The Hour of The Nightingale

"The Hour of The Nightingale" oil on 18x24" canvas. (Inspired by the Trees of Eternity song) Sorry about the bit of glare in the corner. I took this picture before the paint dried. Anyway, I had this dream last week, about riding a bike under a purple moon with nightingale's singing their songs behind me. Everytime I passed a tree, I could see their wings flutter in the shadows. This is somewhat like I saw it. Once I reached the water and saw the reflection, I woke up. 🌠

Sugar Skull Shoes

The crazy trend of candy skulls, has had people wanting me to paint and design different things. Shoes are what I've been working on for the past two years. When I say "working" on them, I seriously mean tediously taking a lot of time perfecting their details. A magnifying glass would really help me out! Unfortunately, I am just now learning the hard way.

The sugar skulls concept designs are so exciting. I absolutely love coming up with new details, and idea's to put together. Following the shoe's measurements are a different story. I have to visually "shrink" my art to fit each tight area. For example, around the laces on tennis shoes, or around the curves on high heels. Imagining very detailed images, and having to readjust their positioning is tricky! 

Each color is a blend into an entirely different shade. When I work with markers and acrylics, I am down to a limited selection. So, what can I do? Well, slowly fade a thin layer into a thick layer. It's all I've got! But, hey... it works!

Anyway, my next ideas are Barbie heads, faces, paintings, backpacks, purses, and custom pieces. Sugar skulls are so fun, even though they take so much time to finish! Both of my pictures being shared are sold. Let me know if you want to order anything shonnanelson85@gmail.com

What makes art, art.

After my best friend died recently, he brought some insight on how art expresses our mind's. We talked four days before he died, and he was volunteering at a rehabilitation center - after he graduated from their program. He said I would absolutely love the art that was being created, and displayed there. Unfortunately, I didn't get to see him or the art before he passed away.

But, Zach did inspire the thought of how important art is to our psychological well-being. He himself, wasn't a fine-artist. Although he encouraged me throughout my whole life, and gave me the confidence in "not" throwing away the pieces that I wasn't proud of. Which were honestly the pieces of art that were my deepest expressions. He saw that, and knew I felt vulnerable about sharing this with the world. Thank you Zach for nudging me through my insecurities, and helping me gain the confidence that it took for me to progress in being the artist I am today. There are other people that have helped me "love" myself. Yet, the time's he pushed me out of my comfort zones were during the most important phases in my life. He was always there.

His art was writing, and he enjoyed expressing himself with the written words, that otherwise he would've never spoken. I enjoyed our letters that were sent from a distance, throughout our lives. We both grew up and chose different paths, yet both of our expressions kept us close. It's heartwarming now, to look back and think of the encouragement we gave each other.

During everyday life, it's so easy to get caught up in the cycle. And, it becomes so easy to forget about the "little things" that keeps us going. That's what matters the most! Not the things we think are the most important - but, the things that go unnoticed or unseen. Don't forget what paints your soul, and who inspired you to do it. It's not about the big picture, it's about the details that it's made of.

The Beginning of New Dream Journals

This is the newest journal that I've added to my collection - through a 17 year span of keeping my dreams. My last journal has had a long run, of 10 years. I figured it was time to put the past behind me. Subconsciously, I feel as though 2004 until 2014 were the hardest years of my life.

It's bittersweet reading what I dreamt about, during that time period. Although, a lot of beautiful paintings were born during my hardships. Which, is where the best pieces come from - emotions that need to be expressed. I admit, I can't read myself or know how to constructively open up. Art and dreams are my outlet. Without either, I would be lost like I was as a child.

In my dreams, I've foreseen events that have happened or will happen in the future. I don't call this supernatural or psychic abilities - this is purely psychological. It's my logical intuition - that has been unknowingly repressed (while awake), which builds up through time. I believe our dreams are incredibly important to remember.


Our brains are muscles that need exercise, to remember and memorize things being awake and asleep. My first dream journal was an "awakening" within my life, being lived now. I say this because, after dreaming for so long I've gained more awareness than my wakened state.

First, I woke with feelings and experienced déjà vu, (like I've herd so many people who do). I wanted to remember more, and started a journal. It was so silly at first. Most pages were covered in abstract details, colors, faces, words, or voices. Nothing added up. The first dream I ever remembered was when I was 13 years old. My grandfather (who raised me as his daughter) came to see me, clear as day. He died young, at only 54 in 1996. My dream happened shortly afterwards.

In the dream, we were standing in my front of my grandparents house where I was raised. I looked at him and he smiled. He pointed to the sky and told me to let go. So, after I hesitated and looked up I knew it was time to leave him. I ran harder than I ever had down our hill, and started to fly away. When I looked back, he waved smiling and slowly disappeared.


That was the beginning of my new dream world. It opened so many stories, people, and most importantly messages that I needed to know. Maybe it's one life altering dream that opens our perspectives? If I could paint every dream that has crossed my mind, then I would have thousands of paintings. Although, I do analyze all of them afterwards - the surreal "unknown" one's weigh out for my next picture. Possibly because I believe constructing what I can't understand will eventually put the pieces together.

Winter Landscape Memories

Every December I pull out my snowy paintings, and recall all of the memories that I've had painting them. Most have been sold, or in private collections. Thankfully, I have pictures to always hang on to though. One year during Christmas, I had bundles of limited edition oil landscapes, printed and sold on cards. Sometimes I think of where they all ended up. EBay, MySpace, Work, Friends and Family helped me sell them. If I could count how many people to "thank" for encouraging my career, I would. But, there has been so many real fans who've stuck by me through everything.

A really special person that stood out to me was a friend named Jonathan, who personally sold packs to all of his friends, and people throughout Knoxville. There's absolutely nothing more gratifying than seeing a "spark" in an art fan's eyes. It drives my need to satisfy more viewers, and lovers who are trying to escape the stresses in our world. Anyway, after all of his hard work he only asked for "one" of my cards and a print of my Japanese Rose (Valentine Day Card) to hang on his wall. What a great memory.

Since I was 16, I've tried to keep seasonal prints of my paintings for decorations and gifts. Now that I am older with more responsibilities, I've taken on commissions for others who want specific requests. That's nice as well. But, I'll never forget to look back, and remember the moments that helped put these paintings together.