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Abstract Artist | Expressionist Painter | Hartford Connecticut | New York | Boston | New England Shannon Sorensen

Abstract Artist | Expressionist Painter | Hartford Connecticut | New York | Boston | New England Painter Shannon Sorensen
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Dreamscape 2 :: Digital Abstract Expressionist Art

Shannon Sorensen January 24, 2022

A theme for me this year (and probably forever, going forward) is creating these colorful dreamscapes to music. I have always been a music lover, from simple appreciation to growing up playing the flute, piano, guitar, singing…nothing has ever moved me quite like music. That is, until I started painting.

Music and painting together? I’m in heaven.

So, these dreamscapes are a glimpse into what heaven looks like in my mind. Bits and pieces of places I’ve been, sunsets I’ve witnessed, landscapes that make my heart ache, filtered through the lens of the magic and melody of whatever is playing in my ears.

I seek to paint with movement, like a dance between brush and surface. I use color to evoke the mood and energy. When it’s done, maybe it’ll take you somewhere. I invite you to stay a while and gaze. Zoom in close. Let your mind wander and your imagination frolick.

The Creative Process

For this, I pulled my color palette from my last dreamscape painting into Adobe Fresco on my iPad. I used an Apple Pencil and created lots of layers, played with texture brushes and erasers, trying to mimic how I’d work over a physical canvas. I haven’t created a digital piece since last June (“Cinque Terre”), so I’ve learned some things in that time about how I want to create.

From there, I pulled it into Photoshop to add some surface texture as the final step.

Can you picture this in your home?

Prints coming soon! Subscribe to my weekly emails to be notified when they’re available.

View fullsize Dreamscape, Colorful Art, Abstract Art, Expressionist Art, Connecticut Artist Shannon Sorensen
View fullsize Dreamscape, Colorful Art, Abstract Art, Expressionist Art, Connecticut Artist Shannon Sorensen
View fullsize Dreamscape, Colorful Art, Abstract Art, Expressionist Art, Connecticut Artist Shannon Sorensen
View fullsize Dreamscape, Colorful Art, Abstract Art, Expressionist Art, Connecticut Artist Shannon Sorensen
View fullsize Dreamscape, Colorful Art, Abstract Art, Expressionist Art, Connecticut Artist Shannon Sorensen
View fullsize Dreamscape, Colorful Art, Abstract Art, Expressionist Art, Connecticut Artist Shannon Sorensen
In art and design, creativity, connecticut, new art, new paintings Tags art shop, art prints, art, abstract painter, abstract artist, abstract art, expressionism, expressionist, digital artist, digital art, adobe fresco, apple pencil, digital creator, inspiration, connecticut, connecticut artist, newington ct, newington connecticut, new england
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Across the Universe-Inspired Abstract Dreamscape by Connecticut Artist Shannon Sorensen

Shannon Sorensen January 18, 2022

This piece was fun! It challenged me, and allowed me to get playful and try some new techniques and marks. I really enjoyed working on this size canvas, the largest I have ever worked on. It’s 24”x36”, and as you can see, it took up a substantial amount of my workspace. That was its own challenge!

I know I say this every time I finish a piece, but this is my favorite yet. It feels the most “me” in terms of the art I want to be making. It takes elements of all the work I did last year that I connected with and became “signature”, but also encouraged some surprises for myself and the viewer.

I did record the beginning stages of this painting, up until the halfway point, which I will share on Youtube once I finish getting it edited and cut together.

Here are the details, and you can pop out the individual pictures below to get a closer look at the details.

Dreamscape 1
Completed 1/15/22
Painted at home in Newington, Connecticut
Acrylic on canvas, 24”x36”

This piece was inspired by…the energy of colorful seaside villages, warm pink sunsets, listening to The Beatles “Here Comes the Sun” and “Across the Universe”.

I recently finished reading “Big Magic” by Liz Gilbert shortly before starting this painting. It was a great read for those who identify as artists and creatives, and it definitely gave me a push to further enjoy, play, and find freedom in the creating.

Can you picture this in your home?

Prints and other home decor, lifestyle, stationary and accessories of Across the Universe are available here.

View fullsize Printed Wall Art
Printed Wall Art
View fullsize Journals & Stationary
Journals & Stationary
View fullsize Throw Pillows
Throw Pillows
View fullsize Yoga Mats
Yoga Mats
View fullsize Tote Bags
Tote Bags
View fullsize Jigsaw Puzzles
Jigsaw Puzzles
View fullsize Fleece Throw Blankets
Fleece Throw Blankets
View fullsize Beach Towels
Beach Towels
View fullsize IPhone Cases
IPhone Cases

Thanks for visiting! I hope you enjoy seeing my art, learning about my process, and feel inspired to explore your own creativity!

Subscribe to my weekly emails for regular updates, fun freebies, and creative inspiration!

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Shannon Sorensen is a self-taught contemporary abstract painter based in Newington, Connecticut, specializing in vibrant, expressive pieces that evoke feelings of places you have seen in person or in dreams, inspired by music, poetry, memories and meditations. Fine art prints of select works are available through her art store, and shop other printed home goods and accessories at Pixels.com.

Follow more of Shannon’s day to day creative living on Instagram.

Check out painting and creative living videos on Youtube.

In art and design, connecticut, creativity, new art, new paintings Tags abstract artist, art, expressionism, expressionist, abstract painter, connecticut, connecticut artist, shannon sorensen, new england artist, connecticut painter, hartford connecticut, newington connecticut, the beatles, across the universe
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Where the Storm Meets the Sea_Acrylic on Canvas_Expressionist Art by Shannon Sorensen

New Art :: Where the Storm Meets the Sea

Shannon Sorensen February 19, 2021

Where the Storm Meets the Sea is an acrylic painting on stretched canvas.

Buy this art print.

Inspired by a day at Nantasket Beach in Hull, MA, last summer. We watched a storm emerge out over the coastline north of Boston. It didn’t pass over us, but we observed from a distance.

This moment reminded me of the feeling of grief, emerging sometimes slowly into our days…

Waves of grief can be so powerful. Dark storm clouds emerge. The air fills with static. Sometimes, it feels as if you’re outside your body, watching from a distance, waiting for the dark to pass. And when it does, glimmers of light appear. The waves retreat and calm. The sea feels peaceful again.

You can watch the process of this painting being made from start to finish, on my YouTube channel, or click below and enjoy!

In art and design Tags art shop, art prints, art, expressionism, expressionist, ocean art, painting, painter, grief, healing art, art therapy, connecticut, connecticut artist, newington ct
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Mama Gaia art print healing energy art by Connecticut artist Shannon Sorensen

New Art :: Mama Gaia

Shannon Sorensen February 16, 2021

Wild and tangled beauty. She nourishes, she nurtures, she shelters. She is home.

Mama Gaia is part of my 2021 series Of Salt and Pine, and was created digitally using Adobe Fresco and Apple Pencil.

Art prints available here.

I enjoy bouncing back and forth between traditional and digital mediums. They both have their benefits and challenges. My favorite thing about creating digitally is I can do it anywhere - in bed, on the couch, sitting in the car while my daughter has dance class.

Digital also allows me to create without worry of making mistakes. I can build out as many layer5s as I want, which gives me the freedom to make adjustments as I go that paint does not give me.

However, that risk is the thrill that painting gives me.

There is always a give and take to every creative medium.

One struggle I am learning I have with digital art is because of the ability to adjust so easily, it takes me longer to create digital pieces. This piece in particular took over a week to complete from start to finish, with several iterations throughout the process.

One thing I love about this piece is that I designed it to be displayed vertically, as shown in the image, or horizontally, as an abstract expressive landscape.

I’d love to know, friends - how does she make you feel?

In art and design Tags mama gaia, of salt and pine, abstract art, art prints, art shop, colorful art, modern art, expressionism, expressionist, connecticut artist, shannon sorensen, boho art, ocean art, nature art
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Welcome!

I’m Shannon, a local Connecticut artist specializing in modern abstract realism & expressionist art.

I have a passion for helping others to see the creative potential in themselves, and empowering them to explore & enjoy it.

When I’m not painting, parenting, or working at preschool, you can find me gardening, reading past my bedtime, spending time outdoors, and playing in my at-home art space.

This space is for sharing my latest paintings, projects, studio updates, and thoughts about creative living.

Get a glimpse at my day-to-day over on socials!

If you enjoy my art & writing, you can show your appreciation & buy me a coffee on Venmo - @shannonsart. Thank you!


Earth without art is just eh.

Every order through my art shop plants a tree in areas in need of reforestation. So far, since 2020, we’ve planted 111 trees in North America.

You can plant your first tree for free, and learn more at www.OneTreePlanted.org.

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