Based in Brisbane, artist Shannon Camden is fast making a name for herself for her hyper realistic paintings of sweets, pantry items and still life scenes. Nostalgic, playful and colourful, it’s no wonder that her pop art inspired work is resonating. “Everyone has a different memory associated with sweets,” she says.
After completing a fine art degree at Griffith University where she majored in drawing and printmaking, Shannon spent time working in an art shop where her colleagues encouraged her to pick up the oil paints. Not long after, she decided to try her hand at painting ‘thirty days of fruit and vegetables’ before moving onto confectionary. “I like doing a series where I have a lot of things to paint. I like creating big collections.”
The sweet treats have certainly resonated with people and since starting the series Shannon has received many custom requests (including one from a woman in New Zealand who asked her to paint a chocolate fish!) but her most sought-after work is a specific chocolate duo. “I paint a Chomp and Curly Whirly together and people have gone mad for it. They are always displayed together at the grocery shop, and I think a lot of people associate them together,” says Shannon who regularly picks up new sweets to paint in her quest to paint them all.
“My work is precise, and I really love little details. I also don’t have a big studio which limits the size I can work with,” says Shannon whose works sit between the 10x10cm and 30x30cm range. Perfect for small space living, Shannon’s works don’t require a large amount of wall space and they look great styled on a bookshelf too. “My art looks great when mixed and matched and the pieces are small so can be slotted in anywhere you want,” says Shannon whose original are priced between $300 and $800.
As for the artist’s favourite thing to paint, she really enjoys the Hubba Bubba bubblegum – especially the colours, tape and interesting font. “I like painting Minties too – I like the silly little individual illustrations on each wrapper.”
Currently, Shannon’s work is part of Bluethumb’s The Next Wave exhibition in Melbourne which features the work of 10 rising stars in the art world. Drawn from the 20,000 artists on the platform, it’s certainly no mean feat. “It’s going well. I’m now painting full time and I sell my work via Bluethumb and directly through my website and I’ve had a lot of success at The Affordable Art Fair too.”
The Next Wave
Until 29 April 2024
Bluethumb, 330 Bridge Rd, Richmond 3121
Open 9.30am-5.30pm Mon-Wed and Fri, 11.30am-8.00pm Thur, 10am-4pm Sat and closed Sun.
Shop Shannon Camden’s work online
Photography: Leanne Stamatellos
Comments
Shannon Camden is my Granddaughter and is an exceptional talent. She is so precise with all her works, the details she puts in are just incredible. I don’t even have to be biased, she truly has a gift to be extremely proud of.
You’re absolutely right, she is very talented!