We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Shanta Denise Louise Horlander a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Shanta Denise Louise, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Alright, so one thing we think people don’t talk about nearly enough is investments – either time or money. What’s one of the best or worst investments you’ve made and what did you learned from the experience?

The best investment I have made in terms of time and money is to grow myself spiritually. I knew from a very young age that I was not just this body and that I was a being far beyond that. In knowing my true self, I am able to do and produce more. I am able to have and give more. I am able to confront Truth more. I am more certain and see things for what they are. All of these things make one better at everything in life. This of course has been a time and money investment that has paid me back infinitely more than it cost me, not only in happiness but also in my exchange with the world and my fellow human beings.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am first and foremost an artist. Creating is something I have been doing for a long time and I have been painting for about 35 years. Everything around us is a creation whether you like it or not. To consciously create is something that brings happiness to the creator. And that feeling spreads throughout your life and the lives of others. I became aware of my love for art and aesthetics when I lived in Europe and took Art History there. Getting to see those classic pieces in person was truly spectacular. And while in Germany, I discovered Modern Art and really related to that aesthetic; it altered my life and my viewpoint on everything. It spoke of a different reality or “universe” you might say. I started painting shortly after my return to the States when the workaday world surrounded me. I survived and retained that shred of a higher reality by making art. As I have grown as a person, I have focused more and more on art and less and less on the 40 hour work week. I like working hard and I like helping others. I just want to do it in my own way, on my terms, and with my own purposes.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Of course I use social media to build my audience and brand! In today’s climate, especially after COVID, business has changed and social media is a massive tool. I have received a lot of help from an art website and marketing company that I use called “Art Storefronts”. They don’t do any marketing for me. But they have a daily marketing strategy session to teach artists how to market themselves. I have not done everything they recommend but I do definitely use many of their social media suggestions. And I am gaining traction with followers there for sure. I make it fun! I let them see my process and products and even a glimpse into my personal life from time to time so they can get to know me. People like to watch people that are creating. We can support and inspire each other.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

This isn’t exactly a “story” but I do something to market my art everyday regardless of any failures. It can be something big and creative or something quick and simple. But I do something everyday! I am very busy with my commitments and it’s easy “not” to do it. But doing something everyday to market my business builds momentum that will always and eventually pay one back tenfold as long as you just keep on doing it. The only way to fail is to stop trying. If you miss a day, forget about that and just pick it up and start doing it again everyday. Regardless of outcomes just do some kind of outflow everyday! Yes, analyzing which kinds of marketing give you the best results is smart and should be done, but the senior rule in my book is that “any outflow is better than no outflow”. Just market! Stay in communication with the public and your groups and the world!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.shantalouiseart.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shantalouiseart/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shantalouiseart/ and https://www.facebook.com/shanta.louise/
• Others: Art email – [email protected]