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MCKENNA SHANHOLTZ

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Experienced such a nostalgic feeling while going through some of my travel videos today.

These videos are from a time where I spent exploring the depths Asia.

& In each of these videos, I had no idea in the moment just how important this time was. I couldn’t even begin to comprehend how much each experience would add to make me who I am today.

Here’s to continuously living my life in a constant exploration 🦋

Experienced such a nostalgic feeling while going through some of my travel videos today.

These videos are from a time where I spent exploring the depths Asia.

& In each of these videos, I had no idea in the moment just how important this time was. I couldn’t even begin to comprehend how much each experience would add to make me who I am today.

Here’s to continuously living my life in a constant exploration 🦋

Ever wish you could just…. Escape ?

My multi-layered resin paintings are made to evoke emotions through colors & layers of small tiny detail, Inviting the viewer to get lost in a different world for a moment in time.

This specific collection of 5 pieces is a world for you to escape & feel a sense of calm. It’s a place that soothes your soul & quiets down your mind.

I created these pieces as a way to find calm amidst the chaos. I hope they do the same for you. 💛

I am in the process of adding layers and more layers of color and texture. I will have a release date on these art pieces soon.

Ever wish you could just…. Escape ?

My multi-layered resin paintings are made to evoke emotions through colors & layers of small tiny detail, Inviting the viewer to get lost in a different world for a moment in time.

This specific collection of 5 pieces is a world for you to escape & feel a sense of calm. It’s a place that soothes your soul & quiets down your mind.

I created these pieces as a way to find calm amidst the chaos. I hope they do the same for you. 💛

I am in the process of adding layers and more layers of color and texture. I will have a release date on these art pieces soon.

The textured and colors of the earth 🌍 ✨

Mixed media - inks, acrylics & resin on canvas
Available for purchase. DM for details 💛

The textured and colors of the earth 🌍 ✨

Mixed media - inks, acrylics & resin on canvas
Available for purchase. DM for details 💛

Creating is vital to me.. I realized that a while ago.

Pretty sure I realized it while I was somewhere deep in another country with no job or life back home.. and I thought.. how do I go home and get to the point where I can create every day?

It seemed impossible and so far from attainting.

I’ve worked hard the past few years to take the steps needed in order to create a life where I have this space to make art each day.

& It hasn’t been easy basically starting from a blank page after traveling to create a life that most people don’t understand.

It’s been a lot of failures, lessons, confusion, doubts, all of the things you can think of. And those things haven’t gone away.. it just gets easier the more I do it.

Anyways.. lately I’ve been feeling so grateful that I’m at the point in my life where I’m starting to feel all of my consistency pay off. I’m getting to create every day. And now when i do have those days filled with doubts or creative blocks.. I stand back up a lot faster than I ever have.

—> This new art collection. I’ve been working so hard on these pieces for the past 2 weeks & still taking my time.

& you won’t want to miss these ones.. seriously some of my best work with building up layers on each piece intuitively.

No exact release date yet.. I hate putting myself on a timer with art- that’s just crazy. I’m done doing that this year 😂

So just stick around and you will see all of these gorgeous pieces be released very soon. ✨🤍

Creating is vital to me.. I realized that a while ago.

Pretty sure I realized it while I was somewhere deep in another country with no job or life back home.. and I thought.. how do I go home and get to the point where I can create every day?

It seemed impossible and so far from attainting.

I’ve worked hard the past few years to take the steps needed in order to create a life where I have this space to make art each day.

& It hasn’t been easy basically starting from a blank page after traveling to create a life that most people don’t understand.

It’s been a lot of failures, lessons, confusion, doubts, all of the things you can think of. And those things haven’t gone away.. it just gets easier the more I do it.

Anyways.. lately I’ve been feeling so grateful that I’m at the point in my life where I’m starting to feel all of my consistency pay off. I’m getting to create every day. And now when i do have those days filled with doubts or creative blocks.. I stand back up a lot faster than I ever have.

—> This new art collection. I’ve been working so hard on these pieces for the past 2 weeks & still taking my time.

& you won’t want to miss these ones.. seriously some of my best work with building up layers on each piece intuitively.

No exact release date yet.. I hate putting myself on a timer with art- that’s just crazy. I’m done doing that this year 😂

So just stick around and you will see all of these gorgeous pieces be released very soon. ✨🤍

This was a special custom painting I made for someone’s boyfriend as a gift for Christmas! 🎄

In part 2 I am using joint compound to paint the mountain range thick with texture and detail! Besides laying the paints down for the base .. This is probably the part that takes the 2nd longest as I have to also wait for it to dry to add more layers the next day.

Can’t wait to show you guys part 3 where I show you the finished product and reveal 😌

This was a special custom painting I made for someone’s boyfriend as a gift for Christmas! 🎄

In part 2 I am using joint compound to paint the mountain range thick with texture and detail! Besides laying the paints down for the base .. This is probably the part that takes the 2nd longest as I have to also wait for it to dry to add more layers the next day.

Can’t wait to show you guys part 3 where I show you the finished product and reveal 😌

“Eggsss. Lunch my lady”

I share a lot of these videos on my other platforms like tik tok/ YouTube & I thought I might start sharing more here.

All of these experiences are so much part of who I am and the kind of art I make .. so why not.

With my travel content, my hope is always just to inspire the people who wish to take the road less traveled. ❤️

“Eggsss. Lunch my lady”

I share a lot of these videos on my other platforms like tik tok/ YouTube & I thought I might start sharing more here.

All of these experiences are so much part of who I am and the kind of art I make .. so why not.

With my travel content, my hope is always just to inspire the people who wish to take the road less traveled. ❤️

The soft essence of France.. where art, love, and life blend in harmony.

This painting distills the soft, golden light and rustic charm of both the countryside of France & the city of Paris.

The idea here was to evoke the carefree spirit and capture the overall warm feeling one often experiences in France ✨

With this artwork, my hope is that the viewer can surrender to its peaceful allure 🦋

Available for purchase
Mixed media on canvas
30’ x 40’

DM for details to purchase.

The soft essence of France.. where art, love, and life blend in harmony.

This painting distills the soft, golden light and rustic charm of both the countryside of France & the city of Paris.

The idea here was to evoke the carefree spirit and capture the overall warm feeling one often experiences in France ✨

With this artwork, my hope is that the viewer can surrender to its peaceful allure 🦋

Available for purchase
Mixed media on canvas
30’ x 40’

DM for details to purchase.

Enjoying the ride 🩷

Enjoying the ride 🩷

Inviting you into a deep realm of color. Layers upon layers making it look 3D to the viewer & bringing vibrant energy to any space ❤️

Mixed media - Inks, acrylics, resin on wood.
DM to purchase! ✨

Inviting you into a deep realm of color. Layers upon layers making it look 3D to the viewer & bringing vibrant energy to any space ❤️

Mixed media - Inks, acrylics, resin on wood.
DM to purchase! ✨

Finally getting to the final stages of a lot of artwork that I’ve been working on the past few months ☺️

At first I was going slow with the process of each piece and individually layering them over time..

But this weekend I realized I had exactly one month until I left the country (& then I will be gone for a month) so I kind of kicked it into high gear and picked up the pace in the studio a bit.

Felt so good to have this wave of energy.. ❤️

I’m excited to show off these new pieces. They’re already some of my favorites!

Finally getting to the final stages of a lot of artwork that I’ve been working on the past few months ☺️

At first I was going slow with the process of each piece and individually layering them over time..

But this weekend I realized I had exactly one month until I left the country (& then I will be gone for a month) so I kind of kicked it into high gear and picked up the pace in the studio a bit.

Felt so good to have this wave of energy.. ❤️

I’m excited to show off these new pieces. They’re already some of my favorites!

This was a unique custom painting I made for someone’s boyfriend as a gift for Christmas! 🎄

I am just now getting around to posting these process videos and it’s hoenslty so cool to see it all come together!

Can’t wait to show you guys part 2! I will explain in part 2 a bit more of the materials used to create this.

This was a unique custom painting I made for someone’s boyfriend as a gift for Christmas! 🎄

I am just now getting around to posting these process videos and it’s hoenslty so cool to see it all come together!

Can’t wait to show you guys part 2! I will explain in part 2 a bit more of the materials used to create this.

Can anyone guess where this is ?

Hint : somewhere in Colorado.

I miss snowboarding so much lately 🏂 very soon I will be back living in the mountains though!

In the meantime.. I’ll just paint my memories

Can anyone guess where this is ?

Hint : somewhere in Colorado.

I miss snowboarding so much lately 🏂 very soon I will be back living in the mountains though!

In the meantime.. I’ll just paint my memories

*Sold: “Dancing With The Devil.”

This is one of my pieces that sold in 2024, but I realized I never posted any pictures of it.. & it’s too gorgeous not to show off 🤍

* Made on wood with 7 different layers of inks, acrylics, paint markers, resin + mica powders *

I recently made a second B&W piece that sold as well-

.. but I am in the process of making so many new pieces for 2025 (including a new black & white one 🖤🤍)

There is a TON of work in the beginning/ middle stages of layers, and some on the final layers.. I will announce when I will have a handful of new pieces done very soon.

Keep an eye out! 🤍

*Sold: “Dancing With The Devil.”

This is one of my pieces that sold in 2024, but I realized I never posted any pictures of it.. & it’s too gorgeous not to show off 🤍

* Made on wood with 7 different layers of inks, acrylics, paint markers, resin + mica powders *

I recently made a second B&W piece that sold as well-

.. but I am in the process of making so many new pieces for 2025 (including a new black & white one 🖤🤍)

There is a TON of work in the beginning/ middle stages of layers, and some on the final layers.. I will announce when I will have a handful of new pieces done very soon.

Keep an eye out! 🤍

Dedicated to appreciating all parts of the Journey this year.

Dedicated to appreciating all parts of the Journey this year.

Solo traveling to countries far away from home & facing the unknown by myself has taught me so many lessons that I have been able to apply to my art style over the years.

Traveling to new places in general gives me fresh ideas and revitalizes my creative spirit..

🦋 But here is how Travel Inspires My Art:

✨Discovering vibrant colors and textures in foreign landscapes

✨Embracing spontaneity & uncertainty

✨Developing resilience & adaptability

.. And theLessons Learned through solo traveling that apply to my art :

✨Trusting instincts & embracing intuition (this has given me a looser art style over the years)

✨Listening to inner voices and exploring new ideas (this one has been my favorite lesson! I listen to my gut a lot more)

✨Embracing uncertainty = taking creative risks

Solo traveling to countries far away from home & facing the unknown by myself has taught me so many lessons that I have been able to apply to my art style over the years.

Traveling to new places in general gives me fresh ideas and revitalizes my creative spirit..

🦋 But here is how Travel Inspires My Art:

✨Discovering vibrant colors and textures in foreign landscapes

✨Embracing spontaneity & uncertainty

✨Developing resilience & adaptability

.. And theLessons Learned through solo traveling that apply to my art :

✨Trusting instincts & embracing intuition (this has given me a looser art style over the years)

✨Listening to inner voices and exploring new ideas (this one has been my favorite lesson! I listen to my gut a lot more)

✨Embracing uncertainty = taking creative risks

All of these little random moments I’ve experienced are what have completely filled up my cup.. giving me enough creative juices to last a lifetime. 🦋

All of these little random moments I’ve experienced are what have completely filled up my cup.. giving me enough creative juices to last a lifetime. 🦋

My journey of creating art & building a calm life that I love to come home to ❤️

My journey of creating art & building a calm life that I love to come home to ❤️

Painting the mountains is always my favorite part 🏔️✨🌞

Painting the mountains is always my favorite part 🏔️✨🌞

This feeling right here is why I love exploring the world 🥹❤️

This feeling right here is why I love exploring the world 🥹❤️

↓ If you struggle sometimes finding inspiration in the same daily routine of life like me.. then read this!

I find most of my inspiration through solo traveling. The unknown, new places, colors, everything about it truly lights a spark in me.. but now that I have slowed down traveling a bit, it’s been hard to find inspiration sometimes in my daily life and routine.

This video was actually taken in Tulum (while I was living there and painting for a few months) and I remember I needed to go out and explore that day to find some inspiration.. so even then after a month in the same place I remember needing to find Inspo!

It can be as easy for me as going to a new coffee shop and painting outside.. or taking myself on an “artist” date and going to an art museum or a new bookstore.

If you have trouble finding Inspo sometimes in the daily routine of life, I suggest going out in nature or just being alone for a while, maybe do something different than your craft. Get away from it for a moment!

Even if it’s just a long walk around your house. With the right intentions, the feelings will come 🦋✨💓

↓ If you struggle sometimes finding inspiration in the same daily routine of life like me.. then read this!

I find most of my inspiration through solo traveling. The unknown, new places, colors, everything about it truly lights a spark in me.. but now that I have slowed down traveling a bit, it’s been hard to find inspiration sometimes in my daily life and routine.

This video was actually taken in Tulum (while I was living there and painting for a few months) and I remember I needed to go out and explore that day to find some inspiration.. so even then after a month in the same place I remember needing to find Inspo!

It can be as easy for me as going to a new coffee shop and painting outside.. or taking myself on an “artist” date and going to an art museum or a new bookstore.

If you have trouble finding Inspo sometimes in the daily routine of life, I suggest going out in nature or just being alone for a while, maybe do something different than your craft. Get away from it for a moment!

Even if it’s just a long walk around your house. With the right intentions, the feelings will come 🦋✨💓

After college, I moved to LA for a job and then moved back to Colorado only 3 months later..

I put all of my things in a storage unit and Bought a one way to Paris from Denver (it was like $250 one way lol)

I had no plans.. but on the flight I met some people who invited me to stay with them in Croatia during the World Cup.. and from there it was a 3 month journey of meeting people and going wherever the wind took me 🦋💓

Also this was with my Sony camera, not my phone but you get the idea :)

After college, I moved to LA for a job and then moved back to Colorado only 3 months later..

I put all of my things in a storage unit and Bought a one way to Paris from Denver (it was like $250 one way lol)

I had no plans.. but on the flight I met some people who invited me to stay with them in Croatia during the World Cup.. and from there it was a 3 month journey of meeting people and going wherever the wind took me 🦋💓

Also this was with my Sony camera, not my phone but you get the idea :)

Working with a palette of soothing purples, pinks, & soft yellows. 🩷💛✨

These colors hold emotional significance:

Purple represents transformation & growth.

Pink embodies love, compassion, & playfulness.

Yellow symbolizes optimism & joy 💛

By blending these colors, I’m creating an aura that radiates positivity, warmth, and energy. ❣️

This artwork will he built up with many layers before adding resin at the end!

I am currently working on a lot of pieces in the studio right now that are flourishing day by day 🦋

Working with a palette of soothing purples, pinks, & soft yellows. 🩷💛✨

These colors hold emotional significance:

Purple represents transformation & growth.

Pink embodies love, compassion, & playfulness.

Yellow symbolizes optimism & joy 💛

By blending these colors, I’m creating an aura that radiates positivity, warmth, and energy. ❣️

This artwork will he built up with many layers before adding resin at the end!

I am currently working on a lot of pieces in the studio right now that are flourishing day by day 🦋

Graduated college now I’m here. 😅

Living with a family here in a Rural village of Kratie, Cambodia, teaching English to locals.

Graduated college now I’m here. 😅

Living with a family here in a Rural village of Kratie, Cambodia, teaching English to locals.

↓ I believe that color is more than just pigment; it’s a powerful tool for expressing emotions, capturing experiences, & translating the beauty of landscapes onto canvas. 🦋

Here’s how I bring these ideas to life:

✨ Color as Emotion: I explore the psychological impact of color, using vibrant hues like reds and oranges to convey energy and passion, while calming blues and greens evoke tranquility and serenity.

✨Experiences in Hue: Each painting is a visual diary of my travels and encounters. The fiery oranges of a Vietnam sunset, the deep blues of the Croatian sea, the lush greens of a rainforest all find their way into my work.

✨ Landscapes in Layers: I build up layers of color, allowing them to interact and create unexpected harmonies, mirroring the complexity and dynamism of the natural world. The interplay of light and shadow, the interplay of textures, & the ever-changing interplay of colors all contribute to a sense of depth and dimension, bringing the landscapes to life on canvas.

By embracing the power of color from the palettes of the world, my goal is to create paintings that are not only visually appealing but also emotionally resonant & personal . 💓💓

↓ I believe that color is more than just pigment; it’s a powerful tool for expressing emotions, capturing experiences, & translating the beauty of landscapes onto canvas. 🦋

Here’s how I bring these ideas to life:

✨ Color as Emotion: I explore the psychological impact of color, using vibrant hues like reds and oranges to convey energy and passion, while calming blues and greens evoke tranquility and serenity.

✨Experiences in Hue: Each painting is a visual diary of my travels and encounters. The fiery oranges of a Vietnam sunset, the deep blues of the Croatian sea, the lush greens of a rainforest all find their way into my work.

✨ Landscapes in Layers: I build up layers of color, allowing them to interact and create unexpected harmonies, mirroring the complexity and dynamism of the natural world. The interplay of light and shadow, the interplay of textures, & the ever-changing interplay of colors all contribute to a sense of depth and dimension, bringing the landscapes to life on canvas.

By embracing the power of color from the palettes of the world, my goal is to create paintings that are not only visually appealing but also emotionally resonant & personal . 💓💓

“Inspiration is everywhere. But it has to path through a creative mind” - Louise Nevelson

“Dancing With You In A Desert Storm” is available!
Mixed media on canvas
40” x 30”

Please DM for details to purchase!

(Also available in prints! Limited amount available)

“Inspiration is everywhere. But it has to path through a creative mind” - Louise Nevelson

“Dancing With You In A Desert Storm” is available!
Mixed media on canvas
40” x 30”

Please DM for details to purchase!

(Also available in prints! Limited amount available)

The world is my muse ✨🦋💓

The world is my muse ✨🦋💓

My art is a direct reflection of the vibrant life I encounter.
Every journey, every interaction, every emotion leaves an indelible mark. 🦋

✨ 🍊 The bustling energy of the streets in Asia, the serene tranquility at the top of a mountain, the raw emotion of a shared moment with a stranger… these experiences become the fuel for my creative spark.

.. they translate into the vibrant colors & the energy that lives through my paintings.

✨5 ways I capture energy in my process: : ✨

1. Vibrant Colors: Bold hues and unexpected color combinations create a dynamic visual rhythm, mirroring the vibrant energy of life.

2. Expressive Brushwork: Loose, gestural strokes and energetic movements on the canvas translate the flow and intensity of emotions.

3. Layering & Texture: Building up layers of paint, incorporating mixed media, and creating textural depth adds dimension and a sense of movement to the artwork.

4. Capturing Motion: Incorporating elements that suggest movement, such as swirling lines, flowing shapes, and implied action, evokes a sense of dynamism.

5. Drawing Inspiration from Life: My travels, experiences, and the energy of the world around me fuel my creative process, infusing my paintings with a sense of vitality.

My art is a direct reflection of the vibrant life I encounter.
Every journey, every interaction, every emotion leaves an indelible mark. 🦋

✨ 🍊 The bustling energy of the streets in Asia, the serene tranquility at the top of a mountain, the raw emotion of a shared moment with a stranger… these experiences become the fuel for my creative spark.

.. they translate into the vibrant colors & the energy that lives through my paintings.

✨5 ways I capture energy in my process: : ✨

1. Vibrant Colors: Bold hues and unexpected color combinations create a dynamic visual rhythm, mirroring the vibrant energy of life.

2. Expressive Brushwork: Loose, gestural strokes and energetic movements on the canvas translate the flow and intensity of emotions.

3. Layering & Texture: Building up layers of paint, incorporating mixed media, and creating textural depth adds dimension and a sense of movement to the artwork.

4. Capturing Motion: Incorporating elements that suggest movement, such as swirling lines, flowing shapes, and implied action, evokes a sense of dynamism.

5. Drawing Inspiration from Life: My travels, experiences, and the energy of the world around me fuel my creative process, infusing my paintings with a sense of vitality.

I took these videos today in my studio with this above view I haven’t done before.

& when I looked back at the videos to make this edit..

I realized for the first time how long I step back & stare at my paintings before making a next move 😅

So much of the videos were just of me tilting my head in one position looking at the painting for what seemed like 5 minutes at a time.. 😅 so funny to see

I’m usually dancing around a lot more while I paint but today was more of just crossing things off the list in the studio.

Excited to keep sharing more of what it looks like on a daily basis for me in my studio! 😌

I took these videos today in my studio with this above view I haven’t done before.

& when I looked back at the videos to make this edit..

I realized for the first time how long I step back & stare at my paintings before making a next move 😅

So much of the videos were just of me tilting my head in one position looking at the painting for what seemed like 5 minutes at a time.. 😅 so funny to see

I’m usually dancing around a lot more while I paint but today was more of just crossing things off the list in the studio.

Excited to keep sharing more of what it looks like on a daily basis for me in my studio! 😌

🌊🌊🌊

🌊🌊🌊

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MCKENNA SHANHOLTZ

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