Today we’d like to introduce you to Mikayla Malik.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve been drawing since I was little. I come from a creative family on both sides. My grandma always had art supplies at her house because she said she wanted to instill that creative spark in her grandchildren. Drawing and painting was always a side hobby as I have been an athlete my whole life. I majored in Psychology in college so between basketball and psych, I never really had a lot of time for art. I didn’t start posting my work until quarantine in 2020 which came entirely out of boredom. Once I started to get commissions, I realized I could really do something with it. I was able to monetize a passion of mine so it never really felt like work. After I got my Bachelors in Psychology last May from Tuskegee University, I had another year to play and decided to transfer. I ended up attending Texas Southern University to be back home and chose to major in Art. For the first time, I was able to dedicate time and energy to my craft. Unfortunately, my season was cut short due to an injury and foot surgery. However, being an art major fulfilled me in so many ways that I was able to remain positive even though I was unable to play. I had my first art show in December and since then, I’ve been focusing on evolving as an artist. I’ve been learning so many things and have been doing as much as I can to actualize the vision I have for myself as an artist.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Being a college athlete who majored in Psychology meant that the only time I had to paint was the summer. I went through feelings of inadequacy and feeling like I wasn’t a real artist because I couldn’t dedicate the time to it like others. I struggled with finding out what I wanted to say as an artist and how to translate that to a canvas. I began to dive deep into art history and different movements to be able to better ground my work in historical contexts and accurately express what I wanted to say.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in painted portraits of the Black figure. I want to show the multi-dimensionality of Blackness – joy, resilience, hope, grace – not just the struggle. My work recognizes and responds to the historical exclusion of Black figures in painting. My work allows for the Black figure to be front and center, detached from the white gaze and a full embrace of Blackness. I look at my work as a way to appreciate the history of Black people. Not just the racial struggles or violence, but the beauty and alchemy; the strength of a people that made something from nothing.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I was born and raised in Houston. My mom lived on the Northside and my dad on the Southside in Alief. I love the everything about my city: The different types of food, the scenery, the weather, the Arts, everything. Finally going to school in my hometown had allowed me to be exposed to so much more and grow a new appreciation for Houston.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Eddie Kalavera (the one with my mom taking my pic on a disposable)
