Shawn Augustson, a U.S. Army veteran, discovered art as a form of therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder after serving in Iraq. Through CreatiVets, an organization devoted to helping veterans heal through music and art, Augustson was introduced to numerous art forms, ranging from ceramics to photography. Upon completing the program, he set out to teach himself new techniques while fully embracing art as a conduit for creative and emotional expression. In his paintings, Augustson employs a bright palette with colors that hold deep symbolic value. For example, red represents the mental struggles he faces, but it also carries transformative potential. As he explains, “So that’s the negative, and I put it on the canvas and leave it there…then I turn it into something bright and happy and beautiful to me.”
Source: Hayley Gallery, BP Hope
Website
https://www.shawnaugustson.com/
