Meet Shannon Rockweiler | Artist & Teacher

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shannon Rockweiler and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shannon, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
“For what it’s worth, it’s never too late or in my case too early, to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit. Start whenever you want. You can change or stay the same. There are no rules to this thing. We can make the best of it or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people who have a different point of view. I hope you live a life you’re proud of, and if you’re not, I hope you have the courage to start over again.”~F.Scott Fitzgerald

That is my life.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My work is an extension of my emotions. I am a deep feeling individual and that’s where I pull from when I create my paintings. It’s almost like an outer body experience, however, I am fully aware of the present moment. Painting is my ability to exist in a world that I can’t quite understand at times.

I painted since I was a little kid. My mom would actually let me paint Looney Tunes characters on my bedroom wall because I enjoyed sketching so much. When I was 11, my dad suffered a traumatic brain injury. It was heartbreaking in retrospect. I lost my family in a sense. One of the hardest things I’ve ever experienced is grieving the loss of people who are actually still alive, myself included. I spent many years pursuing different art forms like dance, theater, & even singing. I painted some along the way but it wasn’t the main focus.

It wasn’t until 2017 when I became pregnant with my daughter Sophia that a renaissance happened, if you will. All of this anxiety showed up in my life, not just from the thought of becoming a parent, but things that I had experienced in my family unit growing up. Thoughts were overwhelmingly painful and intrusive. It was confusing & painful realizing that I had been living in an illusion not to any fault of my own or my family’s, but due to a horrific “accident”, one that I would never wish upon anyone. How does anyone know how to navigate such a life event or life in general?

It was then that I began to realize that the things that I thought were normal, were not. I began to question if I knew what love really was considering the overwhelming amount of love that I was feeling for my daughter. It was there, however, I just forgot what it felt like since so many bad things had happened. I started to call my family forward about things that I experienced psychologically that weren’t so good. Abusive things because I was living my life thinking that these things were normal. I was shifting…realizing that they weren’t. I began counseling. I started to learn what boundaries were & how to exercise them. How to assertively communicate better with people in general. Although many things have & are healing within myself and my family, I’m still learning to this day.

I poured my heart into painting. It was natural. I began selling & putting my art work out locally & in 2021, I connected with a non profit organization called Upturn Arts, a performing arts school that fosters children’s natural creative ability. I am currently a teaching artist there. My journey with this organization has not only been a profound learning experience but also an integral part in my healing journey of my own inner child. I always say…I am an Upturn.

This year, I decided to pursue painting full time. I began putting my artwork out at local art markets like the Piety Art Market & Disco Warehouse. I most recently had the opportunity to put my paintings in a French Quarter store: “Stella & George”, located at 1303 Decatur St.  and on March 30 & 31, 2023, I will be featured in an art exhibit at ‘The Building’ on Oretha Castle Haley Blvd. in New Orleans with other local artists I’ve met while selling at art markets.

It’s been a very surreal experience to say the least. I never expected any of this yet it all keeps coming together which is very validating.

The children, my own daughter included & that child within me, are such a huge inspiration for me. My artwork showcases and embodies my ever growing relationships: the one with myself and the one with the world. It’s a place where I can be with the world but also be in my safe space. It can be terrifying at times, but I am learning that the only way to truly live & love, is to do things afraid.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
First off, I would start by taking my friend to one of the best & most historical restaurants in the city: Commanders Palace.

The next couple of days, we would visit the zoo, Audubon Park, and the aquarium, which I still frequent to this day.

Then we would take a walk to Jackson’s Square where you are able to experience some of the most diverse, eclectic, & creative group of people in the world. We would ride the streetcar to St. Charles Street or even take a carriage ride around the French Quarter.

Then we would go to the world famous Cafe Du Monde to get beignets and walk around to view the art galleries and antique shops.

The weekend would be saved for Bourbon St. Need I say more? Haha

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to thank my mom. dad, brother, & SIL.

My daughter Sophia.
My partner Drew.

The artists that I have encountered, befriended, & continue to meet who inspire me…

& the organization that is near and dear to my heart, Upturn Arts.

Instagram: @shannon.marie.art

Facebook: https://facebook.com/shannonrockweilerart

Image Credits
Carlton Mickle Photography