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

Hi Sonya, why did you pursue a creative career?
I’m one of those right-brain/left-brain people who are good at both arts/languages AND sciences/math. I was very fortunate to find a career that combined just about everything I love. I studied classical (hand-drawn) animation, which quickly became 3-D CG (computer-generated imagery). To enter this field, I leaned towards art over science, because I realized I would probably not have time for art if I didn’t make it my profession and missing out on creativity felt painful to my soul.

The arts are incredibly competitive so you have to have talent combined with hard work. I am blessed to be born with a gift in visual art and born into a family with a rigorous work ethic. It has sure paid off!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a pioneer in digital art. That may not sound like much today, but back when I started in 1982, most artists literally hated anything to do with computers. I have fought a lonely battle and helped get hundreds of other artists started in the field of CG and digital art. It wasn’t easy. Getting into a gallery has proved elusive for me—in part because I believe the best art should be inclusive, affordable for everyone and not exclusive as a commodity for the rich. So I have found other ways to sell digital art: fairs and events, custom portraits, stores that carry my greeting cards, Oracle deck and prints. I continue to overcome challenges by remaining flexible, persistent, teachable, and willing to take risks both creatively and in business.

My technique is built around special effects animation for film and TV. I use my camera as a base and layer up to 100 elements to make a final “painting.” Most people have no idea that I can draw and paint, because my goal is to create “impossible” realities that look photographic. Yet most of the layers in an artwork are hand-drawn and painted, especially to create lighting effects, reflections, and other complex visual phenomena.

The main thing about my artwork is the storytelling and spiritual message. I’m endlessly fascinated with being human, what it means to live a lifetime, how we are connected to the planets and stars, and what it means to awaken and transform. Beyond technique, I hope people will receive a lasting, living inspirational message that reminds them who they really are and perpetuates the role of art to evoke new, deeper consciousness about how the universe works.

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.
As a welcome dinner in Colorado Springs, I would take my friend to the Bier Garten at Edelweiss German Restaurant. First day, we would hit the Denver Art Museum and that evening Meow Wolf. Next day, we would head up for lunch at Bao Asian Fusion in Louisville. We’d stop at McGuckin’s Hardware (kitchen and garden!) in Boulder and Peppercorn’s on the Pearl Street Mall. Then up to Rocky Mountain Park, over Trail Ridge Road and down the back way to Steamboat Springs. We would hit as many hot springs as possible, certainly head over to Glenwood Springs and the Yampah Vapor Caves. Then down to Aspen and Maroon Bells, and probably back over Independence Pass stopping off at South Park and hitting my favorite Fiesta Mexicana in Woodland Park before returning to Colorado Springs. I would put my friend up at the Historic Trolley AirBnB in Old Colorado City and we would do the Colorado Springs Farmer’s Market before heading to Manitou for clothes shopping at Piramide.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning

Website: sonya-shannon.com

Instagram: instagram.com/sonya.shannon.artist

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonyashannon/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sonyashannon?lang=en

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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0AWc37kRkRdkX4WlL9uGKA

Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SonyaShannonArt https://transformation-oracle.com https://higher-self-portraits.com

I’m now on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/sonyashannon, where I reveal secrets of making art, meditation, and divination.

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