Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannon Hartford.

Hi Shannon, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always been extremely sensitive to the emotions of others and the world around me, which required me to find some sort of “release” at an early age. I can remember being very young and staring at the tiny creatures in the grass and exploring nature in the woods near my house. When I was young, I was gifted my grandfather’s old camera and began to explore the world of black and white film photography and eventually learned how to process photos in a darkroom. I now use both digital photography and film photography but my style has evolved overtime and I’m sure it will only continue to as time goes on!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I’m not sure anyone ever truly has a smooth journey even if the obstacles aren’t visible to those on the outside! I believe that experiencing shifts in life (both physical and emotional) will always impact the outcomes of art. Experiencing self reflection and the loss of loved ones has made me realize how important it is for me to create from within rather than for the purpose of a certain outcome. The biggest struggle that I have had with photography and art would be direction – and wondering if I would have to create simplified versions of my art in order to connect with a more broad audience. I have realized that my goal in art isn’t to gain a large viewing but rather to create from my heart and know that anyone who does connect with any of my work is connecting with a part of me.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My favorite subject is nature and all of the glorious shapes, textures, and critters that come along. I find that my experimentation with tones and colors makes my work recognizable in addition to some wildly layered pieces. I also hope that my work can be felt emotionally in a way that is unique as each form of art that I create is filled with various intentions including those of healing, discovering, and freeing oneself. I am truly grateful for anyone who has ever connected with any of my work, found it inspiring, reached out to connect, or purchased any pieces, these are all things I would have never even imagined in the beginning of my journey.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most important lesson I’ve learned so far on this journey of emotional release through art would be to remain authentic and to flow with each personal shift. The art I produce will always be changing because I will always be changing and striving towards my own form of inner growth. I find it important to remind ourselves and one another that it is okay not to all have the same definition of success. For me, success in relation to art is about authenticity, experimentation, and freedom. The purpose of my work is to share parts of myself with this world through my creations in hope of inspiring and/or connecting with the energy of others. I find art to be a wonderful way for each of us to reflect on what we may have been told and to then discover these things for ourselves. Discover different forms of beauty and depth, being bold in who we are and learning to accept our differences in perception.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.quantumflowphotography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/qflowphotos/