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

Shaine, appreciate you joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

In 2001 I was at Barnes & Noble thumbing through art magazines and I found one called “Juxtapoz.” It featured artists H.R. Giger, Derek Hess, Ed Templeton, and Glenn Barr. I recognized Giger as the one responsible for creating the aesthetic in the “Alien” film franchise. Templeton I knew from my days attempting to pass as a skateboarder. But when I dug into the issue and found Barr and Hess’s work, it changed everything. I felt like the kid at the record store who finds that rare Japanese import nobody else knew existed from a live show of his favorite band. One artist painted subjects I’d never seen in fine art before- robots, motorcycles, crowded bars with scantily clad angels- in a very tight, defined, meticulous style. The other painted subjects I’d seen before but in an altogether different, wild, frenetic, unapologetically harsh style. But they took risks and that’s why they stood out. Ever since I’ve been following that same path in my work. I gave myself permission be a fine artist even if the subject matter and style didn’t fit the mold. I took the risk to become a professional artist. I started to build a body of work and exhibit at coffee shops and various other venues willing to feature someone like myself. It took a lifetime to build a network, and there were definitely struggles but it was all worth it. It’s still just as much fun as when I started.

Shaine, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m a professional artist who resides in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and I’ve been creating art as long as I can remember, but painting specifically for around twenty years. I work primarily on large scale canvas. I was always enrolled in art classes growing up and I was lucky enough to have teachers who encouraged me to push myself and even pursue art as a career. My style runs the gamut from abstract to hyper realistic portraiture. If it’s a personal project it can depend on the day and mood. If it’s a professional project I’ve been commissioned to create, it depends on overall themes, subject matter, and anything else the collector may have requested. What sets me apart from others, specifically in the Midwest, is that the work I produce is more vibrant in terms of energy, color, and content. I always had respect for the masterful work of the artists we studied in art history class, but I also fell asleep quite a few times in said class. So I can’t wax philosophically with anyone about Da Vinci, but I could certainly delve into some of the greatest graffiti or street artists of our time. What I’m most proud of is the ability to earn a living from what I create, to have freedom to paint what I love, and making those who took a chance on me in the beginning proud as well. It’s a great feeling walking into a collector’s home or business and seeing a piece from twenty years ago hanging on the wall.

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

Spread the word. If you like someone’s work, share it on social media outlets. Even though word of mouth is still the best form of advertisement, the quickest way to get eyes on it is still online. But also as an artist support yourself, create your own thriving ecosystem. If there’s no venue in your town make one. Hold a show in your back yard, see if you can use somebody’s warehouse unit for a weekend, ask local businesses if they’ll hang your work or if they know anyone who will. There’s really no excuse if you want it badly enough. Most artists are not the greatest at marketing themselves, I certainly wasn’t in the beginning. But you have to get over that hump. Go read books by Seth Godin or Robert Greene, or listen to any number of their long-form podcast interviews. They’ll change the way you look at business, marketing and psychology.

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

I can only assume that some people who aren’t artists would have a difficult time wrapping their minds around the journey and making it a career choice. It makes perfect sense. I have a similar sentiment for skydiving instructors. But it’s something I love doing and I won’t ever stop. It’s like they say, artists don’t retire they die. But freelance work has ebbs and flows. Don’t give up because things aren’t going according to plan. Maybe you’re going through a difficult time and nothing has panned out for you in your creative endeavor. You just completed six portraits of pigs using nothing but glue and glitter, but you’re ready to hang it up and move on. So you go to your day job and strike up a conversation with a customer visiting town. Their sister is the art director for a new Las Vegas casino that’s loading the walls with glitter art, plus the sister owns a pig farm. Turns out you’re not only the premier glitter artist in your zip code, but you’ve got a business card in your pocket. They comb through your portfolio later that night and the next day you get a life-changing call from someone you’ve never met who wants to buy every glitter pig. Anything can happen.

Contact Info:

• Website: shaineart.com
• Instagram: @shaineschroeder
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shaineschroeder1
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@shaine_schroeder
• Other: [email protected]