Meet Shawna Gardner | A multi-media Fine Arts artist.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shawna Gardner and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shawna, why did you pursue a creative career?
My pursuit of an artistic career came about quite naturally for me. Growing up, I was always an avid reader and adventurer. I filled my world with a vast wealth of imagination, a love of knowledge, and a desire to explore our natural world from the smallest bug to far hikes. This combined to instill in me a sense of constant curiosity about not only our world and the animals in it, but how we fit into this world, how it works scientifically, and how our infinite sense of imagination, spirituality, and perception connects to our environment. My first instinct to explore this fascination was to work directly with animals, but my pull towards artistic creation guided me towards building my artistic skills. While in college at Ball State University, I had originally enrolled for a Zoology degree, but the incredible range of arts available to learn was an influence that drew me to switching my major and obtaining my Bachelor of Fine Arts. However, my love of animals and interest in the connection between the spiritual and the scientific continues to plays a strong role in my work.

Through my artwork, I strive to create imagery that inspires viewers to want to know more about the animal or environment they are viewing. One of the ways I try to do this includes a series of illustrations I created featuring animals and plants with information about both the biology and the spirituality of each subject. I firmly believe that science and magic are only two sides of a coin. Science being our way of explaining the natural phenomenon all around us. That by understanding both halves, we can create a deeper connection and increased knowledge simultaneously. It was equally as important to me that I not only express my own needs and wants in my artwork, but also create an opportunity to do so for others who could not. This was another inspiration on why I pursued it as a career and created my freelance business, Twining Tree Creations. By offering custom artwork, I could aid others in bringing their imaginative thoughts and ideas to life. By working on art for others, it increases the range of genres and styles that I can work on and pushes me to develop better skills and a wider range of experience.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Becoming an artist was not a path I intended to originally take. Somehow, through the years, it pulled me more and more until it was all I wanted to do. What excites me about artwork is the ability to create something that inspires a feeling, a connection, and a yearning to feel or know more. That through artwork, we can learn and feel so much. From the depths of our minds to the reaches of the sky, artwork can explore, express, and experiment. I am proud to be able to be one of many who gets the chance and ability to do so. What I believe sets me apart from others is my interest in exploring science and magic as two halves of a whole and in my adoration for exploring as many art types as possible. While in college, I was a Drawing major because I knew it provided the widest possible range of classes. From painting and drawing to metal works and glass blowing, I was able to experience a multitude of mediums, styles, and genres. This continues in my business with my openness to creating artwork of a wide range for my clients. I have done commissioned work including illustrations, charcoals, woodburnings, tattoo design, memorial images, landscapes, pet portraits, and more. In this way, I can better advance my skills while bringing more dreams and thoughts to life for others. Often, as artists, we are trained to develop one niche or medium. However, I find more pleasure in widening my range to see what is possible beyond what I already know. Overall, my artistic goal is to aid in the connection of biology and spirituality. And, by doing so, share this knowledge with others to develop a deeper understanding and love of our environment and the animals in it.

The challenges that come with this artistic career path are in the mostly mundane areas. A freelance artist is a hard job and one often done by only one person. Not only is an artist responsible for designing and creating artwork, but also coordinating events, keeping track of inventory and supplies, customer service, advertisement, website upkeep, maintaining equipment, and many other tasks of any small business. Along with this, social media has become a necessity for artists to get their names and work out to both the general public and as a way to connect with specific clients or communities. Artists have become increasingly pressured to develop artwork quickly and in a way that captures attention such as sharing works in progress or streaming. The idea of an artist is a very romanticized career, but also comes with very real and very serious tasks that can, at times, seem overwhelming. However, the challenge is one I do not back down from, but have worked hard to create a balance in maintaining. I have always been a list maker. With a marker board calendar and a to-do book at my side, it greatly aids in keeping me on task and organized so that I am better able to focus on the artwork.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If I were to visit the city with a friend, I would absolutely have to take time to visit the various State Parks throughout Colorado. I have always been an active person with a love for camping, hiking, and photographing nature. Getting time to experience the beauty of the Colorado outdoors is an adventure I would love to share. While some may choose the city features, a week of camping and exploring the natural wonders of Colorado would be what I would plan. Preferably packing full backpacks for a week of hiking through the Eldorado Canyon. With gorgeous vistas all around, there wouldn’t be a moment that I could put my camera down! My favorite part of experiencing nature includes those peaceful moments of simply sitting and soaking in your environment. This would be my goal in traveling with a friend throughout Colorado. Hiking through gorgeous environments while taking time to relax and enjoy it all with a friend or loved one. One of my favorite artistic activities is painting or drawing from life. Taking those quiet moments while hiking to paint the soaring mountainsides and weaving rivers is one of my most exciting activities.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There would be no me without the love and support of my parents, friends, and communities that I have had the honor of being given. My parents and family played a large role in my love of knowledge, nature, and my interest in building my own art business. On my mother’s side, my grandma Bubba and grandpa Zeyde were incredible teachers and provided an inspiration and source of academic influence that grew my love of reading and research. My mother absolutely was an influence of support through not only her support of me, but of her unending love of nature, photography, animals, and hiking. She filled our world with adventure, the outdoors, and music. On my father’s side, my grandma Janet and Grandpa Len were business owners who showed me that hard work and a personal connection to what you do makes a world of difference. Every summer I spent helping work in their store and ice shop built memories and work ethic that continue every day. My father built a backbone of support in teaching me that a good foundation and plan for the future are essential and helps me stay on track to work hard and work well. I could not thank my family more for giving me such strong influences to look up to.

I have to also take time to thank the friends, clients, and communities I have developed. The Eckhart Public Library in Auburn, IN was a second home to me growing up. Providing resources, reading communities, and accepting me as a board member to create their third building, A Third Place: A Teen Library gave me an environment to advance my intellectual mind as well as begin developing skills working in groups and committees. Working throughout the Pagan and anthropomorphic communities over the last decade has been a delight in further developing myself and my art. Advancing my awareness of the various religious and spiritual paths, broadening my minds, and introducing me to unforgettable and amazing people. Two of these groups that I would like to personally thank are the Ball State student organizations the Society of Earth-based Religions and the Anthropomorphic Art Society. Working on the executive boards, meeting new friends, and helping to create positive, safe spaces with an emphasis on spirituality and art was an essential part of developing who I am as an individual and as an artist.

Website: https://www.twiningtree.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twiningtree/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TwiningTree

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TwiningTree

Image Credits
Garrett Crish