We recently published a coloring book highlighting the Library's multiple affinity teams. The coloring book is now available at all library locations! To celebrate, we asked some of the featured artists to share their artistic influences and more!
Today's featured artist is Le'Sheland Hadley-Nihiser.
Who are your artistic influences?
My artistic influences are honestly, anything around me. I see something that I then want to recreate in my own way. The image I used for the coloring book was inspired by a Demco ad. She originally had wings but I changed it to keep the focus on the flying books instead, the flying books were inspired by the building design on Woods Memorial Library because flying books seem fun.
What is your favorite art piece?
Currently my favorite art piece is from a children's book. The worry woos have this bright watercolor that I really love and goes well with conveying the words on the pages into feelings.
If your art could appear in any museum in the world, where would it be?
If my art could appear in any museum in the world, it would be on a building. I hear in other places in the world you can place art up on walls, The "Tunnel des Tuileries" have art on the walls and while I've never been to Paris, I think it's be beautiful to have art painted in some of the tunnels in Tucson, especially at night when it lights up.
Artist Bio: Le'Sheland Hadley-Nihiser
My name is Le’Sheland or Shey for short. I am a member of the Kindred affinity team and have worked with the Pima County Public Library for almost 9 years. Working in the library has opened so many opportunities for me to learn about our community and about myself. My passion for creativity started as early as I can remember grabbing on to things and now, I can use it in my work. When I studied art history at Pima Community College, I quickly realized the importance of not comparing my art to others or basing my art solely on a grade. Art is a primary form of expression for me, and I’ve learned to focus my art on what brings me joy. I contribute a lot of my art ideals to the daycare in California my mother chose for me because of their encouragement of freedom. They encouraged us to make things with nature like using berries to fingerpaint, gluing acorns and leaves with sap, making and baking edible playdough into sculptures, and writing our own picture books. My current art process starts with traditional sketching first, taking a picture, and uploading it to a program called Sketchbook on Android. I’m often indecisive about my art, but digital tools let me embrace that by layering and swapping elements until I land on a design I love. Some of my sketches also become clay models sparked by animals, nature, or jewelry I rediscover. I never imagined sharing my artwork with others, let alone that they’d enjoy it! I’m excited about this opportunity and can’t wait to see everyone’s creativity shine.
About our affinity teams:
Biblio Lotus supports and values the culture and voice of our Asian communities in Pima County by providing resources and programs and by establishing ongoing partnerships with Asian organizations therein.
Kindred reaches, supports, and celebrates the Black community.
The Many Nations team’s mission is to provide literacy outreach and establish ongoing partnerships with Native communities in Pima County.
The Nuestras Raíces Committee celebrates and honors the culture, voice, and linguistic heritage of our Latinx and Spanish-speaking communities in Pima County.
PRIDE serves and celebrates Southern Arizona’s vibrant LGBTQIA+ community.
Synapse is building a community that feels at ease discussing mental health without stigma.
Welcome to America’s vision is a diverse community that recognizes, welcomes, and celebrates immigrants for their contributions to our shared success.
