Jackie Shields

Artist Statement

My artwork starts as observational, prompted by an object, creature, plant, or scene that visually grabs me or conveys a certain meaning to me. The real impetus is seldom the subject as it conventionally appears in its usual surroundings. Working in the confines of two-dimensions and playing with the illusions that can be created when a flat surface is activated through line, shadow, and color is what excites me. I don’t necessarily aim for realism though my love of detail can push a piece that way. I’m driven to do my artwork to explore what is visually resonant and meaningful to me and to communicate some form of these fascinations to others through drawing or painting.