shaiunleashed

Hello! My name is Shai B. and I'm a 32 year old kid at heart. I have a teenager artist, a 7 year old ninja, and an tiny infant Buddha. Each of my babies has their own incredible and totally different personality and being a part of their journey has been the best gift from The Universe.

I have been creating in craft, art, and writing form since I was 3 or 4 years old. My step-dad, an artist, started giving me weekly drawing lessons when I was six. At the age of 14, I was thrown into an Advanced Watercolor class when other electives were full and I've been addicted ever since - it's been nearly 20 years!

I have a mad love for painting and traditional art, but am falling in love with mixed media as well.

Trading is my jam, especially ATC's and postcards, especially if they're HD/HP or HD/HP + mixed media. I'm just getting into trading other things.

I am an activist at heart. I have a dual degree in Peace and Justice Studies and Social and Political Philosophy with double minors in Religious Studies and Political Studies. I worked for the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation as a campaign manager for their #NukesareNuts lawsuit campaign at the United Nations. I am a strong ally for POC and LGBTQ and actively work against systemic racism and for LGBTQ rights. These things mean a LOT to me.

My favorite books are the Little Women series and dystopian novels. I love, love, love classic books - if they made you read it in school, I probably love it.

My favorite authors are George Orwell, Margaret Atwood, Ray Bradbury, etc.

I love Mo Willem's children's books - Knuffle Bunny, Pidgeon, etc. The use of real life black and white images and his style of drawing in Knuffle Bunny won my heart over. I'm trying to collect them all for my youngest.

My daughter and I are obsessed with all things Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli, and I am equally obsessed with Marvel - specifically X-Men. (Even more specifically: Jean Grey/Dark Phoenix).

I don't have any allergies or anything, unless you count an extreme allergy to rudeness. :D

I love people - all people. I write love notes and leave them in strange places like gas pumps and public bathrooms to make strangers smile.

I struggle with suicidal depression and anxiety - not something most people would guess. I'm very open about it, however, because I hope to help break the stigma. Loving other people helps me love myself when I have hard days.

I can't wait to swap with you!