We are excited to spotlight Shawn Marshall, an artist known for her innovative approach to mixed media art. For more on our social media post, click here.
Shawn Marshall is a Kentucky-based painter & mixed-media artist with a background in architecture and design. She earned a Master of Architecture with a Minor in Fine Art (sculpture emphasis) from Cornell University, where she studied under sculptors Jack Squire, Robert Bertoia, and Gail Scott White. Before that, Shawn earned a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Kentucky. She is also a visual arts educator who earned a Master of Art in Teaching from Bellarmine University.
A look inside Artrepreneur Artist Shawn Marshall’s studio.
Shawn Marshall’s work has received national recognition and has been published in Contemporary Collage Magazine, Art Hive Magazine, Professional Artist Magazine, and others. She is a recent recipient of an Artist Enrichment Grant from the Great Meadows Foundation, and her work is included in many collections including the SNAP Collection in Louisville, corporate collections including Brown-Forman Corporation, PNC Bank, Commonwealth Bank, and the University of Kentucky, and numerous private collections in the U.S. and Europe. Marshall is represented by Viridian Artists, New York, NY, Chauvet Arts in Nashville, TN, and New Editions Gallery in Lexington, KY. She is also represented by the curated online galleries Artrepreneur, 1st Dibs, & Singulart.
“My artistic process is significantly shaped by the integration of my multidisciplinary background in architecture and sculpture. It informs not only the techniques I employ and the tools I use but also the consideration I give to structure, form, space, composition, and material. My work explores the profound connection between human presence and our environment. I am also concerned with consumption and waste. For this reason, I collect discarded and found materials such as paper, cardboard, wallpaper, magazines, lace, scraps of material, etc. I then merge the carefully selected mixed media with paint to create intricate webs and imprints of our existence.”
“Chromatic” (2024)
An exploration of vibrant hues, “Chromatic” is an abstract mixed media artwork that dazzles with a palette of pinks, purples, yellows, blues, and oranges. The incorporation of paper pieces and a mesh-like overlay forms a grid structure, adding layers of texture and depth. The piece exudes playfulness and imagination, showcasing the artist’s skill in creating a visually intricate and captivating work.
“Cosmic Circle 4” (2023)
“Cosmic Circle 4” is a striking mixed media work crafted on a cradled panel using paper, cardboard, acrylic, and spray paint. The piece blends these diverse materials to create a dynamic and textured composition. The interplay of media results in a captivating visual experience, inviting viewers to explore its intricate layers and cosmic themes.
In her Kentucky studio, Shawn Marshall’s creative space is a blend of architectural precision and artistic chaos. Essential to her process are her Zacto knives and mylar, which she uses to create painting guards and stencils. Each guard is specific to each painting and is used to protect the underlayers of paint and material from spray painting pattern and texture. She shares, “Part of my process involves precisely cutting mylar into painting guards and stencils,” highlighting a unique technique that defines her intricate artworks.
Shawn Marshall is currently developing a series that delves into the relationship between human presence and our environment, focusing on consumption and waste. This series will be showcased in upcoming exhibitions across the United States and Europe.
Artist Shawn Marshall working on a new piece in her studio.
In her own words, “I see each artwork as a dialogue between the present and the past. From an aerial perspective, some works take on the semblance of rediscovered cityscapes or overgrown gardens, reminiscent of forgotten structures and the tangible traces of human activity. Others might resemble cosmic universes. As one draws closer, a duality emerges. The intricate textures and layers mimic the surfaces of billboards that have witnessed the ebb and flow of information and messages, and the frames of the subway platforms that host a perpetual dance of images and information. It is through this rhythm of placement and removal that our intricate relationship with the world unfolds, leaving behind a tapestry of ideas, experiences, and memories that weave together to create new imprints and narratives.”
“Neon Tapestry” (2024)
Stay updated with Shawn Marshall’s latest works and exhibitions by following her Artrepreneur profile. For a glimpse into her creative process and daily inspirations, check out her Instagram. Shawn Marshall’s innovative approach and unique artistic vision continue to captivate and inspire, making her an artist to watch.
