Art & Life with Shawna Cadwell

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shawna Cadwell.

Shawna, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I have been involved with photography for over the last 10 years. It all started for me when I was a kid and getting my first camera and using up all the film and having to deal with the repercussions of using all the film in less than 5 minutes. You could only imagine the scolding I got from my parents. Later on, down the line I got my first digital camera and I was hooked. All I wanted to do was take pictures. I noticed I had an eye for it when my friends and I would take pictures of each other. I started getting bigger and more expensive cameras and I would practice my skills (lack thereof) on my friends any chance I got. Through these years since I have taken workshop classes in the field, participated and organized photo meets, and I am constantly looking for new ways to improve myself.

Can you give our readers some background on your art?
My art is my photography. I create it in all sorts of ways. Sometimes by myself in the middle of nowhere just me and the world capturing a sunset or the Milky Way. Other times I go out in group settings and create something with a group of people and try to bring something new to the table. If I don’t do those things than I might take an individual or couple to a location and try to create something that is different and unique to them or I.

I create images using techniques, lighting, smoke, fire, etc… and I work and play with these things to create something interesting and new. I do this because I am not someone who can easily explain what they are feeling to the world. I am a person who doesn’t know how to confine in people easily so I take pictures and I create images that express the way I am feeling. I create images almost daily because every day you should practice your craft. I am trying to inspire my peers to go out and create something as often as they can. My hope to is to encourage people to look at an image I created and either reminds them of something in the past, connect with it on an emotional level, or encourage them to go after their dreams or goals.

What would you recommend to an artist new to the city, or to art, in terms of meeting and connecting with other artists and creatives?
I find going to and organizing photo meet ups are the best way to connect and network with other likeminded artists in the area.

What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
I have a few images I rotate at Casa Marana in Tucson, AZ. These images I rotate are not only mine but another local artist work. Every quarter I place 5 metal prints up at Casa Marana and I list the artist information. I also rotate 2 of my images every quarter. You can stop by and see and purchase the images you see there, or you can go to my website shawnacadwell.smugmug.com and you can see and purchase from there. For social media and daily support and updates you can follow me on Instagram @ShawnaCadwell.

Contact Info:

• Address: 4726 W Condor Dr.
  Tucson, AZ 85742
• Website: shawnacadwell.smugmug.com
• Phone: 5202373189
• Email: shawnacadwell@hotmail.com
• Instagram: ShawnaCadwell
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/photographybyshawnacadwell/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShaRich2?lang=en

Image Credit:
Shawna Cadwell

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