Profile: Artist and Health Promoter Shaunie Berry

Art can be defined as so many things, but to Shaunie Berry, it’s about self-care, healing, and a form of protest. 

Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, Berry quickly established a name for herself in the art scene after moving to the Mile High City for graduate school. She is known as an abstract portrait artist whose mission is to spread the joy of how she sees the world, which includes ethereal realities consisting of colorful, energetic figures;  the aliveness of nature; and bright, saturated, dream-like realities that invoke viewers to see the beauty in small things. 

Berry believes that life should be a celebration of spirit and the divine, and many of her pieces reflect these sentiments. Her projects depict gratitude and contemplation within this chaotic world, hopefully adding some stillness and appreciation to one’s narrative. 

“If you look at my work and feel happy, excited, calm, or your heart feels content—I have fulfilled my destiny in this world,” she says. 

OFM caught up with Berry to expand on how mental health and art are connected.

Can you begin by telling us what kind of artwork you like to do?

I do mixed media. So, I use pen, ink, paint, watercolor—a little bit of everything. 

How did you discover your passion for art?

I have been creating ever since I was a kid, and I just never really stopped. It was the one thing that I was always good at. I pursued it, despite people saying there’s no money in it. 

You believe life should be a celebration of spirit and the divine, and many of your pieces reflect these sentiments. Are there certain themes or elements you always try to incorporate into your pieces?

Oftentimes, I incorporate figures or portraits along with plants, and I tend to put in a lot of celestial, galaxy references like stars and planets, splashes of color, and stuff like that.

You like to make your pieces happy and joyful?

I don’t necessarily try to make them happy and joyful, but that’s just kind of my style that comes out.

Are you currently working on anything at this moment?

Yeah, I’m always working on something! (Laughs.) I’m kind of taking a step back from commissions and just creating for other people. I’ve been drawing my girlfriend and friends a lot, so it’s been casual.

Where is your work primarily displayed?

It was at Red Line Contemporary Art Center for a show earlier last summer, but right now, it’s at Goldspot Brewery and a salon called Let Em Have It.

Can you talk about how you are also a health promoter?

I have my master’s in public health, and arts has done a lot for me and mental health, so I run art programs through RedLine, and I try to integrate physical activity and well-being health topics into my curriculum.  

Do you believe art and mental health goes hand in hand?

Absolutely. Art is mental health. People tend to judge themselves a lot based on what they make, how many likes they get, or if their work sells or not, but once you cut all that out and create, I think it’s very therapeutic. A lot of people that I work with say it’s super relaxing and calming.

Why do you think mental health is still an issue that’s stigmatized and often pushed to the side or swept under the rug?

I feel like people are kind of embarrassed to talk about some of the issues they might have because in this society, people put more importance on being strong, getting through it, pushing as hard as they can. We live in a capitalist kind of patriotic society, and I feel like most people don’t have time for it. It’s either not accessible to them or they just don’t put importance on it because we live in a society that doesn’t want to. Our society just wants us to work.

Why do you think mental health is an even bigger issue in the LGBTQ community?

It’s getting better, but it’s something that’s traditionally been stigmatized and very taboo. I feel like most gay, queer, LGBTQ folks from a young age deal with a lot of trauma in terms of coming out and how religion plays into that. There’s a lot of shame behind it, and that can take several years, sometimes even a lifetime, to tackle. It’s just one additional thing that we have to deal with. 

Besides art, how else do you keep your own mental health and wellbeing in check?

I’m a big advocate of movement. I like to work out, run outside, spend time with people being social, eat well, get plenty of sunshine, and have an outlet for a hobby or creativity. Something that just makes you feel good and helps you vibrate a little higher.

What are some future goals you hope to accomplish as an artist?

Future goals are to eventually have shows in other states and countries. I want to really use my art as medicine. I love when people don’t have art, but they see it and buy it. It does something powerful for them, the same as medicine does. I also hope to continue making good money to travel and live a life of more freedom. You want to enjoy life and not work yourself to the bone. 

Stay up-to-date and connect with Berry by following her on Instagram @artbyshaunieb, or visit her official website, artbyshaunieb.com.

Photos by Sam Mallouf