We recently connected with Shauna La and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Shauna, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
I found my purpose through my experience as a radio frequency optimization engineer. Life always on the road, constantly solving new problems…that was all very interesting, but something was missing. I turned to art and, for the first time, I realized what I wanted for my life. To create artwork. To explore existence through materials, color, and light. This is what fulfills me.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I have been developing my practice for well over a decade, and my work is shown and collected internationally. My work is being exhibited in Vancouver at the moment at Monica Reyes Gallery through Royale Projects in Los Angeles.
Analyzing a certain concept and developing a visual and physical representation of my thoughts in a minimalist and captivating way is what excites me.
Currently, besides planning for future installations with sculptures, I am working on three different series:
An ongoing series called Timeless that represents the physical realization of a moment’s intention and energetic state through the use of acrylic polymer emulsion and monochrome pigments and paints on stretched canvas.
The second is a recently inspired series called Tau that delves into the disconnect in the brain caused by Alzheimer’s. I use polyurethane-based insulating foam, powders, paint, stretched canvas, boards, and such to create the movements and effects. It is wild- the physicality, the innate movements of the materials, how these factors can cause such a difference in feel vs the Timeless series-even with all monochrome.
The third is a series titled Void consisting of singular matte black circles that have a black hole effect and that feather and dissipate into a white background. The idea of nothingness, all absorbing. The constant readjustment of the eyes. It is fascinating.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
1. Experience 2. Perseverance
3. Focus
Do not be afraid to try new things and explore many facets. Even with mistakes, you learn and grow-much more than you would if you do not allow yourself any adventure. We only live once, and no one else can live it for you…so I recommend to make it count.
Keep on going. Take some downtime when you need it, but do not give up.
There will be some side roads, distractions, letdowns, highs, but try to keep an even keel and gain perspective. Absorb the lessons and let the negative go. Live intentionally-figure out who you are and what it is that you want out of these fleeting years of physical existence.
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
There is no one book so much as many books that comprehensively cover the lives and artworks of artists like Cy Twombly, William de Kooning, Eva Hesse, Joan Mitchell, James Turrell and Anish Kapoor. Their dedication and their work is just so inspiring.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shaunalanla.com
- Instagram: shaunalanla
