Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannon Hickman.
Shannon, before we jump into specific questions about your art, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’ve always been creative, but I never expected anything this substantial to come of it. I graduated from California State University San Marcos in 2017 with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing and got a full-time job working remotely for a digital marketing agency shortly after.
With the help of social media and constantly being in the “digital world” throughout the week for work, I came across a few local acrylic pour artists that sparked my initial interest in this style of art. I was gifted my first set of acrylic paint, canvases, medium, and oil at the end of 2017, and I’ve been hooked ever since.
Having the flexibility in my schedule to work from home really enabled me to learn and create as often as I possibly could, whether it be during my lunch break, as soon as I got off work, and so on. Often times, I would play tutorial YouTube videos as background noise while working, especially while I was still learning the basics. Since then, my processes have changed. My art and brand have come a long way from when I started.
One of the many things I love about acrylic art is that there are always new things to learn. I’m constantly challenging myself to try new techniques, experiment with new color palettes or products, and just get better in any way that I can. As I grow older and being the creative person that I am, I think it’s important to have something in my life that pushes me in that way.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
As I mentioned, I never really intended to sell my artwork. It truly started as a small hobby that I did to pass time. A good friend of mine came across my artwork after I posted about it on Instagram, and asked if he could purchase two paintings as gifts for a couple of newlyweds. This is what really gave me the confidence to build my website and start pushing my artwork out there.
Fast forward to December of 2019, myself and three other coworkers got laid off from the digital marketing company we were working for. Although that was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to go through, it really pushed me to create and sell more artwork. I suddenly had more time to create than ever, and I had to sit down and ask myself, “Can I do this full-time? Can I make a living off of selling my art?” Along with having to answer these tough questions, it made me realize that I really do want to sell my artwork for a living. I finally found some clarity in the midst of the tough situation I was faced with.
Some advice for my gals who are just getting started… Don’t get discouraged when your first art show is a flop or you’re not making sales during the first few months that your website is up and running. You’ll get there if you keep at it. Also, support and encourage your fellow female artists! By collaborating and bouncing ideas off each other, there’s potential to create something even more powerful. I’ve met so many fellow female artists who I’ve learned so much from.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into Underground Sludge story. Tell us more about your art.
I started off learning the basics while only using acrylic paint, medium, and oil on canvas. Most recently, I’ve been experimenting with putting my artwork on other products, such as clothing, pillowcases, and phone cases. It’s pretty amazing how one acrylic painting on canvas can be converted to these different collections of items.
The best way I can describe my style is colorful yet spooky, with a touch of psychedelia. I’m the most well-known for my acrylic paintings, but my clothing collections are becoming increasingly popular as well. I would say my acrylic paintings are the most special to me, though, because of the amount of love and time that goes into making each one. Each mixture of paint and resin has to be precise, and the drying process can either make or break a painting if that mixture is off. I have a hard time parting ways with my original paintings when they sell.
I’m proud of how far I’ve come as a local self-taught artist. I’ve made a name for myself in the art community by attending art shows, networking with other artists, and just trying to get my work out there as much as I can.
Who do you look up to? How have they inspired you?
My mom, Jessica, is my biggest inspiration. She’s a breast cancer survivor and is a hobbyist of all sorts! I definitely got my creativity from her. She’ll never admit it, but she’s actually an insanely talented artist who can draw a mean portrait. She also dabbles in archery, sky diving, and guitar playing. Basically, she’s taught me to “go for it” in every aspect of my life.
My sister, Natasha, is also an inspiration of mine. Not only is she a strong, kick-ass woman, she’s my best friend and the biggest supporter of me and my art. Literally, she has a shrine of my artwork in her bedroom and would buy all of my pieces if she could.
I’m also lucky to have close female friends who inspire me on the daily and push me to keep creating. My good friends Jennifer, Amber, and Andrea were actually a few of the people who initially inspired me to create acrylic pour art by sharing creations of their own with me a few years ago.
Pricing:
- Original Acrylic Paintings: $20-$300
- Prints: $3-$50
- Coasters: $20-$40
- Leggings: $40-$50
- Dresses: $30-$35
- Pillowcases: $30-$35
- iPhone Cases: $16
Contact Info:
- Website: www.undergroundsludge.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @undergroundsludge
- Facebook: @undergroundsludge
Image Credit:
Underground Sludge
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