Artist bio

:ShenShen210:, also known as Jodi “Shen” Goldman-Hallford, is a pioneering visual artist whose work is shaped by a profound spiritual awakening that transformed both her life and her creative voice. As the first female graffiti artist on the West Coast, Shen has spent four decades pushing artistic boundaries — evolving from the streets into galleries, museums, and major international exhibitions. Today, her bold, emotionally charged portraits and mixed-media works explore themes of redemption, freedom, and inner restoration. Through aerosol, acrylic, and layered texture, she paints the unseen forces that shape the human story — capturing the beauty that rises from brokenness and the light that overcomes darkness. Her work has been exhibited internationally, earning her the “Best New Exhibitor” award at Red Dot Art Fair during Art Basel Miami. Shen has been commissioned by organizations and collectors including the Olympics, Ritz-Carlton Hotels, and notable figures such as Clint Eastwood, Carroll Shelby, Daymond John, William H. Macy, and Tim Tebow. She is also known for her live painting performances at fundraising galas, where her work has helped raise significant support for survivors of human trafficking, veterans, and global missions. Now based in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband and their two youngest of eight children, Shen continues to create and exhibit work that boldly proclaims hope, healing, and the transforming love of Jesus Christ — inviting viewers not just to see, but to encounter the truth of the Gospel through art.

Title

Beauty Through Brokenness

Medium/Genre

Painting

Artist Statement

I paint stories of redemption through beauty, brokenness, and light. Using layered aerosol and mixed media, my work invites viewers to feel the quiet truth of grace — to encounter hope, restoration, and the unseen hand of God moving through the human story.

How it fits into contest

Romans 8:28—“God works all things together for good”—is not a soft or sentimental promise. It is a declaration that nothing in our lives is wasted, not even the darkest or most painful moments. I chose this verse because it reflects my own journey of being shaped, not in spite of brokenness, but through it.

Rather than illustrating the verse literally, this painting tells it slant. The dark, smoky forms represent struggle, grief, and chaos, while the explosive color breaking through speaks of transformation, redemption, and unexpected beauty. The truth of Scripture is present, but it is revealed through movement, contrast, and emotion rather than words.

Beauty Through Brokenness invites the viewer to feel what Romans 8:28 promises: that even our most shattered places can become the birthplace of light.

How to Purchase this Artwork

While the original has been sold, a limited number of signed giclée editions remain available, each accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. ✨

Other Goods & Services Available from this Artist

Please contact the artist directly at shen@shenstudio.com

Submit Your Artwork Today!

The 2026 Engage Art Contest will be accepting new artwork in January 2026!