Art & Life with Sunshine Harding

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sunshine Harding.

Sunshine, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
My name is Jessica Harding, but I was given the nickname “Sunshine.” I was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. Growing up in Los Angeles in the 1990s. I was influenced by gangster rap culture of Inglewood, Compton and South Central to the beach life of Venice, Santa Monica, and Malibu. At a young age, I knew I had a future as a creative– I was always, painting, drawing and making Claymation figurines. In high school, I focused on graduating, hoping to find a career where I continue to think out of the box. After graduating high school, I attended Howard University in Washington, D.C., where I majored in Psychology and minored in Fashion Merchandising. Next, I attended the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in downtown Los Angeles, where I received a professional designation degree in Visual Communications. Immediately after graduation, I found an apprenticeship under an amazing fashion stylist and worked in the fashion industry for six years. While working as a fashion stylist, I would do private shoots where I would make fashion pieces and jewelry. I grew into my business, Maslow Collective, and began to make soy candles, prayer candles and jewelry with candles. I continued to work in Los Angeles and moved to New Orleans to pursue higher education and learn more about different spiritual practices and paths to God. I currently live in Los Angeles and finishing my degree in Social Work, where I will work with people about mental hygiene and health.

Can you give our readers some background on your art?
While working as a fashion stylist, I would do private shoots where I would make fashion pieces and jewelry. I grew to love making items with my hands and continued to make jewelry for fun. I continued to make jewelry and reclaim clothing for friends and myself. As I continued to make jewelry, I also learned how to make soy candles and enjoyed learning about scents and aromatherapy. After receiving support from friends and family, I started my brand, Maslow Collective. Named after psychologist Abraham Maslow, I was inspired by the Hierarchy of Needs, which discusses the motivations for why people do what they do. I found that these motives, which include, physiological, safety, belonging, social needs, esteem, and self-actualization, are also ways that people find ways of expressing themselves and their individuality. I continued to expand my brand, especially after I learned that different scents could be healing, such as peppermint can be used to treat headaches. It opened doors to other ways of healing; I began to learn about crystals and the protective, beneficial and attracting properties. I wanted to incorporate them in my jewelry. I pursued further into learning about spirituality and was directed into making prayer candles, which allows intentions to come into fruition. I wanted supporter and clients of Maslow Collective to have ways to express themselves and provide healing, through wearing jewelry, wearing clothing, and burning candles. At Maslow Collective, We Make Dope Stuff.

What responsibility, if any, do you think artists have to use their art to help alleviate problems faced by others? Has your art been affected by issues you’ve concerned about?
I believe as artists; we have a social responsibility to reflect the zeitgeist of the times. I am very inspired by my connection to my higher power and how I can retain a strong connection.

What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
You can visit my website to purchase prayer candles, scented soy candles, and jewelry, MaslowCollective.com.

Contact Info:

• Website: MaslowCollective.com
• Instagram: MaslowCollective

Image Credit:
Andrea Green

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