Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Shaun Downey. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Shaun , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?
Aside from some brief periods when was teaching part time, I have been fortunate enough to make my entire living from selling my paintings since 2003. After studying for a time from the Academy or Realist Art, and graduating from the illustration program from Sheridan College, I decided to pursue a fine art career. I was recommended to apply to the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition, which takes place each summer outside of Toronto City Hall. I was accepted, and worked extremely hard for several months to prepare enough work to fill a 10 x 10 foot booth. Luckily for me, my work was greeted with excitement from the collectors who attended, and I sold most of my paintings. My family was very much involved with the exhibition, helping me build my booth and set up the show. It was a great weekend, and I was able to provide proof to myself and my family that selling paintings was a viable way to make a living.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I consider myself a Realist painter, following in the footsteps of many great artists throughout history who approach painting in a realistic manner. Following a traditional method of creating work, I have sold and exhibited in galleries and museums throughout Canada, the United States and England.
I mostly create work for exhibitions with Arcadia Contemporary, my representation in New York, and also exhibit with Galerie de Bellefeuille in Toronto and Montreal. I have a busy commission schedule as well, creating custom paintings, drawings and portraits for and of my clients.
my wife, Kelly Grace, is also and artist, and we have worked side by side since we met 25 years ago.
When I paint portraits, I prefer to paint from my own photo reference, and ask the sitter to come by our studio for a 1 to 2 hour photo shoot. It always takes a while, conversing and trying to make the sitter feel at ease before they are relaxed enough to look natural in the photos. I pride myself on my ability to facilitate this, and really focus on this short interaction to make mental notes about their personality, so I am able to provide a portrait that really captures the essence of that person.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
One of the most rewarding aspects of my practice is revealing portrait commissions. Often they are commissioned by family members, and most of the time their reactions are quite emotional. Sometimes even tears are involved, which make me feel so proud that I have created work that will be cherished and passed down for generations.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
Artists thrive on the joy of collectors. I understand that the price of fine art may seem out of reach for some people, but there are always smaller art shows and fairs that feature young artists just getting their start, who offer affordable options. I will often create custom prints at very reasonable prices for collectors who love my work but can’t proceed with collecting one of my large works. Even just following and leaving encouraging comments on social media can lift the spirits of an artist having a rough day. Being a full time artist is a constant battle, both mentally and financially, and every bit of positivity thrown our way helps immensely.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.shaundowney.com
- Instagram: @shaundowneyart
