General Information

Shawna Doriot

Cell:  920-268-2606
Address:  1224 Woodland Court, Appleton, WI 54911
Email:  shawna_doriot@yahoo.com


Products:
I use Lyquitex Acrylic paint for both my murals and custom designs.  For murals, if the wall needs to be primed and/or painted first I will use the interior acrylic paint brand of your choice.

In terms of custom designs, the surface that I paint on is really dependant upon the needs of the client.  Customarily, a stretched canvas or canvas board is used, but I am able to paint on any surface (ie. furniture). 

Specialities:

I enjoy color and I am a huge fan of symbolism!   I am happy to create a poem or creative writing piece within your work of art if you like...in fact, it would be my pleasure! 

If you are looking for a photorealist or an artist who is able to paint incredible portraits of people, please check out my friend and colleague, Melinda Hallenbeck, at http://www.wix.com/hallenbm/creative-portfolio#

Custom Designs

"Hope"  is a custom design inspired by the twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous.  It is a testimony of faith, courage, hope, and humility.

"Whispers in the Wind"

(within this painting is written the following poem written by me)

Leave your fears, worries, concerns, and deepest thoughts
amongst the cattails in the light of the full moon.
God’s little angels will dance amongst the stalks at the water’s edge
as your prayers are whispered in the wind.
Upon their wings, the softest pillows, your words will rest
as these winged messengers carry them heavenward.
Do you hear that still, small voice whispering back at you?

Fear not, worry not, your heart, full of worry, will not remain heavy.
Upon the wings of dragonflies, the thoughts that weigh upon you,
will become light as a feather
as these night fliers flit and flutter about the moonlit night.
Do you hear that still, small voice whispering back at you?

Wander no more, but stand upon the water’s edge and whisper into the cattails there.
Words of sorrow, words of wonder, words of worldly things…
Whisper them amongst the cattails and watch them
fly away on dragonfly wings.
God will hear them and whisper back
words of wisdom and of love.
Return again to the water’s edge and listen carefully.
Do you hear that still, small voice whispering back at you?

"Fire Flower"

This piece was inspired by the following creative writing:

Once upon a time, deep within a thick, dark forest, there was a flower. The flower lie trapped beneath the blackest of soils, unable to move or grow. The other plants and creatures of the forest did nothing to help the poor flower, and wo...uld instead pack the flower deeper within the soil as they trod upon it. The flower wanted so badly to be able to raise her face toward the sunlight and feel the warm breeze upon her delicate, white petals. But how? How could this small, tender flower push through all the obstacles the mighty forest threw down at her? It seemed an impossible task. Every time she tried to poke through the thick, black muck, a passerby, paying no attention to the flower’s struggle, would trample upon her. And so, back into the darkness she would fall, alone and broken.

One day, a team of forest rangers surveyed the thick, dark forest and realized that some changes needed to be made. The forest was becoming too thick and too overrun with parasites and plants whose existence served only to choke out and prevent other flora from blossoming and reaching their full potential. The forest rangers conducted a controlled burn, because fire causes change and change has its own value. As the red, orange, and yellow flames consumed the forest, the forest rangers stood near, assuring that the fire did not overwhelm the forest and destroy it altogether, for the fire was meant to change not destroy.

The flower was scared of the fire at first, but once the wave of heat had passed over her, she was immediately rejuvenated. The weight of the soil and the forest above her had lightened, and for the first time in her life, she felt strong enough to make the move she had desperately tried to make for so very long. Slowly and timidly she poked her head through the black soil and, reassured by the warm embrace of the fire around her, rose up and raised her head of petals toward the sky for the very first time. Her stem, still bent and weak from years of being trampled upon, held strong, and she stretched out her leaves to soak in the warmth of the sun. The forest rangers marveled at the flower’s beauty and strength but saw that she still needed a lot of love and support. For although the flower and made it through the darkness, she still felt broken, fractured and alone.

On Angel's Wings

Detail of "On Angel's Wings"

Written along the vines in this painting are the words of the following poem, adapted from the hymn, "On Eagle's Wings":

He will raise you up on angels' wings,
bear you on the breath of dawn,
make you to shine like the moon,
and hold you in the palm of his hand.

The thorns of this life will never capture you,
and hardship will bring you no fear.
Under his wings, your refuge, his faithfulness, your shield.

He will raise you up on angels' wings,
bear you on the breath of dawn,
make you to shine like the moon,
and hold you in the palm of his hand.

The thorns of this life will never capture you
and hardship will bring you no fear.
Under his wings, your refuge, his faithfulness, your shield.



Murals

This mural was made for a four year old boy who loves giraffe's.  (My son, Reagan!)  The entire body of the giraffe is painted on the wall although it is not captured in this picture.  The wall adjacent to the giraffe is a fun irregular striped pattern I painted to go with the colors running throughout the rest of the room. 

The image and words were inspired by the children's book, "Rumble in the Jungle."  The inscription under the word  Giraffe reads:  "Some animals laugh at the gangly giraffe. But I hold my head up proud.  I really don't care, when my head's in the air and my cheek's getting kissed by a cloud."

Pricing

My service fee for murals/custom designs is $25 per hour.  This includes the cost of all products, supplies, and time needed to complete the project to your satisfaction from prep to clean-up.  I will provide a free estimate for what I project the piece to cost in terms of time, whether it be a mural or a custom design, based on the size of the piece and the complexity of the overall design. 

*An extra fee is charged for any additional framing that is requested for custom designs.

Just want a room painted without a design or mural?  I'd be happy to do that too!  If you'd just like someone to paint a room or two within your home a solid color, my service to you is $10/hr plus the cost of the paint.  This includes wiping down the walls, taping, priming, two coats of the color of your choice, and all the clean-up involved. 

Don't live in Wisconsin, but would still like a custom piece done for you?  No problem!  I would be happy to work with you on a design via email/skype/phone.  The only extra cost would be the shipping and handling involved in sending the completed product safely to you.

Availability

I am currently in graduate school getting my master's degree in art therapy at Mount Mary College.  My hours of availability vary from semester to semester, however I am pretty flexible and willing to negotiate a schedule that works for all parties involved.  =) 

Although I reside in the Fox Valley area in Wisconsin, I am willing to travel as far south as Milwaukee if you are looking for a mural.

Good News!  I am currently on winter break, so my availability is now extremely flexible until classes begin again at the end of January.  =)