Artist Explores Online Selling Opportunities
Shawnnita Fairbairn from the Isaac Region has been participating in many aspects of CQ Shopfront. It has been wonderful watching her journey reimagining her practice from a business perspective and looking at her commercialised products.
How did you get started in your art practice?
My creative journey first began in 2001. Scrapbooking was on-trend and so I began experimenting creatively in that medium. The creative soul in me had found a means of expression. And it was ‘non-traditional’ or ‘mixed media’ scrapbooking that engaged me.
Nearly six years later, I painted my first acrylic-only piece, and quite frankly, it left a lot to be desired - even to my novice artist’s eye. Undeterred, I then began to explore the idea of transporting my mixed media art from scrapbooking page to canvas, zealously studying online classes and video tutorials determined to learn all I could. After a long period of self-instruction and experimentation, I began up-skilling with local artists, online artists, international travel to study abroad. I returned to Central Queensland, Australia (my home) to share with my community the joy and passion in creating with mixed media.
What are the key inspirations behind your work?
I’m inspired most by the pull of my imagination, nature, colour and to be honest a consistent routine. The excitement of showing up on the page has become a new-found inspiration for me, I’m no longer waiting for the muse to show up. If “she” shows up while I’m already on the page, that’s just a bonus. The pull to find out what shows up on the canvas still fascinates me.
What is the business model and products that you are aiming to develop through
participating in the CQ Shopfront project?
My business goal is currently an eCommerce business where I offer a few home soft furnishing items such as throw cushions, shower curtains, duvets, blankets, pillowcases, and floor pillows. My focus is also on ladies and little girl items and accessories such as scarfs, dresses, and earrings all featuring my designs.
What dreams do you have for the future of your practice? My dream for the future of my practice is sourcing fabrics and creating and printing my designs onto the fabrics and then sew the item together my self. Eventually, I would like to share my creative skills with others in my community that would someday become a small brick and mortar community-run creative space. In this space we we can learn, teach and share. A creative hub where our creative skills are ever-evolving and openly shared. The end result of our creations being readily available to the community, local and online. FB: Shawnnita’s Art IG: @shawnnitas_art