After quite some time we’re bringing back the student feature for the KCAI Illustration department. We’re nearing the end of the semester but we wanted to give a shout to an excellent student: Shane McCullough!
1. Tell us about yourself! What’s your name, where are you from?
My name is Shane McCullough. I am a 22-year-old non-binary illustrator and collage artist born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. I am an introvert but love meeting new people so reach out to me or say Hi when you see me on campus.
2. What brought you to KCAI? Why Illustration?
KCAI was originally my first choice school. However, I went to another school in Iowa first but, I wasn't in love with the program so I moved back to KC. I decided that KCAI was going to be the school for me so I built a portfolio and within a year I was accepted. I chose illustration despite having a more graphic design background because I wanted to explore and not be bound by a medium.
“Float”
3. What do you like about Kansas City?
Kansas City is by far my favorite city, although I am biased. I love KC’s tight niche artist community and the importance placed on small businesses. I also have to say that we have a very under-appreciated skyline.
4. What is your favorite snack?
My favorite snack changes a lot but one constant is fruit. Especially blueberries, bananas, and mangoes.
5. What medium do you prefer?
I prefer digital collage mediums but I often add either ink or acrylic mark-making that I will scan and work into my digital collages.
6. What’s your favorite project thus far and why?
My favorite project was probably the movie poster project in storytellers and myth-makers because I love movies and I would like to do poster design at some point in my career. The project also required vector art as the medium, which I have a lot of experience in and enjoy doing.
7. If you were not doing art, what do you think you would be studying or doing instead?
Honestly, I think art is the only area of study I would be happy doing. However, before deciding on an art degree I was interested in psychology, architecture, and chemical engineering.
“Soulflower”
8. What do you like to do outside of class? What hobbies do you have?
Most of my time outside of school is spent cooking and going on walks with my fiancé Elise, taking care of our dogs: Lovey and Tylee, or having dinner and game nights with our friends. Outside of school and work I’ve just been focused on building community and building friendships.
9. Who and/or what is an inspiration for you in art-making?
Big inspirations I have are artists like Shepard Fairey, Keith Haring, Basquiat, Franziska Barczyk, Eliza Ivanova, James Jean, Keith Negley, Hilma Af Klint, Maxime manga, and Essam Marouf the list could go on forever. Besides artists, I’m inspired by the power an image has for change especially when the image’s intent is for social or environmental justice. The history and impact that art has had on the human concept of the world are also interesting to me and I hope to be a positive voice and influence in this way.
“Have a Good Trip”
10. Do you have a go-to tool for sketching and idea generation?
My go-to sketching tools are either a ballpoint pen, mechanical pencils, or oil/chalk pastels. I use a ballpoint pen and mechanical pencil for loose idea generation or when line work is the most important. When color and shape blocking is more important (for things like vector) I use oil or chalk pastels.
11. What type of art do you want to make?
Currently, I want to work in editorial illustration, movie/tv poster design, and album/music visuals but I am open to all kinds of work and experimentation.
“Mushroom Dream”
Thanks for reading! Be sure to check out more of Shane’s work @m.shane.mccullough (Instagram).