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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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On Believing in Yourself

Shannon Sorensen December 12, 2016

It's one of my favorite times of year for many reasons. The workload is slowing down, I'm catching up on blogging and forming ideas for the year ahead. But most importantly, I'm doing some serious reflecting on the past year - where I was a year ago, big moments, little moments, successes, failures.

I'm a firm believer in reflecting on the past in order to move forward. 

I am part of a large community of creatives and entrepreneurs called The Rising Tide Society, which I mention every now and then, and this week we're taking part in an Instagram challenge that is all about resting, reflecting, and recharging. It comes at the perfect time when I am dreaming up goals for the new year, but also allowing myself to step back and look at all I've done this year and give myself a little pat on the back and a big mug of cocoa. 

One of the first parts of the challenge is finding an inspiring quote that will keep my business anchored in the coming year. I love quotes. I have Pinterest boards and journals full of them. My camera roll has random screenshots of when  II  see a quote II like that I want to come back to. I went to my little "Find Joy in the Journey" journal that I started back in January and found the perfect quote to move into 2017. It comes from Harry Potter:

"Working hard is important, but there is something that matters even more - believing in yourself."

This past year was hard and exciting and filled me with worry and energy and all the feelings. Being a self-employed creative person is a rollercoaster. Every single day I experience highs and lows and a rush of excitement and the climbing fear of what's to come. When your livelihood rests on your own shoulders and depends on holding yourself accountable for doing the work, putting yourself out there and being your own CEO, marketer, accountant, and boss lady, in addition to being an artist and doing that work at the core of your business - let's just say the stress can be crushing. 

And if you let doubt and fear consume you, that crushing stress will, well, crush you and leave you questioning every decision and action. 

When I went full time for myself last January, there was a lot of fear and doubt and anxiety. I did not know what this year would do to me or my family. I didn't know if I'd be searching for another office job or if I'd be wildly successful. All I could do was roll up my sleeves, do the work, and put myself out there. Again and again and again. I had to find my voice. I had to figure out who I am as a person, as a photographer, as a working mom and wife and boss lady. And it has not been easy figuring that out. 

Honestly, I'm still figuring it out.

One of the things that I learned quickly was that if I made any room for fear or doubt in my life, in my family and business, it would elbow it's way in and smother all the good things I have going. I had to find my confidence and my voice, and in order to do that, I had to stop comparing myself to others. I had to stop looking at how far or how quickly someone was growing their business. I had to find creative entrepreneur friends who I could hang out with and chat about business and ideas and life and things we're passionate about. When you don't work with other adults regularly, it can get lonely, and finding a local tribe to converse with is incredibly refreshing. 

This year has been a slow climb from years of holding myself back for my other jobs and things I had going on. This year was all about diving in headfirst, letting go of fear of what's ahead and just rolling with what came my way. This year was about believing that I could actually take this thing I love and make it work and support my family with it.

Because that's where it all began. It all began nearly 7 years ago, working a job I didn't love, wanting to fulfill my creative heart in a way that I could enjoy my someday (now reality) children, have flexibility with my time to spend with family. To do something that has a lasting impact for good on others. And to look myself in the eye and know that I'm doing something that I value, that I love, that is meaningful and creative. My work is serving others in a way that I best know how.

So working hard, yes it's important, of course it is. But if you don't believe in yourself, the journey will be incredibly difficult. 

Find your voice. Share your heart. Make friends with your creative community. Lean on your family and friends. Know that you have what it takes, and while it won't always be easy, it will always be worth it. 

 Cheers,

Shannon

In business, creative entrepreneurs, personal Tags business, small business, photography, creative entrepreneur, creative business, reflection, harry potter, inspiration, inspirational quotes, harry potter quotes
1 Comment

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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