Today we’d like to introduce you to Shauna Martin.
Hi Shauna, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Graduate of the University of Houston with a BFA in Photography & Digital Media, I have always found great joy in the arts. My mother is an artist and a great motivator, so growing up entailed lots of hobby crafts as well as fine art experiences and museum visits. I started my college career as a piano major before switching to photography. My love for music is oftentimes a driving force for my work and, if not the driving force, it is always in the background as I create, making subtle influences here and there. I taught music lessons throughout my college years and still enjoy playing classical, jazz and blues when I’m not mark making.
After college, I decided to expand my love for teaching and found a spot among the Cypress-Fairbanks ISD family. I have taught art and photography to middle school and currently, high schoolers for over ten years. More recently, as the world began to change exponentially in 2020, I dove into mark making. When a friend and colleague introduced me to encaustic, it was love at first mark! From there I have expanded my artworks to include encaustic, mixed media, and cold wax. My current works are heavily influenced by nature, philosophy and science; specifically metaphysics and epigenetics. This is where the darker aesthetic and muted, earthy tones derive. My works have been displayed across the US.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I am new to the art business world. So any struggles I run into can simply be attributed to a novice learning curve. I have enjoyed the beginning of this journey because I have met some truly inspiring people that have a love for not only art, but life. Every time I meet a new client I feel energized by their excitement for my work. Hearing their interpretations and their attributed emotions make me believe that the work is truly touching the viewer on a deeper level than my words could ever express.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
The majority of my work consists of encaustic which is a mixture of beeswax and damar resin (tree sap). This medium is melted on a hotplate, applied to the wood panel with a natural hair brush and then cured using fire. The torch flame allows the underlying layer to fuse with the new top coat. So you are able to layer and layer to your heart’s content. It is the endless possibilities of manipulating this medium that made me fall in love. That, and my studio smells of earth and honey, which is a beautiful plus! In my humble opinion, life is about finding your balance while experiencing the experiences and allowing the emotions that follow. My work shows this personal journey of exploring newly acquired knowledge by way of questioning everything. Whether it’s through meditation, transurfing, reading, researching, or philosophizing with people, I seek to learn the answers to some of life’s greatest questions (though deep down I believe we somehow already know the answers). My work is a visual representation of these thoughts and questions in hopes of putting my own unique stamp on this planet.
I truly believe that everyone we meet along our path is a teacher and is brought to us for a reason. My work is on display at DaVinci Artist Gallery in Tomball, Texas as well as 3 Square Art in Fort Collins, Colorado. I look forward to meeting you, if not in person or social media, then in Spirit.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
You can connect with me through social media, Instagram or Facebook, or through my websites.
Instagram: @grumpymonk555 www.instagram.com/grumpymonk555
Facebook: www.facebook.com/imagemakersm
Website: www.imagemakersm.com
DaVinci Artists Gallery Website: www.davinciartistsgallery.com/shauna-martin
3 Square Art Gallery Website: www.3saart.com/artists/shauna-martin
Contact Info:
- Email: shaunamartinart@gmail.com
- Website: https://imagemakersm.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grumpymonk555/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/imagemakersm
Image Credits
Lindsey Wilkins (Lindsey Wilkins Photography)
