Erin Shaw presents her portfolio of narrative images. Enjoy, and find out more about this fascinating artist by visiting her website.
![On the Grave of Dreams](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/On-the-Grave-of-Dreams-30-X-40-Acrylic-on-Canvas-2009.jpg)
“On the Grave of Dreams” 30″ X 40″ Acrylic on Canvas, 2009
I was born and raised on a farm in Southeastern Oklahoma. My connection to place and people and the stories that each contain have always been primary to my motivation as an artist.
![The Shore of these Waters](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/The-Shore-of-these-Waters-Acrylic-on-Canvas-with-photo-transfers-3-ft-Circle-2013.jpg)
“The Shore of these Waters”, Acrylic on Canvas with photo transfers, 3 ft Circle, 2013
For as long as I can remember, I have always had a profound love and respect for people and the stories they collect as their own. I owe this love and respect, in part, to my American Indian heritage (Chickasaw-Choctaw).
![Everything Belongs](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Everything-Belongs-4-Circle-Acrylic-and-Photo-Transfers-on-Canvas-2013.jpg)
“Everything Belongs” 4′ Circle, Acrylic and Photo Transfers on Canvas, 2013
My work as an artist rests in this simple assertion: We are collectors of stories and the stories we collect shape the people we are. In narrative style, I create paintings engaged in story: both its function and its telling. I see my role in this process as mediator and disrupter: standing between two opposing things, separating them, placing boundaries in new and unusual places and joining them once again. I work in this manner that I might see things in a new way.
![Be Prepared](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Be-Prepared-12X-12-Acrylic-on-Canvas-2010.jpg)
“Be Prepared” 12″ X 12″ Acrylic on Canvas, 2010
My undergraduate degree was in studio art, but I had never picked up a paintbrush until my son, Samuel was born. In the early and very introspective moments of motherhood I had a moment of clarity, realizing that the best thing I could do for this young life was to give him an example of a fully alive mother.
![Sing Like a Good Bird](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Sing-Like-a-Good-Bird-18X-24-Acrylic-on-Canvas-2009.jpg)
“Sing Like a Good Bird” 18″ X 24″ Acrylic on Canvas, 2009
With that clarity, came the challenge to begin making art and painting was where I landed. I never painted before my child came along, but I haven’t stopped since.
![Axis Mundi](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Axis-Mundi-Acrylic-on-Canvas-with-photo-transfers-2-in.-Circle-2013.jpg)
“Axis Mundi”, Acrylic on Canvas with photo transfers, 2′ Circle, 2013
Samuel, now 6, and I regularly collaborate on pieces. You can see evidence of his hand in much of my paintings, whether it is a faint dinosaur drawing of his that has been reproduced on the canvas or actual drawings on chalkboard paint within the paintings. Samuel represents all the things I want to be as an artist, deliberate, creative, intuitive and confident.
![Spinosaurus](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Spinosaurus-24X-24-Acrylic-on-Canvas-2012.jpg)
“Spinosaurus” 24″ X 24″ Acrylic on Canvas, 2012
I have just completed my MFA in painting from the University of Oklahoma and plan to continue painting and showing my work.
Such talent!!! Great work !
I enjoyed the content behind the art work.