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If you've been following the progress on Shauna's house, you'll know that the renovation of the courtyard was a last-minute, lightning-fast process that was completed with the goal of being included in the HGTV Magazine story. Sadly, the courtyard didn't make the cut but not to worry. We have it on inside information that it will be featured in a publication near you very soon. The highlight of this amazing space, which serves as Shauna's very own private cantina, is the mural that covers 2 of the walls. And when Shauna was planning this space, we knew the perfect person to execute this colorful masterpiece, Mariell Guzman. If you live in Fort Worth, chances are you've seen Mariell's work around town. And if you haven't? Be sure to jump in your car the minute you finish reading this and GO CHECK IT OUT. We caught up with Mariell after a recent photo shoot in her studio to give you a peek behind the curtain at this talented artist.   SGD: Can you briefly walk us through your story? How did you get started and how did you get to where you are today? MG: As far as my creative journey, I’ve been doodling/painting ever since I can remember. I grew up always falling asleep with my journals full of drawings and continued throughout my upbringing, whether on canvas, napkins, receipts, or even doodling all over my arm in class. I never really stopped creating. It’s always been very therapeutic to me to escape in my creative process. I’m also very lucky to have grown up in a very creative family; my mom, sister and brother all paint and have their own style. So yeah, overall being an artist has always been deeply intertwined with my identity. I went to The University of Texas at Austin to study Studio Art and then moved back to DFW in 2018. I’ve basically been developing my art career since then and figuring out where my art belongs and the audience that responds to it. It hasn’t been an easy journey at all and it’s been a lot of trial and error, but I’ve just persevered because there’s no other way I’d rather build a life for myself other than being able to be creative everyday. SGD: Has it been a smooth road? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way? MG: Overworking myself because I took every opportunity that came my way. This led to very unhealthy habits, such as sleep deprivation, lacking social life, always being anxious, and overall forgetting I’m a human being at the end of the day and I need to rest and refuel my brain and body. To be honest, I’m still gradually getting better at learning how to balance my work/personal time. I’ve undervalued my self and my work a fair amount of times with the hopes that it would lead to something better down the road. Some of my biggest projects when I was starting out, I actually did for free solely for the exposure I would get at the events. Which is crazy to think about now, because no one should expect an artist to spend 50+ hours creating something for free. Yet, so many young or “emerging artists” accept this as the standard because we simply want our work to be seen.    SGD: What are you most proud of and what sets you apart from other artist? MG: To be honest, I’ve been working almost non stop for the past 3 years. I’ve struggled to slow down and really reflect back on my accomplishments in my career so fast. In a way, I haven’t really even dedicated time to let them all sink in. I truly never imagined that I would be able to be a full time artist in my mid 20’s and to have painted over 30+ murals in various states and Mexico. I’ve also had the honor to work with various big brands such as Dickies, IBM, Pepsi and more. Overall, I’m genuinely the most proud of the fact that I get to live my dream this early in my life. I’m beyond grateful to feel the pure joy of creating everyday and continue to have opportunities to add colorful experiences to people’s lives with my works of all scales.  SGD: What advice would you give to someone at the start of his or her career? MG: General career advice
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  SGD: What artists do YOU admire and why?
MG: So many, I could go on another rant for this but I’ll keep it short and choose one. Helen Frankenthaler is a big one for me. She was one of the first women artists I was introduced to from the abstract expressionism period. I admire her tenacity, experimental/playful painting process and overall bravery to make huge scale paintings and make room for herself in the art scene in that time period when the scene was male dominated. Her story was extremely inspirational to me and motivated me to challenge myself with scale and enter the mural scene. SGD: If you weren’t an artist, what would you be? MG: If I wasn’t an artist, I would definitely be a marine biologist. I’ve been continuously fascinated by ocean life since I was young. Where to find Mariell:
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When we were planning our next installment of Artist Spotlight we realized that one of our favorite artists had not yet been featured! The tragedy! Beth Gandy is an artist based in Dallas who does amazing large, colorful (shocker) abstract pieces. Her work is featured in galleries all over the US including DFW, Santa Fe, North Carolina and California. One of the places she sells her work, Park & Eighth here in Fort Worth, was where we discovered her and since then she has become one of our favorite artists to recommend to clients.   SGD: Can you briefly walk us through your story? How did you get started and how did you get to where you are today? BG: I started painting in high school, but I didn't paint much after that until I had kids. I painted wall murals for several years, then children's portraits. I started painting abstracts about 11 years ago using figures as my base or starting point. SGD: Has it been a smooth road? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way? BG: As we all know, it has been a long process of learning and growing. I think the quote from Derek Fordjour says it best, "Artists are people who work hard to get lucky."   SGD: What are you most proud of and what sets you apart from other artists? BG: I am proud that people actually enjoy my work and that so many support my art. I would say my use of color sets me apart. SGD: What advice would you give to someone at the start of his or her career? BG: I say to paint as often as you can, keep learning from as many others as possible and give back when you can.   SGD: What artists do you admire and why?
BG: Joaquin Sorolla for his use of color, Willem de Koonig for his style, everything about Joan Mitchell and the figures from Richard Diebenkorn. SGD: If you weren't an artist, what would you be? BG: LOST! How to find Beth Gandy: Website: bgandyart.com Instagram: @bgandyart Facebook: Bgandyart Email: [email protected] Catch up on all the other featured artists here. All photos courtesy of Beth Gandy A few months ago, we took a field trip to Cerulean Gallery in Dallas at the invitation of the gallery manager. Now, we all know it's a slippery slope when Shauna and art meet; chances are she is not walking away empty handed. And our predictions rang true when we stepped in to the gallery and spotted the work of Austin artist Jeff Skele. His collaboration with Nic Noblique, Storytime, features hand painted sculptures that combine Nic's abstract shapes with Skele's characters. Needless to say, it was love at first sight, and it only made sense for us to share his story and his amazing work with you on our Artist Spotlight.   SGD: Can you briefly walk us through your story? How did you get started and how did you get to where you are today? JS: I hail from Virginia Beach. I always wanted to be a soccer player but I blew out both of my knees. There was about 5 years of not knowing who I was. In 2007, my father got me a job as a security guard at a military base where I worked midnights. Everynight before work, I would pick up a tattoo magazine and use it as a drawing reference. I started making full page color drawings not long after. I met local artists and showed them my work and they were really impressed and I liked that feeling. At that moment, I realized I should keep going. Drawings turned into paintings, which turned into art shows. In 2013, I packed up and moved to Dallas, which forced me to survive on my art. I reached out to Kettle Art Gallery, owned by Dallas-local artist Frank Campagna, asking to be featured in his gallery. In a month’s time, I was showing him my work and in a couple more weeks, I was in my first gallery show. I became a permanent fixture in Kettle, while also entering numerous festivals, live-painting events, and also honing my skills as a studio artist. For a short time, I lived with Nic Noblique, a sculptor, who built up my confidence as a self-taught, full-time artist. I moved to Austin in 2017 with close friend and fellow artist, Todd Bot. We both really dove into the art scene here by painting at events, painting at the famous Hope Outdoor Gallery, and spent late nights in the studio. In that time, I met a large group of artists -- now my close friends -- who inspired me, brought new opportunities to showcase my art, expand into mural work, and shared valuable insights about creating. SGD: Has it been a smooth road? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way? JS: Absolutely not. The biggest struggles have been believing in myself and carving out your own space in the art world as a self-taught artist.   SGD: What are you most proud of and what sets you apart from other artists? JS: A moment of validation for me, I won 1st place at an art festival in my hometown. I gave the ribbon to my parents and it's still hanging on their mantle to this day. My work ethic. All I know is how to work. My father instilled in me a strong sense of work ethic and would always say, “no one is ever going to knock on your door and give you anything.” When I get stuck, I don’t just stop working. I switch mediums or canvases, or start finger painting. SGD: What advice would you give to someone at the start of his or her career? JS: There are no mistakes. Every stroke is a lesson. Each piece is important, even if you look back 10 years from now. This isn’t easy, it isn’t for the faint of heart. You gotta want it, you gotta believe in it, you gotta work hard.   SGD: What artists do YOU admire and why? JS: I admire all artists trying to live this dream. I see people working and the growth in their work and that just pushes me. SGD: If you weren’t an artist, what would you be? JS: Honestly, probably a construction worker. Ties back into my work ethic and my desire to work hard, with my hands.  Contact Info:
Know an artist that would be great for our Artist Spotlight Series? Email us with your suggestions! We went to the Instagram "way back" machine to find out exactly when SGD and Esther McCord became acquainted with one another. Turns out it was July 2018 when she started following us and Shauna fell in love with her art. So much in fact, she commissioned a large 36x36 canvas, which was bigger than anything Esther had done in the past. The piece was amazing, of course, and Esther wrote to us later to thank Shauna for pushing her to "go big". And while we did fall in love with Esther's art, we fell in love with Esther's heart as well. Shortly after Shauna commissioned the piece, her granddaughter passed away at the age of 12 days. She heard from many of her friends and followers on social media with words of sympathy and comfort, but Esther's messages stood out. Every other day or so, there was a prayer, a quote of scripture, a word of encouragement. We knew then that Esther was someone special and are forever grateful for her beautiful, giving heart.  SGD: Can you briefly walk us through your story? How did you get started and how did you get to where you are today? EM: In 2013 I left my teaching career to join the full time, volunteer ministry. I then found myself with extra time on my hands and decided it was time to start sharing my art with the world. I was nervous and scared! I remember thinking, "What if no one likes my work?" (Some don't) "What if people are mean and jealous?" (Some are) BUT I did this for ME and to share my joy with YOU! I was no longer able to share my joy of art with teaching children, so now I had to share my joy by creating and sharing with YOU! Instagram was a great platform for this. I've met and connected with wonderful creative people on Instagram and have found several amazing collectors! And to this day, those of you that love my work and continue to support me, far outweigh my doubts and the meanies! THANK YOU! My paintings are living in JUST ABOUT all 50 states and even one in New Zealand! Moral of the story? Continue reading to find out...  SGD: Has it been a smooth road? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way? EM: FEAR and DOUBT, were big obstacles that I had to overcome. Getting out of my own way was the biggest obstacle. Once I figured out WHY I was sharing my work with the world and was consistent, I learned that the little negative voice in your head can be overcome by the positive one! This world 🌎 needs color and positivity and I'm happy to share what I can contribute! SGD: What are you most proud of and what sets you apart from other artist? EM: I can honestly say that I am most proud of not giving up! Everyday, I find something positive to share with my friends and collectors. And as an artist I firmly believe in producing art that will remind you to stay positive and never give up! My work has been described as uplifting and inspiring. My artworks are more than mere objects, an experience will be provided by establishing meaningful connections with collectors.   SGD: What advice would you give to someone at the start of his or her career? EM: •Be humble. • Get out of your own way. • Learn from others. • Then give them credit for helping you. • Know your worth. •MOST IMPORTANTLY commend and encourage everyone you meet! Always look for the good. My favorite motto: Be Nice or Leave. SGD: What artists do YOU admire and why? EM: David Hockney, Andy Warhol, Maud Lewis, these artists all have something in common and that's their love for bold and beautiful color! Each of these artists took pride in their work and worked hard at succeeding in their art careers. SGD: If you weren’t an artist, what would you be? EM: A psychologist.   Contact Info: Esther McCord
Check out more of our Artist Spotlight series here. Amy is one of those artists that have been an SGD favorite for a while now. We love her abstract art, her bubbly personality and maybe more than anything, her amazing home. Located in the Crestwood area of Fort Worth, it is a space that feels very "California bungalow hosts an artist retreat in 1972". Airy and bright with natural elements, outdoor living spaces and chock full of collectibles and vintage treasures, it is also the perfect backdrop for her big and bold canvases. Recently, a feature home location for 360 West Magazine fell through and Shauna was contacted to crowdsource another home. We immediately thought of Amy's and you can see the final feature in the August 2020 Cool Issue.  Photo: Jeremy Enlow, 360 West Magazine SGD: Can you briefly walk us through your story? How you started and how you got to where you are today? AY: I am from the South and grew up in a family of artistic people. Art supplies were put into my hands from the get-go! When I was a child many people taught art classes out of their garages or in their homes and my mother would sign me up for every single one! One month I might be on a pottery wheel and the next creating oil paintings of historical buildings. When I attended The University of Alabama I fell in love with the art department and took as many art classes as possible. Since then I’ve continued to create and grow as an artist through workshops where I have studied under many well-known artists.  Daydream Believer SGD: Has it been a smooth road? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way? AY: It was not always a smooth road! In the beginning, I did all kinds of art because I was afraid to do what I really wanted to do. My dream was to create extra large, abstract oil paintings. One day I broke through that fear by taking a canvas and tons of art supplies up on to a golf course behind the home we were living in. I made a promise to myself that I would not stop until a large piece was completed. I never looked back from that day!! SGD: What are you most proud of and what sets you apart from other artist? AY: I am most proud of the fact that I never gave up and that I have had the ability to adapt and learn almost every aspect of the art business. I think what sets me apart is that I do so many different types of paintings but all are uniquely me. Some pieces are soft and calming and others are super colorful and full of energy. Because of this wide variety often times clients, designers and galleries are able to place multiple pieces in one location. I also absolutely love meeting the clients and visiting their homes. I have worked with the most unbelievably kind people. Knowing that my art is loved and enjoyed by them is such a blessing to me! I would also say that my work ethic sets me apart. Some days I will work 16 hours straight and enjoy every minute. I am constantly exploring new methods and ideas that God has given to me!  Big Heart Little Kiss  Glorious Day SGD: What advice would you give to someone at the start of his or her career? AY: My advice for someone who is just starting their art career....
 The Big Show  Graffiti SGD: What artists do YOU admire and why? AY: Cy Twombly, Jose Parla, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Joan Mitchell and Mark Bradford are the artist that have consistently inspired and influenced me as an artist. It is their mark-making ability and graffiti/street art quality that I love the most. SGD: If you weren’t an artist, what would you be? AY: In addition to being an artist I am interested in architecture, interior design, filmmaking, writing and illustrating children’s books and someday owning my own art gallery. I am currently working on a children’s book about rainbows and my paintings will be the illustrations.  Where to find Amy:
Website: www.amyoungart.gallery Facebook: Amy Young Instagram: @amyoungart Contact: [email protected] Know an artist that we need to spotlight! Email us with your suggestions! Like many of the artists we work with, we discovered Carolyn on Instagram. Her whimsical, bold colors are right up our alley and the fact that she is the sweetest person ever just makes us love her even more! Carolyn is a Dallas native who has lived and worked all over the world. While it's hard to say which of her pieces we love the most; her iconic portraits of Frida, Willie and Iris, her bold abstract florals or the grafitti inspired pieces, her work shows her sense of adventure and vibrancy of living, and honestly just makes us smile!  SGD: Can you briefly walk us through your story? How did you get started and how did you get to where you are today? CJ: It feels a bit like I’ve been painting forever, as though making art is a 25+ year long ribbon of color tying together my memories. Like a lot of creatives, I loved art as a kid so I signed up for oil painting, pottery, sewing classes, thrilled by color in all its shapes and forms. I majored in Painting & Print-Making at Wake Forest University and minored in Art History. Late nights in-studio and early mornings working in a bakery fueled my creativity, always a sucker for coffee + cookies and the doodles they inspired. I studied at Oxford and interned in some incredible art galleries in Sydney, Australia where I worked with Aboriginal art and Asian Pacific Rim contemporary art. I came home to Dallas to work for Neiman Marcus, then 9/11 happened and changed our world forever. Some soul-searching and a continued love for painting led me to teach children’s art & art history… to my great joy. I began meeting and painting for interior designers during these early days. A few years later I moved to Austin to pursue art of a different kind, culinary arts – culinary school was a childhood dream of mine, as my extended family had Chinese restaurants and the noisy kitchen fascinated me with its sizzling sounds and fiery flavors. During culinary school, I continued to paint and sell my paintings in coffee shops, happy to share my color-filled travel-inspired pieces. Austin was vibrant and always-encouraging and I’ll forever be grateful for such an inclusive community. Fast forward a million years, babies + a whole lot of living, and I realize painting has been this life-giving faithful friend, no matter the city, no matter the season. Today I paint from my home studio with my studio pup + a couple of bearded dragons and I can’t wait to see what the future holds. I’m represented in Dallas by Maestri Gallery and feel lucky to work with designers creating custom pieces for residential & commercial spaces. My art has been adapted a dozen ways in new media, and I’m grateful for all the collaborations along the way.   SGD: Has it been a smooth road? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way? CJ: Well maybe the adventure’s in the twists & turns; smooth roads are boring, right? I do believe whole-heartedly that “creativity” is an infinite thing, that it can’t be used up, so even when I find myself discouraged or out of ideas, I try to remember that it’ll be fresh again tomorrow. No matter how crazy life can be, it’ll be there for us, ready for our return. This brings me comfort in the dry seasons and helps me go to bed late-night when I’m afraid I’ve over-worked a piece. I love collaborating with designers and collectors and I’m a people-pleaser, perhaps to a fault, so it’s been a valuable life lesson to learn to speak up for my ideas and find my worth in the joy creating brings me personally, even if a piece doesn’t always please someone else. And then all the back-end office stuff, maybe the typical administrative struggles many artists face… taxes, licensing agreements, legal docs, ha! I’m so thankful for my husband and his finance-savvy ways! SGD: What are you most proud of and what sets you apart from other artists? CJ: I’m humbled by and most grateful that I’ve been asked to collaborate with some amazing brands. We’ve adapted my art by changing the scale & medium to giant wallcovering installations in hotels by LookWalls, and to Roma Boots rain boots that give back to children in need all over the world. My art was part of a bespoke line of dresses by Dallas’ Rosie + Belle, and it’s on athleisure yoga pants. I’m on insulated sports bottles by Austin’s clean & green ThinkSport, and I’m in Home Goods via Wexel Art’s innovative acrylic shadow box line. My “Y’all Means All” Pride painting was adapted to street banners for Deep Ellum’s neighborhood initiative, and I was asked to design brand assets for the international olive oil brand, Carapelli. I’m so thankful these companies thought of me for their ideas, and saw possibility in my artwork… I know I could never create this kind of impact on my own. Art keeps bringing us together and we’re better together.    SGD: What advice would you give to someone at the start of his or her career? CJ: Just keep at it, little by little, give it your 10,000+ hours, as Malcom Gladwell suggests, and you’ll hone your craft and more importantly, become an expert at being YOU. Make time early in the morning or late at night and do it a little bit every day… keep showing up for creativity. Also, be curious, stay playful, stretch yourself and give yourself so much grace… you can always paint over it. Take classes. If you’re traditionally a 2D artist, sign up for a new medium, try a 3D glass-blowing or metal-working class. Try new things, go back to what you love. I look back at works from 15-20 years ago and smile seeing similarities in my form and use of color, calling cards all my own, poured out by the unique length of my two clumsy arms, splattered and drizzled in a way that only I splatter (messy). Imagine and render what genuinely interests you and makes you smile and chances are you’ll feel & share joy. Resist the temptation to ask an Instagram audience what they want to see, just be you and keep creating mini versions of you. We need more you. SGD: What artists do YOU admire and why? CJ: I love so many! Chagall for his use of childlike figures and dreamlike color, his whimsical story-telling. I love Matisse for his scissor-cut shapes that have influenced the blobby-shapes in my portraits’ faces. Christo + Jeanne Claude, for the ways they disrupted the landscape by colorfully wrapping objects we might have otherwise overlooked. And then for living artists, I love and admire my friends at ALG Collective (@algcollective) they have created this incredible co-op in the Dallas Design District, using their space to bring together and inspire all kinds of artists. They’re amazing. All of these artists make me feel a sense of wonder and bring me joy, and in the end joy is what I pursue, my work’s highest goal – to bring a little joy. Even if you forget what my art looks like, perhaps you’ll remember how it made you feel.   SGD: If you weren’t an artist, what would you be?
CJ: I’d for sure be a zookeeper. My Instagram feed is equal parts paintings, cacti, and quokkas/otters/whales/puppies. I just think animals are amazing living works of art. Contact Info:
We are always looking for new artists to collaborate with and to feature in our Artist Spotlight. Send us your info or suggestions here! In celebration of all things beautiful and those people who create beautiful things, we felt it was a good time for another installment of our Artist Spotlight Series. We think we found Marianne on Instagram, but it's quite possible that she is the one that found us. A Filipino-American artist, Marianne specializes in abstract contemporary art and based in Covington, LA. She has lived all over the world and her work definitely shows her global influence. As stated on her website, "I make joy-inducing contemporary art for the color-obsessed." It's no wonder our paths crossed!  SGD: Can you briefly walk us through your story? How did you get started and how did you get to where you are today? MAR: I was on a student visa upon finishing my second degree shortly following the recession, and after months of job hunting, I couldn't find a company that wanted to sponsor/hire me. This served as the catalyst to pursuing a long winding road as a freelancer. I started painting intentionally in 2016 and after selling my first large original on canvas, I brazenly (without having any business plan) took that money to pay for the deposit on my first art studio. I was officially in business as a full-time artist in 2017 when I just hit the ground running. SGD: Has it been a smooth road? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way? MAR: Hardship is inevitable when you're going against the grain and pursuing a life of creative autonomy and making that your livelihood. My parents weren't completely on board with me being an artist. They had other aspirations for me, and it took 8 years before we reunited and they saw my work and proudly accepted my career choice. One devastating moment when I was starting out as an artist was when my car was stolen, the car itself was 5 months new and had been packed up just before a local art fair with all of my brand new equipment and supplies. All that I had invested in with my savings was instantly gone. It was a heartbreaking chapter but it added fuel to my fire.   SGD: What are you most proud of and what sets you apart from other artist? MAR: I'm a first-generation immigrant in the US. Despite years of uncertainty and fighting for stability, I'm grateful to my parents for their sacrifices which taught me how to stubbornly fight for my dreams. I'm proud that I've built a career that I love and deeply enjoy, and I am thankful every day that I get to share my creativity with others. I moved out of that first studio space and am looking forward to opening the doors of our new gallery next month. My nomadic upbringing has always been an unusual facet of my background, so I try to bring the global perspectives and influences that I was exposed to from an early age into my artwork. SGD: What advice would you give to someone at the start of his or her career? MAR: Be organized and put in those long work hours. Avoid social media as a source for your creative inspiration, explore your environment, and strive for authenticity at every turn. A high work ethic and gratitude will get you to where you need to go.  SGD: What artists do YOU admire and why? MAR: I'm always blown away by El Anatsui's work - I love the drama in the scale of his art and the fact that he uses recycled materials as his medium. I look to past masters and am infatuated with Klimt and Matisse - color, pattern, and composition perfected. SGD: If you weren’t an artist, what would you be? MAR: I'd either be running a Filipino food truck or operating a rescue-dog sanctuary.  Contact Info:
If you've been a follower of SGD for a while, you are already familiar with the work of our next artist. Gina Julian's art was included in the HGTV Magazine story on Shauna's house last summer and featured on the cover. Needless to say, she is one of our favorites. Her studies on perspective and color seem simple on the surface but encourage you to spend some time and experience the impact of color and emotion. We recently caught up with this Franklin, Tennessee based artist.  SGD: Can you briefly walk us through your story? How did you get started and how did you get to where you are today? GJ: Like most creatives, I became interested in art when I was very young. I loved to paint and draw, and eventually took commercial art classes in high school. The skills I learned in high school landed me a job as a graphic designer, and from there I worked in the publishing world, in ad agencies as a senior art director, and also a web developer and designer. After 20+ years in the digital world I became interested in interior design and was invited to decorate a bedroom in a local show house. I loved creating my own art for my spaces, so I made an optical art (op art) painting to go over the vanity. That painting was eventually featured in a story on domino.com and the rest is history! SGD: Has it been a smooth road? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way? GJ: I don’t think it’s been terribly rocky, but there are always some challenges. My biggest challenge is that I’m a control freak (if you couldn’t tell from my art) which means I like to do everything myself. While this ensures that the job gets done my way, it can also make for some very long work days and nights. Also, I need very good light to make sure my paintings are precise, and there never seems to be enough daylight hours in the day, especially in winter.   Interior design by Katherine Berschback SGD: What are you most proud of and what sets you apart from other artist? GJ: I’m most proud that my art is distinctly “me”. It speaks to so many parts of my personality and my life experience. I’m an adrenaline junkie and a natural born risk-taker. My use of flat color was inspired by doing web and interface design all those years. My love of bright color is straight from the crayon boxes of my childhood, and the straight lines are a direct result of my OCD tendencies. Precision is my jam, and I find it very relaxing to paint a perfectly straight line. You can see all of these things in my work, and I’m so happy that I can share a part of myself with others in this way. SGD: What advice would you give to someone at the start of his or her career? GJ: If you’re struggling to find a style that is uniquely yours, look to the things that make you, you. Find your passions and your quirks and figure out how to use them to your advantage. Do you have a green thumb? Perhaps nature should be your subject matter. Got a love of fashion? High fashion figurative works might be your thing. I took my love of exactness, graphics and color and turned it into my life’s work. I hear young artists all the time say “I just want to create beautiful things” or “I want to make people happy.” And while those are worthwhile endeavors, the only thing that’s going to set you apart from the crowd is to do something that only you can do because it’s a part of you. Others may try to copy you, but because it came from your personal passions and natural tendencies, they will always be poor imitations at best.  Interior design by Katherine Berschback SGD: What artists do YOU admire and why? GJ: I’m a huge art collector myself, and true to my nature I’ve noticed that I love two kinds of art: abstracts with a strong focus on color, and colorful realism or photorealism (gotta love that precision!). Works in my personal collection include art from: Mallory Page, Brian Tull, Christina Baker, Christopher Stott, Denise Stewart-Senabria, Tjalf Sparnaay, Rolando Rosler and Vita Kobylkina. My all-time favorite artist is Wayne Thiebaud, and I would die a happy woman to have one of his oil paintings in my collection. His use of color to create a halo effect on his subjects still baffles me to this day. SGD: If you weren’t an artist, what would you be? GJ: No doubt about it, I’d be a pastry chef. I am a sugar addict and my love of baked goods runs deep! Consequently, when I’m not painting my straight-lined op art I’m usually painting sweet treats like donuts or macarons just for fun. Food is a wonderful subject matter that everyone can relate to. Plus, you can eat the models when you’re done. :)  Gina launches a new collection of large op-art works today! Check out her website to see all the amazingness.
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Our Artist Spotlight this month is Virginia based artist Juniper Briggs. Her new series, "In The Company of Beasts" is all about facing our fears. "By turning towards the qualities represented by each animal in the collection, we are able to befriend, nourish and even harness our fears, transforming them into fuel for personal growth." We love the energy and spirit of her work and are so excited to share her talent with you.   SGD: Can you briefly walk us through your story? How did you get started and how did you get to where you are today? JB: It’s interesting for me to look back and connect the various influences and experiences that have led to the type of work I make today. I grew up in the mountains of North Carolina in a community filled with artists. My friend’s parents included glassblowers, potters and painters. I learned a lot from them including how to incorporate creativity into my everyday life. I took painting lessons as a kid and always kept a journal with drawings and sketches in it. When I was seven my family moved to Bali, Indonesia for a few months. We lived on a Hindu Ashram in a hut overlooking the Indian ocean. I can remember being totally enthralled by our surroundings. The colorfully patterned sarongs, golden headdresses and tropical flowers were magical to me. Years later, those same elements found their way into my work. It wasn’t until recently that I even realized the connection. In college I studied abroad in Mexico, again falling in love with the colors and bold simplicity of Mexican folk art there. I then moved to Barcelona, Spain for a short time, working as an ESL teacher. I loved visiting museums there. I was especially drawn to the paintings of Pablo Picasso, who remains a huge influence over my work to this day. After college I thought I wanted to be a writer. I found an internship writing for a Fine Arts magazine in Southern California. This allowed me to interview and learn from a spectrum of contemporary artists as well as gallery owners and museum curators. It was during this same period that I first began experimenting and developing my own voice as a painter. I didn’t share my work though or even consider myself to be an artist. I started having these vivid dreams of different colors and compositions. I would wake up and try to paint these ideas that were literally swirling around in my head. It wasn’t until after moving back to the east coast and having my second daughter in 2013 that I started painting every day. There’s something about motherhood that seems to draw out that type of creative yearning. I needed something for myself and I turned to art. I began sharing my paintings on Instagram. I was humbled and encouraged by the reaction of others to my work. Slowly but surely I found myself here, as a full time working artist.  SGD: Has it been a smooth road? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way? JB: Once I finally figured out that I was an artist, things slowly but surely started to fall into place. It took me a long time to get here though. I felt pretty lost in my twenties. I did a slew of meaningless jobs that left me feeling really powerless. I’ve always been creative person but I didn’t know how to channel that creativity into a career. I was in my early thirties and a mother of two before I started seriously pursuing my art. That’s when I began painting every day and sharing my work. There was a lot of trial and error in the beginning, a lot of exploring and finding my voice. Sometimes it felt like I was going into battle with a brush and canvas. On the other hand it was incredibly empowering. Painting has always been an intuitive process for me. My mind is at its clearest when I’m working. It allows me to get out of my own way, which is a rare and beautiful thing. I feel like art gave me a voice that had been dormant for a long time. SGD: What are you most proud of and what sets you apart from other artist? JB: I think I’m most proud of the fact that I am a working artist. I don’t ever want to lose sight of the fact that this life I’ve managed to carve out for myself is a dream come true. Literally. When I first started out, I looked at other successful artists and thought, if only I could make a living at painting. It seemed so far off and unattainable. I kept that idea in mind though and kept going. Eventually I looked up and realized I had done it. I had achieved my dream. That’s an amazing feeling. There’s a quote that says something like, “Remember when you wished for the things you have now.” I remind myself of that whenever I get overwhelmed or stressed out with the business side of things. It helps put everything into perspective. I get to play around and make things with my hands for a living. It doesn’t get better than that!  SGD: What advice would you give to someone at the start of his or her career? JB: Make lots and lots of art. Stick with it. Find your voice and be consistent without being redundant. Make sure you have a website where you can show your portfolio and where collectors can acquire your art. Tell your story through social media. Collaborate with other creatives. Give yourself permission to succeed! Write down your goals and visualize them coming true. Work hard, stay curious and keep going. SGD: If you weren’t an artist, what would you be? JB: I don’t know… I would probably be a writer or an interior designer. (Basically I would be Shauna, lol) I love storytelling in every form. I think that is one reason that painting works for me. It feels like I’m telling a story on canvas. I have a half written novel that I may or may not ever get back to one day. I view interior design as a type of storytelling too. The way we connect to our surroundings tells the story of who we are.   Find Juniper and her work here:
Website: www.juniperbriggs.com Instagram: @juniperbriggs Email: [email protected] Our monthly Artist Spotlight series feature for September is Allison Castillo. We have been huge fans of Allison's work since Shauna started this whole adventure and well, we think she is definitely someone worth getting to know.  SGD: Can you briefly walk us through your story? How did you get started and how did you get to where you are today AC: I come from a long line of artists and grew up in Fort Worth, TX. After formal design and art education at Stephen F. Austin University and University of North Texas, I began a career as a graphic designer in the corporate world, transitioning to digital and mixed media as my family grew. I returned to painting again seriously about 4 years ago and haven’t slowed down! Large scale abstracts are my current fav and I love to work closely with families and designers who are looking for something to liven up their space. I also have a line of bold and colorful scarves that are sold all over the state of Texas (www.spiritsnob.com) SGD: Has it been a smooth road? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way? AC: Ha! Is it ever a smooth road? My marriage of 17 years ended almost 2 years ago and naturally has been a huge adjustment to my myself and our three children. Doors have opened up for me across the board that I never would’ve imagined and I have seen the Lord’s hand all over it. I fully believe he has not set me up for failure. SGD: What are you most proud of and what sets you apart from other artist? AC: Like most moms I am proudest of my children- and the fact that I have an orchid green thumb ;) I have a few that are a 4-5 years old. ( kids are 6, 8 and 15) I never imagined that I would be an entrepreneur single-mom at 44 ! I think the one thing that currently sets me apart is that I continue to explore many different styles, techniques and color combinations. Basically if I get an idea in my head it has to come out! I struggled at first because I don’t have a certain constant “look” like a lot of abstract artists, but I realize it’s ok because it keeps my motivation to create flowing and I have many repeat clients because they can have 3 of my pieces in their home and each one is unique. SGD: What advice would you give to someone at the start of his or her career? AC: Do something creative everyday. Find someone who has the job you want , take them to lunch and ask them what they did. Network and use social media to it’s full advantage. It’s hard to be vulnerable as an artist but it gets easier the more you do it. Surround yourself with other like minded people and pick their brains. It’s ok to not know what you are doing! I didn’t really start my current “career” until I was 40 but I am not afraid to ask for help - people respond to authenticity. SGD: What artists do YOU admire and why? AC: That’s such a hard question. Currently obsessed with Ashley Longshore out of New Orleans, she has a killer work ethic and is blazing a huge trail for women and artists alike. A lot of people can paint or draw incredible things, but to create a brand around yourself and sell your art - now THAT is the challenge. She’s the best. SGD: If you weren’t an artist, what would you be? AC: A spelunker. Or and an Egyptologist :)     You can find Allison online here:
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