Today we’d like to introduce you to Shawn Russell.
Hi Shawn, I’m so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, how can you bring our readers up to speed on your story? How did you get to where you are today?
My mother says I was “born with a paintbrush in my hand!” I have been an artist for as long as I can remember. She’s my wife, an artist in her own right—art, whether drawing, painting, crafting, or theatre, has always run in our veins. We moved to the upstate area about nine years ago to see what GOD had for us here. It took a little time to plug into the art scene and connect with other artists who had already called the upstate home!
It wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not been a smooth road at all. Being a man of faith has been the main thing to keep us grounded. Within the first few months of being here, my father was diagnosed with cancer. Within a year and a half, my wife’s sister received her diagnosis of breast cancer as well. Taking a leap of faith and moving to an area unfamiliar, with no friends, family, or support, is not for the faint of heart. The week that we learned of my sister-in-law’s diagnosis was the same week that my father passed. Work challenges for us and Covid and its impact made plenty of bumps in the road.
Thanks for sharing that. So, you could tell us a bit more about your work.
I currently create eight different art forms, all customized for my clients. These include paintings for home or business, football helmets, custom shoes, paint parties that I do with my wife, murals, and weddings. The last two are my most treasured, as I create custom nutcrackers for the holidays and heartfelt paintings with cremated remains. I’m most proud of those last two.
We’d love to hear about what you think about risk-taking.
Without risk, there is little reward. Moving from Charleston, where we had family and friends, to an area where we had only GOD and each other was a huge risk. Doing what I do is a considerable risk. Most of your major “Victories “are based on risk. The person who moves to Hollywood to be a star takes a risk. The actors and athletes that we cheer for all have taken risks. Some call it taking a risk. Others call it taking a leap of faith. Either way, chasing your dreams means you run the risk of not living an ordinary life.
Pricing:
- Nutcrackers $75
- Executive Nutcrackers $150
- Paintings $150-$10,000 (size and detail)
- Shoes $150+
- Contact for details
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/perceptionsof
- Instagram: PerceptionsOf
- Facebook: PerceptionsOf
