S7CAG is pleased to announce the first-ever public art exhibition of BitsyyBelle, currently on display at Jones Coffee Roasters in South Pasadena. The exhibition is available for viewing from Saturday, June 14 through Sunday, August 5, 2025. Guests are invited to view the collection during operating hours, 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily, with extended hours until 6:00 PM during the summer season.
Introducing BitsyyBelle and Her Debut Art Collection
This debut collection features artwork created over the span of two years—2023 and 2024. It reflects BitsyyBelle’s cultural background as an American Armenian born and raised in Pasadena, California, while also incorporating inspiration from her admiration for Vincent van Gogh. The series, mostly rendered in acrylic on canvas, includes visual scenes drawn from her Armenian heritage as well as depictions of daily life—such as a bicycle, which serves not only as a symbol of her mobile card-making station but also of personal freedom.
In a subtle yet powerful way, this body of work also explores the theme of healing through art. What is being archived in this collection is both generational trauma and the lived experience of trauma witnessed in her work as an emergency medicine physician. Creating these artworks has become an outlet to express the inexpressible—a process of healing through self-expression. This exhibition is not only visually compelling, but it also stands as a testament to the power of art as both a healing modality and a tool for personal and cultural reflection.
Recently, S7CAG had the opportunity to interview BitsyyBelle to learn more about her current collection and creative background. In the interview below, we explore her process, the external influences shaping her work, and her aspirations for the future. We invite you to read the full interview to gain a deeper understanding of BitsyyBelle and her artistic journey. Finally, at the end of the interview, you’ll find her most current artist biography.
Interview with BitsyyBelle
For archival purposes, please note that this interview was conducted over email on June 25, 2025. Esteban Lopez was in South Pasadena, California, while Silva Boyajian was in Pasadena, California at her private residence.
What materials or techniques are central to your practice, and why do they appeal to you?
I like working with acrylic medium because it is fairly easy and fun to work with. I have found that using random items—whether they be bottle caps, rulers, screwdrivers—instead of just brushes adds a lot of fun and variety to my paintings and comes up with shapes that I normally would not be able to create organically. It also allows for more expression.
Are there cultural, spiritual, or philosophical influences that inform your approach to creating artwork?
I don’t think they particularly influence my approach to creating the art, but once the piece is created, I recognize a lot of those influences shining through. My Armenian background and our tragic history of the Armenian Genocide obviously resonate within me and through a lot of my work. My people have felt silenced for a long time, and I feel that that trauma has carried throughout our generations and comes out in my work.
How are you approaching the art exhibition experience?
This is my first exhibition, and as such, I am looking at it as a way to open myself up to others, as my artwork is essentially my most vulnerable side on display for others to see and potentially judge. I am trying to approach it with no expectations in terms of selling a piece. Having my artwork displayed is something that I never would have dared dream of. It is a very exciting milestone for me.
What themes or ideas do you find yourself returning to in your work?
The interesting thing is I rarely have an idea of what I’m going to paint, but rather just start depending on where I am mentally and emotionally. But once the pieces are done and I have reflected on them, I realize that a lot of my pieces have to do with feeling silenced and not having a voice. I think one component of that is, as mentioned, the history of my people, but another component is being a female. In addition, as a female physician, I often have felt that I am silenced in a different way that I wouldn’t experience if I was a male.
How much does your personal life or identity show up in your work?
It shows up in every painting, in every stroke.
Are there emotions, questions, or stories you're hoping viewers experience when they engage with your work?
I don’t think so. I create the art for myself, and I believe that each individual is going to see something and feel something completely different depending on where they are in their life and what they are going through. And I think that is part of the beauty of art.
With your cultural background and work experience as an emergency medicine physician, has creating artwork helped you process or heal from any cultural or work trauma?
Absolutely. I believe that they are some of the key elements that have both led me to art and have led me to paint some of the things I paint. The cultural trauma is a huge factor, as I feel very strong ties to my ethnicity and my history. Even though I was born and raised in the United States, I very strongly identify with my culture. I attended Armenian schools growing up, through high school, and it is a huge part of my identity. As a physician—and more specifically as an ER physician—I see a lot of terrible things. Through those moments, I have to balance objectivity with empathy so that I can provide my patients both with emotional support and medical care. This definitely takes an emotional toll on me. Art has allowed me to both process a lot of the tragedies I encounter on a daily basis, as well as open me up to being more vulnerable with my patients—which definitely impacts their experience.
Can you describe how art has impacted your mental health or social well-being?
Art has undoubtedly impacted me positively in all aspects. It brings me joy. It is something I turn to when I need to process emotions that are too painful to openly discuss. It has also made me much more open to meeting new people and much more social.
Do you consider art to be a healing modality?
Undoubtedly.
If you were to evaluate all the artwork you have made thus far, is there any common theme or underlying concept that emerges?
I think I briefly discussed this in another question, but reflecting on all the pieces I have now, my cultural trauma—as well as me feeling silenced, particularly as a female—seem to be very prominent topics that I subconsciously revisit in my art.
Are there particular works in this collection that feel like milestones or turning points?
Woman is definitely one of the pieces that, looking back upon it, was around the time I feel I came out of my shell as an individual and as a female—no longer looking to be silenced. Feeling bold, and fully present in who I am. Antzayn is one of the breakthrough pieces, again regarding being silenced, but also breaking through that cultural trauma.
What do you hope viewers feel or perceive when they experience your artwork?
While, as I mentioned, I don’t create my art for others—as I never had any intention of the world seeing it—when someone sees all of my pieces, I hope that they see an individual who has many layers. Someone who has gone through different types of personal and emotional struggles and has come out of that more full of life, more colorful, more confident, and has truly emerged from her cocoon—a cocoon she did not realize she was in. I hope it inspires others to keep pushing when they may be in a dark place in their life, knowing that things always get better.
Third-spaces like Jones Coffee Roasters have become increasingly important in the art world, providing a way for artists to connect with their local (and even global) communities. I've come across several galleries moving away from traditional gallery formats and embracing third-spaces to exhibit artwork. As an artist, what does it mean to you to be exhibiting your work in a community hub like Jones Coffee Roasters?
Like I said, this is something I never would’ve dreamed of. I feel extremely humbled and grateful. Jones Coffee Roasters in particular has an energy about it that feels very fitting for who I am. It is a combination of old and new. It has character. It has history and stability. I very much feel it is the perfect spot for my work.
Would you say this current body of work is part of a larger series or a standalone moment?
I don’t know. As I mentioned, I just create art when I feel the call to. I know I will create more art, but I don’t know what I will create. Reflecting on these pieces on the wall has brought a lot of insight for me personally. I don’t know what my next pieces will reflect. I simply know that I will never stop creating.
Where do you see your practice evolving in the next few years? Are there any dream projects, materials, or collaborations you hope to pursue?
My dream may be a bit atypical. As you know, my journey truly started when I created BitsyyBelle and watercolor cards. That offers a completely different component to my art because it allows me to interact with individuals more than simply when I am doing my acrylic canvas pieces. My acrylic art is more about self-expression. What would truly be a dream for me is to open my own store/studio. There, I would have my watercolor cards on display for sale, and I would have a section where I was actively working on my acrylic canvases. Individuals would be able to see me in my work, and I feel that that would give people more courage to pursue their own artistic endeavors.
How do you define success for yourself as an artist?
Had you asked me this question six months ago, I would not have been able to answer, as it has been much more recently that I’ve come to be OK with being called an artist. I think taking on that title alone is not an easy thing. You often don’t feel like you deserve that title, and it has taken a lot of work to be able to say, yes—I am an artist. That alone, for me, is a huge success. While I think any artist ultimately hopes to sell their pieces, I do think that puts the perception of success in another individual’s hands. And as an artist, I think that being able to let go of that is a success—to create simply for the sake of creating or for your own expression, instead of for others.
BitsyyBelle’s Artist Biography
Silva Boyajian is Armenian by ethnicity and was born and raised in Pasadena, California. She spent her early years pursuing her passion for helping others by attending medical school and becoming an emergency medicine physician. While living her dream, she also came face-to-face with the deep pain and suffering that often accompanies medical care. In recent years, Silva has turned to art as a form of healing—and as a new way to connect with humanity.
Inspired by her love for Vincent van Gogh, Silva began working with acrylics as a medium for self-expression and self-discovery. She also explores watercolor painting through her whimsical alter ego, BitsyyBelle. When she’s not in her studio, you might find her cycling through the streets of Pasadena or popping into local coffee shops, where she paints and sells hand-crafted watercolor greeting cards. Creating small pieces of art that people can share with loved ones has become another way for Silva to spread the joy and healing she has found through art.
You can follow BitsyyBelle's creative journey on Instagram: @BitsyyBelle.
S7CAG is pleased to announce the first-ever public art exhibition of BitsyyBelle, currently on display at Jones Coffee Roasters in South Pasadena (1006 Mission St, South Pasadena, CA 91030). The exhibition is available for viewing from Saturday, June 14 through Sunday, August 5, 2025. Guests are invited to view the collection during operating hours, 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily, with extended hours until 6:00 PM during the summer season.