Featured Artist Shel Waldman

Shel Waldman’s Native American art focuses on the connection between humanity and nature, evoking a sense of deep spirituality. Learn more by visiting his website.

 

 

Living and growing up in the diverse neighborhoods of East and West Rogers Park in Chicago, Illinois, I experienced my very first cultural inspirations. The neighborhood was considered the most divergent  community throughout the Midwest. A variety of languages were spoken, and many immigrants resided there. It contained a disparate collection of working classes, religions and ethnicities. They all celebrated their unique cultures with food, festivals, music and art.

 

 

This diverse cultural upbringing provided me with a great learning existence, which nourished and dynamically influenced my creativity and sense of originality.

 

 

From this I’ve been fortunate to develop a special connection with numerous cultures and enjoy a unique understanding of our many differences and similarities as human beings.

 

 

After college, I began teaching and studying about Native Aboriginal cultures as well as the Native American people who live throughout Canada and Michigan. Soon, I began to truly appreciate their devout connection to nature and the environment.

 

 

I also came to appreciate their cultural spirit and uniqueness. This inspired me to record their profound relationships and cultural elements on canvas. I painted an entire series of art that captures the essence of these native peoples and the spirit within them.

 

 

Having been born during the 1960’s and as a dedicated student at the American Academy of Art and Chicago Art Institute, I was deeply affected by unique illustrators like Mark English, Peter Max and Bernie Fuchs.

 

 

For over thirty years, I have found my greatest joy lies in painting beautiful, visually stimulating art. I consider my style to be eclectic and genuine.

 

 

Equal to my passion for art and painting has always been philanthropy. In 2012, I opened up a food pantry in partnership with the Greater Chicago Food Depository, feeding over five hundred people every single month. Today, just six years later, the project is in full swing and we are now feeding thousands of needy people on a monthly basis in the neighborhood where I lived and grew up.

 

 

Today, I live on the magnificent, beautiful big island of Hawaii. I continue to paint and explore my own spirit within art and the artistic life I’ve come to truly appreciate. Seeing my paintings and custom mural works gracing the walls of galleries and pubic establishments across the globe makes me realize just how fortunate I am.

 

 

Amidst all this, my mission in life has not changed. I look forward to continuing my growth as an artist and a human being through continuing to connect with nature and people everywhere. My experience has shown me that all people love visual beauty and that the spirit of art lives within everyone.

 

Artist Shel Waldman invites you to follow him on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and his additional website.

 

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