We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Shana Grugan. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Shana below.

Shana, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. 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.

One of the biggest risks I have taken is deciding to leave teaching art in order to focus on making my own art full-time. I think fear is something we all experience. And, failure is perceived as bad in our society. Fear and the potential for failure are often combined when we take risks. I couldn’t see how the decision to invest in my own art would pan out when I decided to go for it. I still don’t see where the journey is going but so far it has been better than I could ever imagine!

The first step was one of the biggest ones to say yes to for me. Simply deciding and then standing behind my decision took courage. Support from my family and friends was helpful! After that, I just had to take little steps to walk towards the vision that I had for my life and career. I can’t imagine doing anything else that would provide as much fulfillment and purpose for me.

I think practicing taking risks in the studio has prepared me for taking risks in other areas of my life. Creatively, risks are a part of exploring new ideas, developing skills, and ultimately growing as an artist. Imagining the outcome of not taking the risk is often motivation to move through it with courage.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a full-time practicing artist living in the small coastal community of Pawleys Island, SC. Working out of a home studio, I am able to share my creative life with my husband and two children. I enjoy having them come in to ask me questions or use something in the studio for a project. Creative expression is something that I value and I hope that my children see it as a part of daily living. In addition to making visual images, I enjoy finding other ways of bringing beauty into my small corner of the world. For one, visualizing what could be, but is not yet, regarding my yard is a process I enjoy. Each season is a new opportunity to consider moving plantings or bringing in new color or texture into the garden.

Creativity has been something that I think I have always appreciated. As a child, I made drawings, crafted shadow boxes, and wrote stories as my entertainment. I knew that it was something that I wanted to keep in my life. I earned a BFA (Drawing and Painting) in college, and then I went on to graduate school for a masters in Art Education. Teaching was another area where I could step into the freedom offered in creative expression. From planning lessons, finding fun ways to introduce artists to classes, and guiding my students in problem solving, I found satisfaction. However, I began to feel the call to dive headlong into my own creative practice. After a few years, I stepped back from teaching in order to pursue my art full-time. It’s been 6 years and I can say with certainty that I am so glad I did!

Since becoming a full-time artist, I have had so much fun traveling to shows and exhibitions throughout the Southeast and have enjoyed building relationships with interior designers and gallery owners. I find it a privilege every time a client connects with my work. My main goal as an artist is to release beautiful, one of a kind images for people to enjoy in their homes. Buying art is special and personal. My desire is to connect with people who want something unique and interesting for their spaces.

Over the past few years, I have concentrated on developing my process of painting. By approaching my painting process as a construction of images, I have developed a style that is particular to me as an artist. I love piecing imagery together and finding ways of showing every layer in my paintings. Through using mediums, employing masking, or revealing by scraping the surface, I build an invitation for the viewer to look and consider how it was made. This process results in delightful shapes composed across the surface of the painting. Each surface I choose reflects this process with different results. I work on paper, panel, and canvas.

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

In my view, creative community is incredibly important to both creatives as well as society as a whole. I see the path toward a thriving creative ecosystem as starting with each individual artist or creative and growing outward from there. Imagine concentric circles, or tree growth rings. As individual artists, it starts with us in valuing creativity and stewarding it well. If we don’t see the value in it and don’t tend to it, then society won’t see it flourish. A next step outwardly would be to find other creatives for community. Currently, I am a part of a small group meeting regularly to discuss cultivating creativity in all aspects of life, not just in artistic endeavors. The result has been a broadening view of what it is to live creatively. From there, we must go and make connections with others in industries different than ours and ask the questions like, “How can we help one another?” Or, “What do you value and how might I learn from you?”

When I started my career as a full-time artist I literally knew nothing about marketing, business plans, or even how to set measurable goals. In reaching out to people who either had knowledge about these subjects, or people who had walked a similar path in starting a business, I have learned skills to help grow and sustain my business. In return, I have provided ideas and perspectives that they may not have considered. I have even been invited to create art in professional spaces. Rather than a quick or automatic switch, I think that engaging society through community and connection is a natural way towards a thriving creative ecosystem.

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

A common question that I get from non-creatives who see my work and hear about my process is, “Why don’t you just paint the image instead of going through all of these steps?” I can see why this question often gets asked! My process is time consuming and tedious, and it would be easier to just paint the image. The answer, in short, is that I adore a process. But, there is a backstory to my love of process.

Growing up, both my mom and dad did work with tools in their hands. My dad was a pipe fitter. Often I would admire all of the tools of his trade lining the back of his work van. They smelled of grease; they smelled like work. With the tools, components got connected so that something greater than the parts would happen for a larger purpose. My mom was a highly skilled seamstress. She had a sewing room in our house that contained a sewing machine, cutting table, fabric, patterns, and tools. As she cut patterns, pinned them to fabric, and meticulously constructed the pieces the results were incredible. Beautiful coats, dresses, and suits were crafted in that room. Then, they were worn for special events or to corporate jobs. Each garment was more than a functional piece of clothing. They were works of art, tailored just for the individual wearing them.

I like to think that my process of creating art mirrors each of their stories. I hope that my work gets connected to something greater than the parts. And, I hope that the thorough care put into each image releases beauty made just for the space it occupies.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.shanagruganstudio.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shanagruganstudio/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shanagruganstudio

Image Credits
Tanya Ackerman (headshot image)