This interview was reprinted with permission from Authority Magazine. Thank you so much to Edward Sylvan, CEO of Sycamore Entertainment Group, for taking the time to hear and share my story.
Shannon Grissom: 5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Became An Artist
Rejection and critiques are subjective. Take them to mind, not to heart. I submitted a painting to an exhibition one year, and it got rejected. The following year, I screwed up and entered the same image, and it won an award: same painting, different judge.
As a part of our series about “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Became An Artist” I had the pleasure of interviewing Shannon Grissom.
Shannon Grissom didn’t discover painting until she was 33, but she was hooked and driven once she found this hidden passion. By 1999, Shannon was able to leave her day job and began to create art as a full-time business. At 46, Shannon self-published her children’s book Monkey Made of Sockies. She then licensed her artwork on several products, including the popular Monkey Made of Sockies golf club headcovers that have been carried on tour by several LPGA pros.
Shannon is an award-winning artist, television producer/host, author, and songwriter. She recently launched an online creativity school called Painterly. Her latest project, the Sock Monkey Oracle, will debut in the spring of 2022. Learn more about her work with sock monkeys at: sockmonkeyoracle.com.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?
Iwas raised in an incredibly artistic household, and my parents encouraged all manner of creative expression. Music was at the forefront, and most of my creative energy went there. I played clarinet, piano, and sang. I think about that precious time I spent around the piano with my family, and it still makes me smile.
When I wasn’t making music, I was busy crafting or decorating. I was continually rearranging or redecorating my room. My poor dad had to retexture the walls after I moved out. They had seen a lot of abuse.
I began oil painting during my high school years. I didn’t have any formal training. I just picked up a brush and went to town. Dad had built this loft in the garage, and I’d escape up there and work for hours. It was hot and stuffy up there, but I loved it. It was so great to have a space of my own to create.
I let it all go when I started college and entered the workforce. But, letting go of my creative nature wasn’t a good idea! I was a mess. Though I held down jobs, I partied way too much. Thankfully, I took a painting class when I was 32, which got me back on track. The painting was more important than partying. I soon quit my wild lifestyle and focused on my creativity and spirituality.
Looking back, I am so grateful that our parents encouraged our creativity! I cannot imagine living any other way, and I feel it has saved my life.
Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path?
Strangely, the pandemic was the catalyst for my latest career path.
Through the years, I have been working on a series of whimsical paintings inspired by my late mother and her childhood sock monkey. From the beginning, I had an oracle card deck in mind for the body of work and created each piece with a state of being in mind.
I worked on the series for 20 years. Although the sock monkey series was a great way to work through the grief of my mom’s passing, I never worked on the deck. It remained buried on my “Me and My Big Ideas” list. (Yep. I’m a lister, and that’s the actual title of the list.)
In early March of 2020, I was selected for a one-woman show at Circle Gallery. Now there aren’t too many galleries that have the space to accommodate my entire body of Sock monkey work. First, the paintings are large, and second, there are so many of them!
Circle Gallery was the perfect venue. It is spacious, and I love the entire staff there.
The show was hung, invitations were sent out, and the pandemic lockdown happened. The gallery was closed, and there sat my artwork, all alone.
Well, not quite alone. The executive director continued to work at the gallery through the pandemic. He said my whimsical sock monkey art lifted his spirits.
After a few months, some restrictions were lifted, and I returned to the gallery and brought my artwork home.
As business began to open, another gallery asked to feature my work. Once again, the show was hung. Soon after, pandemic restrictions were tightened up again, closing the gallery.
When things happen once, I don’t always notice the significance. But twice, now you have my attention. I took it as a significant course correction from the Universe. I was not in the flow, and something had to change. So, I pulled out my “Me and My Big Ideas List” and immediately homed in on the Sock Monkey Oracle card project. I knew it was time to finish the deck.
I worked on the graphic design for the cards. As I thought about writing the text, a little voice said, “Who am I to write an oracle card deck?”
I heard in my mind’s ear, “It’s not coming from you. It will be channeled.”
Oh.
So, I meditated, asked for help, and the text for the Sock Monkey Oracle tumbled out over the course of a month.
The Sock Monkey Oracle card deck is filled with love, and now I get to share it with others. I’m so glad I listened.
Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
Sure! I think my favorite experience was the time I got to be a Marshall in the 2008 US Women’s Open at the Interlachen Country Club in Edina, Minnesota.
My friend and mentor, Eric Dietz, got me the gig. I met Eric at Ridgemark Golf and Country Club when he was CEO. I held my Monkey Made of Sockies book release party at Ridgemark. After seeing my sock monkey art, Eric gave me the idea to license my art on golf club headcovers.
Fast forward a few years, and not only had I licensed my sock monkey art on golf club headcovers, but they were also carried on tour by LPGA professionals. At the time, my whole life revolved around sock monkeys and golf. It was great fun. I loved that I needed to golf a lot for work.
A few more years passed, and Eric relocated to the Minneapolis area to become the CEO of a new club. He phoned about the opportunity to be a Marshall, and I jumped at the chance.
I spent four glorious days at Interlachen on the green at hole #11. My responsibilities included keeping the crowd behind the ropes and keeping things quiet so that the players were not disturbed. One day, halfway through my shift, I saw LPGA professional Jennifer Rosales come down the fairway with my sock monkey headcover in her bag.
I just stood there, grinning, and crying silently all at the same time. Then, at the front edge of the crowd, a little girl asked, “Lady, why are you crying.” I pointed to Jennifer Rosales’s golf bag and whispered, “That’s my monkey.” The little girl screamed, jumped up and down, and exclaimed, “That’s her monkey! That’s her monkey!”
Her mother hushed her just in time. The players were not disturbed. I am so grateful this happened before the players got too close, or I might have been kicked off the course.
It was a beautiful sight to see physical evidence of all my hard work and dreams come to fruition.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?
Ah, so now we are back to sock monkeys! I’m over-the-moon excited about the release of the Sock Monkey Oracle, published by Beyond Words Publishing.
Over-the-moon!
This oracle card deck was a long-time buried dream that I unearthed during the middle of the pandemic. For years, I’d been discussing creating an oracle card deck featuring my sock monkeys, but I didn’t put my energy there. Then, a little over a year ago, I shifted my focus, and now my world is blooming with sock monkeys. It is so magical to see their resurgence.
This project is especially near and dear to my heart. It combines many of my favorite pastimes (writing, visual art, and metaphysics) — all in one medium. And, because I have so much love here, it radiates out through the deck. So, folks not only see it, but they can also feel it.
I was surprised to discover that some folks thought the Sock Monkey Oracle was just for children when I mentioned the deck.
It’s not.
I created it for young and old alike. It taps into your inner child and fills you with keen, fun-loving guidance to quickly help you on your journey.
There are 46 cards in the Sock Monkey Oracle. Each card is adorned with a silly sock monkey image that will put a smile on your face. In addition, the guidebook offers in-depth card readings along with symbolic frolic to ponder throughout the day and an affirmation to build your inner strength.
It has always been my mission in life to leave folks with a warm hug, a gentle laugh, and a whole lot of love. The Sock Monkey Oracle does just that.
Yep, I’m over-the-moon excited!
Who are some of the most interesting people you have interacted with? What was that like? Do you have any stories?
I believe everyone has an interesting story when I take the time to listen.
One that comes to mind is Dan Grant, who modeled for Norman Rockwell in The Barefoot Boy. We met through a mutual friend, and he agreed to let me paint his portrait. As I was shooting reference photos of Dan, he told me of his experiences modeling for Rockwell.
Grant was 11 years old when Rockwell painted him and 84 when he posed for me. Grant said Rockwell paid him $50 a day plus cab fare. I paid him $50 for an hour shoot.
Grant told me that although he saw preliminary sketches of Rockwell’s work, he didn’t get to see the completed painting until he was in his eighties.
The Rockwell painting, commissioned by Coca Cola was missing for over 70 years. It was rediscovered by an ad executive not long before I met Grant.
Dan Grant has lived a full life. He appeared in 38 movies and then served in both the army and the air force. He retired from McCormick-Selph as a personnel officer. I’m not sure where he is today.
My own portrait of Grant was unremarkable, and I threw it away. Still, I kept the memories of an incredibly inspiring experience.
Where do you draw inspiration from? Can you share a story about that?
I find that inspiration comes from many sources. I draw inspiration from my spiritual practice, daily walks, fellow creatives, and folks painting an inspiring life.
One of my most profound experiences happened in the seaside town of Capitola, CA, on New Year’s Day. My husband and I love to begin each year with a long walk rather than stay up late and party on New Year’s Eve.
As we were strolling by the colorful cottages of Capitola Village and approaching the pier, I noticed an elderly woman near a pink house tending her lush garden. A sign in one of the succulents revealed her name to be Annie. I said hello and expressed my delight in her beautiful creations. She thanked me but indicated that she wasn’t entirely happy with her garden this year.
Just past Annie on the pier, maybe 100 feet away, I noticed an elderly fisherman. He was wearing a bright blue jacket, along with a red cap, and was smoking a pipe. I immediately got the sense that Annie and the fisherman knew each other in a past life, but both were unaware of each other in this one.
I was taken by the fisherman’s worn weathered face and riveting blue eyes as we approached. I told my husband that I was compelled to paint his portrait and was going to talk to the fisherman about it. My shy husband just shook his head to say, “There she goes again,” and off I went.
I introduced myself to the fisherman, told him I was an artist and asked permission to photograph him so that I could paint his portrait. He looked at me with disbelief and a wry grin, but he agreed.
As we talked, a flock of doves flew overhead.
I asked him his name, and he replied, “St. Francis.”
I said, “Right on.”
I left Capitola inspired. I couldn’t wait to get home and start the painting. But, as soon as I got home, I was compelled to write the past life story of Annie and St. Francis instead. As I started to write, lyrics and a melody for a song came to me, so I went with the flow, wrote, and recorded a song instead.
I then went on to create two powerful paintings of St. Francis.
All because I went for a walk.
How have you used your success to bring goodness to the world?
On a local level, I’m a firm believer in community service. I have served on several boards, including the YMCA, Yosemite Sierra Artists, and Northridge Terrace.
On a larger scale, I have given a percentage of the proceeds of my golf club headcovers to Prader-Willi Syndrome.
On a spiritual level, I only share positivity on social media.
Local or global, I feel that all positivity lifts the world.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.
1. It really is the journey.
It really doesn’t matter what you paint, nor does it matter how you paint. It only matters that you paint. So, show up every day and give it your best.
I can hear some folks saying, “Yeah, yeah, heck with the journey! I want to create a masterpiece every time!” I’ll admit, that was my sentiment in the beginning. But, over time, I learned that my time spent creating is the masterpiece.
I have sessions where I create beautiful work. Other times, I make a muddy mess. There is not always a correlation between my inspired starts and the finished product. But, time under the brush matters. The more I paint, the better I get.
If you wait to be inspired or for Mercury to be out of retrograde, you’ll miss out on a lot of good stuff! It truly is the journey, not the destination.
2. Seek mentors and mastermind groups.
At first, I tried to do everything by myself. However, it didn’t take long to discover that I could not do everything myself. I also limited my success by not reaching out to others for input.
Now I work with both business and creative mentors. Additionally, I participate in mastermind groups. These trusted alliances are insightful, encouraging, and inspiring!
Find your troop. You’ll be glad you did.
3. Rejection and critiques are subjective.
Rejection and critiques are subjective. Take them to mind, not to heart.
I submitted a painting to an exhibition one year, and it got rejected. The following year, I screwed up and entered the same image, and it won an award: same painting, different judge.
On another note, I had a publisher tell me never to paint landscapes. Yet, to this day, they are among my top sellers.
Sometimes it’s not about you at all. Other times, it is. Look at each situation objectively. See if there’s anything constructive you can use, and let the rest go.
4. Be mindful of your posture.
When I was young, I could create artwork in various positions and not feel a thing. However, I found that my body has not been so forgiving as I age.
So, no matter how you like to paint, move around and stretch. Any position sustained for an extended period will cause wear and tear on the body.
5. Wear gloves.
Wear gloves! Put those puppies on when you are cleaning your brushes. Some people even wear them when they paint. After 30 years of painting, my hands look ten years older than the rest of me. ‘Nuff said!
You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
I would love to start a movement that actively seeks and shares gratitude.
Way back in 2009, my niece challenged her Facebook friends to share gratitude for the entire month of November. I agreed as I thought it would be an excellent way to shift my focus away from all the difficulties that surrounded my family at the time.
What was going on? My husband had been in a bad accident and had to retire early on disability. Our bills were astronomical, and we lost our house and filed for bankruptcy. It was a very dark, depressing period in our lives. I most certainly was not feeling grateful for much of anything.
So, each day that November, I’d look around for something to be grateful for and post it on Facebook. Once I started focusing on the good, I found there was a lot to be thankful for: For example, my husband’s healing, caregiving assistance, clarity, leftovers, dragonflies — stuff like that.
Sometimes it would take me half an hour to find gratitude. Other times it was instantaneous.
November ended, but I continued my daily practice. I found that searching for the good was a great way to start the day.
Time went on, and the practice evolved. I started taking pictures during my daily walks to accompany the text. Actively hunting down gratitude helps me be present and grateful during my walks, which carries over to the rest of my day.
That was over 11 years ago, and I’m still sharing gratitude on social media each weekday. I love that it helps me focus on positive aspects of my life. I also love that I am sharing good vibes.
Wouldn’t it be great if people made it a practice of filling their social media streams with gratitude?
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to fill the web with love? Now that’s a movement I can get behind.
We have been blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she just might see this.
Definitely Julia Cameron.
Ya know, I’d like to thank her in person for all she has given me. She has changed my life.
I studied The Artist’s Way in 1996, soon after I first began painting. Some of the practices have become a way of life. I can’t think of any work that has affected me more.
I completed each exercise, and they really helped me realize where I was and where I wanted to be.
Her “Morning Pages” have been a daily practice since 1996. That’s 26 years! I don’t know how I would process life if I didn’t start my day with them. It’s a great combination of tuning in and releasing all simultaneously.
Her “Jealousy Map” exercise helped me realize I needed to do a television show. Hey, producing a television show wasn’t even on my conscious radar before the exercise. Once I recognized my path, I found a way to produce a series. It ran for seven years!
Now that I’m writing focused, I have picked up The Right to Write and am making my way through that work.
Spending time with her would be such a gift!
What is the best way our readers can follow you on social media?
https://www.instagram.com/shannongrissom/
https://www.facebook.com/ShannonGrissomCreations/
https://www.twitter.com/ShannonGrissom
This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for joining us!
Hey, thank you for having me!