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

Alright, Shadale thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

My mother allowed for me to be me! From the way I wore my hair, to mixed-matched socks, to being inquisitive, to wanting to draw on walls. She actively encouraged me to express myself. I would say this helped me learn who I was as a kid.

I think when we allow for our children to fully express themselves, it helps them learn to identify who they are. We all have differences about us, likes, dislikes, traits, etc. Being able to express myself at a young age helped me learn to navigate through different situations and circumstances that came about throughout my life up to adulthood. Not only that, but it opened my eyes to self-acceptance and confidence in who I am, no matter how different I may be.

Being an artist, I highly encourage self-expression. Majority of my work focuses on telling my story and journey, while encouraging others to do the same. There is true beauty in knowing and accepting who you truly are, and confidently sharing that with others.

Shadale, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Shadale Smith, I am a mother, muralist, visionary, and creative. I have been painting and drawing for as long as I can remember, however became an artist/freelancer officially, in 2017. I was heavily influenced by “artsy” family members, so the creative bug was bound to bite. Art has always been my way of expressing myself and I knew that I wanted to have a career that would allow me to do something I love.

When I began as an artist, I knew that I wanted to share my art with others, but in my own way. However, I didn’t expect the inspiration behind it to come about the way that it did. As stated, I have always been into art, but my perspective completely shifted when I began painting on purpose. In 2018, my purpose for painting was birthed due to an unexpected situation that happened. In 2014, I became the sole caretaker of my mother when she became ill, and she passed in 2018. So many things shifted in me, and I was not sure of how to express it, so I went to what I knew best, my art. I began to tell my story through the eyes of my brush. Although painful, it taught me perseverance, vulnerability, resilience, trust, grace, and purpose.

We all have a purpose and a story. I feel we can all use each other’s testimonies as encouragement to keep going. It was after I did a series of paintings that collectively told the story of my healing, that I decided to share my journey. My main focus now behind my work is to go through life’s ups and downs, never to be defeated, but to remain encouraged to persevere, grow, prosper, and be a light.

I continue to paint my story, spread enlightenment though murals, and develop activities based on practices that I used when going through a difficult time, in hopes of inspiring and uplifting others. Life can get rough and tough; however, I believe it is just preparation for our next level, and that is what keeps me inspired to inspire others.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The biggest reward in being an artist for me, is knowing that we are not alone in the situations and circumstances we may face. When I am around others and I tell my story or share my art, you can see how they light up and realize how much we are alike although different. I choose to tell my story, and I am grateful to have been given the courage to do so. You never know who may benefit from what you share. Sharing opens the door to others doing the same, touching more and more one at a time. The more the door opens, the more light spreads.

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

I had a full-time corporate job that I worked in addition to doing my art. There were times when I had mandatory overtime which trickled into the time used to pursue my art. I also had other responsibilities including being a caretaker for my mother, being a mother to my children, running a business, a household, and more. At times it got extremely exhausting mentally, physically, didn’t eat, didn’t sleep, second guessed myself, and my art.

However, I believe that everything we face, is preparation for something needed, to reach where we are going. All things happen when and how they are supposed to happen. I am a believer and continued to have faith.
Although at times I was exhausted and wanted to throw in the towel, I continued to persevere because I knew that I couldn’t go backward. I knew there were going to be challenges I would face, and I had to overcome them because there was greater for me. If I am looking to progress and move forward, I know it will be uncomfortable. For me, comfort and change do not coexist! Knowing this, I number one had faith and number two I had to expect to do things I had never done before to receive things I had yet received. I am grateful to have kept painting, doing art shows, pushing through, because doors began to open, and opportunities began to flow in 2020.

I have come to realize the journey is a process, and we have to surrender to it. No matter if it appears to be a trial, or mishap, it’s a part of the process. So many things were thrown at me at one point to where I didn’t think I could manage, but I was able to develop the ability to endure, take a step back, have patience and allow for everything to happen that was going to happen. Endurance and patience for me was birthed through being resilient from 2014-2020. I know that I will face more challenges, I recently have, however, I now approach them differently.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.lanaebloom.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/art_by_shadale
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/shadale86
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmX94CKMPadZUpbz2JfbNFA