 In Issue 3 of THE DARK SIRE, we featured our first solo artist. That artist took TDS readers by storm and has since become a staple of the magazine, contributing beautiful pastel drawings in later released Issues 4 and 5. In fact, his art won the coveted spot on the TDS cover not once but TWICE. Now, everyone wants to know more about this wonderfully talented artist. Who is Shaun Power, where does he come from, and how does he create such realistic and powerful artistic pieces? Look no further, Shaun Power is here! Shaun is a man of few words, a man who lets his artwork speak for itself. In his first interview appearance, he tells us a little of what goes into his work, as well as what inspires him in his art. TDS: How did you learn to draw? Shaun Power: I didn't learn to draw. I found I could just do it as a child and my art teacher had some of the pictures put in the local gallery. Then she advised me to go to Saturday morning art classes, so I did. (I was 9 years old). The teacher at the morning class asked everyone to do a picture of anything that was in our heads. I drew a cheetah chasing a gazelle and the so-called teacher insisted that I had copied it. I never went back to Saturday morning classes. Fast forward 5 years and I was in high school; low and behold the idiot teacher from the morning classes was the teacher in high school, and he did everything he could to belittle me. So at the age of 14, I stopped anything to do with art. TDS: I couldn't image that happening! Creatives need to be uplifted, especially talented one, such as yourself. What got you back into art? Shaun Power: I have been making Art for 4 years now, and it started as a form of therapy, I guess. I discovered I suffer from a form of bipolar disorder and recurring deep depression syndrome. I find doing the pictures help immensely. TDS: Art therapy is essential. Creating art can definitely help the inner-self. It brings to mind the medium your use. If it helps you mentally, then I can imagine you use a specific medium that really connects with you. Is that why you've chosen pastels? Shaun Power: I've tried all sorts of mediums, even acrylics. But, I have a very low attention span and need something that will keep up with me as my work pace is extremely fast. I find pastels very forgiving with no drying time. The fact that I massage the colour into the paper with my fingers is also very satisfying. By the way, I mean soft pastels. Me and oil pastels don't get on at all. They don't smoosh well and just slide, and it takes about 300 years just to blend them.
TDS: Personally speaking, what is satisfying about working with your hands and touching the medium with your fingers? Shaun Power: I feel more a part of the picture, of the creation of the picture. Personally, it helps rid myself of my dark thoughts when I'm down, or helps enhance the brightness of the piece when I'm up. TDS: How long does one piece take to complete? Shaun Power: All told, they take about an hour, but I have no attention span, so I'm up and down like a blue arsed fly. TDS: Where do you get the ideas for your artwork and what's your process once the muse strikes you? Shaun Power: I literally put on paper whatever floats around my befuddled mind. Sometimes, the image is light, but other times it's dark. They all represent my thoughts and feelings at the time of doing them. I always have an idea in my head, so I never lack ideas. When I pick one, I will blend a background and that usually points me in the direction I need to go.
TDS: Research has shown that horror actually helps people cope with life, and also strengthens mental health. And with your experience, I'd think it true. What are your thoughts, from a personal perspective on this? How has creating art helped you cope with life? Shaun Power: Putting my very dark thoughts on paper is very therapeutic for me, and I know that without being able to do that, I would be a completely different person. TDS: I hope that our readers take this message to heart, especially anyone who is struggling with life and wants to find a healthy outlet for their thoughts and feelings. And speaking of advice, what advice do you have for emerging artists? Shaun Power: Never do your art to please others. Be yourself and, if at all possible, find your own path - and never, ever, care what other people think. If you like what you have done, then it's good. TDS: That's very powerful and motivational! I'm sure our readers - be they budding writers, poets, or artists - can take that advice and run with it. I can see you inspiring a great amount of people with your art. Now for the final question: What is going on with your art right now? Do you have any exhibitions coming up (online or in person)? Where can your fans go to see more of your work? Shaun Power: I have no exhibition coming up. I usually just put them up in a few art groups on Facebook. I am an IT illiterate buffoon, so an online exhibition is out of the question. To view more work, visit: https://www.facebook.com/SN237. * * * Shaun Power's work is beyond reality, beyond artistic. It's pure magnificence and mastery. In our minds, Mr. Power's artwork is magical, one in which the viewer is taken on a journey to other worlds, then gently brought back to the real world. You don't want to miss a minute of it! If you have questions for Shaun Power, please ask them in the comments and we'll get you the answer.
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A blog for The Dark Sire, written by Eric Ruark. Look for interviews, genre-related articles, book reviews, writing tips, and much more every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 11am (EST). ArchivesCategories |
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