The Shannon Story

Shannon, your artwork is absolutely beautiful. _Diane Sawyer

Her paintings truly look like photographs. _Sylvester Stallone

Always thinking! Never sleeping! _Rick Nielsen/Cheap Trick

Absolutely incredible! I'm serious! _Gene $immons/KISS

Your art is so - so - so... It's so real, Shannon! _Steven Tyler (Aerosmith)

Shannon, wow! This is very impressive work. _Joe Perry (Aerosmith)

You’re a very talented lady. I love your painting. _ Yoko Ono

If I wasn't here to see it happen myself I would have thought it to be a photograph. _Neil Aspinall (Chief Executive of The Beatles' Apple Corps) after witnessing Shannon paint a portrait of John Lennon

Those aren't photographs? _Ron Wood

These are all truly amazing paintings. _ Mike McCartney

One of the most talented people I have ever met. _Terry Stuart (CEO - Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)

Outstanding work, Shannon. _Graham Nash

Shannon is one of the most talented people you could ever meet. _Ita Golzman - V.P., N. American Licensing for King Features

We are standing here watching you and… well… we are just amazed. _Jennifer Lee with Richard Pryor at PETA 1999

You painted Rick's (Nielsen) guitar?!! It's amazing! _Jeff Garlin (Curb Your Enthusiasm)

I just have to say, Shannon, your talent is wonderful! _Neil Innes (Monty Python / The Rutles / Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band)

You are an incredibly talented artist. _Rosie O’Donnell

I grew up with the boys. I was there. I am amazed at how you have captured the innocence and hunger in their eyes. —Cynthia Powell (John Lennon’s first wife)

God damn! That’s some incredible work. _Billy Bob Thornton

Love your artwork! _Tommy Shaw (Shaw Blades / Styx)

Just beautiful! _Lindsay Wagner

You did these? That’s amazing, Shannon. _Frank Stallone

Wow, these are all paintings? Wow! _Micky Dolenz (The Monkees)

You paint beautifully. _Davy Jones (The Monkees)

Man, these are amazing, Shannon! Incredible! _Gunner and Matthew Nelson

SHANNON BIO

About Shannon - Art and Music

Born and raised on music and art, Shannon has combined both music and art as a stepping stone to achieve her goals. In past years, Shannon’s art has become as familiar as the internationally recognized celebrities she showcases in her exquisite paintings. Inspired by the contributions of her subjects to the entertainment industries, as well as the worlds of sports and politics, Shannon has an extraordinary ability to capture the distinct energy and spirit of each of her subjects and to reflect these unmistakable qualities through her wonderfully vivid creations. Combined with a tremendous flair for originality and daring expression, Shannon possess an uncanny ability to express the grace, dignity, strength, and intensity which have elevated her subjects to positions of irrefutable recognition and prestige.

Summary

Utilizing her innovative eye, strong sense of design and inspiring creativity, Shannon has developed and perfected her painting style and in the process has amassed legions of loyal fans. Creative design, vivid depictions and luminous images are well known characteristics of art that is purely…Shannon.

From 1979-1989 ♣ Shannon is devoted to music. 

Her band “JET!” plays on the TV Show “Dancing On Air” and her songs from two 45rpm records become #1, 2, 3, and 4 in most South Eastern College Campuses from Maryland to Florida.

Her band earns a worthy salary and plays 8-times a week (twice on Sunday) by demand.

The music business becomes more interested in Shannon and she moves into a solo career.

Shannon plays bass for Billy Idol’s drummer, Thommy Price.

Thommy asks Shannon to become his bass player for “Flesh and The Devil”. It is short lived but the connections prove positive.

Shannon receives a Record Contract from ATCO / Atlantic Records.

Shannon is asked, by Tony Bongiovi, to take a production seat at The Power Station Recording Studio in NYC.

Shannon records under the guidance of Mark Mangold and Roger Glover (Deep Purple) and is asked to join the band, Touch on Atlantic Records. She passes.

Cheap Trick asks Shannon to help design their stage (This is the pivotal point which sets the precedence for her ART CAREER and Creative Director spots)

1990 ♥ Shannon’s Music leads to her Art.

Shannon’s music connections start to notice her other talents. She has an eye for art as well as an ear for music. She starts to land small jobs painting guitars and designing logos.

1991 ♦ Shannon wins her first of many Blue Ribbons for her art.

Shannon wins first place in a Beatles Art Contest in New York City which leads her down the path of “Beatles”.

1993 ♣ Shannon starts to record her solo music project.

1994 ♥ Shannon meets Billy Heckle and Ray Johnson from The Cavern.

Shannon attends a Beatles Convention in Connecticut. Billy Heckle and Ray Johnson, from the world’s most famous club in the world, The Cavern Club. The Beatles hung their hats for many years in this club on Mathew Street. (Bill Heckle become the Number-1 source for Shannon’s later on arrival into Liverpool - which fetched her the title, “The Words Greatest Beatles Artist”.)

It was at this convention Shannon also met important people who would take her career further… Cynthia Powell (John Lennon’s first wife) and May Pang (John Lennon’s ex-girlfriend).

Shannon starts to paint illustrations for Warner Brothers. She works with the management companies of many Stars including Garth Brooks and Van Halen. 

1995 ♦ Shannon starts working for Donald Trump.

A knock on the door of her New Jersey home carried high acclaim when Donald Trump asked Shannon to re-organize his Trump Plaza and Taj Mahal. Shannon quickly became the #2 casino signage artist in the world after she was asked to create many more of her special “Light-up Illustrations” as she called them.

1996 ♠ Shannon Gets A Stallone Stamp of Approval.

Shannon’s art has garnered the most gratifying of accolades, the enthusiastic support and approval of celebrities themselves and those within the industries in which they have achieved notoriety. One such celebrity, Sylvester Stallone, expressed his sincere appreciation and overwhelming support to Shannon personally moments after unveiling a five postage stamp tribute to the Rocky series on the 20th anniversary of the release of the United Artists’ Oscar winning motion picture, Rocky, in November of 1996 at New York City’s Planet Hollywood. Shannon worked with Sly again, on the development of the movie poster for, "DRIVEN".

Shannon’s highly acclaimed Rocky Postage Stamp tribute followed other successful stamp design projects... James Dean, Jackie Kennedy, Muhammad Ali, Elvis Presley, Diana / Princess of Wales, JFK Jr. and others. All Shannon postal stamp designs receive national and international recognition.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tvih2R-2IK4

Highlight: https://totalrocky.com/articles/five-nations-honor-stallone.html

1997 ♦ Shannon starts her custom paint line with Hamer Guitars.

Through good friend, Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick’s recommendation, Shannon’s art recognition leads her to work with Hamer Guitars. Shannon’s work includes many custom painted guitars including… 

~ No Doubt’s “I’m Just A Girl” guitar (Spotlighted on MTV with Gwen Stefani).

~ Rick Nielsen’s Coronado and Dream Police guitars.

~ “Uncle Pepper” (Sgt. Pepper Anniversary Guitar)

1998 ♥ The World's Greatest Beatles Artist

Shannon prestigious awards in the fields of fine art soon jumped the Atlantic Ocean and caught the attention of the England audience. In 1998 Shannon was donned “The World’s Greatest Beatles Artist” by the Lord Mayor of Liverpool. In 2000 a millennium celebration was held, complete with fireworks and Shannon’s artwork projected on the great buildings of Liverpool. Her Fab-4 Fame secured her the position of creating over one hundred paintings for the first ever Beatles themed hotel, appropriately called, “Hard Day’s Night Hotel”. The hotel opened its doors in 2008.

1999 ♣ Shannon is asked to teach at Pratt Institute in NYC.

Shannon is asked to teach her style of Airbrushing n the NYC highly praised Art School. She declines and asks if they can hold her seat until she retires.

1999 ♦ Shannon is asked to play The Cavern Club in the UK for the first time.

Shannon is asked to play The Famous Cavern Club for the very first time. This is where The Beatles and many other bands started out.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_5h9I1eolo

1999 ♠ Shannon attends the PETA event celebrating Linda McCartney.

Shannon is asked, by PETA, to paint “live” at the Hollywood Celebrity Celebration of Linda McCartney. In attendance are Pamela Anderson, Rod Stewart, Chrissie Hynde, Alec Baldwin, Jamie Lee Curtis, Woody Harrelson, Ellen DeGeneres and many more.

2000 ♥ Shannon is asked to attend Steven Spielberg’s Children of Chernobyl Dinner.

Hosted by Jon Voight, Shannon is invited to Steven Spielberg’s Children of Chernobyl Dinner. The event is most positive celebrating 2-pieces of Shannon’s work which include a painting called, “E.T. Loves Steven”. Shannon shares the red carpet with The Spielberg Family, Kathleen Turner, Armand Assante, Pierce Brosnan and others.

2001♦ Shannon creates movie poster for Driven with Sylvester Stallone

Shannon was asked, personally, by Mr. Stallone, to create the movie poster for the international division of “Driven”. Shannon attended the opening at Grauman’s Chinese Theater. She attended the red carpet event with the Stallone family.

2004 ♣ Shannon creates a 10-foot guitar for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame CEO, Terry Stewart, asks Shannon to paint a giant guitar for the RARHOF. Joining her, representing other giant guitars, is Keith Richards, Peter Max, Yoko Ono, and other celebs. 

Good Morning America Weatherman, Tony Perkins, highlights Shannon’s guitar as “the best of the best” on daytime TV. He tells the audience how much of a Shannon-fan he is. He highlights Shannon’s guitar 3-times on the show and asks his colleagues to buy it for him for Christmas.

2005 ♠ Tony Perkins invites Shannon to Good Morning America Studios in NYC.

Shannon meets with Tony and Diane Sawyer. Diane tells Shannon she is a fan.

2006 ♥ Over 100 Paintings For A Beatles Hotel.

Over 110 Shannon paintings grace the walls of The Beatles' only hotel in the world. The Hard Day's Night Hotel, in Liverpool, was the brain child of Bill Heckle, Dave Jones, and George Guinness from The Cavern Club / Cavern City Tours. Bill Heckle was pleased when he met Shannon and saw her Beatles Art. She was the missing puzzle he had been looking for to complete the project. The hotel opened its doors in early 2008. In 2014, Shannon will be opening a gallery website dedicated to her large body of work in and outside the Hard Day's Night Hotel. Serious buyers, from around the globe, can finally look forward to purchasing some of the beautiful Shannon Art that exists in this famous U.K. hotel.

About The Hotel:

This boutique hotel, set in an attractive 19th century listed building in the heart of the city centre (right on the corner of Mathew Street, where the renowned Cavern Club may also be found), features discreet and tasteful Beatles memorabilia. Hard Days Night Hotel consists of 110 rooms in total, including standard rooms, executive suites and two spectacular penthouse suites; all guest rooms boast modern amenities and clever touches of decadence throughout, as well as exclusive works of art by the famous Beatles artist Shannon.

2006 ♠ Shannon signs with King Features Syndicate (Betty Boop, Popeye).

Shannon signed a deal to create a motorcycle collectible she presented to Vice President and friend, Ita Golzman. These motorcycle would later be called PHANTASY CHOPPERS®.

2007 ♣ Shannon is asked to create The Sgt Pepper 40th Anniversary guitar.

Shannon gets a call from Hamer Guitars to help create a guitar celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Sgt. Pepper for Cheap Trick’s performance at the Hollywood Bowl. The event is celebrated worldwide and the guitar simply called… “Uncle Pepper” is born. It is still showcased during every performance as Cheap Trick plays their hit song, “The Flame”.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnDndcxHWyM

2007 ♥ Shannon receives Platinum Album from Cheap Trick.

Shannon is awarded a Platinum Album from Cheap Trick for her artwork for the band over the years. Presenter is CEO of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,Terry Stewart.

2008 ♦ Chopper Motorcycles grace gift shop shelves in the USA.

From top to bottom, SHANNON has created the first dozen PHANTASY CHOPPERS® motorcycles. They smack of street hugging velocity, bullet-like curves, fat bottom rear-end torch, and an awesomely bad tempered look that reflects a blatant attempt to annihilate the competition. And that is when they’re just sitting on your shelf!

Shannon joined forces with King Features and signed on with Westland Giftware to distribute the 3-D radical Phantasy machines. The choppers were a big hit! Shannon is still represented, in licensing, with King Features and will present new 3-D projects in the future.

Who is King Features:

King Features is one of the largest and most experienced organizations in merchandise licensing and entertainment. Among its most beloved and successful classic characters are Popeye the Sailor Man, Olive Oyle and Betty Boop. In recent years, the company has expanded its portfolio and now represents a varied array of pop culture and art properties.

2008 ♠  Titled, Official Artist for The Cavern Club of Liverpool, England.

2009 ♣ Inducted into The Cavern Hall of Fame (Liverpool, England).

2010 ♦ Shannon sets and shares the stage with impromptu fame.

At a celebrity meet & greet called “Roc-Con” in Connecticut, Shannon played bass and organized a band for the event. She formed the impromptu band around her best friend…the late Dennis Ferrante (Grammy Winner / Singer, worked with John Lennon, Elvis Presley, Cher). Shannon drafted into this Superband… Carlos Alomar (David Bowie Guitarist), Vince Martell (Vanilla Fudge Guitarist / Writer), Dennis Diken (Smithereens Drummer), Jimmy Mack (Guitarist), Ian Loyd (Brother Louie - Louie-Louie-Louie-Lou-Eye), Susan Collins (Backup singer for Joe Cocker, ELO, Todd Rundgren), Jon Ihle (Motown Drummer), and Rick White (Singer Human Bienz).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hserS454fCM

2010 ♠ Shannon plays in front of 11,000 Liverpool fans with her artwork behind her.

Shannon was asked to share the stage with and by Alan White (Drummer for John Lennon and YES). It was the first time Shannon played music while her stage design surrounded her. This special moment took place at Liverpool England’s Echo Arena for the celebration of John Lennon’s 60th birthday. 

Video: Rehearsal that morning: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qb7RQVlWZd0

Video: Shannon is introduced: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BXpBC5Pavc

Video: Live performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-7p4ODFOGQ&list=RDp-7p4ODFOGQ&start_radio=1&t=111

2011 ♣ Shannon becomes Art Director for a London-based John Lennon play.

Playrwight, Sandy Marshall contacts Shannon to be his Art Director for the play, “And In The End”. The John Lennon story, which opened in London and starred Valentine Pelka (Highlander TV Series, The Pianist, Under The Tuscan Sun) had mediocre success - although Shannon’s artwork was highly celebrated.

2011 ♥ Shannon plays the Liverpool Philharmonic for the 1st time. 

Shannon is asked to play bass and share the stage with drummer Steve Holley (Paul McCartney and Wings, Joe Cocker, Ian Hunter) with “Two Of Us” on the stage of the Liverpool Philharmonic.

Video 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVAyJg6DWkQ

Video 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2IK3wryBTM

Video 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5y3pCiNPo34

2011 ♦  Shannon impromptu at The Cavern Club at 3AM with Canadian Hall Of Famer, Hal Bruce. (No rehearsal)

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVU92rCxMwQ

2011 ♠ Shannon on TV’s New York Rocks with Chubby Checker /Dennis Ferrante.

Shannon is asked to be interviewed on TV’s New York Rocks. With her is Chubby Checker and Grammy Winner and best friend, Dennis Ferrante.

Video 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EfGO18uukg

2012 ♥ Sponsorship from PPG® PAINT. 

Shannon gets a high-end sponsorship from PPG® dealing with their “green friendly” paint. PPG released it’s environmentally conscious color called, Envirobase®. Shannon started teaching around the nation the “pros” of using Envirobase® in the Custom Auto and Gallery industries.

2012 ♦ Shannon plays the Liverpool Philharmonic for the 2nd time. 

Shannon is asked to play bass with “Wings Over Liverpool” on the stage of the Liverpool Philharmonic.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4oAvwqDg3s

2013 ♣ Yoko Ono applauds Shannon for her portrait titled, “The Ono Lisa”.

Shannon meets with Yoko Ono to discuss her paintings and work for The Beatles. She is overwhelmed by Shannon’s portrait of her.

2014 ♦ Shannon designs the stages for “The 50th Anniversary of The Beatles Coming To America.”

Shannon becomes Art Director and Set Designer for The Beatles 50th Anniversary Concerts at the Apollo Theater, The Hard Rock, and The Town Hall. The Beatles were celebrated all over the USA and Shannon was asked to design all three stages in NYC.

2015 ♠ Sponsorship with 1-Shot Paint (also PPG®)

PPG Paint welcomes Shannon to the “PPG Custom Paint Family” with their recently bought product…1-Shot Paint.

2016 ♣ “The Rolling Stones" are unveiled by Shannon and John Lennon’s sister, Julia.

A 6 foot by 5 foot painting of The Rolling Stones playing The Cavern Club in 1963 was unveiled in January by Shannon and dear friend, Julia Baird. Shannon’s original painting shows The Stones playing the most famous stage in the world. There were no photographs for the event in 1963 so Shannon was hired to recreate the historical moment. It was quite an interesting and entertaining unveiling for those in attendance and watching the BBC… as Julia, a Beatles’ sister, has always declared herself… a true Stones fan. The painting hangs in The Cavern Club.

2017 ♥ Shannon surprises audience w/ a “no rehearsal” jam at International Beatleweek.

Shannon plays guitar for the first time in Liverpool. Everyone knows Shannon for her bass playing. They never expected her to come up on stage playing lead guitar.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fhxCUXvz7o

2017 Shannon on WAVE news in Kentucky.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDs_iQ0cKZ4

2018 ♦ Shannon is asked back to the Liverpool Philharmonic.

2018 ♣ Shannon is asked to reinvent the Hard Days Night Hotel.

The Hard Day’s Night Hotel celebrates its 10th anniversary. Shannon is asked to reinvent and update the hotel’s interior.

2019 ♠ Shannon signs on as Art Director for “Woodstock Experience /WE2019”.

50-years since Woodstock and the new 2019 celebration sees Shannon as Art Director for “Saloon Studios Live” in West Jefferson, North Carolina.

2019 ♥ Shannon’s art appears in the new movie “The Cavern Club - The Beat Goes On”.

Shannon’s art is quite apparent as you walk through The Cavern in Liverpool, England. From John, Paul, George, and Ringo to Mick, Keith, Brian, Charlie, and Bill… Shannon is a staple in Liverpool and the new Cavern Club movie shows off her talents.

2020 ♦ Shannon signs on with “Saloon Studios Live” as Creative Director.

Saloon Studios is an indoor/outdoor live concert platform, recording studio, and movie set in North Carolina. The complex looks like a set from “The Good, TheBad, and The Ugly”.

www.saloonstudioslive.com

2020 ♣ Shannon receives a Creative Director seat with the Illinois Rock and Roll Museum.