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Interview with Shannon Scates
Shannon Scates, Get Your Rest #3, 2022, Acrylic on Canvas
Shannon Scates was born in Washington, D.C. in 1986 and raised in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Her family culture provided the foundation for the artist she has become. There was pride in their community, pride in their history, and endless stories of the realities of their Black experience. Her art is a visual celebration aimed at uplifting the viewer. She “speaks life through art” and desires to use her creative abilities to heal and inspire.
Shannon started painting in 2007 while attending school as a marketing major at North Carolina A&T State University. While at A&T, she took a drawing class and her professor encouraged her to participate in an art show after seeing her work. He told her she had something special, and she has been painting ever since. She has a passion for continuously improving her skills by taking classes, trying new techniques, collaborating with other artists, and reading.
She has exhibited in numerous group shows including Black Beyond Belonging at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and AJOYO in London in 2020. She had her first solo show in 2021 titled Today Is a Great Day to Be You in Baltimore, Maryland. Shannon’s work was also exhibited and auctioned at the 2022 Wearable Art Gala, hosted by Richard and Tina Lawson. In 2023 she participated in a group show, Who She Found in the Looking Glass at Gallery 90220 in Los Angeles. This show celebrated Black women and was featured in Essence Magazine.
Shannon is currently learning and developing her artistic practice through an artist residency with Crafting the Future in downtown Los Angeles. She lives and works in Los Angeles, California.
Shannon Scates, Get Your Rest #6 // Honor the Process, 2023, Acrylic on Paper
I speak life through art. I create to offer a visual bright spot and a reminder to stay hopeful. This art is the result of years of healing and reflecting. I often refer to it as “illustrations of my meditations”. I am on a lifelong mission to explore the art of healing and want to take as many people with me as possible through what I create.
Color is my favorite part of how I tell a story. I intentionally select the colors to match the energy of the theme. I also love gardening and being in nature in general, so plant life often makes an appearance in my work – plants are a great representation of growth and abundance. I enjoy painting vibrant portraits of individual women because it signifies intimacy and vulnerability; both beneficial for healing.
My current series, ’Get Your Rest’, is inspired by my own need to let go, my own desire to chase my fears, and my recognition of the level of creativity I’ve been blessed with. We say it takes 21 days to form a habit. I am taking 21 pieces to form a new lifestyle. I’m looking to repair whatever is broken, to be better at and quicker to forgive, and to go after everything that’s meant for me.
Rest, in this case, is not lying down. It is finally standing up. It is establishing boundaries. It is a pursuit of peace. It is alignment. I’m sharing stories of rest and vibrant visuals to serve as reminders that rest is a necessity and not a luxury. I want peace that surpasses understanding. I want rest. I want that for you too.
Shannon Scates, Get Your Rest #7 // Don’t Trip: The Detours Can Still Get You To Your Destination, 2023, Acrylic on Canvas
Read our interview below to get a glimpse into Shannon Scates’ creative journey.
Who or what are your most important artistic influences and how do they show up in your work?
I love being in nature. I often take long walks in gardens and used to do a lot of gardening when I had the space. A lot of my color palette inspiration comes from what I see on these walks, and I include plants and flowers in many of my paintings. They are great symbols of growth and healing, which is what my art focuses on. The Creator is my biggest influence. He made and designed all the things I love and enjoy painting.
How do you envision the evolution of your artistic practice in the coming years? Are there any new mediums, techniques, or concepts you’re eager to explore?
I am currently in my first artist residency with Crafting the Future. This experience has shown me that creating art doesn’t have to be such a lonely process. It’s my first time sharing space with other artists and I LOVE it! I’ve learned so much just being in close proximity to other amazing, multi-disciplinary creatives and want to continue being in that type of environment. There are many new things I wish to explore. I’m currently experimenting with incorporating more texture into my work and a looser style of painting. I am typically very precise and detailed. I’m also beginning to explore abstraction. This summer, I will be taking a class on paper making. So yes, lots of exploration.
Is there anything you do today that you wish you had known to do years ago?
I wish that I had seen myself as an artist sooner. It used to feel weird to say I was an artist and that is CRAZY when I think about it now. Initially, I looked at it as a hobby and didn’t truly see the possibilities of a career as an art professional. This is where being in good company comes in again. Once I saw what other artists had achieved, things became more real and possible for me. Also, confirmation and encouragement from people who support me and my work helped me to continue pressing forward.
How do you define success?
I define success as getting it DONE because that part is major. That’s probably my biggest hurdle at the moment – not letting the other things of life stall my ability to create. Every work I complete and sign my name on is a success. What happens after that is a cherry on top.
In your journey as an artist, what has been the most unexpected experience, realization, or challenge?
The importance of properly assessing an opportunity. Picking up the wrong thing can be draining if it’s not meant for me, or life-changing if it is. Initially, I was just so excited anyone wanted anything from me that I said yes to everything. I don’t think that was wrong in the beginning because I was learning. Now, however, I see the importance of discerning whether what seems good is good for me.
What’s next for you and your artistry? What opportunities are you seeking and where do you see your creativity taking you?
I have a series I am currently working on called ‘Get Your Rest’. It’s a 21 piece-long series and I’m currently on the ninth. Finishing that series is one of my major goals. I have a lot of work I want to complete. Work-in-progress is the theme of my life right now. I also want to continue learning through artist residencies and taking classes. I’m looking forward to more shows, more collaborations, and more opportunities to engage with my community through my work!
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