We recently connected with Shyanna Merced and have shared our conversation below.
Shyanna, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
The first time I knew I wanted to pursue a creative career is probably when I began painting on canvas when I was 16 and physically could not stop or go one day without thinking of painting. Then I seen the culture that came with the Arts and realized that’s the only life a person like me could live. A life filled with poetry, expression, and color with laughs and love.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Shyanna Merced. I am a Fine Artist and Fashion Designer. Physically, I am born from the womb of a woman. Soulfully, I am born from the highest. I am exhaustingly fascinated with trauma, specifically mine. The Cause and Effect relationship between what’s been done, and what am I going to do about it. The hyper awareness of what you don’t have physically, pushes you to understand what you have soulfully. The space in between the two, exercises my imagination so I can convey what is needed.
In the way I work, I am creating a space for viewers to feel conviction, through the eyes of their life experiences. From the point of the womb, to today. We are simultaneously in a beginning and in an end. Explore your fleshly wounds, not to understand your place in the world, but to understand where your position is in the spirit. My medium is soul, and I am nothing but a vessel to deliver truth to whomever percieves. For I am referencing them.
The thing I am most proud of in my life which has affected my work immensely is giving my life to Jesus Christ.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
A lesson I had to unlearn as an emerging artist is that there are rules. That you have to be a certain way to earn the title of “Artist” or even “Fine Artist”. Once you give yourself that title, that’s when you become it, there are no rules. Becoming an artist means you are already rebelling against society in so many ways, so why conform now? Bodies of work are meant to challenge society, challenge, perspective, you can’t do that if you’re waiting for someone who doesn’t have the same vision as you to call you an “Artist”. It doesn’t matter if you have a community, a studio, the most expensive supplies, or even a higher education. Act from the heart, be consistent, and those things will come naturally
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is I get to wear a cat mask and it’s socially acceptable because I am an artist. Additionally, helping people potentially heal. Serving others through my work, and creating dialogues that are progressive to what the soul needs. Ultimately I have the blessing to evangelize and spread the gospel without words..
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.shyannamerced.com
- Instagram: @shyannasart
Image Credits
Photos by Steven Phengsomphane, Steven Luangpakdy, and Gio Munisteri