Today we’d like to introduce you to Sharard “X”.
Sharard, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am Sharard “X” an alum of the college of education at Florida A&M University, self-taught artist, muralist, and designer with a passion for painting, education, and community. When my younger brother’s, also a Rattler, life was tragically taken I felt empty and unbalanced emotionally but I was able to channel that emotion, time, and energy into playing football. Following my final season of playing football at FAMU, I began to fill my free time with reading, sketches and drawing. Then Black History Month 2020, a super dope artist told me to paint my sketches so they started to become paintings, portraits, and eventually masterpieces. I never looked back and now I have so much more than an outlet, I have a purpose.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Hasn’t been an easy road by far but I wouldn’t change a thing, every exhibit, vending opportunity, collaboration, mural and contest is a learning and networking experience. So with each opportunity and experience you learn the ropes to skip and ropes to know, you find people who will make you better and encourage you. You find opportunities that will help you grow, you root yourself in your craft, water your skills, and watch yourself bloom.
Some of the struggles were finding my exact style, keeping my confidence and passion to create when I didn’t receive the feedback I believed I deserved, finding lucrative opportunities, and setting reasonable deadlines when business began to pick up.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I create artistic visuals and experiences that brighten and enhance whatever surface they are created for or on. I specialize in painting acrylic to canvas, murals, and customizing shoes. I am known for my vibrant stained glass type designs, freelancing with major companies, and capturing the pure emotion in an image.
While companies I’ve partnered on different levels include companies like JCPenney, Arizona Green Tea, or Sam’s Club, I am most proud of my work being featured on the 85 South Show Wall. Being an actual fan, seeing other individuals present and display their art was so inspiring amidst the wave they were starting with their podcast I began to start making 85 South-based paintings. After Karlous Miller reposted one of my first paintings onto his story at like 2 am I wasn’t going to stop until I made the wall, and after the fourth or fifth painting, I made it. Super proud of that! Being the 2022 Winner of JCPenney’s Young Black & Gifted Design Challenge this past year was also a feather in my designer cap, being able to walk in any mall or go online and see and purchase apparel I designed is humbling and overwhelmingly inspiring.
What sets me apart from others is my drive and will to be a better artist every day, my entire life I was so focused on football and school I never really focused on the arts outside of music. Now in my adult life, I’ve discovered so much more than a hobby, an entire new world of creativity, opportunity, and expression. I haven’t met many athletes turned artists, but the same work ethic I had put into being the best at my position is what I bring to every sketch, painting, mural, and project I have the opportunity to be a part of. I have so many goals for myself and my art – and the more I achieve the more I believe I can accomplish each and every one of them!
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
My websites, Instagram, and Facebook all have my contact, collaborative, and supportive links that can take you right where you need to be to get any process going (Commissions, Personal Designs, Customize Apparel, Murals, Forms of Payment, etc.).
Facebook & Instagram – SharardXArt
Pricing:
- 16×20″ – $125-$250
- 11×14″ – $75-$125
- 24×36″ – $300-$450
- 36×48 – $500-$1K
- Shoes – Base $80 ($40 each)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/sharardxart
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharardxart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087929229471&mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharard-saddlers-985867173/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SharardXArt
- Other: https://www.tallahasseearts.org/artist/sharard-x/
Image Credits
Nick Bo – IG – CirrKing Erik Jones – IG – KingofKodaks
