Hello World!

Hello World,

My name is Mayshanna Pandora a mixed media artist who combines words and images to express myself.  I use color, paper, and found objects to discover new ways to illustrate my thoughts.

Since I was 5 years old, I knew I wanted to be an artist. However, I worried how the “real world” would see me if I were to call myself an artist.

I knew what I wanted to do, but I was afraid to reach out and embrace my dream.

Then one day the universe took away my “job,” my “home,” and my “money.”

I left my old, familiar world I had known for years to start over in a new, unfamiliar place.

Being miles away from my family, my home, and my former life motivated me to cling to the one thing that had always made me feel safe…my ART.

Now I create not because it makes me happy, not because it makes me free, and not because it makes me feel safe…

I create because it makes me AN artist!

Some Fun Facts About Me:

The Basics

My favorite color:

Green, I was once told it was a sign of intelligence. I’m hoping that is true.

My favorite pastime:

Cooking and trying new wine! I love eating new foods and a girl needs something to wash it down.

My greatest achievement:

My biggest achievement to date was to be comfortable calling myself an artist before the age of 30.  I turned 30 last June and I am an artist.

If I could do anything on a weekend, what would it be?

It would either be playing in my studio, listening to my favorite music on iTunes, or enjoying dinner and wine on the patio with my friends.

If you were not an artist what else would you be?

I would be in Advertising and Marketing,

 or a career that allowed me to nurture my Gemini side.

If you could have 3 people over for dinner,

living or dead, who would they be and why?

My grandfather: He passed away when I was high school,

I would like for him to see the woman I have become.

Frida Kahlo: I’ve always been attracted to her graphic subject matter

and her use of vibrant colors.

David Sedaris: I started reading his books when I moved to Raleigh and I fell in love with his writing, the only thing better is listening to him on audio book. He is hilarious

Where do I find inspiration for my art?
I find inspiration in magazine photos, mother nature, colors schemes, patterns, other artists. I love taking new art classes and/or reading about new techniques in some of my favorite art magazines.

What is my favorite medium?
Paper…I have drawers and drawers of paper in my studio. 

I try to use paper in everything I create.

Flowers are prominent in my artwork, my favorite is a Tulip? Why?
When I was a child my grandmother grew tulips in her front yard. Every spring when the tulips would break free from the ground, she would gather them and allow me to have a few. A few decades later, when spring arrives and the tulips break free from the ground, I gather them and allow myself to have a few.

Where and when do I create?
I create in my home. I have an extra room in my apartment I turned into a studio. I create all times of the day. The hours of my “paycheck job” are all over the board, so I

create morning, noon, or night.