Women Wednesday with Shaunt’e Lewis
#womenwednesday
Across all Hope's social media platforms, this biweekly series will highlight inspiring women to know.
Hope Magazine is a team of thinkers, seekers and creatives who find inspiration in movement, exploration and sisterhood. We want to create meaningful relationships inspired by real women and their stories - all designed for the way you live today!
Meet Shaunt’e Lewis, Published Visual Artist and Illustrator
Her work centers around self-identity, black culture and femininity. She specializes in colorful, bold illustration as well as murals and original paintings for private collectors and commercial clients. Shaunt’e’s passion for art and entrepreneurship and her unmistakable style has led her to work with some amazing companies such as West Elm, Makers Mark, NCAA, Indy 500, Vuse, Nordstom, Meijer, Jiffy Lube, PBS, Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site and more. Her work has also been featured in The New York Times, Complex Magazine, Hello Colorado and several local publications.
“My work explores the relationship between feminism and the arts while incorporating bright colors and clean lines. I am particularly captivated by the endless facets and abstractness of my culture. I love to hear about the different views and personal connections my art creates. I find it very rewarding to share my passion and artistic talents with others. Through my work, I hope to inspire others to pursue their passions.”
How do you think art impacts self-identity, black culture and femininity in a positive way?
Art has always been a way for me to express my identity. Art gives the viewer an insight into the mind of an artist and provides a certain connection to that artist, whether it be a glimpse into their culture, values, traditions and so on. I personally use art to express my own identity, and many times the art creates a connection on a somewhat intimate level. Many times I am told by a viewer they felt a connection or they can see themselves or someone close to them in my portraits.
I think it’s very important my art provides that feeling of acceptance, inclusion and self-identity for my culture, because it’s something I wish I had when I was younger. I guess ultimately, I decided to create what I wish I had seen when I was young and wanted to be an artist but I didn’t know what that looked like from the view of a young black girl without access to many other artists who looked like me or to art that reflected something I could connect with.
What piece of advice would you love to share with younger artists?
I would say that it is okay to be yourself. The world will accept you for who you are and if they don’t, they will just have to adjust. Follow your dreams. I was once told that all artists are starving artists and that stuck with me. So I decided to go with a different career path because I didn’t want the “starving” lifestyle. If I knew back then what I know now, I would have followed my dreams from the beginning. Like I tell people, it’s never too late to follow their dreams. I am on my second career and didn’t become a full-time artist until my mid-30s. I knew at some point I would have to take the leap and look at me now!
A fun fact about yourself:
I always knew I wanted to be an artist, and even before that, I knew that I would always be an entrepreneur (I just didn’t know this is what is was called when I was a kid). Secretly, I always wanted to own a bookstore and coffee shop and, of course, I would sell art as well. Maybe one day that dream will come true too!!
shauntelewis.com @shauntelewisart @hopemag
Pieces by Shaunt’e Lewis
