Known as Dixey, and also as Kiara by many of my friends, (long story), I grew up in Cambridge, Massachusetts. My mother was a classical ballerina, and my father a writer and a musical man. I have been painting, drawing and writing my whole life.
When I was a young girl we moved to Florence, Italy, where my parents met and fell in love, to live in what was once an ancient monastery.
Surrounded by exquisite Renaissance art at every turn, I found my heart’s home, and my artistic roots were formed.
In Florence I studied fine art with the renowned Nerina Simi. She taught me to observe, and to really see, not with my mind as humans usually do, but with my eyes. She also taught me patience and perseverance.
My family remained in Florence for eighteen years. To this day I return regularly to that jewell of a city, where my mother still resides.
photos of artist by Perly J photography
Together with my husband and children, we spent many years travelling the roads of Ireland, living in horse-drawn wagons, where I learned about wild medicinal herbs and edible plants, how to cook and bake bread in a pot-oven on the fire, and how to stripe, scroll and decorate horse drawn vehicles in the traditional way.
Under the name of Dixey Ruscelli, I also enjoyed a long career as a Flamenco dancer, teacher and performer. As well as dancing in three different Flamenco groups, we toured Europe and the UK with our Flamenco/Fusion group Zambra, which included three of my dancing daughters and some talented musicians.
Left to right, Liz Lee, Dixey, guitarist Steve Homes
Zambra poster: Roxy dancing the Guajira
Marvellous Superfood
When I moved to Wales in 2011, my daughter Perly and I started up a business selling a blend of seven supercharged superfood powders. We worked hard to get the business up and running, aided by my youngest daughter Zeta who designed the labels, and by daughter Roxy who helped with the marketing, while son in law Arnaud created the website.
Marvellous Superfood took off, going on to receive many awards. Eventually Perly took over the entire management of the business, as Zeta needed to focus on her architectural work, Roxy on her work as an Occupational Therapist, and I on my art.
Since those early days Perly has created several more wonderful blends of superfood powders, the latest being Renewal, which is massively popular, helping women to balance their cycles and hormones. I am so proud of Perly and what she has achieved with this company, helping people to be healthy and happy, as well as being a wonderful mum and an award winning photographer!
marvelloussuperfood.co.uk. https://www.zetashekhawat.com. https://www.facebook.com/perlyjphotography
For several years now, I have been living in Wales, a land I have come to love ... ancient, peaceful, wild, secluded, unhurried and oh so green ... full of trees, rivers, beaches and far rolling hills that daily take my breath away. I love to travel as often as possible to Italy, Spain, Ireland, and other countries where members of my far-flung family and tribe reside.
What inspires my art? Love… of beauty, of life, of family… dreams, the flowing patterns in nature, the human face and form, birds and animals, faces and creatures looking out from clouds, trees, stains and puddles, shadows and cracks in the ceiling… teachers and spirit messengers everywhere I look. A deep desire to express and share my vision of the mystery and beauty of life.
Infinite Love and Gratitude.
