Award Winning Colored Pencil Artist

Welcome!

Pencils with a Purpose

Welcome to my home on the internet! Here you will be able to view completed portraits, pricing and commission information, find interesting articles in my blog, read reviews from clients, and connect with me. Also, don’t forget to follow me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SWfineartNC. I regularly post progress photos of portraits, helpful information, and more on there. You can also reach out to me via messenger.

Pencils with a Purpose

When I started drawing for others much of what I made was going to the things I needed to make my home more accessible for me and tools that would make everyday life easier. From this, I have decided to start a program called “Pencils with a Purpose” to help others with the expenses of making life easier for those that have recently become disabled. That could be something as simple as a grabber tool to help with getting a wheelchair. I will have random drawings I have already completed available for a required minimum price, but the buyer is encouraged to pay any amount from that price or up that they want to go towards helping others. These will all be original, hand drawn pieces and not prints. I will have a separate page on the website to list any available pieces for this project so keep an eye out for that!

News and Exciting Information

K9 Ziva

Gallery Addition

I completed a commission of K9 officer Ziva recently and had the pleasure of personally delivering it to the Randolph County Sheriff's Department. It was wonderful getting to meet everyone and be a part of such a special gift.

Gallery Addition

I entered a judged show at the Burlington Artists League in Burlington, NC. I was very excited to take home first place as well as an honorable mention. After the event I was invited to join the league and gladly did so. I am working on a couple of pieces now that will be available and on display at the BAL Gallery.

Commission Book

My commission book is currently open. I expect to close it for a few weeks around mid July so if you're interested in booking a commission now is the time.

Commission Book

Make sure you scroll down and subscribe to our email list. I don’t send out frequent emails so no worries on junk. I do however send out an email when there is important information to share. That is usually something like the live draw along. So make sure you subscribe and keep an eye out for more fun events!

Shana Williamson, the S.W. behind SW Fine Art NC

A little bit about the award winning artist behind the art. Hmmm… Well my name is Shana and I only started drawing around late February 2023. Until then I had absolutely zero involvement in the world of art. I spent my whole life without being able to draw so much as a stick figure. Of course to be fair, I still can’t do a very good stick figure. I don’t recall why I started, but I started doodling little things. A narwhal, donkey, monkey. Little clipart style things with no detail. I started searching youtube on how to draw different things and that’s when I came across the world of realistic color pencil drawing. It was fascinating how incredibly lifelike the images were. So, I dove in and started watching some of the videos. I quickly accumulated all of the different types of pencils, papers, erasers, and other tools needed and off I went! I had no idea where the path would take me but I certainly never dreamed I would be where I am just one year later. I have put hundreds of hours into practicing and learning from videos online. I likely have a hundred half finished drawings too because I didn’t like how they were going or messed up and found it easier to start over than to try and erase that part. I have spent… well, I have invested way more money than I ever thought I would. Now, just one year later, I am working on pet portraits full time, winning art contests locally and internationally, and loving it!

In addition to drawing, I am a mother of one and a wife. My son was diagnosed with autism and adhd when he was young and by first grade we had pulled him from public school and started homeschooling. So if I’m not working on a commission I’m likely teaching my kiddo something new. During the warmer months we can frequently be found at lakes, natural areas, and on other outings enjoying the weather or riding down the road at sunset so he can take photos of all the different colors it creates. I am an animal lover and have 4 dogs, 1 cat, and 1 bird now. In December of 2023 I became completely dependent on a wheelchair which changed my world drastically. I struggled with that for a couple of months barely drawing and mostly just being down. At some point I began to use my art as a way to help deal with everything. If I needed some time where I could clear my head and just forget everything going on I would go to drawing. It was a major help in getting me past the initial shock and pain of being in a chair. I am still adjusting and I’m not sure I will ever completely get used to it. There are days I still struggle greatly and end up not doing much other than being angry, but there are far more good days now. I am incredibly thankful my drawing journey began when it did and that it is something I can continue to do despite my physical limitations.