ARTIST SEEN
Jordan Shapot:
Bold Expression at Work
ARTIST SEEN PROFILE | FEBRUARY 2026
HOW DO YOU HANDLE CREATIVE BLOCKS??
Creative blocks come for us all. One thing I like to do is experiment with new mediums or techniques with an outlook based in curiosity, not perfectionism. Another way is writing about the creative block that I’m dealing with in order to understand why it’s happening and ways to overcome it. Also, writing about other creative ideas I’ve had brewing can get me excited and engaged. Lastly, I like cleaning my workspace so when inspiration does strike, I’m ready. first piece I remember is a tree in a field, surrounded by cows, that I had to turn around and photograph on a drive home. For years, I thought it was just a photo, but looking back, that tree was the spark that opened my eyes to the magic in everyday moments and ignited my creative journey.
HOW DO YOU BALANCE CREATING ART WITH THE BUSINESS SIDE OF ART?
Oof. It’s tough, but I’m getting better at it all the time. Organization is key, which ironically is also one of my main struggles. They say a painting career is about 20% painting and about 80% everything else, such as promotion, framing, exhibitions, sales, networking, meetings, finding inspiration, etc. Even though that’s true (if not more skewed), it’s super important to schedule time for making artwork. Keeping a tight calendar and an organized to-do list are crucial.
HOW DO YOU HANDLE CRITICISM?
I like to think I handle it well. I’ve always been able to imagine, and often respect, other people’s perspectives, which I think helps a lot. Nothing in this world is appreciated by everyone, so I try not to take things too personally. Harsh art school critiques also helped me develop thicker skin.
DO YOU HAVE ANY SUPERSTITIONS OR RITUALS WHEN YOU WORK? I do have a bit of a ritual at the studio. When I arrive, I almost immediately turn on some music or a podcast based on the vibe I’m trying to set. For example, if I’m starting a large expressive painting, I’ll maybe queue up some upbeat funk or dancehall. If I’m finishing a detailed painting, I’ll maybe listen to some softer jazz or an art podcast. Next, I pick out my paint clothes for the day, change, and then prepare my workspace. Then, right before starting work, I like to exercise some. It helps get my blood flowing and achieve mental clarity.
DO YOU THINK ART CAN CHANGE PEOPLE? HOW?
Without a shadow of a doubt! Art is a form of communication. All art, especially when paired with text or dialogue, can convey powerful messages that words alone couldn’t. Propagandists and advertisers understand this well. It’s also a way to connect with others, build empathy, and feel more human. There’s a great Oscar Wilde quote: “Life imitates art far more than art imitates life.”
DESCRIBE A TIME YOU TOOK A MASSIVE GAMBLE ON AN UNCONVENTIONAL SHOW.
Early on in my painting career, maybe ten-ish years ago, I was given a proposal to create a poster image that was supposed to be a collectible item for a big national dog show coming up. I was tasked with creating the artwork, but also printing fifty high-quality posters at $25 a piece, with the understanding that I would be able to collect 100% of the sales. At the time, it was the largest investment I had made toward my art career, but I was excited because I believed it would be a pretty lucrative venture. I made the painting for the poster with that money-chasing mentality. Well, the dog show took place and I wound up selling only TWO posters from the stack of fifty. The original painting now hangs in my studio as a reminder that it’s better to make the art that I want to make instead of the art that I think is going to make a quick buck.
