Abbey Shaneyfelt

Glass and 3-dimensional art 

How long have you been doing art? 

For a very long time I’d say. I’ve been doing it since elementary school, but I didn’t care about it until high school or middle school, and take it seriously.

How do you express yourself through art?

It’s really just a means for me to …  create something and feel accomplished about making something that’s pretty but also expressive. There’s a lot of different ways [I express myself]. Sometimes I’ll paint how I see a song. It changes a lot.

What’s your favorite medium to work with?

Probably glass.

Why do you enjoy working with glass?

I think it’s really unique. In comparison to drawing and painting, which both have a lot of value to them. I think the whole process and care that has to go into it, it’s a big time investment and also emotional investment.

What inspires your art?

A lot of different things. I [would] definitely say music is a big one though.

What are some of your achievements with art?

Definitely Early Expressions. I won the 3D category last year and this year which is pretty cool to receive acknowledgement for that. I don’t try to sell my art or anything so it really doesn’t leave my room once I finish.

What is something that you’d like to improve upon in your art?

Being more flexible with it. I’m a perfectionist so sometimes I get very critical of it instead of just going with the flow. I think it would be cool to try to release some of that control and have more fun with it sometimes.

What piece of advice would you give to someone that’s just starting off with glass and metal?

Be kind to yourself and be patient.