By Darlene Donloe
Contributing Writer
The paintings of self-described “happy artist” Sharika Mahdi have been lauded over the years as vibrant and enchanting.
Some of Mahdi’s colorful work will be on display as part of her upcoming solo exhibition titled, “A Colorful Journey Through Whimsical Brushstrokes.”
Attendees will be able to take a glimpse into Mahdi’s world during an exclusive reception, art talk, and unveiling March 8 at the EK Gallery, 1125 S. Crenshaw Blvd.
The event, which takes place from 6 to 8 p.m., will reveal Mahdi’s collection and feature an enlightening session titled, “The Art of Collecting” by artist Beryl Basham, a personal art consultant and dealer. She will provide educational insights into collecting investment-level fine art. Attendees will learn about how and what to buy and recommendations on building a comprehensive art portfolio.
Mahdi’s exhibition is on display through March 22, with pieces available for purchase.
Art has been a part of Mahdi’s life ever since she began making cards for her mother and grandmother at the age of 6. In the third grade, she began doodling in her notebooks.
“I would draw people,” said Mahdi, who will attend the opening reception. “My classmates would say, ‘Ooh, that looks good.’ My head got big. That’s how it started. It was the feedback that I got from people that fueled me.”
Her work was so well received that by the 10th grade, she had sold her first piece of art.
“I remember it well,” said Mahdi, who spoke via phone from her hometown of New Orleans. “I was at the Intercontinental Hotel and had just completed a portrait painting from a reference. It was a model in Right On magazine.
“She had on a red hat and a red suit. I sold it for $45. I was so proud but I was also sad. I wanted to meet the person who bought it. I’m still that same way today. It’s because I want to say, ‘Thank you.’”
Mahdi, 50, is of the mind that “anything can be art.”
“It can be music, dance, or anything you create,” said Mahdi, the oldest of six children. “Art is anything you create. You can use a pencil to write a story. You can put ingredients together to make a meal. That’s art. It’s all about taking something and building.”
Much of her philosophy surrounding art came from her participation in a youth art program across from her high school called Young Aspirations Young Artists, or YAYA.
YAYA’s mission is to empower creative young people to become successful adults. The organization, founded by Jana Napoli, provides educational experiences in the arts and entrepreneurship to New Orleans-area children and youth, fostering and supporting their ambitions.
“I learned so much during that time,” said Mahdi, who graduated from Louisiana State University with a degree in communications and a master’s from the school in corporate communications. “It’s the foundation of how I see myself as an artist.
“The owner wanted to allow us the opportunity to have a show. She came to my class with an opportunity. It was all about entrepreneurship. She wanted us to be self-sufficient through art. That’s what she wanted. “She believed we had the power,” Mahdi continued. “As part of the program, we traveled overseas and worked with major corporations. By the time I was 21, I had been to four countries and the White House.”
When art began to dominate her world, her next move was to quit her marketing job with a hair care company. She also quit a public relations consulting job.
“I quit those jobs because I realized I wasn’t doing what I needed to do to move forward with my art,” she said. “I realized I could never escape art. Through that realization, I became inspired. I began to sell some pieces.”
Mahdi said that at the beginning of her art journey, the pieces were all about the esthetics she saw at hair shows.
“I was painting hair models,” said Mahdi, who for 10 years has taught 25 Talented Art students at two middle schools in New Orleans. “Because I was elongating the figures, people would compare me to Ernie Barnes. I had no idea I was doing what’s come to be called ‘The Good Times’ style. It’s called Neo-Mannerism when you elongate the limbs and bodies.”
Mahdi, who uses pencils, colored pencils and acrylic paint, said she began painting in that style because she wanted her art to look like it was moving. Soon, she said, her art began to evolve.
“I decided to claim it,” she said. “At age 29, I said, ‘I’m an artist.’ It was the first time I acknowledged it. I quit those jobs. By then I was working at another hair care company. I didn’t like it, so in 2007, I quit cold turkey. I was an artist.”
Mahdi gets inspiration from the Talented Art students she teaches and from her surroundings.
“It can be spontaneous,” she said. “I can see someone dressed up and want to paint them. I could be at Disneyland. I can see a plant blooming. I can even be near artists watching them display their works — and get inspired.”
Her inspiration to paint comes during the day.
“I am not a nighttime painter,” she said. “I refuse. I get up at 8 a.m. and start painting until 3 p.m. I’m a mid-morning, during-the-day painter. I can have the TV on in the background, or soothing music, and sometimes I like it to be quiet when I’m creating.”
She describes her work as “joyful.”
“My work is very happy,” said Mahdi, who illustrated a book in 2010 for the Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center of New Orleans. “The content is figurative and abstract. I’m not interested in realism. It takes a different part of the brain.”
Mahdi’s work caught the eye of the Walt Disney Company, which commissioned her to come up with some concept drawings for a ride at the Disney parks in honor of Tiana’s “The Princess and The Frog.”
Disney commissioned Mahdi to do four pieces to help inspire its imagineers to create a theme for the new ride, “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure,” set to debut at Disneyland and Disney World in the fall.
The themes include Mama Odie, the voodoo priestess who lives in the swamps and helps Tiana and her friends along their journey; one theme features the bayou, and another features the Mardi Gras. Mahdi did not reveal the fourth theme.
“I have YAYA to thank for the Disney connection,” Mahdi said. “They told me they were reimagining Splash Mountain. They called YAYA and asked if they knew anyone. They gave the rep some samples from high school students, college kids and me. I got an email saying Disney was interested in me. I freaked out. I was geeked up. What a great opportunity to work with Disney.”
In 2013, she was commissioned by the NFL to create masterful footballs for the Super Bowl.
“That also came through YAYA,” Mahdi said. “They had the Super Bowl here in 2013. They had a Parade of Footballs. The three-foot-high, five-foot-wide footballs were going to be placed throughout downtown. I did one of the footballs. Mine is still in front of the New Orleans Saints’ training camp.”
Next, Mahdi plans to launch a series of written and illustrated children’s picture books.
“It’s all about positive thinking,” she said. “I’ve done several children’s books for other people. I want to do my own. I’m overdue. I am working on it. I want to do an urban version of Little Red Riding Hood. That’s in the future.”
Darlene Donloe is a freelance reporter for Wave Newspapers who covers South Los Angeles. She can be reached at ddonloe@gmail.com.
