Personal note from Tamara Shannon

A Note from Tamara Shannon

Greg Call - “Peter and the Starcatchers”, Disney

For both artists and clients, it is quite a commitment and responsibility to choose someone to represent you and your work to the world. The decision can be daunting, and rightfully so. To help you in your process, I was encouraged to put a few thoughts into writing so that you might be able to better know me, and by extension, this company.

To begin, I decided long ago to use the name Shannon in naming the company for practical reasons, so that former clients would be able to find me as I began this new venture. Beyond that, I have always regretted putting my name in what is quite clearly a collaborative effort. I feel very strongly that our company is about the illustrators and artists, not those of us that represent them. So all this being said, I will begin to explain who I am and why we all take our jobs so seriously.

One of the fundamental things one needs to have in this business whether you are a client, illustrator, or agent, is passion. It is too difficult to succeed in this industry if your work is not a labor of love. I began as an illustrator and still consider myself an artist at the core level.

Like many artists in our industry, my love of drawing began by watching the flickering drawings of Walt Disney come to life in such films as Cinderella, Pinocchio, and Fantasia. All I ever wanted to do, like so many others in this business, was to grow up and work for Walt Disney. (It is a dream-come-true to count the Walt Disney Company among our regular clients today.) Walt perfected the transformation of illustration into movies; from books to toys; and a seed of an idea into a Magic Kingdom. He did not cut corners to save time or money and never listened to the "nay sayers". We of this company have imbibed deeply of these qualities and have tried always to think outside-the-box, as he did, not only to survive, but thrive in this ever-changing market.

In any path of life it is invaluable to surround ourselves with those that are willing to share their experience and wisdom. The single greatest blessing of my education came with the introduction to Professor Dave Passalacqua, who was a Disney animator among the countless credits of his life. Dave embodied the joy of creation. Through his contagious spirit he communicated to all of his students that we weren't alone in our passions, and we had a responsibility to both the work and the industry if we were going to succeed. He strongly instilled in us that talent is only half the game; success also requires a lifetime of learning. Each of our careers will end faster than it takes paint to dry if we don't honor this inherent wisdom. So we continue to learn everyday by surrounding ourselves with talent and resources that will be keys to the next stages of our development.

My passions extend beyond art, encompassing peoples and lands from the bush of South Africa to the deserts of Central Asia and the streets of New York, where I have served in missions and ministry. I believe with all my heart that from the one who has been given much, much is expected. It is very difficult to see the struggles of another without remembering the blessings that we so often take for granted, and giving something in return. For all of us at Shannon Associates, those blessings include our artists, illustrators, and clients, many of whom we now count as friends. As I mentioned earlier, we do not take the responsibility that has been entrusted to us lightly. As we walk with you through your projects, seasons, and careers we can only offer our very best.

I hope you now have a taste of who I am and who we are. We invite you to explore our business through this site. Feel free to contact us if you have any thoughts to share.

Blessings,

Tammy Shannon
Principal
Shannon Associates