Artist Statement
The Story
Behind the Brush
Shannon Norman is a full-time artist; though if you'd told her ten years ago that would be her life, she never would have believed it.
She grew up in Surrey, England with every intention of studying Mathematics at university. But life took an unexpected turn when she auditioned for London Studio Centre, one of the UK's leading performing arts schools. Instead of heading to university, she moved to London to train as a professional dancer. It was the first of many moments where she chose to trust her instincts over the path she thought she was supposed to follow, to go with what felt right rather than what made sense on paper.
As graduation approached, practicality won. Shannon began studying for her accounting qualifications and soon found herself building a career in finance, landing a role in a multi-billion pound global data intelligence company. On the outside she was excelling, but she always felt there was a creative part of her waiting to be discovered.
During the pandemic, she picked up a paintbrush for the very first time since school. As a child she had loved drawing, colouring and anything creative, and she hoped to find that love again. With no formal training, she started painting in the evenings and at weekends alongside her full-time job. What began as a creative escape quickly became the passion she had been searching for, encouraged by friends discovering her hidden talent.
She found herself drawn to painting wildlife. Animals have always been a deep love for her, and they continue to be at the heart of her work today.
Her paintings began finding homes with collectors. This led to exhibitions, gallery representation and commissions, and suddenly she was balancing an unexpected growing art business alongside her career in finance. For the first time, she felt truly fulfilled; this was where her purpose lay.
In 2025, Shannon left her role to join a smaller company that offered more flexibility so she could continue developing her art. Three weeks later, the entire team was made redundant during a company-wide restructure. At the time, it felt devastating. Looking back, it was the push she needed.
In that moment she knew what she wanted, and she made the decision to pursue art full-time, returning to the version of herself who trusted her gut and followed her passion, just as she had done ten years before.
Today, the pieces Shannon creates depict the vulnerability yet beauty of life itself in a vast open world. She hopes her paintings encourage us to remember the resilience that wildlife carries — and that the same resilience lives in us too. That we can bounce back from anything, no matter how vast, impossible or empty things may seem. Even when there is no visible path ahead.
Her journey has taken her from mathematics to dance, from accounting to art. None of it was planned, but every chapter has shaped the artist and person she is today. If her story has taught anything, it is that it is never too late to change direction, trust yourself, and build a life that feels true to who you are.
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