A woman, Shanna Waddell, wearing denim shorts and a sequined shirt with a butterfly, stands in front of a large painting set up across two easels. The painting depicts women both clothed and naked standing in a garden; a castle-like structure appears in the center, with mountains stretching behind it.

Shanna Waddell

California
Visual
Artist in Residence, 2023
↗ www.shannawaddell.com

Gender
Nature
Mythology
Black and white portrait of Shanna Waddell

Artist Statement

My works depict a constructed world: a self-sustaining flower farm and artist commune that is an exercise of the imagination. I create serial compositions that are in dialogue with models of both art history and art-making. I absorb and adapt what have been historically considered masculine modes of painting, freely injecting my spirit into ideas for future systems of living.


While at Headlands

I will be working towards my upcoming 2024 solo show with Micki Meng in San Francisco.
Selected Work
A painting with vivid greens, purples, pinks, and oranges, depicting two women, seen from behind, in a rowboat on a body of water.
Shanna Waddell, "s/heness paints the sunrise out at sea," 2022; oil on canvas; 57.5 x 67 in..
Painting with dark color; a glowing moon is depicted above a body of water and a curving shoreline.
Shanna Waddell, "s/heness view of a full moonset," 2021; oil on canvas; 54.25 x 90 in.
Painting of three women; one standing and one sitting on a sandy shore, and one, ghost-like, stands naked waist-deep in the water.
Shanna Waddell; "s/heness at waters edge," 2021; oil on canvas; 68 x 78 in.
A painting depicting a woman standing naked with a white cape in a row garden of flowers; other women kneel as they pick the flowers.
Shanna Waddell, "s/heness societies flower farm," 2021; oil on canvas; 70.75 x 84 in.
A painting depicting women harvesting flowers from a flower farm. House-like structures stand in the background, with a dark silhouette of rolling hills.
Shanna Waddell, "s/heness socieity flower farm and studios," 2022; oil on canvas, 75 x 109 in.
Painting of a woman wearing a white dress with colorful embroidery and blue gloves. She is standing near a tree, amongst flowers.
Shanna Waddell, "s/heness walking amongst moon lit flowers," 2021; oil on canvas; 78 x 67.75 in.
Related Events
Open House

Fall Open House

Sunday, October 22, 12–5PM