Today we’d like to introduce you to Shawn Artis.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
Visual artist currently residing in Houston, Texas. I was adopted at birth by two social activists who just happened to have the last name of Artis.
I’ve never had the opportunity to see either one of my biological parents so I’ve always been drawn to the concept of family and the beauty of portraits. To someone who’s never seen even an image of who I’ve originated from, I have always been fascinated with families and culture.
I was originally born in New Haven, Connecticut but my family eventually moved back to Texas which is the home of my adoptive mother. During the long car rides from the east coast to the deep south I would occupy myself by drawing in my art pads. As time went by my parents realized I had an uncanny ability to express myself through the visual arts.
At an early age I began entering numerous art competitions and taking several advanced art classes throughout elementary, high school, and later in my collegiate years.
With my adoptive parents being social activists and myself having a natural curiosity in regards to my origins, my art took a shift towards a more socio-political direction and I began making more artwork focused on instilling social change and awareness.
Please tell us about your art.
Artistically I create everything from murals, abstract art, figurative art, installations, and portraits. I primarily use acrylics, but I also use watercolors, inks, aerosol and practically anything I can experiment with. Most people know me for my live painting experiences that I started off with Urban Souls Dance Company, Poetry Lounge Houston, heART & Soul, and Via Colori Street Painting Festival. My primary goal was to share my gift with the city while also being a living example of how black men are way more than what we’re portrayed as in mainstream media. Using my art to raise awareness and funding for some of Houston’s most charitable organizations opened up the doors for me to go on to create artwork for celebrities such as Cedric the Entertainer, Erykah Badu, the Houston Texans, as well as the Houston Rockets.
I would consider myself a contemporary artist by today’s standard because I always try to create art that’s relevant to the world around us. I’m heavily inspired by music, fashion, design, technology, and culture. Some of my creations have been spawned from one bar of a song while others derive from candid conversations with strangers. My objective has always been to create art that creates dialogue and hopefully that dialogue initiates change. A change in thought, a change in perspective, a change in the right direction. In a society where technology is supposed to bring us closer, ironically, it seems as if it’s pushed many of us farther apart. It is my hope that my art can bring us closer together.
Choosing a creative or artistic path comes with many financial challenges. Any advice for those struggling to focus on their artwork due to financial concerns?
My advice would be to create for the Love first and foremost and constantly push yourself to evolve as an artist and a person. If you put 1000% into what you love there is no failure. The money will come but people can feel if your art is genuine or if it’s merely a hustle. You were hand-picked to be endowed with the gift of creativity for a divine reason so you must treat it as such, that’s what people resonate with, and that’s the element of art that’s priceless.
I’d also recommend going to as many museums, galleries, and art shows as you can so you can see what other creatives are producing and how they’re presenting their artwork. Volunteering is another great way to learn more about the art world. Working with charities and non-profit organizations was a major catalyst for gaining exposure, meeting other incredible artists, and building my art resume up.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I recently wrapped up a solo show at the Houston Museum of African American Culture as well as a traveling exhibition with Black Art in America. I’m presently working on a few upcoming projects here in Houston at my private studio. To stay updated on my latest events, exhibitions, and art releases sign up for my newsletter at www.shawnartis.com and follow me on Facebook or Instagram @theshawnartisgallery.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shawnartis.com
- Email: info@theshawnartisgallery.com
- Instagram: Theshawnartisgallery
- Facebook: The Shawn Artis Gallery
- Twitter: @theartofshawnartis
Image Credit:
Shawn Artis
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