Today we’d like to introduce you to Shane Tha Artist.
Shane, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I grew up in north fort worth, in what would probably be considered a poor neighborhood but it was definitely rich in culture and art. Back then graffiti art was very popular. I can remember being very young, and I loved when we would be stopped as a train passed by. I would enjoy watching the vibrant colored taggings speed by. My love for graffiti art highly influenced my artwork to this day. You can see it in my use of bright colors and bold outlines. As a kid, I just knew I wanted to leave some beauty in this world by any means possible. From then on, I was always seen with a pencil in my hand. Giving away drawings to classmates and family watching to see if it made them feel something similar to what the art on the trains made me feel.
I didn’t really begin to paint until my freshman year of high school when I was transferred out of regular art into apart with the seniors. I was given total creative freedom and full access to materials that my family couldn’t afford and just like that Ms. Lopez apart class became my personal safe haven. To this day, I thank her for letting me hide in her classroom and just do what my soul craved. She really allowed me the safe space to open up that the rest of the world wouldn’t allow me to have. Often times, I got in trouble for cutting classes to go hide in the art room. (Thank you ms. Lopez)
I didn’t really begin selling my art publically until about 2017-2018. I was invited by a very good friend of mine to attend an open mic night at the dock bookshop, not as a poet but just to present my work. I had NO idea the kind of attention I would get. It was difficult for me to think about how people loved my work because to me it was so much more than that. Each painting is like a piece of my own soul each one tells a different part of myself in some way and the fact that people responded so well to it made me happy and nervous. There even came a point when people recognized my paintings before they even recognized my face and I truly loved that. Being at shows and hearing people give their honest opinions about something I created without knowing I was there it was really fun. Now I have three young daughters who all express a deep love of drawing and I feel like this is what keeps us connected and keeps me grounded. I am proud to pass on my love of my craft and it brings me so much joy knowing they will get to leave their beautiful prints on this world too.
Great, 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?
One of my biggest challenges I have had to face day by day is fighting through manic bipolar disorder and anxiety. I tend to go through bursts of creative inspiration for a period of time which while productive it can wane on my mental health. I tend to manically paint for days at time with very little sleep, and then can go weeks to months without being able to paint a thing in which sends me into a downward spiraling depression. My advice to any other woman that may deal with this is to not beat yourself up when you are feeling uninspiredit will come back to you. The best way to fight this feeling is lots and lots of self-care and self-love. Balance is the keyword. Without balance there is simply chaos. As a mom it’s hard NOT to give all your ti.e and efforts to your kids but I’ve found its necessary. When I’m not feeling quite myself my oldest daughter just says “mom you need to paint” and I am reminded that I need to paint as much as I need to breathe.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I like to call myself a Jane of all trades because I love to learn all sorts of crafts. I have created digital designs for t-shirts, I’ve done portraits and commissions for people and I’ve even done some logo designs. I think people like my work because it is raw and authentically me and because they can see the emotion put I to everything I do. Bright colors and bold lines tend to grab people’s attention and I feel like even though I am soft-spoken I have a lot to say and I say it without words.
So much of the media coverage is focused on the challenges facing women today, but what about the opportunities? Do you feel there are any opportunities that women are particularly well positioned for?
At this time, the feminist movement is strong and I feel like now is the best time for us to use our crafts to speak up for what we believe in. Social media is fickle and topics of interest change quickly so I believe NOW is the time for our voices to be heard in any way possible. Women are powerful beings and we are creative and loving. We have the power to MAKE the world listen.
Contact Info:
- Email: shaneharlow4@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shane.tha.artist
Image Credit:
Shane tha artist
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