Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Shawn Black. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Shawn, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What were some of the most unexpected problems you’ve faced in your career and how did you resolve those issues?

Lately, one of the biggest challenges I face is selling my artwork on social media. It’s not only time-consuming but also requires mastering a steep learning curve to effectively position my work on each platform. Beyond creating the artwork itself, I have to take on multiple roles—photographer, photo editor, and social media strategist—understanding how to optimize reels, posts, and stories.

Additionally, strong writing skills are essential, from crafting compelling captions to mastering hashtags, basic SEO, and storytelling that captivates an audience. On top of that, each platform must be carefully managed and adjusted seasonally—just for a single image. Now, imagine doing that for 50 to 100 pieces of art!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

As the lead designer for Shari White Studios, I oversee the creation of all designs, wall art, and home décor. With over 20 years of experience working alongside interior designers, I have completed commissioned pieces for some of the world’s most beautiful hotels, resorts, and restaurants. My work has also been widely published under the pseudonym Shari White as an unlimited edition artist.

A graduate of Parsons School of Design in Manhattan, I have spent years as both a painter and educator. I collaborated with Bentley Publishing House in San Francisco, producing wall art and home décor for major retail chains.

While I work in various mediums, oil painting is my passion. I also enjoy charcoal drawing, appreciating the rich textures it creates on heavy watercolor paper. Occasionally, I enhance my drawings by gessoing the paper for added depth or incorporating gold and silver gilding to achieve a chic, contemporary aesthetic.

Nature serves as my primary inspiration, from trees and landscapes to botanicals. Recently, I have been creating charcoal drawings of my ducks on my small homestead. My relocation to Savannah, Georgia, has sparked a new creative direction—developing a series of small oil and encaustic wax paintings on hard panel. This technique results in a stunning satin-velvet finish, enhanced with silver or gold gilding along the edges and, at times, delicate Swarovski crystals that catch the light at just the right angle, transforming these works into jewel-like landscapes.

All of my paintings, drawings, and organic collages are original, though I also offer prints and giclées of select popular pieces.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Moving to Savannah, GA has been a big shift. Not knowing many creatives locally, I turned my focus to growing my e-commerce presence and expanding my reach online. It’s been a new experience navigating social media compared to the in-person energy of gallery shows, but it’s pushed me to grow in different ways.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Lately, I’ve been inspired by the Lowcountry landscape to create a new series of small encaustic oil and wax paintings. Whether I’m working in oil, wax, or charcoal, my goal is always to create a sense of peace and harmony. Nature is the thread that runs through it all—trees, botanicals, landscapes, and even charcoal drawings of my ducks from my small homestead.

As a former teacher and lifelong artist, I’ve seen how powerful art can be in grounding us, calming us, and creating connection. My mission is to offer work that brings quiet beauty into people’s lives—art that feels healing, soulful, and deeply connected to the natural world.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://shariwhitestudios.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shari_white_studios/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shawn.black.3363
• Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ShariWhiteStudios