Artist Bio

D’shawn Sua

I was born in Southern California to a young mixed-race mother, and grew up navigating life as a predominantly Black, mixed-race individual across a range of living conditions and economic environments. My upbringing was anything but boring—often chaotic, and frequently the subject of ongoing family conversations about how my life could fill not just a book, but a book explaining why that book needed to be written. Maybe a few lifetime movies, and eventually a Netflix adaptation—at which point I’d have to seriously consider whether to pursue legal action for the use of my story. But let’s not get too ahead of ourselves.

My name is D’shawn, and I am an artist based in Las Vegas, Nevada.

My primary medium is acrylic paint. I’m drawn to its quick drying time and the control it gives me when working on canvas without worrying about warping. That said, I have a soft spot for watercolor. Painting with watercolor feels like playing a game of chess—you have to think several steps ahead, understand your limitations, and recognize when a piece is complete, whether you feel victorious or not.

I am a self-taught artist and have been working seriously in my practice since finishing high school. During my senior year, I earned approximately $800 through competitions and the sale of my work—which, at the time, felt significant (and honestly still does, just with a better understanding of inflation) while, passing the AP Art exam, and earning recognition through multiple competitions. Since then, I have continued to refine both my technical skills and my approach to building a sustainable art career.

My work has been seen and used internationally. I have created cover art for musical artists on Spotify, collaborated with startup brands and emerging companies on logos and product development, and designed visual materials for city government officials. Moving forward, I am especially interested in working with local businesses and organizations in Las Vegas. If something comes to mind, I welcome the connection—I’ve gotten better at not avoiding my email inbox.

As a child, I was naturally reserved, but deeply curious. I found inspiration in nature, school, music, cinema, and pop culture. I was also active in athletics, playing for Camp Pendleton’s youth basketball team and later participating in school sports and dance programs. Still, it was through the arts that I found my voice.

Music became a refuge in a world that often felt loud and unpredictable, and visual art became a way to communicate when words weren’t enough. My passion for drawing began with something simple—learning how to sketch a rose. That moment stayed with me and grew into a lasting commitment to creating. Over time, I developed my skills in both drawing and painting.

For me, art has always been a way to transform difficult emotions—loss, stress, uncertainty—into something meaningful. As I continue to grow, I aim to expand that transformation to include joy, love, devotion, and curiosity. My work reflects both where I’ve been and where I’m going.

Each piece I create carries that sense of evolution. By investing in my work, you’re not only bringing color and emotion into a space—you’re supporting a practice rooted in resilience, intention, and the belief that something meaningful can come from every experience.