Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannon Barnes.
Hi Shannon, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I grew up in a home where art was encouraged. My father, an accountant by profession but an artist by calling would sit with me and encourage drawing and painting. He encouraged any type of creativity. I would watch as he completed commissions, or simply worked with his hands on a variety of creative projects. I obtained my sense of security, moral strength, intelligence, and problem-solving skills from my dad. My mother also poured a lot of good into my life, but for me art took root in me because of my dad.
After my dad passed away in 2011, I was coming home one night from a very long day at work in the mental health field. I was feeling tired, drained, and sad. He was on my mind and I was missing him. I heard a gentle voice inside my spirit say, “Paint it.” I am very familiar with art therapy and how art is beneficial and strategic when working with children, trauma victims, the special needs community, or for people in general. I could remember hearing other clinicians say things like, “Art It Out.” So I purchased some very cheap paint supplies and decided to “paint” what I was feeling.
I was feeling alone and defeated. I am a strong Christian believing that when you experience these days you should lean into your faith in Christ for comfort. I continued to hear a gentle phrase in my spirit, “Take it to the cross.” And so, I began to paint the calvary scene of three crosses. I had absolutely no painting skills at this time. And, it had been many years since I had even picked up a pencil to draw. As I was painting, I kept thinking to myself, “This would make a great song.” I went to the internet, of course, and typed in that phrase, “Take it to the cross.” Instantly an old song was revealed. I clicked the link and a lyric video played. I was amazed at how personal this song was to what I was going through at that very moment. This strengthened my faith as well as comforted my sad heart. I still have this painting hanging in my home studio.
I began to paint more, watch videos, read articles, and take classes. I became quickly frustrated because the skills did not come easily. Randomly, I received encouragement from strangers. Statements would be made that made it clear I was to pursue art. If for no other reason, I should pursue art because it brought me joy and gave me a positive balance to the negativity of the mental health field. After all, people do not seek therapy because they are happy. Life is hard, and mental health clinicians are highly aware of the evils in this world, the hurt in the world, and the mental health fight millions are going through. So art had become my go-to for comfort and beauty. I continued to be amazed at the random encouragement I received from strange places. If I could plug all of this information into a scientific and statistical equation to determine if it was coincidental, it would yield a result that proves this was not a coincidence. The mere definition of coincidence does not fit the pattern of random occurrences. And so, I continued on.
I quickly found that most artists do not like newcomers. However, I also found that those artists were isolated and alone. Isolation and aloneness actually goes against our human nature. It typically occurs for distinct reasons. And so I gravitated toward artists and other professionals in the art world who had a different mindset. I returned to academia to increase my art skills and doors began to open. Random encouragement continued to come my way. I began to sell small artwork, but I had a desire to play with the big boys and girls. I quickly found that art as a hobby was a dead-end street for me. It did not seem right to pour so much heart into so much work to create a painting just so the painting could sit in an unused room in my house. I began to give works away, donate works, and hang my artwork in my offices. But that was not enough. I finally understood that art for me was not a hobby but it was more about purpose. Art can speak to people and ignite hope and comfort for people. This was at the core of my career as a mental health professional, and so I realized it also had to be at the core of my art.
It did not take long for me to determine that my goal was to become a professional artist and to enter into the professional art world. I always swing for the fence. Of course, I have failed at many attempts, but why even try if you are not going to be true to your own heart. My goal was for my art to speak joy, comfort, purpose, and hope into the hearts of others. Since that day, I, along with my husband, have opened a fine arts gallery which has been successful. I have been invited to multiple professional art events and I have gained recognition in the professional art world. I have received art awards and honorable mentions. And most importantly, I have developed my own ideas of how I can pay it forward in the art world for other artists who understand we were created to need connection and support. God never intended that anyone would be isolated and alone. When a person believes he or she is too good to be with other like-minded people, it is a sign that something is wrong. My hope is that I can make statements through my art which speaks a message of connection, integrity, value, and standard to artists, buyers, and collectors in the art world. At the very least, I desire for people to look at my art and see my true heart.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Struggle is a subjective concept. To struggle is defined as the act of trying to free oneself from restraint. I never felt restrained by the hard work that has gone into my art. Nor did I feel restrained when I was learning and increasing my art skills. I felt failure and frustration. But I did not feel restraint. I knew it was up to me to solve these problems and no one else should do it for me.
However, I have very much felt restrained by deviant people I have encountered along the way. I have experienced people maliciously trying to sabotage important events simply to be spiteful. I have experienced disgruntled associates right out lie to try and harm our gallery. I have experienced self-righteous people with self-grandiose thinking enter my gallery and criticize how I run my business. I do realize they do not know this is actually the fourth successful business I have owned, and maybe they think they are teaching me a lesson. Maybe to them, it appears that I am stupid, though I certainly am not. What I have learned is that the most struggle comes from the hurt inflicted on us by unhappy people. I do not always know why people maliciously target other people. I do not know why these people chose to target me. I can guess it was because I would not compromise my professional ethic or values for their selfish purposes. I know I am not perfect and I have much to learn. But it appears a person who chooses no integrity will lash out at people who are trying to implement integrity. In these cases, I choose to extend grace and move on. After all, it is what it is and I can not control other people. I can only control how I react to their actions. I choose not to waste my energy. Life will go on. However, I am human, and their actions have hurt my heart. I understand the mental health side of why people intentionally try to hurt others, but just because I understand the why does not make it hurt less. So I find this to be a struggle because hurt can restrain us if we let it restrain us. I do believe to forgive and move on is freeing from the restraints, so I strive to do this when necessary. I also hope others understand that I am human just like they are human.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My art began as an expressive art. At least for me, I was attempting to express a thought or concept or emotion through painting. Then I transitioned to landscapes, seascapes, and skyscapes. I find this is where much beauty can be found. After all, God’s beauty is all around us. Even where humans have disrupted God’s beauty, beauty can be found. This type of representational art is not simple to create. Representational art may be the most challenging because the fundamentals of art must be present for the artwork to appear pleasing to the eye. Many landscape artists exist, but those who create breathtaking works understand the fundamentals of how to do so. I very much enjoy painting representational works. Most collectors who have purchased my artwork have purchased my representational work.
However, more recently I have explored the world of abstract painting. I started dabbling with abstract painting for fun and I thought it would be less challenging. I was correct because abstract art can be a total mess and still be pleasing to the eye. I have created a few pieces that I hated and simply threw away. I have also created a few pieces that I loved. I start with an idea or image in my mind and somehow during the process, the painting takes over. The final forms on the canvas typically do not appear the same as they did when they started in my mind. The painting just evolves into its own statement and/or beauty. I hope to continue both styles of painting. And I hope to also add portraiture to my skill sets.
How do you define success?
Success is defined as “having a high level of satisfaction for the accomplishments you have achieved and for the positive effect you have on others.” Maybe money is included, but not always necessary. I was taught, and I believe, that you should not chase money. If you have something to offer, then money will chase you. I have found this to be true in most areas of life. Please do not misunderstand. I am not so Pollyanna that I do not understand money is a necessity. I was a single mom at one point in my life and it was damn hard. At that time, success was defined as, “my kids have food on the table and a warm bed to sleep in at night.” I did not feel accomplished or purposeful and I worked my job with some dissatisfaction. But I was successful at the basics. And this was the groundwork for me to evolve. Our definition of success evolves as we evolve through life and it changes with circumstances. I would offer that success is a subjective concept that is defined differently by people. I will define success for my art as “the ability to create a painting that speaks life, comfort, beauty, purpose, and hope to the viewer.” When a buyer chooses to purchase my art, this is an added success. All this is only possible through the blessings provided to me by our heavenly father.
Contact Info:
- Website: tranquilityfinearts.com
- Instagram: shannonbarnesafp
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArtFromThePsychee
- Youtube: Tranquility Fine Arts Official
Image Credits
Art Tour International Magazine Bailey Paquin
