Redemption Sharpes young woman pursuing artistic skills
Twenty-year-old Redemption Sharpes resident Radisha Samuel is not sure what her future holds, but having a creative personality, she is allowing her artistic skills to guide her.{{more}}
Growing up, Samuel, who describes herself as an experimental and intuitive learner, wanted to enter the medical profession, but as time passed, her ambition changed.
She said it all started at the age of six, when she asked her mother, Cynthia Samuel, to do a sketch of her.
What her mother presented her with, was however not what she expected.
“My mom drew a kind of stick man image and I can never forget it,â Samuel said, laughing as she recalled the amusing moment.
“Thatâs when I decided I wanted to do something in the field of art. So I began doing my own drawings of people,â she added.
During her educational journey through primary and secondary school, Samuel maintained her passion for art.
However, after graduating from the St Josephâs Convent Kingstown in 2009, Samuel ventured into a new field.
She attended the Campden Park Technical Institute, where she did a one-year course in Auto Mechanics.
After completing her auto mechanics course, Samuel was employed during the year 2011, for a short while, as a mechanic, but after a few months, decided thatâs not what she wanted to do.
That same year, the Division of Art, Science and General Studies of the St Vincent Community College was where Samuel found comfort, as she re-examined her artistic skills.
Unfortunately though, she had to travel to Trinidad and was unable to complete her studies.
Samuel, however, returned home a year later and channeled her energy into gaining employment through her artistic skill.
“Iâm always trying new things; the advantage of having this skill is that it can be applied and used in any career path that you choose and Iâve been exposed to all sorts of jobs, from fabricating chassis for vehicles to face painting for kids. Iâve even been requested in the culinary area by chefs to work along with them,â she explained.
Presently, Samuel is employed as an artist with McAllister Designs, a consultancy and design firm owned by local artist Calvert Jones.
One of Samuelâs most notable art works is a mural of the St Vincent and the Grenadines national bird, the Amazona Guildinguii, which was done as part of a beautification project at the Buccament Secondary School.
Apart from the technical area, artists are also critical thinkers and problem solvers, according to Samuel.
“Thereâs a lot of social and economic issues affecting St Vincent and Iâd really like to play a part in creating a change someday pertaining to these problems Vincentians are facing daily, especially the youths, through my work, which is art.â
The very outspoken young lady further explained that budding artists like herself have to remain ambitious in order to be successful.
This is a practice she advises others to follow.
“It doesnât matter how good you are at what you do, because without ambition you wonât make it.
“To the females in particular, you must be aware that because of your gender, you are going to be faced with a lot of challenges, whether itâs being criticized or judged, based on your gender, to sexual harassment from males you have to work along with, but you have to gain their respect by first respecting yourself.
“Secondly, speaking out and standing up for yourself and what you believe in. Just remember that once you trust and believe in God, good things will happen along; hard work always bring success and itâs more rewarding than degrading yourself and using people, or allowing people to use you, so that you can get what you want in life. Because you have the ability to become an entrepreneur and be your own boss,â Samuel further stated.
Samuel specializes in figure painting, illustration painting, landscape painting, portrait painting and still life painting.
She also does face painting for childrenâs parties.
Her intention, however, is to further develop her skill at the highest possible level at university.
She says she is researching the best possible opportunities.
“I love what I do, but as it is recognized here, being an artist is not a highly recognized occupation. However, I am grateful for where I am today and, as I said, Iâm not sure where the future takes me, but Iâm content with where I am presently, for now,â Samuel said.(AA)
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