We were lucky to catch up with Tricia Sham recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Tricia thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

I feel ecstatic as an artist. One of the many joys of being an artist consists of connecting with people through differing versions of interpretations. In relation to wondering what it would be like to have a ‘regular job’, as I was an instructional intern while pursuing my master’s in teaching, I thought, ‘This just isn’t for me…’ Although, reflecting back, I learned a variety of strategies for teaching students with exceptionalities or disabilities and gained crucial experiences in increasing my teacher confidence. Currently, I am applying for various teaching artist positions because I desire to engage and to help communities more frequently through the arts in addition to creating.

Tricia, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a Florida-based mixed media artist who amplifies the intense feelings of life’s deflating and elating experiences through an abstract(ed) figurative lens. I began my art journey more seriously during my junior year of high school when I was accepted into the visual arts department. Most artists within a curriculum begin by learning the ‘basics’ and this usually includes depicting figures and/or objects through realism. While exploring my work through class requirements, I also created realistic portraits with colored pencils after school. As the years after high school progressed, the aim of my work evolved into allowing the figures and nature elements represented to emerge the more viewers observe.

In addition to creating artwork solely inspired by my own parameters or lack thereof, I create commissioned work for individuals and companies in a range of spaces. For instance, I am currently working on an acrylic mixed-media painting to be produced on skateboards in collaboration with a local Tampa-based company. A goal of mine is to create a mural!

I am continuously mesmerized by the sameness of seemingly exclusive human situations that wondrously align with insects and plants. When seeking to gain inspiration, I conduct hyper-focused observations of insects’ interactions. Then, I relate and link these interactions to empowering and/or constraining human experiences. By using nature as a medium to communicate complex feelings, I advocate for the beauty in vulnerability. My current mediums consist of colored pencils on matboard and acrylic on canvas with mixed media elements such as jewelry.

II want viewers to know that there is more to see within my work than most think upon first glance; it sounds cliché but truly the more you look, the more you will see emerge into view. I use the term ‘abstract(ed)’ because my art is not completely abstract; this allows for a wide array of interpretations through representational ambiguity.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

While I was attending university as a Studio Art major, there was a particular painting critique that marked the beginning of me embracing the ‘abstract(ed)ness’ approach within my work. The objective of the painting series was to create several still lives. It seemed no matter how much I focused my energy on representing the objects in a realistic style as desired by the instructor, in the end, the paintings were overtly colorful and contained ‘fluid’ mark-making which ultimately made the works representational, but not realistic. Nonetheless, as my name was called from the critique room, I presented my still life series with little confidence. The most notable critique the instructor provided during this session consisted of, ‘Art is not about self-expression; enjoying the process is only for kids.’ Art is incredibly subjective, and it is difficult to say that any one individual defines art or what creating is supposed to feel like. Immediately upon returning to my seat to ‘correct’ my work, I pursued my abstract tendencies abjectly; without suppression, and felt the most fulfillment. I not only strived for my most authentic sense of art making but I also realized the need to be critical when receiving critiques; you don’t have to accept or implement all recommendations. The resilience and confidence in choosing to accept some but not necessarily all aspects of critiques.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is observing people ‘open up’ themselves and their emotions through their connections to my work. The vulnerable, intense, emotive, and passionate conversations not only fuel my creativity but also remind me that we are not extensively different in experiencing seemingly exclusive feelings. I frequently become fully encapsulated by my own situations and states that I forget others experience the same or similar conflicting and complex emotions. Art connects us despite the barricades we may build to shield and protect ourselves. Art in wellness and mental health is an aspect that I address when creating. Consequently, for me, utilizing my art as a way to navigate and express not only mine, but others’ well-being is the most rewarding part of being an artist. “Artists are people driven by the tension between the desire to communicate and the desire to hide” – D.W. Winnicott

Contact Info:

• Website: ttsham.com
• Instagram: TriciaSham
• Facebook: TriciaSham