At one with nature.
Growing up living on coastal Awabakal land, Shannon has always held a strong affinity to her local environment. Throughout her studies, she became more engrossed in uncovering the secrets and small details of natural specimens that often go unnoticed in day to day life.
A bit of a collector, Shannon forages for plants, leaves, shells and other curiosities while bushwalking and exploring the coastline. These specimens become the inspiration and subject matter for much of her work, decorating her studio space in orderly lines.
Shannon prefers to draw from life and can often be found completing fieldwork in local bushland, rock pools and botanic gardens. Her delicate illustrations capture the beauty and diversity of the Australian environment, highlighting curiosities of the natural world.
Working from Newcastle’s Onwards Studio, Shannon explores her connection to nature through a variety of traditional and digital mediums. Producing most of her traditional illustration work in graphite, pen & ink and watercolour, Shannon also produces digital illustrations and enjoys experimenting with new mediums and techniques. She has recently been incorporating more gouache, hand embroidery, coloured pencil, large scale mural work and enamel into her regular practice.
Passionate about the potential for art to influence positive change, Shannon hopes her illustrations will emphasise the importance of Australian species. As her work encourages others to take a closer look at the world around them, she hopes it will spark interest in conservation and environmental sustainability, and will highlight endangered species.
ONWARDS STUDIO
Resident Artist Interview. June 2020.
Shannon Bellamy is a Natural History Illustrator and Artist working from Onwards Studio and Gallery in Newcastle.
“I create highly detailed illustrations up to large scale murals - working in a variety of graphite, pen and ink, watercolour… with a focus on native species.
I spend a lot of time in the field, drawing things from life… to gain an understanding of the form. It changes the way I approach illustrations… that’s come from the Natural History and doing a lot of field work and research.