Meet Shawn Simmons

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shawn Simmons.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
My life growing up came with many challenges at a young age. I wasn’t necessarily wanted by my birth parents and ended up in and out of foster care. I wish I could say the system works, but it doesn’t. What did work for me was art, specifically drawing. I would create and for a moment not be the abused foster kid living in poverty, it was freeing. Ironically, I think if I had an easier life I wouldn’t have become the artist that I am today.

Please tell us about your art.
By day I work in IT, at night I turn into a cartoonist, graphic designer and photographer. Sometimes it feels like a lot to juggle but I love each art form for different reasons. I also feel like they are all connected. Drawing and cartooning has always come naturally to me and is really where I started. The truth is that cartoons and anime really changed my perspective as a black kid growing up in the hood. Although I knew they weren’t real, the idea of these stories, people, and universes that spanned far past my neighborhood were really what I needed to expand my mind. I feel like they made me dream more and lightened my heart. In turn, I eventually started making cartoons and stories myself, wanting to be out in the streets less and less. For me my stories and cartoons are meant to be my purest form of expression where I throw in the most “Easter Eggs” that point to my true self.

Graphic Designing evolved out of my love for drawing. I would sketch tattoos, t-shirts, and logos out for people, but could never provide anything “digital” when people wanted it unless I scanned it straight in. In college, I decided to get with the times and began my journey into graphic design. Although I can do web and print design, I would definitely say that logos are my niche. Being a sketch artist, I can really bring life to my designs because I literally go “to the drawing board” when creating, it’s the first step in my design process. I like to think that every person or client I work with has a vision in their head. I like to try to bring that vision to life straight from their imagination.

To continue the bridge, photography then evolved from all the graphic design I was doing. For the designers out there, we all know how a good image can really make a design pop. Well, I would spend hours searching through stock photos for the “right” image. With a lot of designs, I would sketch out the entire flyer including a rough idea of the picture I wanted, then I wouldn’t stop until I found the image that fit the build. Eventually while working on a class project, I decided to rent a camera and take that perfect image I was looking for myself. Then I fell in love…

I hope that my art and journey can inspire people to just be them. There’s no rule, create what you want to create. I think God gives us all gifts, for those with artistic gifts, it’s almost your duty to explore those to the fullest. Don’t be afraid to follow your artistic journey no matter where it may lead.

Do you have any advice for other artists? Any lessons you wished you learned earlier?
Always keep exploring and expanding your skill-set. Similar to how a doctor must stay up to date with the latest treatments and procedures, we should always be evolving and willing to learn new things for your craft. Exploring different art styles on the regular can help keep your mind fresh and fluid. Connecting and collaborating with different artists should be a form of that exploration. Don’t be afraid to do things for the love of art.`

Also, a bit of advice I am still working to take myself, don’t be afraid to put your stuff out there. Often I meet artists who talk up their skills but have nowhere for people to view their work. From WIP sketches to full finished designs, let people see what you are doing. You never know who might scroll through your feed.

Last, find your personal balance. There are so many voices that will tell you “Quit your job if you believe in yourself” or “Get a part-time job and do art on the side”, but I think a decision like that is something you really need to wrestle with and make for yourself. I know people from both ends of the spectrum that are happy with their lives. I also know people who feel like they are more than artists and want to live a life where they pursue all of their passions. Find what’s right for you and embrace it.

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
Right now, I mainly post my work in two places, my website, and Instagram. I love feedback! Another place where some of my doodles are featured is in a blog called The Mahogany Tower. The best way to support me at the moment would be to share my art if you like it or hire me for your next project.