Today we’d like to introduce you to Madeline B. Shearer.
Hi Madeline, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Growing up, I was a quiet kid who took naps in dresser drawers and played pretend in the crawl spaces of my home in the heart of rural Pennsylvania. I spent summers barefoot looking for rocks and crawfish in the creek and stretching my toes toward the sky on the secret neighborhood rope-swing Bridge to Terabithia-style, but luckily the story of my childhood has a much happier ending. I accredit my wild yet gentle childhood and the wonderful people that raised me with kindness for my curiosity and appreciation for the little things.
My love of art began in The Cave. The Cave was a dinky little room in the basement of a basically-my-grandparents-family-friend. They turned that dull room into a haven of color and curiosity that allowed me to foster my creativity. The Cave still looks the exact same today, an untouched time capsule of the love and care that shaped who I am today.
Then came the growing pains of middle school filled with iPods, Abercrombie, and One Direction into the awkwardness of high school filled with sugary coffee, marching band, and too much Tumblr, but I had art to help me cope and a dream to draw full time to keep me moving forward.
Columbus College of Art and Design was a far cry from the small-town life I had known, but it was what I needed. Not only did it drop me smack dab in the middle of a caring and devoted arts community, it forced me to develop a fierce independence and work ethic. Now nearing the end of my college career, I am fortunate to work as an illustrator for a local stationery company while freelancing as a picture book illustrator. My first work as a published illustrator is called The Magic of Wonder which is all about helping children find wonder and joy within themselves and their daily lives. It touches on a thread that I am very passionate about and happens to be written by my favorite teacher in high school, bringing me back to my roots.
I feel more in touch with the soft and free spirit of my childhood than I ever have before, and I want to spend the rest of my life keeping the candle of curiosity and kindness lit.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I have been very fortunate to live a fairly privileged life. I am a white cisgender woman who has always received open and honest support from my family and those around me. I have dealt with imposter syndrome and anxiety, but I feel like those are not novel experiences today. There are so many people with more valuable perspectives than mine who do not receive the same attention, so I prefer to uplift their voices instead. Check out incredible local Columbus artists who happen to be good friends of mine, Jess Schwarz (@gothcowboyco), Ghoul King (@rezzaghoul), and Grayson Cooper (@mossymorels).
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am an illustrator and maker who specializes in stationery design and picture book illustration. I say maker because, at the end of the day, I like to make with my hands, whether it is drawing spot illustrations of flora and fauna on my iPad or going tactile by combining collage, paint, and gold leaf on wood. No matter what I do, I weave together themes of comfort and whimsy in ode to my passion for the magic in the mundane.
My entire goal as an artist and person is to get people to slow down and appreciate the little things, both physically and figuratively. I want to promote an appreciation for the little, whether it be creatures, objects, moments, joys, sadnesses, anything and everything, because little by little, little things amount to a lot.
I feel that this quote by the late great Mary Oliver sums up my personal and artistic philosophy: “Imagination is better than a sharp instrument. To pay attention, this is our endless and proper work.”
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I am honestly not sure, but I have hope. AI art is the beast that the art community is currently facing, and it has been so inspiring to see artists in online and physical spaces band together against it. I understand the tension and trouble that arises when art is tied to income, especially in a world where art has become seen as merely content that you should churn out as much of and as fast as possible. I am so happy to see artists rising up and shouting that art is not just content; it has meaning; it cannot exist without us. The crux of art is connection, communication, and expression, and I believe that no machine can rival human touch.
Contact Info:
- Website: madelinebshearer.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rabbity_heart/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/rabbityheart
