We recently had the chance to connect with Shannon Deana Johnson and have shared our conversation below.
Shannon Deana, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
A good painting session will always make me lose track of time. When I’m in the studio hours can pass without me realizing it. Sometimes I’ll head downstairs to my studio in the evening “just to check on things,” and before I know it, I’ve been painting for hours. That experience of losing track of time is also how I find myself again—it’s where I feel most free, most alive, and most connected to who I am.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Ok sure, I’m Shannon Deana Johnson, a painter whose work is rooted in a deep connection to nature and the creative process. I’m inspired by the organic shapes, textures, and subtle color shifts found in the natural world—endless sources of wonder, peace, and reflection. My process is intuitive, layered, and meditative. I allow the materials to move naturally, guiding them gently while embracing spontaneity. Each piece explores the balance between harmony and contrast, simplicity and complexity, stillness and motion.
I hope to invite viewers into a sense of presence and connection through my work.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
As a child, I was free to roam the hills and canyons behind my house, sometimes with friends and often on my own. I spent countless hours exploring trails, following streams, finding waterfalls, and discovering everything the wilderness had to offer. That freedom to be self-reliant, to follow my curiosity, and to feel at home in nature gave me a profound sense of power. Those early experiences shaped not only my independence but also my lifelong connection to the natural world, which continues to inspire my art today.
When you were sad or scared as a child, what helped?
When I was a child, I often retreated to my room and spent hours creating. I had a set of oil pastels and loved to draw, or I would make jewelry and paint. Those quiet hours were incredibly calming. No matter what was happening in my life, getting immersed in the act of creating gave me a sense of peace. It was a way of soothing myself through imagination and making, and I think that’s where the foundation for my lifelong love of art was built.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What truths are so foundational in your life that you rarely articulate them?
My faith is truly foundational for me. It’s something that guides my life, but I tend to share it more in one-on-one conversations rather than publicly. I never want to make anyone feel uncomfortable, but when I sense that someone is open or interested in talking about God, I’m always glad to share what I believe. For me, faith is my guiding light and underlies everything I do.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. When do you feel most at peace?
That’s an easy one- when I’m in nature. I love going to the Smoky Mountains, sitting by a mountain stream, or walking along a quiet trail. Even in my own backyard, listening to the birds or watching the butterflies in my flower garden brings me peace. I’m also drawn to different landscapes—the desert and the ocean especially. I recently visited Joshua Tree National Park and was captivated by the experience of walking through the desert, watching the sunset shift the sky moment by moment, and then seeing the stars slowly appear. Those experiences feel absolutely magical and remind me of how connected and alive I feel in the natural world.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.shannondeanajohnson.com/
- Instagram: @shannondeanajohnson
- Facebook: shannon deana johnson art
