Meet Shaine Schroeder | Artist

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

Hi Shaine, we’d love for you to start things off by telling us something about your industry that we and others not in the industry might be unaware of?
You have absolute freedom if you want it. There’s no excuse not to be able to build a brand or a following today with the amount of available resources. Art students leave school with little to no understanding of how to turn what they produce into a financially sound career. What little advice is given is generally in the realm of finding gallery representation, and that’s just not a necessity anymore. There are lots of legitimately great galleries out there, so I’m not opposed to that route, but just know it’s not the top of the mountain. I’ve been painting twenty years and have never once had gallery representation. That route comes with autonomy. You aren’t beholden to anyone and you can make whatever you want, whenever you want without having to produce a series of works that all look similar. Pure creative freedom.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I specialize in large scale works on canvas that are ever changing. Some days I’ll paint an elegant portrait of a female surrounded by flowers and others I’m painting a gorilla riding a bright blue horse into the Kentucky Derby. This is what I’m most proud of. The fact that in no uncertain terms, I’ve got freedom to play around with style or subject matter.

The journey to self-employment isn’t easy. I was stuck in a position of wanting to further my career, but was also showing at the same events and not meeting any new collectors. The events were always fun and engaging, but in order to take things further I had to sit down and create a brand- a plan to invest in my future. Part of the job is thinking outside the box, so my goals and my artwork didn’t have to fit the standard format. When I realized there is no formula, everything opened up.

Getting here was not easy. I’m fortunate enough to garner a high profile list of collectors, but in years prior I was putting myself in any situation that could introduce me to a new audience. Working for free, traveling to places in hopes that you might shake the right hand. Overcoming the challenges was always part of the job. You get so used to hearing the word “no,” and being so consistently rejected that it doesn’t register after a while.

Try to develop a thick skin and be comfortable with the occasional face plant as you navigate through your career. Also, learn to say no. Stick to your goals and brand. If a project or budget doesn’t meet your needs, don’t take it because it sets a standard for your brand and future jobs.

In business I make it a point to have everything run as seamlessly as possible. Efficiency in the process is, after the creation of the art itself, in my mind the most important aspect. The more organized you are, the easier it is for everyone involved. From artist, to collector, to framing and installation. In terms of the art itself, I don’t put anything into the public eye that I wouldn’t hang on my own wall. So, in the simplest terms, paint what you love.

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?
Cart-Driver in Denver is one of our favorite spots every time we visit, amazing pies and Tinned Fish with bread so soft you want to sleep on it. Denver Central Market has phenomenal food and drink. The 1Up Arcade Bar for four person Pac-Man, and my personal favorite bar of all time, The Embassy Tavern. I knew it was true love when they had an entire drink menu based on characters from one of my favorite films “Things To Do In Denver When You’re Dead.”

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My wife has been entirely supportive of my career. She’s seen me at highs and lows alike and always has a unique way of putting things into perspective when things get hectic. I’ve had a lot of heroes over the years in all manner of the arts, whether film directors, musicians, authors or traditional fine artists. I didn’t know any artists growing up and never had a mentor, so I collected them from afar. I soaked up any media I could from people I admired and took something from each and made it my own. And last but certainly not least, the collectors of my work. I’d be nowhere without them because they have literally made it possible for me to persue and explore what I’ve always loved. It’s more than just a transaction, it’s an incredibly personal interaction, and I’m grateful for everyone with a piece of mine hanging on their wall.

Website: www.shaineart.com

Instagram: http://instagram.com/shaineschroeder

Twitter: https://twitter.com/shaineschroeder

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shaineschroeder1

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1AEcf56koxGf35smZ6MMRQ

Other: tiktok: @shaineschroeder