Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to LaShonda Cooks. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

LaShonda, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.

My parents’ support has meant the world to me. They are both creatives themselves: my dad is a retired art teacher finally doing his own art and my mom plays piano by ear and can read music.

When I graduated from college, I packed up my bags, hopped on a flight and moved back home. I was given a safe space to come back to in my parents’ house with no strings attached. I wasn’t pressured with questions about what my next steps were.

I naturally hit the ground running to figure out how best to use my skills and talents. I started off working retail. Then a college friend suggested I put my writing skills to use, so I became a journalist for a local newspaper. I would travel to and from assignments on public transportation. No car.

I was noticed at the newspaper and invited to apply for a job in fundraising, putting my writing skills to use. And then I ultimately ended up in insurance, managing claims for clients.

On my free time, I painted. Art was always a part of my life. But it became an essential outlet as I tried to find my place in the world. It was a needed source of solace and peace.

My parents noticed my art and suggested I sell it. After many nudges from them and my boyfriend at the time, I finally became confident enough to consider it.

I asked my dad if I could set up a table in the foyer at church. Dad called our pastor and spoke with him and his wife.

The next Sunday, I was trotted into the back office to show my pastor my art.

Bishop was impressed and even held up a piece from the pulpit as he announced that I would have a table after service.

My very first sales came that day.

Since then, my parents have been an amazing support system. They’ve helped me set up at events, come out to my first art show–in an apartment loft, and much more.

My dad was literally out with me in the cold on a corner as I painted my first mural last year. He’s out this summer in the Texas heat making sure I’m able to work on my current mural.

We had an art show together in January that was such a full circle moment and my chance to say thank you by sharing my platform. It was beautiful and so rewarding.

My mom is such a cheerleader and marketer. She loves sharing the news about shows or projects with friends and anyone she meets. I’m grateful.

Their biggest gift was not pressuring me. They knew I was self-motivated and by God’s grace, I would land on my feet and destiny.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hi! My name is LaShonda Cooks. I became an artist officially in 2014. That’s when I first felt comfortable calling myself one, though I’ve been creating all my life.

Art is therapeutic for me. I seek to create pieces as part of my own exploration and internal dialogue about what is beautiful, what defines us as humans and what we are made of.

I use a very fluid and colorful paint style that is sometimes pointillistic and sometimes impressionistic.

I love capturing the highlights and shadows in people’s faces when I paint.

I’m most proud of my desire to continually challenge myself and play with different materials and makeshift canvases.

I love learning and getting better.

My work is my love song to myself, my history, my culture and my loved ones, both known and unknown.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Soon after I first started selling and showing my work in outdoor festivals, I had my work critiqued.

I proudly toted all my paintings and laid them out for review.

After a relative quick review, I received feedback.

The critique was tough. Basically, I was told I needed to go take some fundamental classes in drawing if I was serious about showing my work in galleries.

I was devastated. All of the people in my immediate circle had been praising my natural talent and work.

But I also understood that critiques are meant to make us better. In school, I would get my writing critiqued by peers. Though the process was sometimes unnerving, it was ultimately for our betterment.

Once I cried, got out of my feelings and vented to my boyfriend at the time, I looked up classes and found some at a local community college.

I took two semesters of Drawing and loved it. The strategies I learned improved my sketching ability. I fell in love with charcoal and was inspired to try and paint a reference photo I found in class.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Artists need access. We need access to resources, spaces and opportunities to show our work in places that aren’t “pay to play.”

There are so many people just looking for a chance to place their creations in front of an engaged audience.

Th biggest benefit of the pandemic and George Floyd’s legacy was that the door to access and opportunity was cracked open for Black artists specifically, and artists of color in general.

We need a pipeline for self-taught artists like myself who are creating, putting in the time and work, to get genuine mentorship, critiques (if desired) and dedicated space to create and showcase.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.shondasart.com
• Instagram: @shondasart
• Facebook: @shondasart
• Linkedin: LaShonda Cooks

Image Credits
Shauna Benoit