We were lucky to catch up with Shaunee Ericksen-Lamb recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Shaunee, thanks for joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

How did I learn to do what I do now in my artistic process? You learn from experience, from trial and error. I clear my workspace, which helps clear my mind. I can’t focus when there is chaos around me. I turn on good music and just let it flow, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. I can’t force the process, but I can help it along. The skill I find most essential is, not letting yourself be boxed in. Telling yourself that watercolor and acrylic don’t mix, or you can’t add this if you have that on the page. Just let it out and see what you come up with.
The obstacle in my way at the moment is my other responsibilities. My family and my personal relationships come first. I had to make them the priority, which leaves little space here and there to develop my craft. I keep telling myself when I am older I will have time to learn this or to learn that, but who knows?

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

I am a Utah-based self-taught artist. I started my artistic journey in acrylic paint, colored pencil, and oil, to
my newer obsession with resin artwork and alcohol ink. It is within these challenging
mediums, that I have been able to push the boundary of what my
talent can accomplish, making my pieces truly one of a kind and not
replicable. I love adventure which is reflected in my pieces,
showcasing my vast range of natural aptitude and keen eye with my
ever-evolving style.
My evolution of art has led me to lend my expertise to other
genres of the art world. I was the concept artist for the children’s
book ‘My Dog’ which was released by the band ‘Cedar Breaks’. My
artwork is also included in the book ‘Upon Destiny’s Song’, which was
released by Empath Media LLC. I am currently working on
artwork for a new and upcoming historical novel, “Toward a
Gathering Storm” due to be released next year. I also just ended a
two-year residency with ‘Art at the Main’ Gallery in Salt Lake City Utah.
My work has been featured at several art exhibits across the Wasatch
front: including Red Butte Gardens, Urban Arts Gallery, Eccles
Theater, and the Davis County Art Exhibit.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is what it does for my perception of the world around me, I can find inspiration in the everyday. Creating a painting brings tangible calm to my life otherwise filled to the brim. There is peace in the present of creating art. Finding freedom in the chaos that only creating something can bring.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

At the end of 2020, I found myself in the worst artist block I have yet to date. It is no surprise that year left its mark on everyone, zapping the energy and spirit out of the most resilient. My creativity flowed to stop, and instead of pushing back, I relinquished. So how does one push through a block? I did not have an answer to that question.

I thought perhaps the best thing I could do is to take a long break. But I found the longer I took away from my craft, the more I started to question my abilities and the more my creativity dipped. I started to question myself as an artist, seeing my creations in a new light. One that shined a harsh picture of what it took away rather than what it gave.

I saw dollar signs in the supplies, and time wasted away from my family, from my kids. I started to feel silly that I ever ventured down this road, what was I doing with my life, my time, and our money? People are suffering from real issues, and here I have been immersed in myself giving nothing back but very much taking.

And maybe taking a break is the answer for some, but it was not for me, I knew if I stopped, it could be years before I ventured back to my studio. To get back on track, I had to acknowledge where this abandonment of my muse was coming from. These were just my own fears of judgment manifesting. I looked at why I picked art back up in the first place. I looked at what my art represented to me.

That the act of creation in itself had healed me to be where I am today, and that set it aside would be discarding its worth in my life. I realized I can be a provider for my family, even if it is not through a dollar sign. And that the creative process is not taking me away from them, if anything it makes me a better person. It calms my soul and gives instant gratification, which sometimes lack in the day-to-day role of a mom.

I began to slowly move forward, by realizing this temporary sojourn will look different for everyone. For the dark night of the soul sings an individual tune. I forced myself to create anything, even if my heart was not in it, even if it was not an original idea.

Little by little I fanned the flame. Art is a fickle friend, who needs me to put in the effort, my time, and attention. It won’t just show up because I am there, pencil in hand after weeks of absents. I need to show I am worthy of its call and respectful of its time.     

Contact Info:

• Website: fleurdelamb.com
• Instagram: fleur_de_lamb
• Facebook: Fleur de Lamb
• Youtube: Shaunee Ericksen-Lamb