One Melanated Voice - On Finding Purpose and Validation

I’ve always been interested in the mind behind the art.

Whenever I see an artist’s body of work, my thoughts immediately go to wondering about their artist’s journey and their frame of mind when creating that work. It’s true that much of art is created without necessarily thinking too much…that’s the beauty of being able to just experiment with media. But, even that has a certain bent to it as well in terms of decision-making.

In this post, I’m going to be talking to artist, author and certified therapeutic art practitioner, Sherita Tyhana Sparrow about her evolution into becoming a business owner, her project, “Off the Canvas”, and what she wishes her younger self knew then. My hope is that it will be one of many discussions where I get to share the thoughts of an artist about the work they make. In this way, other artists may find themselves in the common themes all artists share, as well as appreciate their extraordinary differences.

The Interview

Stacey Scribbling: Tell us a little about yourself.

Sherita Tyhana: I’m a therapeutic art practitioner. Art has been part of my life since the age of five. That’s when I discovered my own creative talent. I’m blessed to be able to use it everyday to help others grow and discover their personal creativity. 

Stacey Scribbling: How long have you been making art? In the art business?

Sherita Tyhana: Since I was five. I started a business a month before graduating from Towson University. I was providing art sessions at nursing homes with the elderly. I originally went to school to be a graphic designer. I had the opportunity to do an art session at a nursing home and it totally changed my career path. Six years of college for graphic design…one hour at a nursing home and it changed me! I thought, ‘This is it! This is what I’ve been looking for!’ I felt like I could make a difference. I saw how they had a sense of accomplishment and felt good about themselves and that’s what I want to do. I wanted to use art as a way to help them to relax and be in the moment. Graphic design is great too. But it didn’t have as much connection. But being at a nursing home, I could talk, laugh, create and have fun! It’s carefree! That’s what I loved about it. 

Stacey Scribbling: What is your favorite art medium?

Sherita Tyhana: My favorite is chalk pastels because it gives you that whole tactile experience using your fingertips and blending colors. I have huge canvas pieces using chalk pastels. I have a huge sunflower that is 18” x 24”. I just love it and the experience! You feel really connected with the art when you’re just using your hands, creating and building. Lately, I’ve been doing a lot of mixed media…acrylic, newsprint, Cosco circulars. I did this for George Floyd as a way of me sharing my voice for what was going on in our world at the moment. (She shows one of her pieces.) She is a black angel radiating love…everything we weren’t getting at the time. This is one of my most popular paintings. Everyone’s requesting it. It’s a 10” x 10”. She brings a lot of peace to me. One day I will make a ceiling to floor painting. She’ll radiate even more love and positive energy to the world. The background is filled with shades of purple and pink which symbolize royalty. Her wings are made from newspaper clippings from that specific date. There’s a heart in her chest and a beautiful sun behind her head that represents her halo.

Stacey Scribbling: We’ve known each other a long time. When we were in college, you were already talking then about starting a business. Did you know then it would be to serve the senior community with art therapy services?

Sherita Tyhana: The funny part is, you were my first friend in that school and only the friend that I keep in touch with, actually! I dreamed of becoming a graphic designer in an office with windows and making money. I had this dream! But, I always knew deep down inside I always wanted to own my own business…since the age of eight. I didn’t now what it was going to be, how I was going to create it or what. But, I knew it would deal with art. But when I had that opportunity at the nursing home I knew. I always did believe that you should dress for what you want in life. I will honestly say I was that geek. I would wear suits to school in high school. I had a briefcase for my backpack. I dressed for what I wanted to be. I stood out. But people looked at it like, “That is just Sherita.” I wanted to be a business owner, I just didn’t know what it would look like.   

Stacey Scribbling: What made you decide to go into art therapy?

Sherita Tyhana: After that first art session. I’ve always known art was therapeutic because it was for me. But when I knew I could use it for other individuals to find peace and solace within, that’s when I knew it would work for me. I think it’s important for people to have space and have no judgment. 

Stacey Scribbling: Seems like you are pivoting now with the “Off the Canvas” show you recently held. Are you moving away from art therapy? Where does the shift in direction come from?

Sherita Tyhana: Definitely not moving away from art therapy. Off the Canvas (OTC) is an extension of how I use art…empowering. It is empowering in a different way. Therapeutic art is empowering you through the art-making process. OTC is empowering you through sharing your creative side through your clothing and sneakers and how you express yourself in the world.

Pictured above are OTC emcee Nancy R., of Activity Pathways, OTC DJ Jaymar S., OTC Coordinator and Hospitality Louise S., OTC Models: Christiana S., Monique C., Katrina O., Glorious B., Jessica D., Jaire C., Janai C., and Kamarya E.

Stacey Scribbling: Would Sherita wearing business suits in high school wear OTC sneakers?

Sherita Tyhana: I would have been wearing these sneakers in high school!

Stacey Scribbling: I noticed you using some lettering art in your pieces. What role does lettering play in your work?

Sherita Tyhana: I always like my art to have some type of message. ‘Believe’, ‘God’s Child’, ‘Be the Light’, ‘Life is Sweet’…I have all different types of messages…’Believe in the Magic of Change.’ That was the time when we were going through a lot with covid. But I have a lot of paintings that inspire other people ‘Dance in the Rain’. Embrace it and see the beauty and the blessings in it. I like to create artwork that empowers and inspires others so that’s how I use my lettering.

Stacey Scribbling: For artists of color, particularly black artists, visibility in art and design can be seen as rare. Do you agree? How would you speak to that.

Sherita Tyhana: I do feel that. I feel like the art community is small, especially here in Delaware. I feel like I shouldn’t have to search versus in other states where it’s right there at your fingertips. So other black artists are even rarer to see here…and even more rare than that to see other artists supporting other artists and black, women artists. But, I’m determined to make my art and stay true to who I am as a black artist and woman in this world. I feel like there’s still more to do. I’ve written two books. The first one was about how to make an art business and how to use your art to heal others. Now with OTC, I feel there is so much more I could be doing to spread the word of love through art. There’s a bigger picture to the scheme. I just haven’t figured it out yet. 

Stacey Scribbling: What do you know now that you wish eighteen-year old Sherita, in art college, knew then?

Sherita Tyhana: I wish eighteen-year old Sherita in college had more confidence to be me and stop searching for validation. I wish I was aware of mainstream aggression. I really switched it up…I went out on my own rather than following the process of getting the job and getting married and having kids. My first love is art. But I wasn’t aware of how much black women, especially young black women have to fight for who they are. There are times people are not going to want you to succeed simply because you are black and you are doing your thing…and they’re trying to see how you are doing it. I’ve had some people say to me, “How are you doing this by yourself?” Like it’s impossible for a young, black woman to have a business, to teach certification courses, etc. Sometimes there are people that don’t have the best intentions for you. Take it, see it for what it is, and walk away with love. I made a mistake and reacted in a way that I shouldn’t but you can find yourself constantly being attacked and you get to point where you just can’t take it anymore. At the time I just wasn’t aware of aggression like that. I’ve always felt like I could be me and always receive that support. When I stepped out on my own, that’s when I saw the ugliness of people, just because they didn’t want to see me succeed and I didn’t know there were people out there like that. We all have gifts and I appreciate yours and I hope you appreciate mine. But there are people who don’t want to see a black woman come up. I still struggle with it. But my eyes have been open more than eighteen-year old Sherita. I don’t regret my experiences. I don’t regret them because those experiences and reactions have helped me to grow and to approach life differently. I feel like I have my tools and my armor. I’m still searching for validation in some ways.

Stacey Scribbling: What words of wisdom for you have for other eighteen-year old Sherita’s out there, watching your progress?

Sherita Tyhana: Sometimes, you just need people to keep pushing you because self-doubt will creep in and make you feel like you can’t do it. So it’s always good to have at least one cheerleader with you. 

Stacey Scribbling: Where can people find you online?

Sherita Tyhana: I have a website at thefeatherstouch.com where I have online art sessions, therapeutic art sessions, my OTC collection, and a certification course to become an art therapeutic practitioner. Also on Facebook, @sheritatyhana