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

Hi Sonny, do you have any habits that you feel contribute to your effectiveness?
I learnt really early on that you have to approach art in the same way you would approach any career; you need to put in the work every day. I think too many young creatives wait for ‘inspiration’ to hit before they start creating. But this isn’t very good for production or progression. I work on some aspect of my art or art business every day, whether I feel like it or not and especially at my most uninspired, and I think that’s what being a professional is all about regardless of what industry you’re in. I’m a big proponent of exercise and have always pushed myself physically and I think this mindset of pushing through the pain and being consistent with training even when I don’t want to do it, has been really helpful when applying it to my creative career.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As both a sculptor and a painter, my art is inspired by the natural world and my style combines hyper realistic wildlife depictions with abstract pops of color. I’m most well-known for my large-scale murals which I’ve been lucky enough to get the opportunity to paint around the world in places such as Mexico, London, France, Italy, Ireland, South Africa, Canada, Miami, Russia, New York and many more. I’ve since developed a strong studio practice and have expanded my work to include bronze sculptures too. My work touches on themes of environmental sustainability and wildlife conservation, and I hope that it encourages people to think about our human impact on the natural world. Together with some incredible organizations such as the United Nations, UNICEF, WWF, The International Foundation for Animal Welfare (IFAW), Global Citizen and Discovery’s Project CAT I’ve used my creativity to help draw attention to endangered wildlife across the globe and celebrate nature’s raw beauty.

When I was eleven years I moved with my family from England to South Africa, a move that would change my life forever. In South Africa there are some of the world’s most biodiverse national parks where you have the incredible opportunity of seeing wild animals in their natural habitat. Being lucky enough to experience this from a young age inspired me in so many ways and so when I started painting, wildlife immediately became the focus of my work. I also wanted to find a way to spread awareness about endangered species and the threats these majestic animals are facing, so when I began painting in the streets I decided to use the power of my public art to spread this important message. I feel really grateful that I’ve been able to build a business that allows me to combine my love of painting with my passion for protecting wildlife and it’s allowed me to connect with so many inspiring and like-minded people around the world. I recently moved to Los Angeles and am excited to see how the future unfolds…

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m pretty new to Los Angeles as I’ve only been living here for six months, so everything is brand new and exciting! I really appreciate the accessibility of nature, whether it’s a trip to the beach or getting out on the hiking trails all around the city. And there are so many amazing landscapes just a short drive away. Every neighborhood has such a different vibe, and there’s so much good food everywhere you go. I’ve been really digging all the quirky little theatres for live music and shows. Looking forward to exploring it all…

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?
My shoutout goes to Tess Cunliffe. My success wouldn’t be where it is today without the constant effort, support, mentorship, love and encourage from her both on a personal and work level.

Website: https://sonnyonline.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonnysundancer/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sonnyartist

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SonnySundancer

Image Credits
Tess Cunliffe

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