Sharon Dee Shaughnessy

Bio

At 42, art was the last profession Shaughnessy would have ever imagined. The fact was, she had only taken six weeks of art in the ninth grade, switching then to science and later in life pursuing a career in photography.

And here’s where, in 1992, the fairy tale began… an illness, quite serious, was thankfully fixed by surgery and it was while recovering, clay in hand, Dee would discover what she was destined to be…a natural born artist! Self-taught and truly “gifted”, she has won numerous awards for her unique work which can be found annually in fine art galleries, juried shows, museums and private collections throughout the US and abroad.

Fueled by endless energy and imagination, Dee is able to capture true “emotion”, whether it be reflected in the brave and wonderful faces of her continuing Native American series “ECHOES of a NATION” or tenderly portrayed in her sensitive and beautiful series of bas reliefs titled “ANGELS, ICONS & HOLYMEN”! An award-winning avid miniaturist and medallic sculptor, Shaughnessy is extremely proud of her elected memberships both past and present in the following societies:

Royal Miniature Art Society of London, England (Patron, Prince Charles)
Miniature Painters, Sculptors & Gravers Society of Washington, D.C.
National Association of Women Artists INC., NY
American Medallic Sculpture Association
Women Artist of the West, CA
(Past Executive director & emeritus member)
Signature 16 Miniature Artists Society (Society founding director)

Honored in 2004, many of her works were included in Dr.Arthur Williams prestigious book, “The Sculpture Reference”. Considering her talent both gift and privilege, it’s one she gives back every chance she gets! Dee never ceases to marvel at the wonderful world she is now a part of and to actively promote both art and artists who continue to set the standards of truly “fine art”.

Select International & National Exhibitions:

2012 5th World Federation of Fine Art Miniaturists Exhibition / WFM
Moscow, Russia
2004 Federation of Miniaturists Exhibition / The Smithsonian
Washington, D.C. / WFM EXHIBITION
2000 International World Exhibition of Fine Art Miniature Art
The World Federation of Miniaturists Hobart, Australia
2013 American Medallic Sculpture Association, 30th Anniversary Exhibition
Brookgreen Sculpture Garden, South Carolina
2013 American Medallic Sculpture Association, 30th Anniversary Exhibition
Bellevue Arts Museum, Bellevue, Wa
2005 American Medallic Sculpture Association, Beyond Two-Dimensions
Forest Lawn Museum, Glendale, California
2000-2004 The Royal Society of Miniature Painters, Sculptors & Gravers
Westminster Central Hall-Storeys Gate, London / Royal Patron, Prince Charles
1999-2005 Miniature Painters, Sculptors&Gravers Society of Washington, D.C.
Bethesda, MD * Award 98-DESIREA / 99-O WOMAN / 02-BELOVED *
1998-2004 Miniature Art Society of Florida 13th Annual International Show
Dunedin Fine Art Center, Dunedin, FL
1998-2014 Seaside Gallery International Fine Art Miniature Show
Nags Head, North Carolina * Award – 04-HEAVENLY / 05 BELOVED */12 COSMO
1998-2006 Masters in Miniature / International Invitational
Gallery One, Mentor, Ohio / * Invited Artist
2003 Women Artists of the West Fine Art Invitational / The Strathearn Foundation
Ronald Regan Presidential Library & Museum, Simi Valley, CA * Invited Artist *
1997-03 Women Artists of the West International Expo / Broadwater Beach Resort / Presidents Casino
Biloxi, MS * AWARD / 97 Silver Medal GUARDIAN * / 2003 WAOW EXPO, HEADWATERS, Dubious, WY
1998 Women Artists of the West / Gulf Coast Invitational
G.E.Ohr Museum, Biloxi, MS * 3 Awards / Best of Show-Sculpture & 2 Merits – BRAVEHEART *
1997-1998 Bosque Conservatory of Fine Art International Show
Clifton, TX * Meyers Best of Show wall relief – ANGELS AND LOVERS *
1998 Post Gallery Invitational Expo / National Association of Women Artists. INC
C.W.Post College, New York, NY
1997-1999 George E. Ohr Museum /Annual Juried Fine Art Exhibition
Biloxi, MS
1997 National Association Women Artists INC. / Small Works Exhibition
Gallery 54, New York, NY
1997 Art Against Aides / 4th Annual Juried Fine Art Exhibition
Stricoff Fine Art Gallery LTD. New York, NY
1997 The Right of Spring / National Association of Women Artists
The Morani Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
1997 Women Artists of the West Fine Art Invitational
Lee Youngman Galleries, Calistoga, CA

Statement

I’m what I laughingly refer to as an “accidental artist”…considering my mid-life magical journey both a gift and a blessing! Having had no formal art training, I seemly avoided the normal restrictions that it might impose, being self-taught allows one no restraints or boundaries, “no rules” so to speak!

So as a professional photographer and photojournalist for most of my adult life, my pieces usually start with a story line, the art of my “imagination” I guess would explain my process. I love to create their world and then “imagine” the characters….thus my tiny world comes to life in the palm of my hand.

My favorite part is the facial expressions and body language…after they come to life I can almost hear them speak! I’m thrilled when I first see one of my Native Americans done and look into their eyes, it’s like a meeting of minds and they tell me their story…and James Bama, my dear Mr. Jim, was and still is the major influence in my “ECHOES of a NATION” © series.

Of course as a daydreamer and someone who knows fairies really do have “tea parties” on your lawn when the moon is full and mushrooms bloom. And most certainly has had more than a few delightful conversations with the man in that moon…he’s the inspiration for my beloved “COSMO” and his magical world!

Being that person, the only restriction or structure I could ever imposed on my artist creations is that it moves my soul, makes me smile and sometimes…if I’m very blessed, I’ll have a collector…

“hear them sing”… Cheers & Good Wishes!

Sharon “Dee” Shaughnessy