Halla has striven to revolutionize the use of soft pastels from its use as a classical representation medium to more contemporary experimental and expressionist abstraction. She often integrates soft pastels with other media and her works are known for their rich color and dense tapestry-like texture. Influenced by her love of the natural world, her paintings are based on her observations of the greater universe, her dreams, and meditations. Many of her paintings also reflect humanitarian and developmental issues of concern to her including women and child rights. 

— Halla Shafey