Meet Shaunna Perkins | Visual Artist

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

Hi Shaunna, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
For me work life balance is like work/work. With the impact of the pandemic and inflation it has become more difficult to rely on the income that comes solely from my artwork with all the multiple projects from POD, web design and all the hats I currently wear to make things happen. In 2019 I managed to participate in three successive exhibits with the 40W district in Lakewood but once the pandemic hit full swing, I spent more time at my “traditional” employment due to the lack of shows open, only doing one virtual exhibit in, I believe, March. It was an interesting way to continue shows but I waited until things opened up again because the only reason why I did local exhibits was for local exposure. Then I changed jobs because I had a goal of buying property and eventually homesteading at retirement which put art on the back burner temporarily. Unfortunately chronic illness affected that job due to the inability to be there every day and because I was not able to meet that employer’s goals they let me go. So now my priorities have shifted back to art, and secondary employment is now back burner. I have always had a strong sense of work ethic but as I get older I am more interested in putting my energy into making beautiful things and inspiring others.

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.

I have never felt that my work set me apart from anyone else. I believe we are all a collective consciousness having multiple perceptions of the same experiences. I am only sharing my perception and I always welcome other people’s perception of my work. Most of my work is inspired by music by Lorn, Deadmau5, Radiohead, Beck…too many to name. Life is full of challenges that should be welcomed with open arms. Growth is pain which reminds me of a quote from the movie Vanilla Sky:

“Just remember, the sweet is never as sweet without the sour, and I know the sour.”

I just want the world to know I am present, I contributed, and I hope that contribution transcends.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Hard to say. I honestly do not get out and I have sensory issues that can make it difficult. I can say that I enjoy Locust Brewery in Belmar and I recently went with friends of mine to The Escapist on Santa fe….that was pretty cool. If that friend was a fellow artist maybe even some art supply shopping at HR Meininger Company and there is also a fabric store in Boulder I have also been wanting to visit called Elfriede’s Fine Fabrics. Food wise is tough…..restaurants tend to come and go so often I can’t keep track of them to refer to anyone.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My Grandmother and namesake Marcine Bice and my Mother, Edith Huffman Michaud, are the main drivers of my love to create. My Grandma worked with me at a young age to have a better understanding of the principles of art and while Mom cultivated that desire to learn and improve. Mom also spent a large portion of her life dedicating herself to mine and my sisters’ education and made sure we had resources that weren’t all that abundant back in the 80’s and 90’s. In my late teens I ended up going to public school and taking an art class which led to another art class where Mrs Judy Johnson had put it in my head the possibility of becoming a graphic designer. Prior to that, art was just an expression of how how I was handling things with my life and did not feel, at that time, that it was a practical career to study for (although funny enough I was taking prep classes to study anthropology).

Website: www.shaunnaperkins.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/shaunna.perkins.art_

Twitter: www.twitter.com/scribblesketch

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

Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCwLs3_veFeY9m7XGYJx65RQ