Shannon<\/b>: I have been drawing since the age of 2 (As mom told it). My start took place when I discovered what a pencil was and what it did. Seemed to come as natural as getting up in the morning for me. In the past 10 years, I have taken my craft and worked it to perfection. I acknowledge my talent as a gift and respect it for what it is. To this day, it still baffles my mind as to what I have accomplished.<\/p>\nUnlike my peers, who are influenced by other painters, my influences come from my childhood heroes, such as\u00a0John Lennon<\/b>\u00a0and\u00a0The Beatles<\/b>,\u00a0Elvis Presley<\/b>,\u00a0Sylvester Stallone<\/b>,\u00a0Billy Holiday<\/b>,\u00a0Muhammad Ali<\/b>, and\u00a0Charlie Chaplin<\/b>. I do greatly respect\u00a0Norman Rockwell<\/b>. These are people that beat most of the odds thrown into their path.<\/span><\/p>\n
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Craig<\/b>: How did you get and prepare for the\u00a0“Rocky”<\/b>\u00a020th Anniversary stamp set?<\/span><\/p>\nShannon<\/b>: I’d just finished the\u00a0European<\/b> version, and answer to the\u00a0US<\/b>\u00a0Postage Stamp featuring\u00a0James Dean<\/b>, I had created 9 Dean<\/b> stamps for the project. Although it was my first postage stamp series, it was very successful and earned me some serious clout and leeway on future projects.
\n<\/span>
\nSo, fortunately I was asked the big question, “What would you like to do on your next project,\u00a0Shannon<\/b>? Any ideas?”\u00a0 The first person to jump into my mind was Sylvester Stallone<\/b>. He was impactful, handsome, sexual, popular, and I had a small Stallone<\/b>\u00a0connection. Having been more a fan of\u00a0Rambo<\/b> than Rocky<\/b>, I clearly had no idea where this would go…if indeed it did go.<\/span><\/p>\nSo, I called my connection and asked they get in touch with\u00a0Mr. Stallone<\/b>\u00a0(who already knew the quality of my work) and see if he was interested. I was told to wait a couple weeks for the answer.<\/span><\/p>\nI put the phone down and went into “anticipation mode”. Within 5 minutes I started to think myself into a nervous frenzy, then the phone rang. I picked it up and the voice said, “OK, he’ll do it. Not of\u00a0Sylvester<\/b>, the man…but as\u00a0Rocky<\/b>, the character.”<\/span><\/p>\nI couldn’t believe it happened so quickly. I was told\u00a0Sly<\/b>\u00a0needed this project to coincide with the 20th Anniversary of\u00a0Rocky<\/b>, the movie. Good news: I got the project!<\/span><\/p>\nBad news: I had only six weeks to bang out 5\u00a0Rocky<\/b> illustrations for 5 Stamps. One for each movie.\u00a0 <\/span>The anniversary was that near.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/stallonezone.com\/imgs\/news\/2003\/nov\/110203shannon1.jpg?resize=500%2C315\")
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Craig<\/b>: Did you work closely with\u00a0Sly\u00a0<\/b>during the project’s conception and preparatory phases? Did you show\u00a0Sylvester<\/b>\u00a0sketches as the project developed?<\/p>\n
Shannon<\/b>: I was sent a various array of slides and photos of the\u00a0“Rocky”<\/b>\u00a0movies. Honestly, they were all useless. So I jumped in my shiny red Corvette and missioned my way to book stores, libraries, and memorabilia shops. I had no choice, the project had to make it’s deadline.<\/span><\/p>\nLucky for me, the\u00a0“Rocky”<\/b>\u00a0Anniversary 5 pack had just hit the stores. I found what I needed and went to work. First thing to do: Watch every\u00a0“Rocky”<\/b>\u00a0movie, in order, back to back…as if it was one movie.
\n<\/span><\/p>\nSly<\/b>\u00a0saw all paintings as they were finished, via\u00a0Fed Ex. I hadn’t met the man yet, but during a phone conversation with his PR personnel, I heard his voice in the background, explaining only one change he would like taken care of. It was pretty cool.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/stallonezone.com\/imgs\/news\/2003\/nov\/110203shannonrocky3.jpg?resize=271%2C424\")
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Craig<\/b>: Of all the possibilities, what made you decide on one particular image for something as iconic as a\u00a0Rocky Balboa<\/b>\u00a0stamp? Did the man himself have some say in that decision?<\/p>\n
Shannon<\/b>: I tried to look at it this way: I have to create one finished illustration to represent one major movie. Five times! The impact had to be there. And I had but one shot to do it. Again, timing was everything. As the deadline drew nearer, I watched the movies over and over. Then listened to them while I painted. Their influence was phenomenal.
\n<\/span>
\nSly<\/b>\u00a0had no real decisions, except for the one, in the project. I believe it was because of the impact of the Anniversary and a full schedule that needed all of his attention. I would also like to believe he trusted my work. I found, in the future, that was the key element…he trusted me.<\/span><\/p>\nCraig<\/b>: Were you nervous when the time came to reveal the finished work to\u00a0“Rocky”<\/b>?<\/p>\n
Shannon<\/b>: Not really. I knew they were all good. Plus, it was a major turning point in the evolution of my work. My passion for this job seemed to trigger a whole new me and I was 80% content with the work I was creating. And that is a lot of percentage for me. I am my toughest critic.<\/span><\/p>\nNervousness came the day\u00a0Sly<\/b>\u00a0and I unveiled the\u00a0“Rocky”\u00a0<\/b>stamps at\u00a0Planet Hollywood<\/b>\u00a0in\u00a0New York City<\/b>. Keep in mind, I still had not met him. But to someone’s craziness, it was decided it would be magical if we met on TV. I, myself, could think of a better word other then magical. I remember sitting in my seat waiting to be called up. I watched\u00a0Sly<\/b> unveil each of my creations one by one. It seemed as if it would take forever and I could swear my heart was jumping out of my chest and hitting the back of the person’s head sitting in front of me. When I was finally called and was walking up to finally meet “the man”, a warm sensation went from my head to my toes and suddenly…I was fine. No nervousness, no shakes and no heart coming out of my chest. I was even able to be a bit “camp” with Sly<\/b> in front of the cameras. It was a great ending to a grueling 6 weeks.<\/p>\n
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Craig<\/b>: What are your thoughts on creating another\u00a0Balboa<\/b>\u00a0stamp, to compliment the possible theatrical release of\u00a0Rocky<\/b>‘s 6th and most likely final chapter ?<\/p>\n
Shannon<\/b>: I would love it! I heard, through the\u00a0Hollywood<\/b>\u00a0grapevine, it will indeed be a\u00a0Broadway<\/b>\u00a0play. But a 6th stamp gives it a nice round number. I am ready for the challenge if it does arrive.<\/span><\/p>\nCraig<\/b>: You also painted the poster used for the\u00a0“Driven”<\/b>\u00a0international release and for the\u00a0Rocky<\/b>\u00a0animated “doll” box. How did those come about?<\/p>\n
Shannon<\/b>: I heard\u00a0Sly<\/b>\u00a0was doing this fast paced, on the edge, racing picture. Being involved with racing myself (I raced Motocross for about 5 years in my youth and my Dad built racing cars in his prime), I found this very appetizing. I still have a beautiful 57 Chevy hard top that I built from the ground up. Nitrous, 400 small block with a destroked 350 crank, fuelly heads, high compression pistons, racing cam, etc. Ummm, you get the picture. It’s in the blood, you know?<\/p>\n
So I wanted “on” this project in the worst way. Well, I pushed and pushed until I finally got word to\u00a0Sly<\/b>\u00a0that I wanted a shot at the movie poster. As usual, he received word near the end of the project.\u00a0Sly<\/b>\u00a0contacted me and we talked quite a bit. He asked me up to his place and we discussed the possibility of a European poster. It was too late for the U.S. illustration.\u00a0Sly<\/b>\u00a0sent me over to\u00a0Warner Brothers<\/b>\u00a0in Los Angeles, where I live today, to go through the\u00a0Driven<\/b><\/em>\u00a0library of photos. Again, as before, most of the photos were already taken and I got the last of the batch. Some were good, but the car shots were bad.<\/p>\nI was “off” to the libraries and book stores once again.\u00a0Sly<\/b>\u00a0was quite involved with this project and I found myself up at his beautiful home countless times.\u00a0Sly<\/b>\u00a0gave me some great, needed photos he had at his home. His wife and family are wonderful people and treated me and my talents with great respect. I was asked for Thanksgiving dinner, at\u00a0Sly<\/b>‘s home, a few months later. Word had gotten back to the Stallone<\/b>s I was going to be alone for the holidays. This shows you what wonderful people they really are.<\/p>\n
As for as the\u00a0Rocky<\/b>\u00a0Doll art…It is actually the number 5 Stamp on the box. That simple.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/stallonezone.com\/imgs\/news\/2003\/nov\/110203shannonrocky4.jpg?resize=271%2C424\")
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Craig<\/b>: Are there any other\u00a0Sly Stallone<\/b>\u00a0projects that we haven’t mentioned?<\/span><\/p>\nShannon<\/b>: At present time, I am working on three coffee table books that represent different aspects of my work. They involve one on\u00a0The Beatles<\/b>, another on\u00a0KISS<\/b>, and the third is a book on my celebrity art which will involve\u00a0Sylvester<\/b>\u00a0more than any other celeb. I will use\u00a0Sly<\/b>\u00a0for the cover and when the time is right, ask him to write the forward.<\/p>\n
Craig<\/b>: What kind of “personal art” do you do for yourself?<\/p>\n
Shannon<\/b>: My personal work has a lot to do with the people I am influenced by.\u00a0 Being donned “The World’s Greatest Beatles Artist”<\/b>\u00a0(in\u00a0England<\/b>) has given opportunity for a very nice catalog of\u00a0Beatles<\/b>\u00a0art….which will be in my book. Also, portraits have been painted of\u00a0Bette Davis<\/b>,\u00a0Steven Spielberg<\/b>\u00a0and\u00a0ET<\/b>,\u00a0Van Halen<\/b>,\u00a0Tom Cruise<\/b>,\u00a0Elvis<\/b>, and\u00a0Charlie Chaplin<\/b>, to name just a few. Most recently, I have been involved with painting female erotica….Vargas<\/b>\u00a0style. Truly painted much like the old masters, but with today’s twist.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/stallonezone.com\/imgs\/news\/2003\/nov\/110203shannonrocky2.jpg?resize=192%2C300\")
<\/p>\n
Craig<\/b>: Where can fans find your work?<\/p>\n
Shannon<\/b>: You can see the wide variety of my work at\u00a0TheShannonGallery.com<\/a><\/b>. There’s also a listing of tour dates for the future, which are quite helpful.<\/p>\nThe Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has my 10 foot tall\u00a0Fender Stratocaster Guitar<\/b>, I created, on display for the next year.<\/p>\n
I will also be creating 120 giant murals, which will be part of the structure of\u00a0The Hard Days Night Hotel<\/b>, in\u00a0Liverpool, England<\/b>. This hotel is the world’s first\u00a0Beatles<\/b>\u00a0themed establishment. One mural for each room. Quite the project!<\/span><\/p>\nCraig<\/b>: Wow! You have quite a few projects lined up. We’ll keep an eye out for them. Thanks for taking the time to talk with us!<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Sometimes one word says it all.\u00a0Stallone.\u00a0Arnold.\u00a0Madonna.\u00a0Shannon. Shannon? Yep,\u00a0Shannon\u00a0is all that need be said to identify another major talent. I first became aware of\u00a0Shannon‘s art when I picked up the 20th Anniversary stamp set for the\u00a0“Rocky”\u00a0movies. I was impressed by the five stamp series. I would later learn that\u00a0Sly\u00a0was also impressed. He even owns a couple […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[78,20,9,13,43,55,57,25,23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12875","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-78","category-celebs","category-rocky","category-rocky-2","category-rocky-3","category-rocky-4","category-rocky-5","category-sly-fan","category-stallonezone"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3r2Pe-3lF","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stallonezone.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12875","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stallonezone.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stallonezone.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stallonezone.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stallonezone.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12875"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/stallonezone.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12875\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12876,"href":"https:\/\/stallonezone.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12875\/revisions\/12876"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stallonezone.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12875"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stallonezone.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12875"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stallonezone.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12875"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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