Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannon Deana Johnson.
Hi Shannon Deana, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I studied art at Humboldt State University in Northern California and then at the University of Tennessee where I received a degree in Studio Art. Originally from Southern California, I spent my childhood exploring the Pacific coastline and surrounding hills and mountains with a camera or sketchbook in hand.
I now live in Knoxville, TN where the Smoky Mountains and my own backyard are sources of inspiration. Making art has been essential to who I am for as long as I can remember. I taught high school art for 20+ years and I’ve explored several media along the way.
As my three children grew up and then went out on their own, I started spending more and more time making my own art, selling my artwork online, at local markets and shows until I reached a point where I could no longer manage both my art and teaching careers. With the support of my husband, I retired from teaching in May 2021.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I was fortunate enough to find my passion for art at a young age, to enjoy a career teaching art, and now a career making art. I’ve been able to follow my passion and watch for open doors along the way. I think the hardest thing has been finding the confidence to step through the doors when they have presented themselves.
I have been able to rely on prayer and the support of my friends and family for the courage to follow my dreams. And to be honest it just feels right when I’m making art, so that is pretty motivating despite any obstacles.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a mixed media painter (watercolor, acrylic, tea, spray paint, stitching, etc.) inspired by nature and the creative process. The organic shapes, textures, and colors found in nature are a constant source of wonder. I seek to capture the essence of my experience with nature in my art and share it with those who view it.
When painting, I allow the medium to do what it naturally does with gentle guidance. It is a meditative process and a balance between harmony and contrast, simplicity and accumulation, and stillness and motion. Flow, being in the zone, that mental state where one becomes fully immersed in a feeling of energized focus and enjoyment in the process is where the painting takes me.
Similarly, when I’m in nature I become aware of “being present” and focused on the beauty around me which allows me to let go of any worries or stresses. There is a lot of noise in the world, and I hope to bring a sense of quiet and peace to my paintings.
How do you think about luck?
I don’t really believe in luck. It’s more like the quote by Albert Einstein that says “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” I just keep moving, maybe a little to the left or right but I keep moving. I keep working hard, exploring possibilities, walking through the open doors and doing my best to keep my balance.
The past few years I’ve applied for grants, to residencies, to shows, and to galleries. Thankfully I’ve heard yes more often than no. I’ve read books about having a career as an artist, taken classes on running an art business, and listened to the advice of artists with established careers. I’ve painted a lot of paintings, shown my art in lots of places, and been fortunate enough to have people purchase my artwork.
I think the important things are to keep moving forward, stay positive, enjoy the journey, and trust the process.
Contact Info:
- Email: shannondeanajohnson@gmail.com
- Website: shannondeanajohnson.com
- Instagram: @shannondeanajohnson
- Facebook: Shannon Deana Johnson Art
