Meet Shawn Swanner | Illustrator, painter, musician, writer & filmmaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shawn Swanner and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shawn, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
The need to create has always been with me. The talent comes naturally and I have purpose when using it. I am an unsuccessful artist, however I’ll never stop creating because that need will always be there. So if I can’t create for others, I will still create for myself. I am my own harshest critic and also my biggest fan, but I don’t think I’ve ever heard any artist that existed on this planet feel the same way. The need to create is partially because of my over active imagination, but also the relationship I have with my muse. Most artists refer to some person in their life that inspires, however unfortunately that is not the case here. I am completely self taught, self motivated and self inspired.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
It’s hard to talk about my art in any short form because there’s just too much to talk about. One thing I can comment on about what sets it apart from the others, is its source, which is my imagination. If I can toot my horn about anything, it would be my over active imagination which allows me to cultivate something interesting in almost any medium or situation. I illustrate, paint wall murals, write stories, write and record music and make video all by myself thru a vast imagination influenced by a galaxy of input and a lifetime or two of experience. Personally along the way I’ve come to learn that one pursuing a career as a creative will either have to be lucky or extremely patient. If the world could know anything my work it would be that it all comes from a place of pure imagination and philosophy, intended to open the mind to an anomalous perspective through a balance of horror and comedy.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I like to pretend there is an area called the southeast Houston tri-city area that forms a triangle from Baytown, down to Galveston and over to Pasadena. That’s my stomping grounds and where we would plan our trip. First in Baytown we would have to go to the town square and check out the antique shops and to get that old town feel as I love that retro architecture. Then we continue the theme into La Porte and hit Main Street for some fun and food at the Main St Food Truck Park & Entertainment Center. After we would step across the street into another dimension at Dimension’s Comics & More for a trip into the world of vintage pop culture. Next would be a ride into Pasadena for drinks and apps at Bubba’s 33. Finally we come to my favorite place, the Clear Lake area, where we would finish off at The Game Preserve, a free play classic arcade, that features a mural hall, a vast assortment of free play arcade games and one of the most amazing atmospheres in all of Houston.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Honestly, there is no one in my life, I am the definition of alone. But I am more than just who is typing this message. There are other parts of me however that have managed to keep me alive and kickin throughout my time, along with keeping me sane, loving, perseverant, inspired, nonviolent and, at least at times, optimistic. So I’ll give a shout out to my muse for keeping me inspired and excited about art, my patience for providing a path to wisdom and my endurance for giving me the strength to keep going.

Instagram: @shawn7swanner7

Facebook: @lightcutters

Youtube: @strobelifevideo

Other: https://Tee.pub/lic/sapanaentertainment