Shannon Newlin is an illustrator and painter. Her professional experience includes over 10 years in product development as well as Disney Consumer Products styleguide design. During her time as creative director for a licensee she developed multiple product lines from concept through to production. She and her team also won Disney’s Infant Division “Product of the Year” Award.
After several years in NYC and Los Angeles, she now resides in Charlotte, NC with her husband and children. She founded Shannon Newlin LLC where she she sells and licenses her artwork for wall art, fabric and handcrafted home decor.
1. What’s your medium of choice and what do you love about it?
My favorite medium is watercolor. I am a big fan of Winsor & Newton’s tube watercolor paints. I also love to mix things up by introducing bits of gouache, liquid acrylic and cut paper.
2. What are you working on right now? What’s on your camera/desk/easel or in your studio?
At the moment I am getting ready for the Indie Craft Experience “Atlanta Ice” on Nov. 21-22. If you are in town I hope you can stop by and say “Hi”! I am really excited about it since it is a juried show to participate, and I am so honored to be there.
I have several things going on on my desk and easel in preparation….I am creating one of a kind hand-painted wood wall art pieces as well as original art on canvas and paper. In addition, I am created hand-painted notebooks and printed holiday cards to offer a range of gift items.
3. What practices/activities are most valuable to your creative process?
I would say being consistent at painting everyday, even if it is just on a scrap of paper. Sometimes the paperwork or marketing part of the business can take away from the creative time, so I try to allow myself a few minutes just to throw paint around so I can feel creative.
4. What’s one thing you want to share with others about your art and/or process?
My art and process really stems from wanting to express myself in a way that sparks inspiration and conversation. I like to take creative risks and learn by them. It can be scary but often times it takes you to the next level and is a great learning tool. I believe the creative process has to happen organically and not because one is following a trend that everyone else is doing. Your voice has to come from within, and it takes time.
5. What advice would you give to your young artist self?
Believe in yourself and keep going. Art-making really is a process, one day at a time, a journey of learning and growing…there is no real finish line. That is one reason why I love being creative…it is fluid….just jump in and enjoy the ride.
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