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Artist Spotlight: Meet Shannon Snow

Shannon Snow smiling with illustrations of flowers and butterflies around her.

Based in Savannah, GA, Shannon Snow is a beacon of cheeriness, vibrancy and positivity. Her art radiates joy and is bound to leave you grinning ear to ear. In this exclusive Q&A, Shannon discusses her work, her process and even offers inspirational advice about how to spark creativity and move through challenging times! 

 

What inspired you to become an artist?

Well, like most artists, I've always had an affinity for making artwork since as long as I can remember. I grew up in rural Georgia, and there weren't many other kids around, so I was always encouraged to use my imagination. Being raised in an environment that encouraged creativity really fostered my love for art.

Which three words describe your design aesthetic?

Folky, fun, and free-spirited!

What inspires your work?

My art is inspired by folk art and informed by the color stylings of mid-century art, like Mary Blair. American Folk Art and Eastern European Folk Art are my two biggest influences. I love the naivety of an untrained hand, there is so much freedom in that. Not drawing how you see something with your eye, but how you see it in your soul.

When you have a creative block, what pulls you out of it?

Going for walks, cooking, playing with my daughters (although sometimes I just have to power through a block!). It's a good reminder that you don't always have to be on your A-Game, as long as you try.  

What is your proudest moment as an artist?

I wouldn't say there's just one moment, but lots of little ones. I'm proud of the wonderful community that I've built on social media.

What's the most memorable party you've ever been to?

Once my friend hosted a science fair themed party where everyone made a silly science project and presented it. My husband and I decided to make a science project about the TV show Law & Order which required us to watch over 80 episodes so we could collect data on the types of perpetrators the episodes were centered around. We did not win.

What advice would you give to an aspiring creator?

Make art every day. It will change your life!

Is there a mantra that you follow when you work?

It's OK to take your time! I used to get so impatient and would quickly give up on a piece if it wasn't shaping up to what I had imagined it'd be. Now, I make myself finish illustrations, even if I don't love them at first. With time, everything eventually works out! And sometimes it doesn't, but that's ok too! The process has made me a better artist for sure.

 

Your work features a balance of colorful typography and nature-inspired imagery. Is your creative process different when you create one vs. the other?

Typography is especially fun to me because I love to play with letterforms. I like to see how much I can distort a letter while still keeping it legible. Painting from nature is much more meditative — therapeutic, even.

You are, of course, known for your maximalist approach to color! Which color combos do you absolutely love and would love to see embraced more?

I love to play with colors that compete with each other, like a hot pink next to a poppy red. It's like they almost vibrate when put next to one another. It's so hard to pick favorites though, every color has so much potential to be lovely. Unexpected combinations, like fluorescent orange and dusty lilac, have a special place in my heart.

 

What's your favorite holiday to celebrate (and why)?

I LOVE Halloween! Fall is obviously the best season, and Halloween is so nostalgic and fun AND truly special. My girls love spooky things, so we get really into decorating. Lately I've been creating custom gravestones for our front lawn out of styrofoam, and it's such an arduous process, but it's totally worth it to have a custom Seymour Butts headstone! I love seeing people stop and read all the silly names.

You work across a variety of mediums to create your art. When concepting your work, how do you decide which medium to use?

I love to use acrylic gouache. I used to strictly only use digital media, but I started painting with acrylic gouache a few years ago, and it changed my life! It's like the traditional equivalent to digital media, because you can achieve vibrant, flat colors and it's easy to paint over if you make a mistake!

What excites you the most about your collaboration with Evite?

It's so delightful to think that someone might see my artwork and think that it's the perfect representation for the kind of party they're planning. Which can only mean it's going to be the most fun party ever!

 

Shannon Snow makes colorful art for colorful people. She firmly believes that art should make you feel good. The vibrant colors and nature scenes are undeniably cheerful. Their uplifting, playful scenes—of bugs climbing over mushrooms or a smiling turtle marching—will definitely bring a smile to your face. Southern and quite proud of it, Shannon loves a good wallpapered powder room, a front porch cocktail and low-country summer evenings. Check out her art on Instagram (@hello.shannon) and, of course, right here at Evite!

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