Shannon Boyd is a local designer and illustrator, who has transformed his passion for art into an occupation. Growing up in South Penrith, art was intertwined into his childhood, mixed with a love for sport and adventure.
Eager to learn from the best in the industry – and applying his skills through tertiary studies – Shannon has been patient in his work and continues to hone his craft in every project. Embracing the work as an opportunity to grow has been key to professional development, according to Shannon.
“(I’ve kept) plying my trade, working on the technical things and getting the opportunity with clients to try something different and just get better with different mediums,” Shannon said.
“Things have to happen organically. If you place a constraint on a goal, you are putting pressure on yourself…you are going to rush things and you are going to overthink it.”
After five years in the education system, Shannon took a leap of faith, leaving his job as a teacher to pursue a career as an artist. With a few doors opening locally, Shannon was able to make the shift. Whilst it has been an adjustment, he has been able to reflect and pass on key learnings to others.
“From there it grew – I got enough clients halfway through 2019 to make the call to just teach casually,” Shannon said.
“(My advice would be to) start small and don’t ever put the pressure on yourself to make your passion a full-time job.”
Through his work, Shannon hopes to share messages of empathy and positivity. With a platform to communicate to people, he hopes to inspire the local community.
“I do want my work to be more meaningful…I really want to start relaying messages of positivity, empathy, gratefulness…the things that I’ve really started to bring into my life,” Shannon said.
“I would really like those messages to come through (my work). I do want to hit some messages that people need to hear.”
Find out more in the latest episode of the Passion & Perspective Podcast, hosted by Jonathan Robinson-Lees.
Lifeline: if after listening to this podcast you feel you need help, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Instagram: @passionperspectivepodcast
Music: "Friendship" - written and performed by Annie Burbank Music
