Meet Camille Soltani Icely | Artist, Poet, and Jewelry Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Camille Soltani Icely and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Camille, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I am from Summerville, South Carolina. My upbringing was a very challenging one, but it really shaped me into who I am now. I want to protect my siblings and not share too much, but we went through a very traumatic event when we were young, and it lasted for many years. This trauma followed me into my relationships in adult life, and effected my mental health as well. However, I have been on a long journey of healing, and I can look back and see how far I’ve come in that. I write all of this because love, healing, and transformation, is a core part of my art. All I share in my paintings and writings are with an open and vulnerable heart, because I hope to encourage others in their own healing journey.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
All of my artwork has a message of love, hope, healing and transformation. It is rooted in my relationship with God, but I share it for everyone no matter what they believe, because to me, God is love, and love is something everyone can receive from. So all I do, I do in love. Many say my artwork is ‘whimsical’ and holds a lot of movement. It has a fantasy like style, and I believe it’s because a lot of my journey has been on healing the inner child. So there is a child-likeness to my paintings that speak to the inner-child in others.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
One of my favorite places to eat locally is a new little spot called The Gathering in Summerville. I am really lucky, as it’s right across the street from where I work (at the CC Artist Cooperative at the Public Works Art Center). The food is amazing and it’s all clean, farm to table food. It’s great for people like me who have gluten allergies or are vegan (But there is non-vegan options as well!) I would then walk to my favorite coffee shop, Cuppa Manna, which is right around the corner. They have locally roasted coffee, and the best flavor lattes. There’s something for everyone there (tea, boboa tea, pastries).
Lastly I would go to The Public Work Art Center, where I work, because the art exhibits change out every 6 weeks and there is always something new and exciting going on.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My biggest shoutout would go to my moms. They have been my biggest encouragement in life, and their examples in life have had a huge impact on me. We went through bankruptcy when I was young, and I watched my mom start her own business and work hard to redeem everything that was lost. She now owns a very successful grooming and retail business in Summerville, doing what she’s passionate about, which is helping pets holistically. They have encouraged me in all I do. When I dream big, they cheer me on. They watch my son for me twice a week so I can have days to work and continue to do my passion.

Website: www.sarahcamilleart.com

Instagram: @sarahcamilleart

Facebook: www.facebook.com/sarahcamilleart