South Carolina’s Dorothy Shain creates contemporary artwork that reflects her love of travel and nature, but also color and pattern.
The artist & background: Born in Greenville, SC, Shain graduated from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, where she majored in studio art with a focus was painting.
After college, she briefly worked as a wrangler on a ranch in Colorado and at non-profits in DC and Charleston before returning to painting. In 2015, Shain she returned to her hometown.
Last year, Shain moved into in an old Greenville house that serves as her office and studio. She shares the airy space with Lucy, her French bulldog.
The goods & materials: Originial paintings, prints, textiles and wallpaper. Subjects range from abstracts and landscapes to crayon-bright swimwear and sneakers.
In her mixed media paintings, Shain’s materials include gouache, acrylic, charcoal and pastels on handmade paper, linen canvas or, when fitting, birch wood panels.
What’s popular: Brightly patterned bikini paintings ($2,400) and prints ($200).
Other favorites: The new “Heritage Garden” collection of textiles ($188 per yard) and wallpaper (prices vary) was inspired by Shain’s childhood home, yard and garden in Greenville.
Inspiration: Travel to other cities and coastal getaways in France, Guatemala, southern Italy and California.
For her jungle-themed swimsuit collection, Shain was inspired by the 1963 children’s picture book, “Where the Wild Things Are.”
In her playful sneaker collection, she named each sneaker painting for a woman who has shaped history or has inspired her. The “Mashburn” was inspired by Atlanta tastemaker Ann Mashburn.
Fun collaborations: Stationery collection with Charleston’s Mac & Murphy; pillows with Atlanta-based Lacefield; and swimwear with Anthropologie in 2018.
Claim to fame: Actress and writer Mindy Kaling commissioned a colorful collage for a guest bedroom in her Los Angeles home.
Where to buy: www.dorothyshain.com
Get social at: Dorothy Shain on instagram
