Shalese Sands shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Shalese, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
When I quit my job to become a full-time artist a couple years ago now, I started learning the violin again. I played for only a year in fourth grade and then quit because it was taking up my art time. Now that I have more time to pursue such things, I wanted to pick it up again and see how much I could learn. I try to play at least a half hour a day (some days that doesn’t work out), but I’ve really enjoyed the learning process. I’m definitely not stellar at this point, but it’s fun to see how much I’ve grown already and the knowledge I’ve gained! I’m looking forward to growing with this beautiful instrument and seeing where it goes.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a full-time wildlife/equine artist who works in scratchboard, oil and acrylic painting, and graphite drawings. I’m most known for my photo-realistic scratchboards, and they have gained me much success in my career so far. I travel often to take my own reference photos and have been to places like Alaska and Africa multiple times, Yellowstone, the Netherlands, and other areas. It’s pure joy for me to be able to find a photograph my subjects and then create my art from those photos. It’s a full-circle process and it truly makes my art uniquely mine.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
My parents have always encouraged my siblings and I to do our best work. Especially when we were in school, they didn’t care if we were the best at what we did or even good at it–they only asked that we gave it our best effort. I feel that trait has carried through my life in almost everything I do. There are some days its trickier than others, but doing your best work will always pay off in the long run, and I’m thankful my parents instilled that in us at a young age.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering is a very unfortunate reality of life, and no one ever wants to deal with it, understandably (myself included). However, the beauty of suffering is that it teaches you to not only appreciate what you already have, but also grows your resilience. For example, a couple years ago, I had a large scratchboard (24″ X 36″) break completely in three places during shipping. It was an incredibly stressful and disheartening experience for me, but I spent months trying to repair it to see if it could be salvaged. Not only did I repair it successfully, but I also sold it earlier this year, which was something I truly didn’t expect! Though I hope I never have to experience that again, it taught me invaluable lessons about being resilient and persevering through the hard times. I would have never learned those lessons any other way.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
I would say I try to be authentically myself wherever I go and in whatever situation I’m in. Whether it’s on social media, at an art show, or hanging out with friends and family, what you see is what you get. There’s no reason for me to be someone different when I’m happy with who I am. There may be times I’ll be a little extra outgoing and friendly (like at an art show) or more reserved (especially if I’m in an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar people), but my core self will still be the same. I’ve been told by multiple people who have met me in real life after knowing me through social media first that I’m exactly the way they pictured me being. I think that’s a wonderful thing! When you can be authentically yourself, it just gives other people permission to do the same. When the barriers are down, that’s when true and beautiful connection can happen!
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Are you tap dancing to work? Have you been that level of excited at any point in your career? If so, please tell us about those days.
Honestly, most days, yes! I don’t work very often on Saturdays (just when there’s time for art) and never work on Sundays, so I legitimately look forward to Mondays. I have never been able to say that before, but it couldn’t be more true since become a full-time artist a couple years ago. Of course, there will always be those days when you have to force yourself to do some task you’re not excited about, but the vast majority of the time, I can’t wait to get back into my studio! In fact, I actually have to be intentional about stopping “work” by supper time and give myself a break the rest of the night. There are some days I’ll work more if I have a deadline, but I try to be good about not overdoing it and burning out. Even after a really fun art show or reference trip, I’ll be chomping at the bit to get back in my studio and create some art! It’s a true passion of mine.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.shalesesands.com
- Instagram: @shalesesands
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shalesesands
