We were lucky to catch up with Shauntel Clements recently and have shared our conversation below.

Shauntel, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on so far is a painting titled, “Beginnings”. It is a self-portrait of when I was pregnant with my baby girl. Included with the piece is this artist statement: Becoming a mother is accompanied by a wide array of emotions and brings a new way of life to adapt to. Both courage and faith are required as the rollercoaster of early motherhood unfolds. This work is the embodiment of the stage of my life when I became a mother while adapting to a new home in the Southeastern Utah desert.

This painting was accepted into the Springville Museum of Art’s 99th Annual Spring Salon. Works from some of the best artists in Utah are exhibited in this show every year, and it was an incredible opportunity to be included with them. After many years of applying, this was the piece that finally got accepted. I was absolutely ecstatic. Being in this show has marked just the very beginning of a professional artist career that I look forward to.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I was first exposed to fine art through my mom, who studied at an atelier in Salt Lake City. I loved seeing all of the paintings, anatomy studies, and the smell of oil paints that permeated the building. When I was a teenager, I had the opportunity to be a live model for portrait paintings in a few of their classes. My appreciation for drawing and painting quickly grew as I started to understand the patience, knowledge, and work that went into creating art.

I began studying art seriously in 2017 at Snow College in Ephraim, UT. After graduating with my Associates Degree, I continued my education at Utah Valley University where I earned my Bachelors of Art degree in Art and Design. It was in college that I truly began to love oil painting. It was only a few years ago that I took my first oil painting class which helped me realize my potential and passion for painting. Near the end of my education at UVU, I had the chance to attend at two-week long art class in Capitol Reef National Park which greatly influenced my love for painting Utah landscapes. It was incredibly inspiring to be constantly immersed in nature painting all day. I still try to find those moments of natural inspiration in my paintings and hope to share those beautiful moments with my viewers.

Recently, I am most proud of my painting, “Beginnings” being accepted into the 99th Spring Salon at the Springville Museum of Art. Never before had I been able to paint a figurative landscape painting that had become so meaningful to my personal life, and been recognized for the work that I had put into it to create such a piece.

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

About 4 months ago, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Disease that left me unable to take care of myself, my family, and much less have the energy to paint. I could no longer concentrate or have the desire to pursue my passions. I am now beginning to heal from this disease, but it has been a very long, and difficult journey. Thanks to the help of wonderful doctors here in Utah, I am able to see a light at the end of this dark tunnel, and am finding the energy and desire to paint again. I hope, that through this experience, I will take advantage of my energy that is returning, and continue to paint and do what I most love in life.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on NFTs. (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)

I personally do not like NFT’s, and get quite annoyed when people contact me just for the purpose of purchasing NFT’s. I believe that fine art should be created by talent, hard work, and knowledge. Simple NFT’s on a computer that are owned and traded is not the same as something that was handcrafted with love and passion.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.shauntelclements.com
• Instagram: @shauntelclementsfineart