A Peek into the Surreal, Emotion-Filled Creations of Our Art Star of the Month Jemsy Pradun

We’re excited to kick off a new series of interviews with our Art Star of the Month program, honouring exceptional talent across various creative fields.

Through this initiative, we aim to spotlight artists making an impact, offering them a global platform to share their work and connect with a community of creators. The Art Star of the Month program is designed to recognise the incredible diversity and innovation in the arts, providing a space for growth, recognition, and meaningful connections.

For this month’s Art Star feature, we’re delighted to introduce Jemsy Pradun. In this interview, Jemsy takes us from the boredom of a Covid afternoon to finding her authentic voice through sketchbooks and Sharpies, sharing how her style evolved into eclectic surrealism and adapted blind contour. She opens up about balancing spontaneity with intention, choosing vibrant palettes that mirror her emotions, and the thrill of seeing her inner world take shape on paper.

From her first pencil stroke to being celebrated as an Art Star, we’ve learned how creativity can spark from unexpected moments and grow into a powerful, personal journey. Jemsy also reveals how listening to her intuition leads each brushstroke and why she believes mistakes are just invitations to explore new ideas. She reflects on the joy of transcending reality through art and the importance of sharing her story with others.

Discover how a simple notebook and a set of Sharpies transformed into a lifelong passion—and how Jemsy’s art inspires us all.

I have always been inclined towards creativity, yet I had never considered fine arts my passion. One day during COVID, I saw a few sketchbooks and unopened Sharpies in my room. This was the moment in which boredom sparked inspiration. Throughout the years, my style has evolved from simple shapes in patterns to eclectic surrealism and adapted blind contour. After much practice, I came to find such an activity to be fulfilling and meaningful. My designs make me feel as though I create something thought-provoking; the complexities involved represent my emotion in colour and detail. Art has allowed me to progress in comprehension and imagination. I aspire to explore, express, and inspire constantly.

1.  Your art journey began during the stillness of Covid—how did that unexpected moment shift your view on creativity?  

I have always known creativity; that has never changed. In the beginning, it was through dancing (my then passion). Shortly after being injured, I needed foot surgery. When COVID arose, that was officially the catalyst of my emotional and creative downfall. Everything changed sequentially for the worse. A bit later, I saw my Sharpies and notebook. I wasn’t sure how and why, but when my pencil touched the paper, I felt something pleasantly different, which changed everything. What became a constant and casual pastime eventually made me realise I can promote a voice I thought was deficient and hard to understand. This moment aided in my shift to a more positive and courageous perspective; the voice of creativity has allowed me invaluable growth.

Each piece is an exploration of feeling; a visual representation of my internal world.

Jemsy Pradun

2.  You describe your process as spontaneous and intentional—how do you balance those opposites while creating?  

I don’t consider spontaneity and intention to be severely different from my work. Incorporating both is a natural step in my process; it’s how my mind works. Everything placed is based on how I feel in the moment, and my unique process relies on the intentional order in which I draw shapes/lines. Regardless of what character/object/etc. I draw; eyes and circular/simplistic shapes are typically drawn first. I would say my passion for art causes a consistent practice that allows my unique process to flow smoothly.

3.  Eclectic surrealism and blind contour are bold styles—what draws you to them emotionally or visually?  

Blind contour and eclectic surrealism have drawn me in by pleasing my eye and coming naturally in terms of the creative process. For example, when drawing realistic references, I find it easier to draw while only looking at the subject rather than the paper; the drawings are surprisingly more accurate when I make them this way. With practice in both techniques and new ideas, I aspire to develop a further understanding of personal and emotional topics.

4. Colour plays a significant role in your work—how do you choose your palette, and what does it reflect about your inner world?  

My palette is primarily based on my imagination, understanding of the colour wheel (i.e. complementary colours a.k.a. colours at opposite ends of the wheel), and references. The colours I use depict emotion and an imaginary world based on the real, similar to your mind when daydreaming or deep in thought. My art reflects my emotional state at the time of creation, whether it be vibrant visuals showing an uplifting time, or dull, pale, and dark tones reflecting a painful period.

Art has allowed me to progress in comprehension and imagination. I aspire to constantly explore, express, and inspire.

Jemsy Pradun

5.  Your art explores the subconscious—how do you know when a piece truly captures your feelings?  

I never know if my piece captures my true feelings until it’s done because I’m very judgmental and picky regarding my representations; I’m a perfectionist. However, many times after completion, the overwhelming emotion that naturally flows, especially if my loved ones favor it, is the telltale sign.

6.  Congratulations on being featured as Art Star by The Arts to Hearts Project! How do you think opportunities like this help elevate your career and open new doors for your creative journey?  

Opportunities like this elevate my career by granting me exposure to artists, curators, and the public, who will also give valuable feedback. This opportunity helps spread my message, which allows for an understanding of my feelings and concepts.

Jemsy Pradun’s artwork is a vibrant journey into the subconscious, where eclectic surrealism meets adapted blind contour to reveal her innermost emotions. Her pieces celebrate spontaneity and intention in equal measure, using bold colours and flowing shapes to map the landscape of her imagination. Jemsy’s story reminds us that creativity can ignite in the most unexpected moments and flourish through curiosity, practice, and honest self-expression, from rediscovering sketchbooks during the stillness of Covid to achieving recognition as this month’s Art Star.

To learn more about Jemsy, click the following links to visit her profile.

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