Meet Sean Marshall | Artist

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

Hi Sean, what’s your definition for success?
Success, to me, is largely an intrinsic thing. Most people use social status, monetary values and physical possessions (external creations) as their metric for measuring success; I prefer to use my internal world as my yardstick. True fulfillment and alignment with purpose and sound principles are what I consider the defining characteristics of success. And this acts as my guiding light or North Star as I navigate life.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My journey into the art realm started relatively young. As early as I can remember, I’ve always had a love for art. But I didn’t start pursuing fine art seriously until I went to prison at eighteen. While serving time I met an incredible mentor, John P. Sherman. He was a prisoner serving life then, well versed in the fine arts, and one of a few great men I met during my time incarcerated that took my natural abilities and made them so much more.

Initially, when I first started taking art seriously from behind bars, it began as a necessity. A hustle. I needed a way to support myself financially while locked up. So instead of playing poker or resorting to some of the other questionable hustles prisoners often rely on to make money, I began learning how to draw and charged my fellow inmates to create various pieces of art for them.

As the years passed, and as my artistic abilities were honed, art became more than a hustle to me-it became my passion. My purpose. Art was the way I was able to escape the hellish realm of imprisonment.
Even when it wasn’t easy. There were times when I was reduced to a pen and scrap pieces of paper for my art supplies, due to restrictions in some of the higher security prison units I served time within. But I made due. It didn’t matter what utensils I had-I always found a way to create.

Art taught me patience. It gave me hope when I had none. Most importantly, it gave me purpose and a voice. And one thing I will always remember about my humble beginnings journeying into the art realm is something my artistic abilities mentor, John P. Sherman, used to always impress upon me:
“Our gifts are not ours to hoard,” he would say. “Use your talents and find ways to give of it freely and always use your voice to say something meaningful.” I have never forgotten those words. Everything I create is made with the intention of contributing to the collective consciousness of humanity and with the hope that my art is somehow impacting the lives around me in some kind of positive way.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Sadly, I don’t have much of a social life. I’m constantly in some kind of studio creating various forms of art. When I do manage to have time to socialize, I enjoy simple things like sitting on the patio with my mom barbecuing or cuddling on a couch with my girlfriend watching a movie. I don’t go out much, unless it’s a date night with my girlfriend.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
It would be impossible for me to name everyone that has extended me an uplifting hand along my journey. I’ve been blessed to have crossed paths with countless beautiful souls that have helped me find my way. But the one person I must name is my mom. She has always been my biggest supporter and has shown me what unconditional love truly is. Without her, I would be nothing. She’s been my strength when I’ve been weak and has never given up on me, no matter how many times I gave her a good reason to.

Website: https://artistseanjmarshall.com

Instagram: artist_seanjmarshall

Facebook: Sean Marshall

Image Credits
Dane Bruhahn