Bee Well

Life is tough, but so are you.

I’ve been working on a series of positive messages for the launch of SCAD’s Bee Well initiative. It’s a program to encourage healthy social, emotional, physical and academic living, as well as a place for students, that is safe and confidential, to receive support and encouragement when faced with some of life’s challenges.

School can be stressful and overwhelming, and it’s amazing that students have a place to turn to on campus when they need help. I too have struggled with anxiety, sometimes so bad that it would manifest as a physical thing. Maybe you’ve experienced it too - the tingling hands, tight chest, racing heart. Remember to breathe (deeply), focus on your immediate physical sensations and surroundings, and be. That’s helped me a few times.

This project is close to my heart; I really can relate, so I’m happy to be given the opportunity to create these positive messages. Maybe someone will see these and feel a bit of happiness.

BOO Y'all!

I LOVE HALLOWEEN.

I love everything about this spoOoOoky holiday. Trick-or-treating, creepy movies on TV, and decorating of course! Normally we always carve jack-o-lanterns, but I wanted to go in a different direction this year. With my deep red-orange mums and purple Mexican heather in bloom, I thought it’d be nice to bring some more color into the equation. Why not paint my pumpkins instead? Because let’s be real, it’s still pretty dang hot in Savannah in late October. And we all know how quickly pumpkins rot in warm weather once you carve into them. It’s like all the pumpkins have turned into mush by November 1st.

In true Shannon style, I lettered some colorful typography onto my pumpkins using gouache. Maybe turquoise and pink don’t usually conjure up Halloween vibes, but hey, anything goes if it’s on a pumpkin! See for yourself.

SCADstory

SCAD, my alma mater, has played an enormous role in my life. Originally I planned to pursue Production Design, but ultimately decided on Illustration... which led me to an amazing job that I love. SCAD is where I met my husband (#scadlove) and some of my best friends. Last year, I had the honor of representing the university during my Alumni Atelier Ambassadorship in Lacoste, France. 🐝 My relationship with the university continues to grow, as my work has been featured with SCAD Art Sales and the well-being initiative Bee Well. The saying is true: once a bee, always a bee!

With that being said, I am sooooo excited that my illustrations will now get to tell SCAD’s story. My work will be featured at SCADstory, an immersive 360-degree experience celebrating 40 years of SCAD history. Go see the show for yourself at 342 Bull St. Savannah, GA.

Don’t forget to stop by the front window! You’ll see my illustrations brought to life by Daae Kim and Will Penny.

A few of the icons I created for the window display

no rain... no flowers

Happy 2018, everyone! I'm not big on resolutions (I've only ever kept one)... but I'd like to make more personal art, outside of the stuff I do for work. Here's some good vibes for ya!

Our best collaboration yet!

My husband Britt and I do a lot of collaborations together. Mostly a lot of random weekend art projects: making papier mâché piñatas, building cardboard castles for our nephews, screen-printing t-shirts, etc. Fun stuff. Well, I'd like you to introduce you to our most significant collaboration yet...

We made a baby!

On October 12, 2017, we welcomed Rowan, our brand new baby girl, into this world. I think it's safe to say she's the best thing we've ever created. Parenthood is a wild ride!

a fresh new look

The last time I gave my website a makeover was in 2014. About time for a new look, don't you think? Take a look around and explore the newness!

Happy Summer Solstice!

My creative tendencies extend outwards to cooking, as well! I love thoughtfully prepared food. 

Every year for the summer solstice, I bake a "sun cake." Basically, It's just an upside down cake using seasonal stone fruit (my favorite). In the past, I've used peaches... but this year, I thought, "Hey, why not change it up a bit?" So here we arrive at an upside down cake with nectarines and blackberries. It still looks like a sun, but maybe it's more of a sun setting on the horizon, with those blackberry-stained jewel tones. What a lovely way to end the longest day of the year, with a big slice of cake and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Happy Solstice, y'all!

Chalking it up to a good day

The Sidewalk Arts Festival is one of my favorite events of the year. It's such a good excuse to get outside and get messy with chalk. This year, I tried a different application technique with the chalk... It involves grinding the chalk into a fine powder and adding water to create a paste. The chalk went on a lot smoother and had a painterly look. The colors appeared more vibrant too. Give it a try yourself! 

A few days later, I was surprised to see my square on Buzzfeed! They did a lovely write-up about the festival here: https://www.buzzfeed.com/davidmack/sidewalk-art?utm_term=.myO7OwZxKG#.pgllwo9Ojm

And here's me with my square... Oh yes!

Millie's Cuban Cafe Logo & Branding

I had the pleasure of designing a logo for my friend Danny Teran, who just opened his latest restaurant: Millie's Cuban Cafe. Located in Brooklyn, New York, the restaurant serves as a tribute to his mother. That's her on the logo! When designing the logo, I wanted to create something with a retro vibe, similar to something you might see in Havana. 

I've worked on branding projects for Danny before... Check out The Wheelhouse.

Posi vibes!

Don't ever let a bad day make you feel like you have a bad life. #posivibes