Meet shay davis | Artist , oil painter

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

Hi shay, what’s the end goal, career-wise?
I just want to be able to keep painting for a living and to inspire people with the content of the art i create. that is all.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I grew up immersed in sports, which instilled in me a fierce competitive spirit and an unrelenting drive to excel. Yet, from the age of five, whenever I wasn’t on the field, I was drawing and painting. Fast forward to college, where I played football on a full scholarship at Colorado University from 1992 to 1995. My artistic journey took an unexpected turn right after college when I sold my first painting to an older woman. That sale ignited a lifelong career in art.

Over the past 20 years, my path has been anything but straightforward. Overcoming injuries and setbacks, I’ve often joked that it might have been easier to become a professional athlete or actor than a pro artist. Despite the challenges, it’s been a fulfilling journey. I’ve showcased my work in galleries, bars, festivals, and auctions, including a recent charity auction where I sold five pieces for $45,000 to support veterans through Operation Pay It Forward.

The key to my success has been relentless self-improvement. Inspired by Rick Rubin’s advice, I continually push myself to explore new techniques and ideas, for me only and exactly what I want to do for me not others. I always so I do works that I would want to see if I didnt know myself and just randomly saw my work somewhere or place. . Dedicating over 60 hours a week to painting. This dedication has led to the creation of three major series:

The Seven Deadly Sins (2012-2014): An exploration of the human condition through vivid and evocative imagery.
The Endangered Series: Featuring 28 pieces that highlight extinct animals from each continent, this series aims to raise awareness about conservation.
Western Funk: A surreal twist on traditional Western themes, presenting a fresh and unique perspective.
Currently, I’m embarking on my most ambitious series yet, tackling the political landscape and contemporary global issues. This series is driven by a sense of urgency and a desire to provoke thought and dialogue. Through my art, I aim to address topics like free speech, Big Pharma, BlackRock, and the World Economic Forum, embedding subliminal messages that challenge the viewer.

In pursuing this series, I feel a calling to shed light on these critical issues through art rather than words. It’s a bold endeavor that I hope will resonate deeply and, perhaps, shake things up a bit.

Ultimately, my journey has been guided by passion, discipline, talent, and drive. These principles have helped me navigate the twists and turns of a career in art, pushing me to constantly evolve and remain relevant in a rapidly changing world.

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?
Memory updated
Here’s a cleaner version of your itinerary for a friend visiting:

If a friend were visiting for a few days, we’d start by hitting the slopes at Copper or Vail. After a day of skiing, we’d enjoy a dinner filled with jokes and deep discussions over lobster and crab.

The next day would begin with a long workout at Red Rocks or a swim at Rolling Hills Country Club, followed by some weightlifting. Throughout the day, we’d engage in art talks and delve into interesting topics like aliens, God, science, and quantum physics, often while doing something art-related. The evening would end with another fantastic dinner similar to the first night.

Day three might involve a hike with dogs or a motorcycle ride through the mountains. The rest of the day could include unique experiences like a float tank session, more laughter, and wrapping up the trip by meeting some beautiful ladies.

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?
well me first for putting in the hard work. God for giving me the weird ideas to paint they just pop in there so I cant claim the ideas. My Muse Jennifer johnson art who helps a lot for everything in life. My mom who is my biggest supporter. Lastly anyone who has ever bought something from me to keep the dream alive.

Website: https://shayvision.com

Instagram: shayvisionartist

Linkedin: shayvision@gmail.com

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