Shannon Grissom - Author and Artist, Sock Monkey Oracle Card Deck

Shannon Grissom

Shannon Grissom didn't discover painting until she was 33, but once she discovered this hidden passion, she was hooked and driven. By 1999, Shannon was able to leave her day job and began to create art as a full-time business. At 46, Shannon self-published her children’s book Monkey Made of Sockies, along with a line of licensed merchandise, including a coloring book and the popular Monkey Made of Sockies golf club headcovers that have been carried on tour by several LPGA pros.

Shannon is an award-winning artist, television producer/host, author, and songwriter, and she just launched an online creativity school called Painterly. Learn more about her work with sock monkeys at: sockmonkeyoracle.com.

I’m excited for you to connect with Shannon, check out her work and impact, and follow along as she continues to share how the age-old sock monkey became an inspiration of joy—and how she plans to help others rediscover their own playful energy!

I'd love it if you'd introduce yourself, what you do, and what you're working on.

Hi, I'm Shannon Grissom! I'm a positively creative multipreneur. I mean that literally, in the sense that not only do I create in a variety of media (painting, writing, songwriting, and video), but I also choose to create from a place of positivity. 

I'm currently in the middle of the launch of my latest creation, The Sock Monkey Oracle. It's been a joy to produce! I love that this fun oracle card deck combines my art, writing, and positivity.

How did you get started?

Though I engaged in creative activities as a child, my journey started in earnest when I took a decorative painting class in my early 30s. During that class, I fell in love with painting and knew I had to find a way to make a living with my passion. When I look back, I realize that until that class, I didn’t even know what my dreams were, let alone permit myself to follow them.

Once I decided to follow my passion, I was on fire! I’d get up early each day to paint for a few hours before starting my day job. This demanding schedule was worth the effort. Finally, after five years, I was able to leave my day job and launch my full-time art business.

What Inspired the work you’re doing?

My current project, The Sock Monkey Oracle, was inspired by an old sock monkey we found after my mom passed away. The well-worn sock monkey made me smile during a tough time, and as we were packing up the house, my sisters agreed that it should come home with me.

At the time, I was overwhelmed with grief and by the number of things she left behind, so I tucked the sock monkey in mom's cedar chest, and there it sat for many years.

One day, in response to a painting competition, I decided to create a still-life painting as a tribute to my mom. I've always used my creativity to process life. That painting turned out to be the perfect vehicle to work through my unresolved grief.

Mom was a brilliant musician and gifted teacher with a keen sense of humor. So, when I was thinking of items to add to the still life, I remembered mom's sock monkey. And I decided it was the perfect symbol to embody all of her qualities.

Something magical happened when I started to paint the first sock monkey painting. I felt I was channeling mom’s love into the artwork. After finishing the first piece, I didn’t want that feeling to end, so I just kept painting!

Over the years, I created 50 sock monkey paintings. Along the way, they were licensed on golf club headcovers, golf ball markers, and other products. Though I always had an oracle card deck in mind for the work, I never worked on the deck. Instead, it was among the many items on my Me and My Big Ideas list.

All of that changed when two of my one-woman shows were canceled during the pandemic. I figured it was a sign to complete the Sock Monkey Oracle. Once I decided to finish the deck, things moved at warp speed. I plowed through the graphic design, and the text came tumbling out in about a month.

Once completed, I pitched the deck to Beyond Words Publishing, and they accepted my submission. We launched in April of this year. They have been the perfect partner for bringing and sharing this labor of love.

What is your biggest passion? Do you feel like you're living your passion and purpose?

My biggest passion is my creative work. There's nothing better than a paintbrush in hand, a pencil at the ready, or an instrument to tune. With these tools available, I get to choose which one I will play with before embarking on the day’s grand adventure. Yep! I live my passion every single day.

What is your joy blueprint? What lights you up, brings you joy, and makes you feel the most alive?

Something special happens when I create with and in front of, other people. It could be a painting demonstration, talk, or musical performance. No matter the vehicle, I am enthused and inspired. And then the audience, in turn, becomes eager to create. It’s a beautiful chain of inspiration. To light a fire under other people’s creativity is the best thing ever!

How do you live intentionally? Are there tools/resources/practices that you rely on to help you stay mindful and grounded?

I am conscious of living intentionally. However, I can get distracted, so I use many tools to keep me on track.

I start my day with Julia Cameron’s “Morning Pages.” If you are not familiar with this tool, you write three pages longhand first thing every morning. I have been writing “Morning Pages” for almost 30 years, and I would be lost without them. They help me see where I have been and where I need to go.

Next, I have a daily meditation practice. The first session directly follows my morning pages. Later in the day, I meditate again. This practice helps ground and center me. 

I also have a gratitude practice tied to my daily walks. During these strolls, I work at being present. (Yep. I have to work at it!) It is always my intention to notice and be grateful for the beauty in everyday sights. I capture moments on my walk with my camera and then create gratitude posts for social media. My gratitude practice helps me stay focused on the good as well as spread good cheer.

Other tools that I use for an intentional living practice focus on minimizing distractions.

I place my phone on do not disturb and close my email windows while working on projects. I then schedule a block of time to return emails and phone calls. I also paint or write first thing in the morning. If I wait till later, something always gets in the way.

This may seem like a lot of structure, but I have found that living this way keeps my day peaceful and productive.

What would your younger self think about what you're doing now?

My younger self thinks I'm fantastic! She is happy that I finally let her out to play. (In the past, I held back my tendency towards playfulness as I thought I needed to be a serious artist.) I am so over that! I now recognize that play is seriously necessary.

Do you have a go-to mantra or affirmation?

“Change your thoughts, change your life.” It’s that simple when I let it be.

What is your biggest dream?

My biggest dream is that I am helping billions of people feel good.

Here's how I see it starting. First, folks connect with the Sock Monkey Oracle, and they instantly feel the love. They then tell or gift the Sock Monkey Oracle to their friends and family, and now those recipients are surrounded with good vibes too! The love grows exponentially like the Richter scale, and in turn, folks all over the globe are sharing the love. The love keeps growing and growing and growing, resulting in a group hug for the planet.

To connect with Shannon and learn more check out her website SockMonkeyOracle.com and on Instagram @shannongrissom TikTok @shannongrissom Facebook @ShannonGrissomCreations YouTube @shannongrissom and on LinkedIn here

Joy Corner is an interview-style blog series brought to you by Seek The Joy Podcast. Our mission continues to be a desire to share your stories, truths, joys and inspiration in your words. We invite you to join our corner, and share your joys, passions, and moments of inspiration as we continue to seek the joy, together. Join this series here