STALLI THE ARTIST

 Who are you? 

My name is $talli, I am a 22 year old creative from Sydney. I am an acrylic painter and digital artist, who spends most of her time either creating art, thinking of her next project, on Twitter scrolling through juicy threads, or is watching Dreamgirls for the third time this week. 

What made you start doing art?

I don’t like to spend too much time in one place or doing the same thing. Whether it be where I work or doing a certain activity, I find myself always wanting to do more, and to essentially BE more. I’ve been doing art for the past 7-8 years on the low, but have only recently started taking it seriously over the past 2. Once I tapped back into it back in 2019, I realised that my art allows me to embrace my sporadic side without the consequences of change, and giving me a space to express how I feel on the inside without having to face the [sometimes stressful] situation of reaching out and vocalising my feelings to others. It’s essentially an outlet for me to be spontaneous and to heal simultaneously.

Where did the name $talli come from?

I get this A LOT! LMAO! I remember a few years back Megan Thee Stallion did some sort of interview (I think it may have been a YouTube one or something - I can’t remember). But someone had asked her where she got her name from and she pretty much just said tall and thick women were referred to as “stallions” in the South. And I was like oooo okay thats kinda cool. It was a first for me because, not only was I not used to seeing a successful woman with a similar body shape and height as myself, but I had never seen such confidence and praise carried with it. Seeing that interview made me feel so liberated, so I posted the clip on my Instagram, and my friends ran with it. At first it was cute and only my closest friends would call me Stalli as a nickname, but then it kinda stuck and everyone else picked up on it and it became my name lol! I’m really glad it fell into place that way because signing my name on an artwork or having someone call me Stalli takes me back to when I first saw that interview. It prompts me to continue to feel liberated and free, and on days where I don’t feel confident or pretty (it happens more than you think!), it checks me in place to remind myself that I am that b****! LOL! I love it!! And the dollar sign is just a good luck charm I guess hahahah.

What inspires and/or motivates you? 

As cliché as it sounds, my family are both my motivators and inspiration. My whole life, it has just been my two younger sisters, mum and my grandma (shout out to KingTalz, Nana, Mama Mazz and NooNoo!!). They have supported every single thing I have put my mind to, put up with half-finished paintings laying around the house, and most importantly, dealt with the waves of emotions that come with living with me hahaha. They’re my right hands, my rock, and they’re the reason why I am still here today. My mum is one of the strongest people in my life, and what she has been through is a constant motivator for me to try and give her and my sisters a better life. My grandma was my best friend, she lost her 5-year battle to Ovarian Cancer in October last year, and while I constantly had thoughts of being unworthy and not wanting to share anything with the world, she made me very aware that I was sitting on a talent that could get me places, and the only person in my way was myself. Don’t get me wrong, I still have my days where I do doubt myself and feel like stopping, but I’ve constantly got her voice in my head reassuring me, and I know a lot of the opportunities that I have been granted this year have been her working from above. I miss you so much my love, I hope I’m making you proud. 

And a quick shout out to my girls Kia, Nay and Ay - my journey wouldn’t be complete without you girls also. You three deserve the world and I can’t wait for you all to see yourselves in the light I see you all in. My safe place forever.

Which painting do you like to create? 

I love painting portraits - especially honouring people who have shaped me to be the person I am today. My favourite so far is the portrait I recently completed of Diana Ross - can’t wait to have it up in my mansion living room one day ; )

As a creative, who do you look up to?

“You know B, she don’t even need her whole name!” hehehe Beyoncé duhhh

Humility is so important to me! We are all human and no matter what journey we are on and where this life takes us, we are all worthy of our dreams and I strongly believe that no one person and their achievements and success is better than the next person’s. Having said this, I am a strong believer in bringing others up and supporting one another. If you’ve held it down for me and have been here for all the lows, you’ll be riding to the top right with me. 

What do you want people to know about you?

Ahh this was so hard for me to answer, haaaa. Being a 20 Something year old (shout out SZA for my favourite song off Ctrl), I’ve always struggled to find my path, and in some ways, trying to find myself. I’ve always been very creative and artistic, but I never really had the confidence to share it with others as I can be real sensitive to judgement; especially when it comes to things that I know I am good at. While it may not be big for most, sharing my art has been a massive step for me, and I am so grateful for the love and support that I have received by so many on this journey so far because it hasn’t been easy.

What is your dream gig?

I have a lot of dream gigs and goals, I’m a Pisces so im dreaming while I’m awake hahaha. But within the next 2 years I plan to have my work featured and auctioned off at Tina Knowles-Lawson’s Annual WACO Art Gala Event. It has been a dream of mine since the Gala began and I am going to work so hard to get there! I’ll be sure to give you guys a run down when I attend ; )

Favourite quote?

I don’t know if this is considered a quote, but I live by the whole “fake it ’til you make it” mentality. You may feel otherwise, but when you present yourself like you are confident and worthy of success, people will perceive and treat you like you are already successful. You attract what you feel!!! 

My dream shoe is the Christian Louboutin “Hot Chick” Black Heel with the iconic red sole. The colours of these heels are the epitome of class, and are reflected in the packaging with that high class, expensive feel. I wanted this collaboration to be a statement of empowerment and confidence, while ensuring every product is an experience. From the packaging to the lash style, I want every single person that purchases the Stalli Lashes to know that they are the baddest in any room they enter. 

What does this collaboration mean for you? 

A makeup brand collaboration is one I have been wanting to do forever! It means so much more to me knowing that the team behind Stepera Beauty are true reflections of what they instil in their brand. Massive shout out to Taime and James for constantly supporting and believing in me - and most importantly, allowing me to have creative freedom with this collab! I can’t wait for you guys to see what we have for you!!!

What is one makeup product you can’t live without?

I can not live without my mascara! My favourites are the Fenty Beauty Full Frontal Mascara in Cuz I’m Black and the Tarte Cosmetics Lights, Camera, Lashes (4-in-1 Mascara). 

What would you like to say to your fans?

Omg I don’t even think I have fans hahaha, but for the people who have supported me at all, I love you all so much. To the people close to me who have chosen to stay up all night talking about our dreams and goals for the future and keeping me motivated, I am so grateful for you and love you so much. It is the journey that we are on together that makes it so much more worthwhile and exciting - you know who you are and it’s only up from here! 

Stalli xx