ABOUT
Soli Deo Gloria!
I thought you'd never arrive! Welcome to my art world. I'm Shannon Caeley (pronounced Kay-lee), and I am obsessed with the vibrancy of colors, and the beauty of the nature that surrounds us. As I continue to practice and grow my skills, my passion for art only grows! Scroll down to read more of my story and learn why I love what I do so much.
My Story
Ever since I was young, I loved art of all shapes and sizes, all mediums and textures. I have painted with watercolors, acrylics, drawn with pastels, charcoal, and colored pencils. I have written poetry and stories, fiction and nonfiction. I have sewn dolls clothes (granted, I was never very good at that), embroidered samplers, attempted to make candles (one of which exploded, thankfully injuring no one), and made and sold jewelry. Safe to say, if it is at all artistic or crafty, I have done it (successfully and unsuccessfully). Then I found watercolor, and fell in love with this medium.
I think the reason I have always liked art is because of the colors. The vibrancy of each shade, created by God for our enjoyment is breath taking. Being able to see the spectrum of color we do is truly a gift from God. Another reason I love creating is because, through the different mediums I have used, I am able to capture (at least in some small part) the beauty of nature. Anyone who knows me knows that I love living things. My room is full of over 40 plants and my dwarf hamster Twig. I love getting to take care of plants and my pet, and then watching the beauty and love they impart in return. In all these things, God has blessed me greatly, and I do not take that lightly.
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About four years ago, as things in my life began to change drastically, I started to put a lot more focus into creating art, and found a great deal of joy in watercolors. This past year, due to the progression of the chronic illnesses I battle, I've not been able to watercolor as much, so God has brought something for me to do instead. I have been learning how to create digital art, in watercolor and pencil drawing style. This has been a great source of joy and encouragement, as I've learned that I can create even while I'm in bed!
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So this is why I create art. It brings me joy, and is a way I can capture all the things I love most about life. Over the past four years, I have become acutely aware that our lives are not perfect, moreover, if they were, we would never long for the future that God has prepared for his children. Being chronically ill means that I struggle with many different conditions which all are difficult to handle at times. Unfortunately several of these conditions have no good treatment available yet. However God is using an incredible set of doctors and rehab therapists to help me figure out how to manage and live with these conditions, while we wait for the research to catch up so we can find better ways to treat the illnesses I have. My prayer continues to be that He would be glorified in my struggles, and that He would continue to give me opportunities to bless or encourage others, even though I am not able to a do a lot at times, because of my conditions. Pain and other symptoms of these conditions often throw curveballs at me, and I spend a good deal of my time managing the issues that continually pop up. Because of this my idea of a normal life looks much different than the average person. Although it might look like it's not as good or beautiful as what some people get to experience, I assure you that God brings manifold joys everyday, as He uses these sufferings to draw me closer to himself.
I am comforted and encouraged by God's promises to me. Romans 8:28 says "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." And Jeremiah 29:11 says "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."
Through my illness, I have constantly seen, over and over, the way that God has used it to work in my life. I have learned that in my weakness, God is strong, and that He upholds His children. Psalm 27:13-14 says "I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord, be strong and let your heart take courage. Yes wait for the Lord." It is His grace and power that sustains me. So, through His wisdom and love, He has given me something to do during this season of suffering. I can create and share that art with all of you. I pray that it will bless you in many ways. Soli Deo Gloria: To God alone, be the Glory.
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Meet my Pets
This incredibly handsome pup is Toby. He is a rescue dog who we found in April 2022. Ball fetching and toy destruction are his specialities, but he will stop everything if he sees a squirrel or hears the word "treat".
This tongue happy criminal was also adopted from a local shelter in December of 2022. Jack is never happier than when laying by your side licking your shirt and pants while you scratch him behind the ears. He also highly enjoys wiggling on the ground like a worm. He and Toby are fast friends, but they'd fool anyone at first glance, as they spend most all of their time knocking each other to the ground in wild wrestling matches.