Raised
poor on the streets and ocean boardwalks of Mission
Beach, San Diego- SJ Shaffer was watched over by the
saviors of the local homeless and street gangs.
Protected by heroic Vietnam Veterans who gifted her with
art supplies, and escorted to school on Harley's by the
reputable but infamous California Hell's Angel's.
Importantly was the refuge she found in classrooms and
miraculous teachers who taught her strive, self
diligence, and to clench tightly to perseverance,
integrity, and her true grit.
Guided by her God given Artistic talent Shaffer paved
her way to a future filled with reason and purpose. At
seventeen years of age winning numerous ribbons in
drawing, mastering Color Pencil, Shaffer was awarded the
San Diego Kiwanis Merit and a scholarship to Otis Art
Institute of Parsons School of Design, in Los Angeles,
California.
Graduating with honors and a BFA in Commercial
Illustration, Shaffer went on to working as a freelance
Illustrator for a variety of companies, and instructing
at Cal State Los Angeles University.
Close to a decade of regimental sketch work for;
Universal Studios, cheeseburger layouts for In
and Out Burger, wonderful jobs with Sam's Club,
and the City of Los Angeles. Shaffer was nominated and
won the renowned Los Angeles Maggie Award.
With this under her belt she made the inspiring decision
to exchange the Ocean for the beautiful Blue Agaves,
majestic Red Rocks, and the land of Arizona and New
Mexico, expanding her technique towards the direction of
Fine Art.
Truly Illustrative and Contemporary Shaffer chose to
paint the recipe of the West; its legendary cultures,
the intricate and spiritual symbolism, and treasured
traditions interwoven throughout the land and the
people.
The Historical Tapestry of the Native Americans, the
Spanish, Mexico, and the Cowboys that have worked the
land for generations. Let alone the mesmerizing Saguaros
that accompany Burros that carry ones wood in prayer.
Bartlesville,
Oklahoma. WAOW 48Th National Exhibition 2019.
Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Western Art Show Old West Museum 2019.
Annapolis, Maryland. McBride Gallery WAOW 47th National
Exhibition 2018.
Mountain Oyster Club Western Contemporary Exhibit show
Invitational, Tucson Arizona 2012-2018
Signature member of the National WAOW; Women Artist's of
the West 2011-2018
Tucson Desert Art Museum, Women Artist's of the West
National Exhibition. Tucson Arizona 2015
WAOW Women's Museum of California, San Diego California,
Exhibit ion 2014
7th Annual Cowgirl Up! Art from the Other Half of the
West, Invitational Exhibition & Sale, Wickenburg Arizona
2012
Illustrator for the Wine Festival Poster Santa Fe, New
Mexico 2010. She was featured Guest Artist in the
Phoenix Home and Garden Magazine in 2008. In 2007 the
Discovery Channel Shaffer was spotlighted as one of the
Contemporary Female Painters of the West.
Editorials and Interviews include; Sedona Monthly
Magazine Open Portfolio 2015, Southwest Art Magazine,
American Art Collector, Arizona Collectors Guide,
Arizona Biltmore, Southwest Art's Art Source Travel
Guide, Tribeza Catalogue in Austin Texas Art-Talk Rising
Stars!, Santa Fean Magazine, Santa Fe New Mexico,
Phoenix Home and Garden Magazine.
SJ Shaffer's paintings are represented throughout
the States of Arizona, Santa Fe New Mexico, Texas, and
Oklahoma. |