The Shannon Gallery

THE SHANNON STORY

In past years, Shannon’s art has become as familiar as the internationally recognized celebrities she showcases in her exquisite paintings. Inspired by the contributions of her subjects to the entertainment industries, as well as the worlds of sports and politics, Shannon has an extraordinary ability to capture the distinct energy and spirit of each of her subjects and to reflect these unmistakable qualities through her wonderfully vivid creations. Combined with a tremendous flair for originality and daring expression, Shannon possess an uncanny ability to express the grace, dignity, strength, and intensity which have elevated her subjects to positions of irrefutable recognition and prestige.

In earlier years it wasn’t so glamorous. She battled intensely with her high school art teacher over creativity and the subject of what makes true art – ART. She was constantly made out to be a fool and asked to sit in back of the class. Whenever she painted images of her favorite rock band (The Beatles) she was repeatedly mocked by her teacher, “Shannon MacDonald, you will never get anywhere drawing those pigs”. She became an introvert and began reading the classroom books that no one seemed interested in, including her teacher. She studied the creations of the great masters - from Angelo to Rockwell. If she couldn’t be taught about them – she would make a point to do it herself. The option to paste macaroni on poster board and sprinkle it with glitter was no longer an option for the young Shannon…but she paid a hefty price for her rebel-like ways. She failed Art just as her art teacher failed her and the scholarships that awaited her disappeared. One in particular was Parson’s School of Design in New York City (her favorite). In her mind, if she could not get into art school what was the point? Financial aid was not an option as she came from a below average income family of six. So, after the traumatic realization had set in, Shannon quit school and made a hard left by continuing her art through Music. It wasn’t until the early 90s that Shannon was magically altered to enjoy the art of painting again. This was made possible by the introduction of the airbrush. The two were a born catalyst. Within just under two years she became successful in the business of fine art, returned to high school for her diploma (on her own terms), and was eventually asked to attend a New York meeting at Parson’s. Much to her surprise…she was asked to teach. Years later she was titled “The World’s Greatest Beatles Artist” according to a little town in England called Liverpool. Ask Shannon what her two favorite words are and she will jump at the chance to say, “Full Circle”.

Shannon’s art has garnered the most gratifying of accolades, the enthusiastic support and approval of celebrities themselves and those within the industries in which they have achieved notoriety. One such celebrity, Sylvester Stallone, expressed his sincere appreciation and overwhelming support to Shannon personally moments after unveiling a five postage stamp tribute to the Rocky series on the 20th anniversary of the release of the United Artists’ Oscar winning motion picture, Rocky, in November of 1996 at New York City’s Planet Hollywood. Shannon worked with Sly again, on the development of the illustrated movie poster for, "DRIVEN". Shannon’s highly acclaimed Rocky postage stamp tribute followed other successful stamp design projects…James Dean, Jackie Kennedy, Muhammad Ali, Elvis Presley, Diana / Princess of Wales, JFK Jr. and others. All postal stamp designs receive national and international recognition.

Shannon prestigious awards in the fields of fine art and illustration soon jumped the Atlantic Ocean and caught the attention of the England audience. In 1998 Shannon was donned “The World’s Greatest Beatles Artist” by the Lord Mayor of Liverpool. In 2000 a millennium celebration was held, complete with fireworks and Shannon’s artwork projected on the great buildings of Liverpool. Shannon’s popular Beatles fame also earned her the title of Art Director for the Broadway play, “AND IN THE END - The Life and Death of John Lennon”. Her Fab-4 fame also secured her the position of creating over one hundred paintings for the first ever Beatles themed Hotel, appropriately called, “Hard Day’s Night Hotel”. The hotel opened its doors in 2008. In 2009 Shannon was inducted into The Cavern Club’s “Cavern Hall of Fame” for her painted art…she made history by being the first inductee to be honored for nonmusical work. (all other inductees have been awarded for their musical support). She is now the Official Artist to The Cavern Club. On December 9, 2010, at The Echo Arena in Liverpool Shannon combined her gifts of art and music for the “Lennon Remembered” concert dedicated to John Lennon during what was called the “Lennon Season” (the time span between the 30th anniversary of John’s Death and his 70th birth date). Not only did she create the background image for the show…she also showed her musical skills when she played bass guitar that evening alongside Alan White (drummer for YES) and Joey Molland (of Badfinger). Her latest venture has earned her a spot inside the Cavern Club called, “Shannon’s Corner”. There, she recently unveiled her 9’ x 9’ foot painting of The Beatles during their last appearance at The Cavern 50 years ago.

In the fall of 2002, Cleveland's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame celebrated "Guitarmania". Shannon, and other celeb artists such as Yoko Ono; Peter Max; and Wyland, came together to paint giant 10' Stratocaster Guitars, destined to decorate the streets of Cleveland. Good Morning America's, Tony Perkins, was there and spotlighted Shannon's Guitar as "by far" the best and his absolute favorite. Other News Teams, from around the globe agreed. Her art, has since, been welcomed into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Gallery.

The announcement of the merging between King Features (Betty Boop, Popeye, Beatles Original Cartoon, etc.) and Shannon, with her latest creations…Phantasy Choppers®, Shannon’s Bakery® and Gearheadz®, has created quite a stir in the collectables world. Now she has moved forward by being asked to take on the task of putting on her own style to the world’s most famous cartoon icon…Betty Boop.

Shannon's artwork has been televised on The Tonight Show, David Letterman, Regis and Kathy Lee, Good Morning America, The Drew Carey Show, Oprah, Rosie O’Donnell, Leeza, Comedy Central, Hard Copy, Entertainment Tonight and many more. She has also received the “thumbs up” from The Spielbergs, Bruce Springsteen, The Stallones, Billy Bob Thornton, Armande Assante, John Paul DeJoria, Jon Voight, Scott Hamilton, music legends Cheap Trick, Billy Idol, Aerosmith, No Doubt, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and many others.

Utilizing her innovative eye, strong sense of design and inspiring creativity, Shannon has developed and perfected her painting style and in the process has amassed legions of loyal fans. Creative design, vivid depictions and luminous images are well known characteristics of art that is purely...Shannon.