Today we’d like to introduce you to Latifah Shadaé
Hi Latifah, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I quietly sat in the corner of my classroom with the toys while the other kids were running & jumping around. Took the first crayon I could find & began doodling pictures and my name on the wooden blocks. I did this often until one day the teacher found them & showed my mom. I thought I was going to get in trouble but they thought it was cool. But now instead of blocks they gave me books full of color paper. In elementary school the teachers would give me supplies to go home with. And I’d return with an art piece.
Growing up I never went to any art school. Mostly created pieces on my own at home. One day after losing my job I ran into an old friend from middle school who had remembered that I was always drawing in school. He invited me to a sip and paint. I didn’t even know what that was at the time but I’m so glad I went. I loved it. We painted lips with a bumblebee. The very next day I went to an art store, got acrylic paint, brushes, and canvases. I was ready to do this. And so I did.
Two months later I was painting with Groundswell and became the resident muralist for PAL at the center in the neighborhood I grew up in. I started doing countless groups art shows and even had a solo. Today I’m preparing to walk across the stage in one week to receive my BFA from Brooklyn College.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. But I take everything as a lesson. There was a time or two when I wanted to quit doing art and participating in art shows. I had been doing several art shows & could never seem to sell anything at the shows. I was getting commissions but I needed to sell my work off the wall. It was about the 17th show when I finally sold a painting straight from the wall. I always remind myself not to quit because tomorrow could be the day I win.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a visual artist specializing in acrylic and oil painting. I’m very proud of the most recent collection I completed. A 15 piece series inspired by the study abroad trip I took to China. It depicts my experience as a black woman in a country where I rarely saw anybody look like me. It bridges black culture with Chinese culture from my POV.
How do you think about luck?
I don’t really think of anything as good luck or bad luck. Everything happens for a reason exactly when it’s supposed to. One door always leads to another.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/latifah_shadae
