I am an African American painter, singer and ceramicist. I like two things the best; coloring and singing. I like to sing and create music. I feel free and excited when I sing. I see myself as more of a performer right now.
One of my main musical influences is Justin Bieber, who is one of my favorite performers. I like how he goes out into the crowd and interacts with his audience. I also like musical movies. From To Justin to Kelly and High School Musical are my favorites.
I like to draw and color the most. I like to write in my journal and one day I would like to share more of my writing. I like working with ceramics so I can work with my hands.
I like to work with paint because it stays on there and I can mix colors together. It looks pretty that way. I like ceramics a lot better though. I like how immediate ceramics and drawing are. With painting you have to wait and it’s a longer process.
I like drawing things together. I like to draw trees, grass, stars and hearts. To me hearts are about love and stars you can see in the sky. African American art is an important influence on my drawings as well. African American art has always been a part of our American culture.
At NIAD I like being in cooking class and fiber circle. I like how we get along at NIAD and how the staff supports us.
// Shawna’s available work //
recent exhibition history
OBJECT INSIDE OBJECT OUTSIDE INSIDE OBJECT OUTSIDE OBJECT organized by GGLA // NIAD Gallery Exhibition // August 2023
Into the Brightness: Artists from Creativity Explored, Creative Growth & NIAD // Oakland Museum of California // May 2023
Empty Kind Of Full, organized by Tara Neuffer // NIAD Online Exhibition // May 2023
Waking, Breathing, Making! organized by Laura Kamian McDermott // NAID Online Exhibition // February 2023
Art of the African Diaspora 2023 by Richmond Art center// January – March 2023
What’s Cookin’?! ,organized by Terri Moore // NIAD Gallery Exhibition // November 2022
Living forces, organized by Fernanda Martinez // NIAD Online Exhibition // July 2022
Many Happy Returns, organized by Liam Golden and Bill Zindel // ODC Theater, SF // April 2022
Holiday Gift Guide #5, organized by Dawline-Jane Oni-Eseleh // NIAD Online Exhibition // December 2021
A Year Through the (Browser) Windows // NIAD Online Exhibition // December 2021
Memory, organized by Ling Shang // NIAD Art Center 2021 // October 2021
Super Powers, organized by Aubrey Ingmar Manson // NIAD Online Exhibition // September 2021
MiNi Mural Performance Festival // San Francisco Museum of Modern Art // August 2021
Thirsty Thursday Artist Talk // NIAD Art Center Virtual // February 2021
History in the Making, organized Shana Harper and Shawna Kinard // NIAD Gallery Exhibition // February 2021