The Magic of Small Discoveries

Shima firmly believes in the magic hidden within small details. Her illustrations frequently feature playful elements inviting children to explore beyond the written story. A tiny mouse tail peeking from under a table leg becomes an invitation for a child’s imagination. “Kids love discovering these hidden details,” she shared enthusiastically. Her illustrations encourage readers to become active participants, not passive observers, transforming reading into an imaginative game.

The Power of Mischief and Complexity

Shima challenges traditional children’s storytelling by embracing emotional complexity, including elements of mischief, sadness, and conflict. Contrary to sanitized narratives, she argues children need exposure to these emotional dimensions for healthy psychological development. Her mischievous characters—like a wicked cat stepping on a doll—are not gratuitous acts of wickedness; they’re emotional outlets providing catharsis and resonance.

“Kids need that mischief. Everything has become overly educational and moralistic,” she explained. Shima believes real stories offer emotional release, enabling children to process complex feelings safely. This rebellious, subtle honesty defines her creative philosophy, pushing against oversimplified children’s narratives.

Evolving Artistically: Quiet Changes, Powerful Impact

Though her style has gained popularity, Shima actively resists artistic stagnation. She gradually introduces subtle stylistic changes—shifting techniques, tweaking characters, redesigning elements—to maintain creative vitality without alienating her audience. “Creativity and innovation lie solely in change,” she insisted. These incremental adjustments ensure her work evolves naturally, maintaining freshness while preserving her core emotional integrity.

Emotional Research and Immersion

Shima approaches unfamiliar narrative territory with meticulous emotional research. For a story involving Alzheimer’s, she spoke with families, watched films, and deeply immersed herself emotionally to authentically portray a grandfather losing his memories. The resulting illustrations were profoundly moving, connecting readers viscerally with complex human experiences.

Illustration as Emotional Mirror

Her illustrations are mirrors reflecting emotional truths. Shima confessed that she physically embodies the emotional states of her characters while drawing—whether it’s a goofy smile or weary posture. “People often tell me my characters feel alive,” she remarked, attributing this vitality to her genuine emotional immersion. This empathetic embodiment creates illustrations deeply resonant with readers.

Personal Philosophy: Authenticity Above All

Shima’s artistic journey prioritizes emotional authenticity above commercial appeal. She carefully selects projects resonating deeply within her, rejecting work disconnected from her emotional truth. Her goal isn’t to please publishers or authors, but to create something emotionally impactful for herself and, by extension, her audience.

“I only accept stories that immediately connect with me emotionally,” she explained. Her intuitive, emotion-driven approach ensures each illustration remains personally meaningful and universally resonant.

The Intimacy of Feedback and Connection

Feedback is crucial for Shima. She actively seeks audience reactions, asking how children respond emotionally to her illustrations. Witnessing children’s amazement or emotional reactions fuels her creative passion. She shared stories of children deeply moved by her images, setting them as digital wallpapers, or experiencing emotional catharsis. These moments validate her intuitive, emotionally honest approach.

Final Thoughts: Illustration as Emotional Alchemy

Shima Zarei’s journey from canvas to illustration has been a profound exploration of identity, emotional truth, and creative authenticity. She doesn’t merely illustrate stories—she emotionally reinterprets them, providing a space for deep reflection, discovery, and empathy.

In a world overwhelmed by transient images, Shima’s quiet, emotionally resonant illustrations stand apart. Her work reminds us that true creativity lies not in chasing trends or popularity, but in fearless emotional honesty and subtle rebellion against superficial storytelling.

Her illustrations don’t simply accompany texts—they enrich them, revealing unseen emotional layers and inviting readers into a richer, deeper imaginative space. Shima’s art isn’t about depicting idealized worlds but capturing life’s complex emotional realities—pain, joy, mischief, and hope—in a way both children and adults can understand and cherish.

For aspiring artists and storytellers, Shima’s journey offers powerful lessons:

• Trust your emotional instincts above trends.
• Embrace complexity and mischief; authenticity resonates.
• Gradually evolve your style while maintaining core emotional truths.
• Engage deeply with your audience’s emotional reactions.
• Prioritize emotional honesty and creative authenticity above commercial appeal.

In the end, Shima’s work proves that the quietest stories can carry the loudest emotional truths—and that the deepest creativity emerges not from strategic calculation, but from honest, fearless introspection.