JONATHAN SHAW

Artist / Designer

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

ABOUT THE ARTIST

As a child, my father traveled to a myriad of different countries as a documentary filmmaker. Our household was decorated with an eclectic assortment of textiles and carvings from around the world such as Peru, Greece, India, and New Zealand. This multi-cultural exposure left an impression on me and is now expressed through my art in a whimsical style.

During childhood, I attended speech therapy because I had delayed verbal communication. I found that drawing was a helpful way for me to express myself. I am very thankful for the role art plays in my life. I enjoy the thrill of expression and creativity especially when it comes to reflecting on culture, nature, and scripture. Much of my work could be termed as “folk art” which resonates with my heart to create playfully with child-like wonder. The work samples that I have included display my exploration of various patterns and textures, bold strokes and color schemes.

In January of 2021, I decided to resign from day job in order to pursue my art career full time. Since then I have had several commissions, but I still long to devote my attention to creating a mature body of work and to strengthen my artistic voice. I have chosen to apply as an Emerging Artist because I have yet to fully establish my personal style and exhibit my work in more professional settings. If I am selected as a fellowship recipient, it would allow me to invest in my work with greater focus and give me the opportunity to meet other artists and creative enthusiasts. Over the months, I’ve come to realize my need to be surrounded by other artists; learning from and encouraging one another.

ARTIST BIOGRAPHY

EDUCATION
2010 BA in Studio Art with Art History minor, graduated cum laude from Seattle Pacific University, Seattle, WA
2007-08 Colorado Mountain College - Aspen & Glenwood Springs, CO

2007 University of Wisconsin - Richland, Richland Center, WI
2006 Judson University, Elgin, IL
2006 Graduated cum laude, Brookfield East High School, Brookfield, WI

EXHIBITIONS
2021 Upcoming Group Exhibition, Oholiab’s Visual Arts Gallery, Milwaukee, WI

2020 Pieces from a Pandemic, Oholiab’s Visual Arts Gallery, Milwaukee, WI
2018 Solo Exhibition at The Space Framing & Art Gallery, Milwaukee, WI
2018 Holiday Show/ Fundraiser, Cloud 9, Milwaukee, WI
2018 Grand Opening/ Silent Auction, Renovatío Art Studio, Milwaukee, WI
2016 Unleashed Conference: Your Work Matters, Elmbrook Church, Brookfield, WI

2015 Holiday RAWk, The Rave/Eagles Club, RAW Artists, Milwaukee, WI
2014 Solo Exhibition, Yéhonatan, Brooklife Church, Mukwonago, WI
2013 Two Group Exhibitions, Elmbrook Church, Brookfield, WI
2012 Solo Exhibition at Brewer Public Library, Richland Center, WI
2010 Seeds of Meditation, Solo Exhibition at Seattle Pacific Art Gallery, Seattle, WA

2009 Group Exhibition, Vineyard Church, Seattle, WA

AWARDS/SCHOLARSHIPS
2008 President’s Transfer Scholar Award, Seattle Pacific University, Seattle, WA

2006 Scholarship Award, Elm Grove Woman’s Club High School Art Show, Elm Grove, WI
2006 Artist of the Year Award, Brookfield East High School, Brookfield, WI
2005 Honorable Mention, Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts, Brookfield, WI

2005 Artist of the Year Award, Brookfield East High School, Brookfield, WI
2004 Best of Show, Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts, Brookfield, WI
2003 Artist of the Year Award, Brookfield East High School, Brookfield, WI

COLLABORATIVE PROJECTS
2021 Current: Multi-dimensional painting for fundraiser (16 x 8ft), acrylic paint on canvas, Aug. Prep. Academy, Milwaukee, WI
2018 Zacchaeus in the Tree, acrylic paint on plaster wall, Pattaya, Thailand

SELECTED COMMISSIONS
2021 Current: Poster series, Seasons & Celebrations, hand drawn/ digital illustrations, Milwaukee, WI
2021 Mural painting (60 x 13.5ft) on barn, latex paint on sheet metal, Waukesha, WI

2021 Illustration design, Trailmerge.com, hand drawn/ digital illustrations, Atlanta, GA

2020 Illustration for T-shirt design for Trailmerge.com, Atlanta, GA
2020 Guest bedroom mural (9 x 4ft), acrylic paint on drywall, New Berlin, WI
2018 Published book illustrations, ink on paper, An Italian Love Story: Surprise and

Joy on the Amalfi Coast by James E. Shaw, Campagna Books, Brookfield, WI

2016 Logo design for Podiatry Success Today, Milwaukee, WI
2016 Large-scale installation for Unleashed Conference: Your Work Matters, Elmbrook Church, Brookfield, WI
2015 Logo design for Gio Aceves Photography, Waukesha, WI
2015 Logo design for Evergreen Pharmacy, West Allis, WI
2012 Indoor mural (8 x 12ft), acrylic paint on drywall, Crossfire, Inc., La Crosse, WI

2012 Published book illustrations, ink on paper, An Italian Journey: A Harvest of

Revelations in the Olive Groves of Tuscany by James E. Shaw, Compagna Books, Brookfield, WI

2011 Original Large Scale Paintings for Sermon Series, Blackhawk Church, Middleton, WI

PRINT MEDIA
2021 Featured Artist, IlluminART Box, Alden, MI
2019 “Open Table” Painting used for branding and print material, Missions Fest, Eastbrook Church, Milwaukee, WI
2012 Dawn Kiefer, “Shaw finds beauty in scripture,” The Observer Newspaper, Richland Center, WI. April 12, 2012. 1A-2A.
2008 Grace Choi, “Students take time to exhale: SPU encouraged to relax and worship through art,” The Falcon Newspaper, Seattle, WA. 6.
2006 Linda McAlpine, “Arts, athletics and faith help senior round out his education,”The Freeman Newspaper, Waukesha, WI. June 2, 2006. 1A & 10A.

2006 Lisabeth Passalis-Bain, “Women honor 34 budding artists,” Elm Leaves

Newspaper, Elm Grove, WI, March 30, 2006. 11.

TELEVISION
2021 Tiffany Ogle, “A Unique Fundraising Campaign with St. Augustine Prep,” Interview

August 27, 2021, WTMJ-4 TV/ The Morning Blend, Milwaukee, WI

TEACHING & RELATED EXPERIENCE
2011 - Present Freelance Artist & Designer, Milwaukee, WI

2016-18 Art Studio Owner/Partnership, Renovatío Art Studio, Milwaukee, WI

2014-17 Art Teacher, Homeschool Co-op, Beyond the Books Inc, Brookfield, WI

2015-17 Private Art Tutor for various students, Pewaukee, West Allis, Milwaukee, WI

2013-17 Co-Leader of after school program K-8th grade (volunteer), Adullam Outreach, Milwaukee, WI

2013 Arts & Crafts Director, Forest Springs Camp, Westboro, WI

2011 Volunteer assisting w/ large scale installations, Wormfarm Institute, Reedsburg, WI

2008 Artist Assitant for Artist Hunt Rettig, Aspen, CO

2008 Frame Shop Attendant, Suitable For Framing, Aspen, CO

2006 Print Handler & Packager, Prints.com, Milwaukee, WI

LECTURES & WORKSHOPS
2016-18 Studio Facilitator (volunteer) Open Art Studio sessions at Renovatío Art Studio, Milwaukee, WI
2017 Painting Instructor for staff activity at Elmbrook Church, Brookfield, WI

2014-17 Studio Assistant at Stroke of Genius, wine & paint studio, Waukesha, WI
2014 Guest Speaker for seminar & workshop Creativity in a Camp Setting, Christian Camp Conference, WI
2011-12 Art director & facilitator (volunteer) Open Art Studio sessions at Grace Community Church, Richland Center, WI

MENTORSHIPS
2020 - Present Artist Rise Training, Jaroid Henry, New Orleans, LA

2021 - Present Thriving Christian Artist, Matt Tommey, Asheville, NC

GALLERY AFFILIATION
Oholiab’s Visual Arts Gallery, Milwaukee, WI

JONATHAN SHAW

ABOUT THE ARTIST

ARTIST BIOGRAPHY

Let's Get Social

Let's Get
Social