Many people have a hobby, something that gives us joy or soothes our soul in some way. Shantea’s love of art goes beyond a mere hobby. She has found peace, creativity, and expression in art since she was a young girl. For Shantea, art is a passion and a integral part of her life. For this reason, Shantea chose to share her love of art with potential families.
Shantea chose to share her artistic side with potential families.
Shantea recalls finding joy in drawing from the time she was a little girl. Like most youth in foster care, Shantea’s life hasn’t been easy. But no matter where she was or what she was going through, she could find some quiet time to draw, to create, to express herself, and to give herself peace.
Art is a safe haven for Shantea.
When she was younger you may have found her drawing cats or mermaids, her interests at a younger age. As she has entered her teenage years, she is more connected to portraiture or to a particular favorite artform of hers – anime. Anime such as Sailor Moon, Demon Slayer, and Naruto are entertaining for Shantea to watch, but they also provide her with inspiration for her own drawings.
Anime provides inspiration for Shantea’s art.
Are you interested in learning to draw like Shantea? She kindly agreed to do an art tutorial that breaks down how to draw a character from start to finish. Follow along with Shantea and learn to draw an anime character.
“In drawing, there’s energies that come off of a drawing,” says Shantea. That energy is what can help you connect with an art piece… see the emotion or find a deeper meaning in the art. Shantea feels that type of connection exists for people, too. She hopes to find a family that she will connect with in a meaningful way.
Shantea has one simple wish for a forever family… to be loved.
Shantea needs a family who will accept her for who she is, give her the space she needs to spread her wings, be patient in letting her adjust, and appreciate her voice and her creativity. She would do best with a mom or two moms who are experienced and trauma informed. She would prefer an urban environment and would do well with or without other children in the home.
Like any work of art, a new family takes time to create; Shantea needs a family who will stick by her even if a few mistakes are made. A family who will appreciate that sometimes the wrong brush strokes can lead to a more beautiful outcome.