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

Hi Shanin Renee, thanks for joining us today. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?

Ah, the elusive path to success… Who is on it, and, importantly, where did they find it? My answer is… within. To me, success is not solely determined by external factors but rather by the qualities and actions of individuals. Only you know your path; trust your instincts. Develop a clear vision of what you want, back it up with knowledge and expertise, and remain teachable. Persevere and evolve through challenges. In other words, make mistakes, pivot to correct, and repeat. Do your best to stay positive and forgiving through the process, and tap into that sense of humor, because at the end of the day, we’re all in this together. In my world, the art world, strong interpersonal skills go very far, and the art of listening is the most valuable. Never forget that.

Successful people have learned to navigate with their gut. As an entrepreneur and a highly sensitive person, my senses are strong resources for me. I’ve already mentioned listening, envisioning, even the sense of humor. But there is a vein of intuition, that sixth sense, that I tap into, as well. For example, when I was starting out, my first job in the art community was in sales. As I was engaging with a prospective buyer one day, I got chills all over my body. Within a minute the client said, “I’ll take it.” When that happened again the following week, and then again, I learned. There is a beautiful energy between human and art. I don’t force a connection between a client and a piece of art, I just know when it happens. Harnessing that kind of energy—or just being aware of it—that’s a successful life to me. And I have brought it into my business.

Shanin Renee, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Shanin Renee Dockrey Gallerist/Art Dealer
Exclusive US Representative for Dutch Artist Théo Schildkamp
Shanin Renee Art Gallery
31 Bell Rock Plaza, Sedona, Arizona 86351

After fifteen years with a successful New York advertising agency, in 2017, I took a bold move to follow a passion—I began a career in the art community of Sedona, Arizona, and I have never looked back. I thrive in everything art (the business side, that is). From gallery owner and art dealer to curator and representative, I am considered an influence in the art scenes of the US Southwest. However, I remain most humbled being the exclusive representative of Dutch artist Théo Schildkamp.

From the first moment I met Théo and saw his beautiful and creative artwork, I wanted to represent him in some way. Here we are today, and it is an honor to show his work in my gallery, Shanin Renee Art Gallery, in traveling exhibitions, and online at shaninrenee.com. I look forward with gratitude to a long and prosperous relationship.

While I respect the gentleman and artist that Théo is, the best part of representing him is the look on someone’s face the first time they see one of his pieces. It’s as if they are seeing magic. It can be quite emotional. I truly love what I do.

In addition to representing Théo, I represent the H. Grady private collection of American artist Charles Malcolm Campbell originals. Campbell (1905–1985) is considered as outstanding as his contemporaries such as Picasso, Chagall, Ernst, and Tanning, in the post-war, mid-20th-century art genre with skewed dimension, nonrepresentational color, and surrealistic imagery. When asked to market and sell this estate collection, I did not hesitate. It evolved my gallery business into the powerful, vast space of art dealers, auction houses such as Sotheby’s and Bonhams, museums, colleges, and private collectors all over the world.

With a bachelor’s degree in cultural and linguistic anthropology from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff and a master’s certificate in ecopsychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute in Santa Barbara, California, I have worked in social science academia, textbook editing, and pharma advertising. I have lived in Greece, Mexico, New York, Arizona, and I’m originally from the coast of Southern California. However, magical Sedona is my longtime home now, where the world of art turned into a beautiful career.

To learn more and view the current curation, please visit Shanin Renee Art Gallery at shaninrenee.com. Where art inspires the magic and beauty within you.

Can you share one of your favorite marketing or sales stories?

I’ve a beautiful story to share. I was just starting out in sales, it was just about closing time on a cold, dark fall evening. I was headed home for a well-desired night in. A young man walked into the gallery. He was wearing blue jeans, a nothing shirt, and a old cowboy hat. I thought to myself, “He’ll be in and out of here in a minute and I can head home.” I went through my usual polite questions. “How are you liking Sedona so far?” “From where are you visiting?” “Are you looking for anything in particular?” His answers drew me in.

We chatted, and after awhile, he said quietly, “I’m from Texas. And yes. I’m looking for gifts for my daughters. You see, I messed up, and I think I’ve lost my family. I want to buy something very special for my girls, but I don’t want it to seem like I’m trying to buy affection. Can you help me?” He was tearing up. And so was I.

Forty-five minutes later, my new friend had a selection of Théo’s artwork that best reminded him of his daughters. He bought four pieces that night. And another six pieces were purchased later that year by his wife, who came to visit with him. Then another five the following year. You see, this family became more than Théo collectors, they became friends. They even took a vacation to Théo’s home in Provence, France, one Christmas a few years later.

The lesson? You’ve already guessed it. Never size anyone up. Never judge. Never assume. And don’t be in a hurry. You might just miss that someone who leaves an impression on you like no other before or after.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Pivot? Why, yes, I have experience in pivoting. But who doesn’t? The most impactful chess move I have ever made was not too long ago. I was managing a beautiful art gallery here in Sedona, while building my own presence as an art dealer and creating a pretty healthy reputation. Unfortunately, the owner of the gallery I was managing felt it a conflict for me to build a career in art outside of her gallery. She felt it acceptable for me to get a second job as a waitress, or in a local hotel, but was uncomfortable with me in the realm of art outside of her domain. She left me an ultimatum to stop progressing my own career and stay, or to leave.

Shanin Renee Art Gallery came to be within a few months. I’ve yet to look back. So, I say to her, thank you. Sometimes you need to feel the sharp edge of contrast before you make a bold move forward—in business, career, and in life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://shaninrenee.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shaninrenee_artgallery
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/shaninreneellc
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanindockrey
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@shaninreneeartgallery7075

Image Credits
Shanin’s Headshot: Credit KFM Design