Shijun Art on Doobious.org 2013, a local internet organization supporting the arts in Atlanta. La Reshea Jones conducted an interview and took pictures this October. Here is the published article.
“I love a challenging and creative life. Freedom and the sense of
liberty is achieved through my ability to express what I am seeing and
feeling. As an artist, you have developed good insight and a taste for
life – life is what you make it, so try to make it beautiful. Being an
artist and art teacher has provided me a lifelong love.” – Shijun Munns
Shijun Munns is a local painter who was born in the province of
Guangdong, China where she has built her foundation and passion for art
since childhood. She graduated from Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts in
1987 which led her to receive a copious amount of awards and recognition
for her paintings, she then followed the path of becoming an art
instructor. Over the years her work has been viewed and collected on an
international scale. She
moved to Georgia in 2003 where she currently works and lives in a
quaint and quiet home with her husband. She creates and teaches in her
studio at home and stays very active within the Fine Art world here in
Atlanta, having her work exhibited in many galleries throughout the
area.
A majority of Shijun’s pieces exudes a style that stems from traditional
roots with a modern twist. She has noted inspiration from artists such
as Marc Chagall, Pablo Picasso, Vincent Van Gogh as well as “some of the
old Chinese masters”. Her love for the texture, design, and vibrant
colors of these artists works shine through her own. She has also expressed gaining inspiration from her students.
Alongside everything else she is a photographer and writer having
published articles in her home country as well as creating travel
journals documenting places and people.
“My main medium is painting but I am interested in many mediums like
watercolor, mixed media, and Chinese ink brush paintings… My feeling is
that every medium of art is connected. When you experience art in
different ways and other ways of expressing yourself, it will deepen
your perspective on life and improve your artistic style,” says Munns.
Shijun’s works display themes that emit very mystique feminine energy
and its connection with the environment showing “a balance between
serenity of nature and the strength of poetry”. The splendid and lush
country side of Georgia and the Southern charm of its culture shines
through her latest works.
“Art expands ones horizons. For children, the simple act [of] being
creative has beneficial qualities that enrich their lives in all their
endeavors through school years. To create art is to nurture, heal and
love and a quest for giving meaning to my own life. I like art that is
inspirational, heartening and more peaceful than the reality of life. I
think art should inspire the viewer, elicit a response. The world
without art is the ruin of soul.”
I truly appreciate La Reshea Jones for her interview and wonderful article just published on their webpage http://doobious.org/local-artist-highlight-•-shijun-munns/
