2024 Issue 1 Jan/Feb Focus - Mid-South Magazine

create, or fundamentally simple. Through each fail and
success, (I will not mention the ratio here) this multimedia
journey leaves me more inspired to expound on my
findings in different areas, starting a domino effect. I take
in everything I can.
You made an amazing mural as part of Paint Memphis, an
annual mural festival. What was that experience like?
It was possibly one of the most challenging, but
rewarding experiences I’ve had this far in my art career.
It was great to see so many artists given a platform to
come together and add beautiful art to our city. The most
challenging part was working at such a large scale. When
I saw my wall in person the first time, a rush of excitement
came over me, almost immediately followed by panic
(I’m scared of heights). I arrived with a full sketch to use
as a starting point on my projector, but due to some
uncontrollable lighting I had to forget about using the
projector entirely. So hoping for the best, I started blocking
in paint, having to free-hand the entire piece. It was my
first time using spray paint on a large scale, and I did it
using a picture on my phone as a point of reference. Very
thankful to the people who stopped by to hold my ladder,
talk to me, and bring me more paint! Being an artist can
be isolating, but the Memphis queer and art community
always comes through, which really made things a little
easier. I learned too many valuable lessons to count, and I
am looking forward to my next mural!
How would you say Memphis or the south has influenced
your art, if at all?
Having grown up in all parts of the country, born in
Ocala, FL, the south has been the biggest influence on my
art. Memphis is by far the most influential city I have lived
in. This city’s creative community has been the most loving
and accepting I have ever experienced. To have so many
people & resources to support you, believe in you and
push you to be the best artist you can be, is a gift. It wasn’t
until I started my freshman fall semester at the University
of Memphis that I started making art, and started to
consider my true self an artist. There’s one professor in
mind, Hamlett Dobbins, who made me feel like an artist
and opened my mind to the world around me. Within
this community I’ve made some lifelong friends and have
been given many great opportunities. Even now living in
Chicago, Memphis and the artists within inspire my work
everyday.
What does creativity mean to you?
To me, creativity means to create art out of your comfort
zone. To challenge oneself and to learn is to be creative. No
matter what form that art may exist in, whether it is food,
a potted plant, a book, a sketch, etc. To put something
out in the world that you can’t take back, is to be creative.
Exploring different worlds of creativity motivates me
and makes me want to learn more skills. I love trying new
techniques and working in different mediums. Throughout
the years I’ve expanded my art through jewelry making,
polymer clay, screen printing, block printing, sewing, hand
painting purses/bags and clothing. The list goes on…
Anything you’d like to share with our readers about your
work?
All of my work, whether for sale or not, lives on my
website, shiramae.studio. If you’re in Memphis, you can
visit some of my murals around the city including: the
exam rooms and offices of Choices Reproductive Health
Clinic in Midtown, 901 Community Fridges (that provide
free food in food deserts of Memphis) located at 885 S
Highland St (Trinity Church), Planeta 777 in Broad Ave
Arts District, and my Paint Memphis mural located at 628
Madison Ave. You can also find me popping up at Memphis
Mid-South Pride in June. It’ll be my 3rd year in a row! Love
you, Memphis!!!
Follow Shira Mae at @shiramaestudio for more art,
merch, discount codes and frequent updates.
Jan+Feb 2024 | focuslgbt.com | Creativity 9