Today we’d like to introduce you to Shica Hardy.
Hi Shica, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I moved to West Palm Beach around the age of Ten. I always loved to draw. In high school, I would take advanced art classes which led me to taking a liking towards Fashion Illustration. Focusing on Fashion Illustration led to a study of Fashion Design where I earned an Associate in Fine Arts Degree from International Fine Arts College (now known as Miami International University of Arts & Design) in 1993. After graduation, I took a different career turn and worked in the legal field, but I never stopped practicing drawing and taking art classes. In 2015, I moved back to West Palm Beach where I began taking art classes on a weekly basis, specifically honing my skills for drawing faces.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
My main obstacles/challenges on this art journey has been working with/overcoming my shy introverted nature and having the courage to share my art and talent with the world. In 2019 I was encouraged to enter my first professional art show by exhibiting in the Continuum Palm Beach Art Fair where I sold my first art piece. That experience was confirmation that I was headed in the right direction.
In 2021, I had the honor of being a part of West Palm Beach History by showcasing my art in Karibu: A Celebration of Black Artists in Palm Beach County.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I work primarily in charcoal pencil, but I also work in acrylic and watercolor. I’ve always enjoyed drawing people and just had a natural talent for it. I believe that every face has a story to tell. I have been told that my portraits have life within in them. I’m currently working on two series; one called “That Cloth Talk”, which showcases the woman, her hair, and her cloth all representing the same energy. The other series is called “that 70’s Baby”, which is nostalgically drawn portraits of growing up in the 70s displayed like large-scaled polaroid pictures. I’m currently working on my series at my Studio with Zero Empty Spaces #10 located in Palm Beach Gardens,
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I really enjoyed reading and my favorite book to check out of the library was this massive hardcover Peanuts comic book that I would check out over and over again. From that comic book, I started drawing Snoopy & Charlie Brown. That practice blossomed into drawing my favorite hip hop artists and fashion illustrations.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @shicahardyart
- Facebook: Shica Hardy Art
