We were lucky to catch up with Samaiyah Abdur-Rahman recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Samaiyah, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

Art is my release. My artistic journey propelled upwards after I created custom jars, pictured letters, and decorative mirrors in 2018. In 2019, I started creating acrylic pour paintings expressing myself through art. I mix a custom fluid acrylic paint formula and use various instruments to move the paint. I perfected my paintings by mixing colors and using household items to create numerous designs.

My fluid images from SJL Creations LC boldly shaped and opened the door to my clothing collection. My brand SJL Creations LC has transformed art into pieces of clothing that embrace life under Haus of Imani. The colors I choose for my art and clothing designs are based on my passions, moods, and environment. I like to create art that is open to multiple interpretations. You can see happiness, joy, sadness, and anger in each canvas, just like the Haus of Imani dresses, hoodies, skirts, leggings, and track pants. While I was in high school, my aunt’s clothing line inspired me to combine my love for art and fashion. I want people to wear my art and bring it to life.

Seeing the images and colors in motion is a dream come true. The colors that grace the canvases are now active parts of life and decree the fervor and zest behind each design. I am most proud of the work that God has been calling me to do through art healing workshops, public and private paint and pour parties, fashion shows, and the opportunity to expose children and adults to art.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I acknowledge the value of art and the role that art plays in emotion management. I am compelled to teach people how to incorporate art into their lives. Studies show that creating art supports improved childhood behavior, advanced academic standing, self-discovery, builds self-esteem, decreases stress, and gives an emotional release and flow. My recent discovery while studying at University of Detroit Mercy in my Dynamics of Spiritual Growth course was that creating brings you closer to God. Art is aligned with spirituality and positive expression. I feel that it is important that everyone paints, draws, colors, or builds and has a creative outlet. I want children and adults to be motivated when they hear my story to pursue their dreams. God is continuing to bless me beyond my dreams.

What do you find most rewarding about being creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is: 1) Spreading the love of art in my community.
2) To be present with people of all ages producing their unique works of art is inspiring and sometimes surprising.
3) Learning the different interpretations of my art and how color schemes and patterns impact other people.
4) Building my art business in terms of clientele and marketing.
5) God’s guidance for my art business to help and encourage others.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sjlcreations.bigcartel.com/category/haus-of-imani
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hausofimani/
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/hausofimani/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samaiyah-abdur-rahman-6a2a40190/

Image Credits
Instagram accounts @q.b.photography_ @anna.soustina @q11photography @rioviisuals