With a varied art background and a spirit brimming with creativity, artist Shannon Ford is embarking on new projects and making plans to achieve her goals in the near future.  Having received a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a diploma in metal-smithing, it is easy to see that Shannon has always been passionate about art. In fact, her personality is vibrant with creativity, and I got the impression that she is constantly inspired with new artistic ideas.

Currently, she is working on three different series of magnificent paintings. One is called Inconu, which she explains “has to do with energy and transformation and how we know things that we can’t explain. It’s kind of metaphysical…things start on the inside of you and you create them out.”

A painting from this series is called Vibrational Study, and features a sketch-like painting of a horse that has an almost scientific feel for the way the muscles and tendons work together. It feels as if the horse may walk off the canvas at any moment - as it is poised for motion.

The second is a series of animals. My personal favourite from this series is called Circles and features a team of Percheron horses. The colours and shading are superb, with intricate splashes of colour that enhance the overall image. Shannon is very skilled at depicting horses; in fact, she has occasionally been mistaken for an artist with an equine specialty and focus, but she enjoys painting other themes as well, and her work does not fit into a single category.

The third series is called Sacred Ancestors, and has a distinct heritage feel. Many of these paintings have been inspired by archival photographs. There is a metaphysical element of connectedness, and many of the pieces have a very spiritual and mystical feel. This series is made up of over 100 paintings.

The first thing that catches my eye when I see pieces from this collection is the intricacy and incredible detail of the clothing of the people depicted. It shows that a certain amount of research went into these paintings through examination of archival photographs, and it brings the images to life.

As with any creative project, some paintings are completed more quickly than others. “With some paintings, every brush stroke goes in the right place, and it might take three hours [to complete],” says Shannon. “Other times it might take days or weeks. Sometimes there is a lot of adjusting on a piece.”

When looking at her paintings, it is impossible to tell if one was completed within hours or days, as they are all high quality and have been painted by a sure hand and a creative eye for colour, shading, and angle.

Currently, Shannon is using acrylic, but she also paints with oil and watercolours. Talented in every artistic way, Shannon also draws, sculpts, designs and makes jewellery. “I haven’t made too much jewellery lately,” she says. “When I get a larger studio, I will pick that up again and do some sculpting as well. Right now, I am very focused on my painting.”

She has also worked as a freelance photographer, and her photographs have been seen in the Calgary Herald, Organic Gardening Magazine, and Gardens West Magazine. As well, Shannon had items from her sculpture collection featured in a private display for five years at the Tyrell Museum of Palaeontology in Drumheller, Alberta.

Painting may sound like a soothing and creative pastime, but Shannon has ambitions for her artwork as well, with plans to open a gallery, probably in the Penticton area, which is where she lives.  “I would love to go back to teaching art as well,” she adds. She has taught art to students of all ages, but notes that all artists are young at heart. “Teaching art is really fun,” she says, and her enthusiasm is infectious: I find myself considering taking art classes, though I can barely draw a proportional stick man!

In our society, it is easy to push artwork to the periphery of the list of priorities, but Shannon Ford’s talent and variety of art forms serves as a reminder of how much art really does manifest itself in everyday culture.

Shannon’s website showcases some of her artwork, and provides contact information as well. It is always worth taking a look at www.shannonford.ca to see what new and exciting project she is embarking on. Watch for this talented artist; I’m sure her future gallery will be very successful.

Written by :

Meghan

 

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