You’re a new addition to the crayon box: what color are you?
Luminous Neon Yellow. I’m sure they make neon colored crayons, but my neon yellow would light up once activated by the surface you draw on.

What is your earliest memory of art?
I remember doing a drawing project in kindergarten where we were asked to draw our parents using crayons. I chose cerulean blue to outline the figure of my dad because that’s his favorite color- it made sense to me! My teacher yelled at me from across the room “Shannon! Your dad’s not blue!” Even my little kid brain knew that no one should put restrictions on how others create art. I’ve carried that notion throughout my life, that art comes in many, many forms. Let it surprise you.

How did you become a practicing artist?
I have always wanted to pursue art. In high school I took classes at Mill Street Loft (now The Art Effect) in Poughkeepsie, New York. My teachers and peers taught me so many valuable lessons about art practice, higher education, and creative fields for working artists. They helped me find my dream college, Maine College of Art, where I received my BFA in Metalsmithing & Jewelry. My department was interdisciplinary and I was encouraged to experiment with many different materials as well as metals. Since completing my studies I’ve been lucky enough to have held creative jobs for a handful of small art businesses. Staying close to the “art world” and inspiring artists has helped me stay focused on my own body of work.

Can you explain what soft sculptures are?
A sculpture made of supple materials like fiber, plastic, rubber, foam or similar so long as the material is not solid or completely hard.

How did you first start utilizing felt as a primary medium in your work?
One of my closest friends taught me how to needle felt while we were in college. I had been creating work with metal, experimenting with enamel and lost-wax casting, but it was with wool where I really found my voice. The meditative process, the tactile quality, the softness yet tough durability of the wool opened up new possibilities.

What does a typical studio day look like for you?
All of my studio supplies are in my home. Since needle felting is usually a very portable way of working, I set myself up in my armchair with some tea and a podcast and I’m ready to go. When I need to wet felt a piece, I’ll take over my kitchen for a few hours so I can confine the soapy watery mess to the countertop.

What is your favorite tool(s) to create with?
When needle felting you typically need some sort of padding under your piece to stab into. I use pieces of upholstery foam that I found at a discount store. To needle felt comfortably I use a wooden multi needle holding tool shaped like a drawer knob that fits nicely in hand.

You mention on your website you love true crime podcasts. Any recommendations?
My Favorite Muder is my number one, not just for their great stories, but because their side chit chats always make me laugh. Tenfold More Wicked- great storytelling. Astonishing Legends has everything from true crime, to Bigfoot, to unexplainable phenomena- I’m completely obsessed!

Where do you draw inspiration from? Can you name some other artists who inspire you? My work is sometimes zany, wild-colored, and full of life. Other times quiet, soft, sensual. My forms are always biomorphic, and my inspiration comes from plants, sea life, the human body, insects and the way they move.
I have always loved the work of Louise Bourgeois, and Yayoi Kusama. Stephanie Metz’s needle felted biomorphic forms have been a huge inspiration for me. My friends Melle Finelli, a sculptural jewelry artist, Shana Kohnstamn, a wonderful felter and the fun, creative way these fabulous ladies see the world.

How has quarantine changed your practice? I’ve learned to be gentler with my expectations for myself and my art practice this past year. With all the stress and isolation through the pandemic I’ve found it very difficult to muster the energy to create work as much as I would hope to with so much time at home. I feel that the most important thing is to take care of ourselves. So sometimes my art practice will be just a few drawings and notes in my sketchbooks one week, the next might be several hours spent happily felting. I’m following my joy and my comfort through this.