Watercolor is a wild dance, a blend of control and swirling unpredictability. Pigment flows this way and that, creating beautiful accidents. The fluidity is fascinating to those who love the process.
Shannon B. Jones, passionate watercolor artist and our December Cover Artist, is one of those devotees. She’s been happily splashing brushes into colorful puddles since childhood. And her favorite part is detailing.
It’s no wonder art consumes her.
She says, “My family is very artistic, especially my mom. She was a talented acrylic artist. But acrylic was not for me. I love the magic and movement of water mixing with paint on paper.”
Shannon was inspired by a watercolor artist and friend, Wesa Neeley.
“She enlightened me, “says Shannon. “I needed help with a couple of projects. Wesa shared several techniques. The rest is history. I have had no formal training, but am self-taught through personal experimentation and studying other artists’ techniques.”
Shannon’s true love is painting landscapes. And living in the mountains with her husband Steve provides this opportunity.
“It’s a watercolor artist’s paradise,” says Shannon. It’s a place where I strive only to capture in brush and color what God has created.”
What some might consider intense work, Shannon deems release.
She says, “I get lost in painting. I just go all day. Once I get into it, I enjoy it so much, I don’t even notice it’s time for dinner.”
Lately Shannon has experimented with a new dimension…layering colorful, pressed, flowers atop her dried surfaces. When affixed to the painting, the effect is not only a textural delight, but a physical mountain memory.
Shannon has a following of neighbors, friends, and collectors who have supported her work since she began with water-color greeting cards. Over time the cards expanded to scores of commissioned paintings. Her bookings are filled for this year, but feel free to contact her after the New Year regarding 2026 sales and exhibitions.
You can reach Shannon at ssj@bellsouth.net or (864) 934-1322.
Visit her work in Josephene’s Emporium on Burns Street in Cashiers. And keep an eye out for one or two pop-up shows in the spring.
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