Meet Shea Abramo | Artist & Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shea Abramo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shea, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
If there’s one career that is risky it’s definitely the living of an artist. My timeline of projects has just been an ongoing collection of tools on technique, practices, and developing a brand but they all came from a precarious path. Studying, fine tuning and research is also a daily grind and maintains the unwanted risks that can loom in this line of work.

The first leap that comes to mind is gaining comfort in the uncomfortable. Not just in your process of creating but how you represent yourself and how you interact with the public. Just doing something you’ve never done…each piece I create is elevating my medium and attempting to paint something I think is impossible, that my entire art process is fueled by the torture of getting to a breakthrough in what I am trying to accomplish. To resist comfort to seek further into something is so valiant to me though, no matter the risk.

Risking the feedback of the masses, online and in person, and how that affects your mental health. I don’t think many understand the vulnerability that comes from expressing yourself through a medium and how subjective art is to viewers. Showcasing or selling your pieces it can really tap into your feelings how others respond or lack there of.

Risking family and friends. This one is tough, balancing work and home, Unfortunately how I’m creatively programmed and where I am wanting to go with my career I wholly use my time and energy for just that. Unfortunately, I miss out on a lot of special moments of my people. I just have to continually remind myself its not personal it’s just how I’m currently performing.

There is always the risk of failure. This is a risk but I embrace mistakes. I don’t think we are able to truly grow as creatives if we don’t push outside our own boundaries and just mess up.

The only thing is these risks are put on repeat and pushing pass the fear of it all and learning how to position myself and my work only brings me that much closer to what I think success is. Don’t confuse fear and risk, just keep the risks manageable. Fear doesn’t know how much grit you possess so, continue to reach up, do more, try new things and learn learn learn!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
So, I’m gaining quite a broad portfolio. My imagination and hunger for growth has me taking on many art challenges that come in many different formats. I have to say that I have been creating my own following of supporters through the service industry, years of observing and tending to others. Once I saw the opportunity to apply art into that lifestyle it took off, and eventually I took off with it. By the love and support of my community I have been able to go after my dream-which I still don’t think I can define, but I know my background in art has always been for the people. From starting off doing small art shows gathering musicians and artists of the area to be seen and heard, to now gathering council members, state departments and local artists to bring art to the communities that need to be seen and heard.

I always thought of myself as whimsical and abstract but I feel myself political, passionate, and introducing realness in my work. I’m wanting to bridge any gap between art and state. There is total reflection happening with this path I am currently on and the missions I am choosing to be involved with. Understanding that I come from a family tree of struggle, imprisonment, violence, addiction, abuse, and mental health, the cards were stacked against me. Choosing to be an artist, doing all the uncomfortable, vulnerable and hard work… if it means I can beacon the same message of bending the curve, challenging fear, and ultimately not giving up, then I’d do it all again. Maybe, that’s what my world and my story are, but the brand is to beautify and gather. Beautify, love your neighbor, and be the change you want to see. It’s amazing to even have this opportunity to speak amongst others let alone paint for them. A provider to my community is an absolute honor. My biggest feat to date is with the help of my team getting Anderson the $25,000 Asphalt Art Initiative Grant to create pedestrian and Bicycle safety to one of my favorite areas of the city. All by pushing myself out of my comfort zone, being the voice of my peers, and working hard to attain it.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Anderson Tour here we go!! Definitely a walk about downtown!! See all he amazing sculptures and Scott Fosters Ribbon Waterfountain!!! Check to see what collection is at The Anderson Art Center oran opening night and go! Followed with a bubbly Hopwater (NA option) from Magnetic South and see what live band is playing Friday Night. I’d be sure to see the Fickle Pallete for appetizers (good luck not staying for all courses) and more NA beverages, before hitting up Summa Joes or Electric City Pizza for Dinner! Bradberry Bistro, Figs, for dessert….OR WAIT! Hit up Grouchos for one of their delish cookie brownie goodness. Also check out 4Walls an Urban gallery right down the street!! Shopping everywhere downtown, love Indigo, love the Kitchen Emporium, take a break and have a coffee at The Common House, but I have to shout out to Haven of Rest, and Habitat for Humanity!! Go to Habitat on Friday at 3pm, the play a Plinko game to get a percentage off of an item!! So much fun, and all for a great cause! Also if we are feeling creative, there’s a free walk-in and create at “Open Door’ at The West Market Makers Space on West Market Street. Which will soon be covered in more artwork granted by Bloomberg Philanthropies for 2024!!! There you will see new works of art from floor to walls enhancing our most resourceful area in the city and artistically directed by yours truly!!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Huge shout out to my community who helps make this risky gig all the more easier!! My good friends at the West Market Makers Space whom I am currently Artist in residence where they provide a co-creative space and wood workshops. Hope Missions where I paint every Wednesday with our friends experiencing homelessness and provides an atmosphere for us to create. The Asher House for allowing me time to paint with the our youth ages 16-22 needing community and friendship and expression through art. From those that serve, or are being served they all serve me and remind me why I do what I do!

Website: www.sheamoney.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shea_money/

Twitter: https://www.threads.net/@shea_money

Facebook: Shea Abramo

Image Credits
Photographer Ray Richards Hope Missions Tricia Herbert McDougald