Canvas Chat: Meet Malorie Shannon , Artist and Jewelry Designer

I have the pleasure of introducing Malorie Shannon artist and jewelry designer. Her pieces are beautiful and her earrings are unique. I met her through Local Arts Coming Together{LACT}. Without further adieu, meet Malorie Shannon.

Tell us a little about yourself?

I am 54, a wife, a mom of 3 grown children and an artist. I have spent the majority of my life in Florida,  with my family settling in St. Augustine in 1966.   I have been doing art all my life, winning small contests and awards. I also had the honor of having some of my work on exhibit at the Rogue Space Gallery in New York city at two of their international art shows.



A few years ago (oh my gosh can it be almost 15 years now) I co-founded the “Every Woman’s Arts and Crafts Festival” with my friend Marianne Campbell. Marianne was not only my friend but my spiritual adviser and we created the show as a way for me to start exhibiting my art without all the rules and regulations of other shows. So EWACF was started as a friendly non stressful outlet for artists to exhibit their work.  We co-organized it for the first four years, and then I organized it by myself for five more. During that 5 years I was diagnosed with MS, so I passed the helm onto another fellow artist.

Because of my diagnosis I founded ONYRALU.  Onyralu is my main online art presence. It is a stress free zone away from the chaotic frenzy of the net.

Over the years I have done art for myself, for family and friends. I am now trying to get my artwork out on a more global scale. In the hopes that my work will touch, amuse, and reach out to everyone who experiences it.

What is "Creativity" to you?

Creativity to me is born in the mind. It starts with a thought, an emotion or something that I have seen that caught my eye and it grows from there until I am able to translate it into whatever medium I feel best conveys it.  If I can not get to it right away it is always there. Like an unfinished conversation it pops back in my head to remind me that it is still waiting for me to give it a voice.

Tell us about your art style?

My "art style" is eclectic not following any one particular "style" but instead following my heart, feelings and my hand. Sometimes that is realism, sometimes it is impressionism, sometimes abstract, sometimes expressionism.

Do you have any creative rituals or routines you do before you get started working on something?

Not really. I started and finished the portrait of my daughter in the back seat of the car between here and Orlando. When I am ready I just get what I need and go at it.

Do you have any sort of creative muse?

Nothing calls to me more then.......a plain white piece of paper or a blank canvas.

Can you describe the time when you first realized that creating was something you absolutely had to do?

I have done art in one form or another ever since before I can remember. However when thinking of this question I thought "paper dolls". When I was young paper dolls were very popular. I would draw and make my own paper doll outfits.

Tell us some about "Clips Designs?"

5 years ago while I was at my office job I realized I had not put in any earrings that day. So I just grabbed some jumbo paper clips and used those. They were so lightweight and comfortable that I continued to use them as my main earrings of choice. One day I decided to put my talent to use and start dressing them up. So "Clips" was born. Most of my designs are one-of-kind made out of random beads, charms and other things I have in my collection of what-nots or have found at rummage sales.

Do have a favorite piece that you've made that holds special meaning to you?

Yes my piece called "Home".  It is of a very close intimate friend, it is my favorite of many I created after he passed away.

What memorable responses have you had to your work?

The responses I LOVE the most is when someone "gets it" when they actually understand the thought and most importantly the emotion behind some of my work.

What superpower would you have and why?
Invisibility.......lol lots I could do with that.

Do you have any advice to give the many aspiring artists out there?

Just do what you want to do however you want to do it. Do not compare yourself to other artists.

Where can we find your work?
My work can be seen on http://www.onyralu.webs.com  also at http://www.clipsdesigns.1freecart.com and on http://barebrush.com/gallery.php?artist_id=230

I also have several pieces in the private collection  of Mr. and Mrs. Harris, Derby, CT.

All artworks and photographs have been shared with permission of Malorie Shannon.