Shari La Shae: 5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Became An Artist

Create for yourself. Creating with the sole intention of seeking external validation is a surefire way to get disappointed. Guaranteed. People will either hate it or love it and we can never please everyone at once. Make art that’s true to you and your vision. Embrace your genius, laugh at your mediocrity and give yourself grace. Getting caught up in the opinions of others takes all the fun away.

As a part of our series about “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Became An Artist” I had the pleasure of interviewing Shari La Shae.

Shari La Shae, a multidimensional artist based in Trinidad, engages in various artistic expressions including fine art abstract paintings, murals, portrait photography, and documentary filmmaking. Her artwork, influenced by her personal experience as a mental health patient, often seeks to spark dialogue or evoke deep emotions, reflecting her advocacy for mental health awareness.

Thank you so much for doing this with us! Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?

Thank you so much for having me! Growing up, I was raised in the bustling city of Port of Spain, Trinidad, nestled in the Caribbean. As the younger of two sisters with a significant age gap of six years, I often found myself immersed in solitary activities, like reading books on a wide array of topics. When I wasn’t lost in literature, I can vividly recall sprawling out on the living room floor, sketching houses complete with picket fences, flower gardens, and a backdrop of towering trees — a stark contrast to my life in the city.

Despite the high energy of city life, I frequently felt overwhelmed and drained by social interactions, a sensation that puzzled both my family and friends. Back then, terms like “introvert” weren’t commonly understood, leaving me labeled as lame and boring. Fortunately, I discovered solace in art and music, sketching portraits from my beloved books and learning songs on my guitar for hours on end.

In hindsight, these hobbies should have signaled my path towards the arts. Instead, I pursued studies in the sciences, only to later recognize those years as lost opportunities. And now, here I am, reflecting on my journey as a bona fide artist in this interview.

Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path?

The first year of the pandemic marked a significant turning point in my career. Just before it hit, I felt like my mental health was finally stabilizing, but as the months of lockdown passed, I found myself slowly unraveling. Disrupted work, exercise, and sleep schedules left me with plenty of time and idle hands.

I turned to my collection of paint supplies, which had been largely untouched before the pandemic. I immersed myself in painting and music for hours on end, creating multiple pieces each day and several throughout the week. While I had previously used art as a form of relaxation, there was a noticeable shift in my perspective. It became a means for me to process my deepest thoughts and emotions, things I could never express aloud or put into words.

Scrolling through social media, I saw other artists fully embracing their craft and openly sharing their raw perspectives. This really inspired me and deepened my appreciation for the profound impact art can have on those making it and those viewing it. Having the freedom and time to create intentionally taught me so much about myself — my emotions, thinking patterns, insecurities, and strengths. Forced to confront it all head-on, I learned to accept and love myself in ways I was never able to before.

In addition, selling four of my pieces in one go gave me the confidence to believe that I could sustainably pursue art as a career. Soon, consistent sales followed, and I even had the opportunity to paint a 20-foot poolside mural. While being an artist had always been a dream of mine, I lacked the confidence to pursue it, constantly comparing myself to others. However, once I started creating for myself, without worrying about external judgments, my practice flourished — both artistically and monetarily. I’ve been committed to my art ever since, grateful for the experiences and doors opened as a result.

Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?

Disclaimer: Each step of my journey has been incredibly captivating. The mere idea of someone showing interest in my work never fails to surprise me, fueling my inspiration each time.

Now, story time! I remember bursting with excitement as I set out to deliver the first four paintings I had ever sold. Upon completing the exchange with the client, he says, “Come here, Shari, I want to show you something.”

We headed outside and made our way to the back of the house, where he pointed out a 20-foot wall nestled in a nook. “What do you think of this wall?” he asked.

To be honest, I was unimpressed. It was vomit-yellow and covered in moss so I reply, “It’s okay I guess.” Then came the unexpected question: “How do you feel about painting a mural on it?”

I’m pretty sure I let out a small screech before enthusiastically shouting, “YES!”

A year later, I found myself painting my first mural, despite having no prior experience, over a fifteen-day period. It was a completely random and unexpected opportunity, but it lit a fire within me and catapulted my career in a direction I could never have imagined. Without a doubt, one of the wildest experiences I’ve had yet.

What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?

Currently, I’m in the pre-planning stages for two mural projects. One will be located in a residential area along a roadside, while the other will adorn a yoga studio. I’m particularly excited about starting interactive classes at the same studio soon. This marks the beginning of my journey towards offering guided interactive sessions, incorporating music to enhance the creative process. While I can’t reveal too much yet, I can say that our focus will be on using art as a therapeutic tool for expression and relaxation, catering to those who may not be familiar with its healing potential.

Additionally, I’m working on a personal collection that I plan to showcase at a solo exhibition. This collection delves into how art has played a crucial role in helping me navigate life, particularly in coping with my mental illness.

Who are some of the most interesting people you have interacted with? What was that like? Do you have any stories?

I had the privilege of participating in a brief interview at one of my recent group exhibitions, which focused on Mental Health Awareness Week. Stepping out of my comfort zone, I found the inspiration to openly discuss my own mental health journey and how art serves as a source of peace for me. The response from the audience was overwhelming, but one interaction in particular left a lasting impression.

Moments after the interview concluded, a gentle lady approached me, tears in her eyes. She shared how deeply she resonated with my words, feeling seen and heard in a way she hadn’t before. Her heartfelt gratitude for the honesty of the conversation touched me deeply.

Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to connect with fellow artists, industry veterans, and even members of parliament, each leaving a mark on my perspective and artistic vision. Yet, that sincere interaction with the tearful lady remains etched in my memory above all else. It’s truly humbling to witness the profound impact my art can have on others. Each time, it leaves me in awe, and I am forever grateful for these experiences.

Where do you draw inspiration from? Can you share a story about that?

My inspiration comes from many sources, but one that remains consistently influential is music. It’s an integral part of my daily routine, whether it’s playing in the background while I’m cleaning or taking a shower. Music resonates with me in a profound way I can’t explain. It puts into perspective the things I feel and helps me to materialize that in the form of a painting. What’s fascinating is that my musical tastes span across multiple genres. Regardless of it being RnB, indie, pop or classical, when a song deeply touches me, my brain lights up and I get this urge to create that I can’t contain and resist. It may sound dramatic, but this sensation is very real to me, and I often find myself compelled to create in response to it.

How have you used your success to bring goodness to the world?

I’m still young and relatively new to the art world. While I’ve had some wonderful experiences and achieved more than I ever imagined, I still see “success” as something down the road for me. Recently, I participated in two group exhibitions that raised significant awareness about using art in mental health treatment. These exhibitions received extensive media coverage and highlighted important issues in my community. However, I’m aware that there’s much more work to be done. Success is a relative concept — who really determines what it is anyway? For me, showing up for the world means creating, initiating important conversations, and adding color to people’s lives through my art.

What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why.

1. It ain’t that serious. When I first started sharing my work publicly, I was hyper-focused on perfecting every aspect of the process. Painting gave me more anxiety than relief. After experiencing tons of wins and failures, I realized that it simply isn’t that serious. It’s better to enjoy the process and let the end result speak for itself.
2. Explore every idea. My mind is constantly swirling with different ideas, many of which I believe are folly. However, I’ve been surprised by the outcomes more than once. The point is, even if an idea seems stupid, give it a try. You might birth something brilliant.
3. Practice, Practice, Practice. There’s wisdom in the cliché “practice makes perfect.” I would only add, don’t aim for perfection but for finding your voice or unique style. Whether you’re learning new techniques or seeking advice from a mentor, soak it all in, adjust where necessary, but make it your own. Nothing helps you figure out what you want to say more than constantly creating, so practice.
4. Find your fuel. How does one keep a fire burning without fuel? People are inspired by many different things, but there might be something that ignites you more than others. Discovering that music was my fuel early on has pushed me through rough patches. Find what fuels your passion.
5. Create for yourself. Creating with the sole intention of seeking external validation is a surefire way to get disappointed. Guaranteed. People will either hate it or love it and we can never please everyone at once. Make art that’s true to you and your vision. Embrace your genius, laugh at your mediocrity and give yourself grace. Getting caught up in the opinions of others takes all the fun away.

You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)

It would be showing love. I believe that when we learn to love and accept ourselves, it becomes easier to extend that love to others. Humans are wonderfully complex creatures. We each possess unique quirks, personalities, and interests. Just imagine how incredible the world would be if we chose to show love instead of hate. It would become a kinder, more merciful place, and we would all experience the grace we so desperately need due to our imperfections. Making a genuine effort to love one another would truly transform the world into a better place.

We have been blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she just might see this.

Without a doubt, Casey Neistat! He’s a creator and filmmaker primarily recognized for his work on YouTube. Filmmaking is one of my other creative passions, and Casey played a crucial role in shaping how I perceived the art of storytelling when I first began. The lessons I’ve learned from him have undoubtedly influenced my work and, essentially, all of my art. Sitting down with him over a cup of coffee would be a dream come true — an experience I’m certain would teach me even more.

What is the best way our readers can follow you on social media?

You can find my latest work, behind-the-scenes media, and updates on current/upcoming projects and exhibitions on my Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artbyshari_/ (artbyshari_)

For my full collections of work, pieces available for sale, and my blog where I write about my process and inspirations, visit my website: https://artby-shari.com

Occasionally, I post videos of my creative process from start to finish on my YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@artbyshari?si=0tMirH9W-fChvFCh

This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for joining us!