Tell All Tuesday ~ Featured Artist: Alpha Shanahan

Hey guys, hoping everyone is enjoying the easing into October and the winter months. Here I've switched to my inside-fluff covered boots to fend out the cutting cold that's creeping up on us. Right now I've an electric heater glowing at my feet and beginning to think this may be the last TAT interviews that I type without wearing fingerless gloves! This week is the turn of Alpha Shanahan, go grab a warm cuppa & enjoy =)

Tell us a little bit about yourself & what kind of artist you are.
I consider myself a figurative mixed media artist and art journaler. As a self-taught artist, my art boot camp is my family day-to-day experiences as a mom to twin boys and a work-at-home mom by choice. I have been painting for about 12 years now.

What is the biggest challenge you personally face as an artist and how do you overcome it?
I am a perfectionist and prone to procrastination. So whenever it takes me too long to finish a painting, it's not because of the demands of family life. In fact, i feel luckiest in that area because i am free to spend an hour or the whole 24 hours in my studio if i want to. Art journaling has helped me tremendously. It has helped me become aware of certain issues which, unattended, manifest as a "block". Accountability is also another thing that helps me overcome procrastination. The weekly painting check-ins which i have just joined at Paint Party Friday is working wonders. Thanks to you, actually, for I have seen this on your blog and got into it. Deadlines definitely help. Another challenge is being too creative. :)... 'Got too many ideas going and i didn't want to lose the inspiration to i begin the project and there are many works-in-progress scattered all over my workspace. I did an ideas journal lately (the inspiration i got from you!) and it helps me organize my thoughts and work schedule.

What is your heart’s greatest desire for your life as an artist?
I firmly believe that art journaling is a powerful tool for self-awareness, transformation and healing. I hope to have the opportunity to accompany individuals in their journey along that path. My degree in Psychology and life experiences as a former nun and a spiritual seeker is slowly merging with my life as an artist. I believe it is a calling to be an artist and a creative and not a job. Therefore, I am presently working on a format where I could share by teaching and mentoring for free. Well, my family has to eat, too, so I set up a painted gifts shop to earn my keep. 

What is the best thing / worst thing that art has brought into your life?
Art has brought me silence, focus, and happiness. It has brought me quality time with my family, enabling me to work at home and see my kids most hours of the day. Priceless!

Tell us where can we find out more about you & your art?

You can find my blog here

Thank you Alpha, I can certainly identify with being 'perfectionist and prone to procrastination', it seems a contradiction in terms but the first really does fuel the second. Thank you for sharing I really enjoyed looking through your art and hearing the background to your work & focus =)

Would you like to be a featured artist? Please click the details here to find out how =D