Life is what you make it
I am a self taught mixed media artist. Born in Montreal & raised in New Westminster, BC. Motivated and conscientious settler of mixed ancestry, I am primarily Irish Celtic. My maternal grandmother was born in Canada, half of her siblings were born in Ireland, their family came to Canada in the 1930’s and received a farm through a settlement program. My maternal grandfather was a German emigrant. My paternal grandfather was a descendant of Irish emigrants who fled during the potato famine. My paternal grandmother was also of mixed Irish, French and Mi’kmaq ancestry.
Although I learned as an adult I have an Indigenous ancestor, this goes back several generations and I acknowledge I do not have the shared lived experience of what it means to be Indigenous. I am proud to carry the name Shannon Colleen after the River Shannon in Ireland & my late Nana Colleen Hecker (O’Neill).
With an innate eye for aesthetics, I capture the beauty of both the spectacular and the mundane in my photography. When creating art, I mindfully choose colour palettes that are healing to work with and through abstract creations I am able to tell a story with whatever reveals itself in the painting.
I use art as an emotional and energetic outlet. I enjoy being able to express myself in colour. I paint to feel good, create beauty & serenity.
Art Therapy Club
As a neurodivergent person, who faces many challenges, I have come to the realization that life truly is what you make it.
By listening to my body and following its cues, I’ve learned to manage my daily ups and downs. Maintaining a balanced diet, exercising daily, resting well and doing the things that I love such as painting and photography are crucial to my health and wellbeing.
Making art is therapeutic. The ability to create is an incredible outlet for pent emotions with a tangible result that becomes a source of pride. When creating I experience little to no stress or anxiety. When feeling depressed, I am able to go to my happy place by creating. I’ve decided to turn my dreams into a reality, which is to live and breathe my art & creativity. I am sharing my healing art journey in hopes to inspire others to Follow their Dreams!
Alumnus of UBC - Class of 2023 Bachelor of Arts, Major in Anthropology. I am especially passionate about our human right to food and proud to be the editor of the Right to Food Zine. I strongly support Indigenous sovereignty in every regard. I am a settler, gratefully living in St’át’imc Territory, working on and benefitting from the traditional and unceded lands and waters of the St’át’imc people.
Make Art Accessible
With the support of folx like yourself, I plan to offer sponsored tickets for low income folx to attend my art parties on a sliding scale or free.
