Check Out Shane O’Connor’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shane O’Connor

Hi Shane, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
While I’ve always had an affinity for drawing, I didn’t start painting until 2019. When I initially started painting I was going through divorce and painting was something I began doing with my children, but it quickly became something more. I started painting my feelings and utilizing paint on canvas as my coping skill and therapy. It allowed me time to reflect and think critically while keeping me focused enough not to get lost in my thoughts. Painting provided clarity. As time went on I started getting offers to purchase my artwork and friends and family challenging me to paint other things for them as well; thus Shane Sells Art was born.

In 2021 I began having back issues and eventually had surgery in 2022. These medical conditions began affecting my full time job and careers and I had struggled off and on to get by, and after having to resign from my job at the beginning of 2024 due to more back pain, I decided to take Shane Sells Art to the max.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Oh man, so many struggles! Aside from all the “life” things going on, finances are probably the biggest hold up. I never realized the sheer cost in supplies to get prints made and packaged! I have so much I want to do but I just can’t afford the upfront costs. There have been some steep learning curves with digital art and editing but the realest struggle is time. I wish I could just paint at will, whenever I please, but when you have all the “life” things going on, time for non-commissioned art becomes a luxury .

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I dabble in a variety of mediums and styles, but most of my work is acrylic paint or ink. Some might say I am known for my heart art, where I use anatomical hearts and make metaphors or “scenes.” I enjoy making things that are inspired by deep emotion. Although, I would say I specialize in creating solutions. My favorite thing is to get a prompt from someone, get some ideas floating around and settling on the details of their idea and then creating it on canvas. I end up painting things that I would have never imagined painting, like the Hogwarts castle for example, and getting so hyped about it. I like the buzz and excitement from the challenge of a random prompt and I believe it’s where I do my best work.

What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memory is from the day we got our first dog, who I named Sugar because she just kept licking me, giving me “sugars”.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shanesellsart?igsh=MTBpOGFmeHo5eXcwdw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shanesellsart?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Other: https://www.threads.net/@shanesellsart