shaman designs

05/09/2026

A big thank you to m a.g. staff Stormin the Castle for the display space.

05/09/2026

Good morning from Stormin the Castle

04/09/2026

Life;
These days I don't have a van to take my artworks to promotional events, neither can I afford the ever rising pitch fees.
This weekend I'm supposed to be taking time out at Stormin the Castle bike rally but as my partner is not coming with me I couldn't resist seeing if I could take my business. Shamandesigns mobile again. Various paintings on wood, a few highly detailed paintings on canvas covered by a couple of painted leather jackets.( Packing changes)
Just trying to make the most of every day and every opportunity it may bring.

10/08/2026

"Art for the heart's sake."
Over the years I have occasionally done art that has been relevant to my life. These paintings took me by surprise as I was compelled to do them. They were not on my agenda/ business/ life plan. They do tell a personal story but I do think they deserve a public viewing because someone may appreciate the sentiments, symbology and art in each of them.
At the beginning of the year my partner acquired some wood slices for me. When I left them in the house to dry some of them started splitting/ cracking so I shelved plans of what I was painting on them. Meanwhile I had written various mantras around the edges and burnt a good luck rune on the bark of all of them.
A couple that weren't cracking had a slight heart shape.
One night I doodled a heart with various symbology , yin & Yan, hourglass etc. The next night I asked her to be my muse so I could work from her hands. The nurturing hands around the heart in unity and the sands of time running low.
A couple of weeks ago our relationship hit a rocky patch. I was compelled to paint.
First the heart went alone into the isolation of deep space. Damaged from experience. Cupid's arrow lodged through the surface. A dagger in the back. Maybe the deep scar is from it being ripped open when my wife died. (Therapy). The small stitches are in the style of my logo. There's two hearts of gold on the side ( see video)
The next night I had a mental image of a pic of us. Then an image of a specific piece of wood. I was compelled to complete quickly and so instantly painted and let it flow.
I wanted to repair both the wood and the situation. For the wood I came up with the Japanese technique of kintsugi for it's sentiment. To repair with gold to make it more beautiful than before.
I have done as much as I could with the amount of filler I had in the house, discussions are being had about smoothing it over.
Yes these are personal therapy but in the end I wondered if anyone else may appreciate the sentiments of each.
I'm open to any kind of commission. I paint pets down to the last recognisable whisker, bikes to the reflection in a bolt head and it appears abstract but realistic mind expansion and soul searching paintings.
Thank you for reading and looking.

09/08/2026

Good morning Sunday.
A new day to begin again

07/08/2026

Portraits.
Portraits versus what I enjoy painting.
Reflections fascinate me versus getting blends/ tones correct. A long time ago I painted a portrait for my wife and I which was kept private as I wasn't trading. Recently when I've been out promoting myself I keep getting asked about doing portraits and usually turn them down. There has been one enquiry for a wedding portrait which did interest me and I have been wondering about practicing.
The other painting I did for my mum a couple of years ago. She gave me a small black and white Polaroid of my sister and I sitting on the motorbike of an uncle that had died and said she'd like to see a painting of it.
In summary; I don't do portrait work very often.

07/08/2026

Patience; waiting for a consistent level of sunshine to photograph new artworks. . . . . . . Done
Patience; waiting for the subject. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

06/08/2026

06/08/2026

"still looking for a heart of gold"