Meet Sharard X” | Artist/Designer “

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sharard “X” and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sharard, other than deciding to work for yourself, what was the single most important decision you made that contributed to your success?
There are three actually, giving my life to God, attending Florida A&M University, and becoming a member of the Beta Nu Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Each of these in succession were the greatest decisions I’ve ever made in my life, they all contributed to me gaining the faith, knowledge, and confidence to be anything I set my mind and skills to. As far as becoming the artist I am today, the greatest decision I made was to take myself and the feedback I was receiving on my art seriously. A lot of dope artist, business minded people, and friends poured into me, my conscious, and my passion to create, listening to them and believing their words helps me and keeps me hungry for higher heights. Passion is my fuel, pain is my engine.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
What sets my art apart from others is the vibrance and originality of my style, as I continue to expand my palette, range, and mediums my original style only gains more familiarity and popularity amidst my collectors and viewers. I think I’m most proud of all of the chances I’ve taken as an artist. I’m always looking at other works, designs, and styles and very critical of myself and my own creations, so receiving the feedback both positive and constructive really gives me a sense of measurement and fulfillment to continue in my creative journey. I’m probably most excited about partnering with such a powerful and culture propelling company like Play Black Wall Street for their new series titled “Black History Adventures of Rose and Rodney Greenwood”. I’m most proud, at the moment, of my art and designs being selected to wrap an entire city bus for Juneteenth through he Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority, feels surreal just sharing the news with people and my supporters.

I have gotten this far in my professional career by keeping God first at all times in everything I do or pursue, by always using my art as means of expressions and creativity whenever the feeling comes me, by taking full advantage of every opportunity I find online or on social media, never letting an unsuccessful pitch or submission keep me down, and maintaining healthy relationships with individuals and or companies I’ve worked with or had the chance to meet while working on projects. It hasn’t been easy by any since of the word, the easy part is sketching and painting, because I have a passion and purpose to do so. The hard part is constantly searching for opportunities, constantly perfecting my pitch and approach to companies, receiving so many No’s on submissions I felt I had the skills and talent to receive a “yes” on, and even when opportunities come my way receiving great feedback but little to no financial gain from the opportunity. Overcoming these challenges are what, I feel, make me into a great artist often times I have submitted to so many opportunities that a “No” just means “next opportunity”, having a solid portfolio and constantly studying and speaking with professionals and artists in different avenues helps me culminate my own unique approach to anyone who may want to solicit my services, and creating a relationship with someone may not begin financially fruitful, but maintaining that communication and being true to who you are can lead to not only personal recommendations for your services but also great references, and eventually great harvest.

I learned so many lessons along the way and I feel like I’m still just getting my brush wet, one great lesson is to always undersell and over deliver, most people will have seen your work before they willingly pay you for your services, so giving them a bar they feel is adequate and then superseding said bar usually has them returning for more and recommending you to others. Another great lesson is always ask the questions you need the answers too, assuming can lead down a lot of roads that aren’t very satisfying for either party. One last one and probably the most important I’m continuing to build on is knowing your worth, there is nothing wrong with knowing what you bring to the table and asking for an adequate plate.

I want the world to know that I’m just getting started, I have so much to learn, so much to display, and to be ready to know my name and my work. My brand and my story is one worth listening to and investing in, so when I get to where I’m headed I hope you can share the pleasure of saying you saw the vision and potential in the earlier years.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Some of personal faves include Vortex, Atlantic Station. Battery ATL, and Slutty Vegan !

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to dedicate this to God without Him none of this would be possible for me, next shout-out goes to the amazing design team staff at JCPenney for all of their incite and mentorship, next is Capital City Chamber of Commerce for guidance and business knowledge, and the 85 South Show for helping me believe I had the skills and talent to get my art in front of celebrities and millions of viewers. The individuals I want to dedicate my success to are my brother who passed in 2016 Michael Randolph Jr. (Mj) he was my best friend and one of the main reasons I’ll never stop creating, and my beautiful amazing mother Cleo Johnson she’s my hero, she is the definition a God-fearing unstoppable black woman, she’s simply incredible at teaching, nurturing, and molding the minds of the ones she loves. Finally my oldest brother Michael Saddlers Jr. (lil Mike) he is easily the hardest working and strongest willed man I know, he never ceases to amaze me and is top 3 funniest people I know. Always there for me and believed in everything I’ve ever done with the utmost confidence that I could and would succeed.

Website: linktree.com/sharardxart

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharardxart/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharard-saddlers-985867173/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087929229471

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkYawL9P3Gk9EjDvrXKxJrw