We were lucky to catch up with Shana Preuett recently and have shared our conversation below.

Shana, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on so far was a mural at Honey For Moms. It’s a therapy center and coworking space taylored to mothers. I collaborated with the owner to create an inclusive & impactful mural in the lobby of the center that depicts 9 nude, diverse mothers all slightly touching/leaning on another. It represents how mothering looks different in every family and the importance of community support. It’s raw and emotional – I still get chills when I think about how powerful and important it’s been for mothers who show up in that space. The way it’s been received has been amazing and just confirms the importance of representation, inclusivity and art in public spaces.

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?

Art has always played a really important role in my life. Much more than a hobby or source of income – a lifeline, really. My father passed away when I was 4 and I was a very quiet, introverted kid. Drawing was how I could safely express myself. I took all the art classes I possibly could through High School but was always told that I needed to choose a “safer” career. So I went to college for Graphic Design and have been working in the design & advertising world for the past 10 years.

I have learned and grown so much through the design world. But the day-to-day work of moving images and text around a screen by clicking a mouse just wasn’t cutting it. Once the Pandemic hit, I took some online art courses for fun and fell in love with the style I describe as mixed-media abstract. Since then, creating art has become a daily practice for me. Through sharing my art, I have been able to articulate things that I had never intended on sharing with an audience. I’ve made connections about who I am, where I want to go and how I want to show up in this world. Simply by creating, I am becoming who I am meant to be.

Last year I went down to part-time at my job with the intention to pursue my art more seriously. So, I’ve spent the past year dipping my toes in all the things – vender shows, exhibitions, mural painting, and most recently teaching workshops. I’ve come to realize there are no rules in art. And that’s why I love it so much. You can do whatever the hell you want, in whatever way works for you. There’s no right or wrong way to purse an art career.

My latest endeavor has been super rewarding. I designed a workshop called “True Nature Intuitive Painting” where I’ve been guiding people to create without a plan by tapping into their intuition through meditation and presence. I introduce people to supplies they’ve never used, teach techniques and give suggestions when they’re stuck. It’s been really rewarding to see people fall in love with art-making. I just want to share what art has done for my life and how it could possibly benefit theirs.

Through all the experimenting and insights I’ve gathered through my work, I have never felt more authentically myself than I do today. So that’s all I care to be – however that looks like as I evolve.

And today, as I write this, is my 35th birthday.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

We can start by changing the narrative that art isn’t equally as important as math, science, history, etc. We send that message when art is the first program to get cut with budgets. You don’t need to purse art as a career to benefit from it, but you do need to learn what form of expression benefits you. And as kids, that takes encouragement from adults to show up and try, regardless of the outcome. Humans are innately creative and without a means of creative expression we become disconnected from ourselves and lose sight of things that bring us joy. Stress & trauma get stored in our bodies and turn into disease if we cannot find a way to express ourselves & find joy.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

For me, creating art is less about the outcome than it is about the creative process. I find joy, ease and comfort in the act of creating. If you can let go of your own limiting expectations of yourself, you will be surprised what can happen. Keep pushing yourself to try new things and know that the only way you can fail is if you don’t try. Anyone can make art. It’s just a matter of staying curious, willing and open to the creative process.

Contact Info:

• Website: smpartanddesign.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smp.art.design/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shana-preuett-39bb5535/