Graffiti Pioneer :Shen: Finds Inspiration and Community in Franklin, TN

©Journal Communications/Jeff Adkins

Jodi Goldman-Hallford, known by her graffiti alias :Shen:, has been a pioneer in graffiti arts for decades. She hails from the West Coast, where she broke through as the first female graffiti artist in the region. After moving to the area in 2024, :Shen: quickly found her place as an artist in the region, and she creates live paintings and bold, colorful portraits. She hearkens back to her graffiti days, using big brushstrokes and spray paint.

Life and Inspiration in Franklin and Williamson County

:Shen: and her family have become quite ingrained in Williamson County, especially when it comes to work, recreation and community involvement. When asked what her family loves about Williamson County, :Shen: says the area has many hidden gems.

“We love the history,” she says. “We especially love downtown Franklin and the festivals they host four times a year. The weather is amazing, and the recreation is amazing. We love the culture. We love the music.”

And music plays just about everywhere, including community events like Franklin on the Fourth, bars and restaurants like GRAY’s on Main and The Factory at Franklin, and even entertainment venues like Kings, which offers an elevated bowling, arcade, gaming, and entertainment space.

©Journal Communications/Nathan Lambrecht

Drawing Inspiration from Nature and Architecture

:Shen: also appreciates that Williamson County is family-oriented, safe and offers ample access to nature – it is full of parks, trails and green space. In fact, she draws much of her inspiration from the area’s natural beauty and says she appreciates how the county has stayed mindful of keeping natural spaces as it grows. The fashion of the people who live in the county and its architecture are also big inspirations for her art.

©Journal Communications/Jeff Adkins

Giving Back: Community and Arts Council Involvement

Though relatively new to the area, :Shen: and her family have made it a priority to get involved in the community. She serves on the Arts Council of Williamson County, a nonprofit service organization that exists to enrich the lives of Williamson County residents by bringing the arts and people together. She also curates shows at The Factory at Franklin, and her daughter dances for the Fellowship School of Creative Arts in Brentwood. :Shen: often participates in the popular Downtown Franklin Art Crawl, which is held on the first Friday of each month from 6-9 p.m. The free event is an excellent way for people to learn more about local artists, view their work and enjoy their community.

Her family has also gotten involved spiritually. They found a tight-knit community at Fellowship Bible Church. Faith is a very important part of her and her family’s lives. “I live my life to give God glory, and I’m always meeting people who are like-minded in Williamson County,” she says.

©Journal Communications/Jeff Adkins

Franklin’s Thriving Arts Scene: A Place for All Creatives

As an artist in Williamson County, the opportunities to share your work are endless, as many people, businesses and organizations are willing to support artists, connect them with others and even showcase their work.

“The Downtown Franklin Association asked me to come out and paint live for their Downtown Franklin Awards, and through the Arts Council, I have been able to show my work in more places than I can even count in the short time that I’ve been here,” she says.

The move has been great for her career, as she says she has sold a lot of work.

The arts scene overall is surging in Williamson County. From buskers on the streets on the weekends to shows at the historic Franklin Theatre and Studio Tenn Theatre Co. in The Factory at Franklin to live music at area restaurants, there is no shortage of creativity here.

“I appreciate that there are so many opportunities for entertainment,” :Shen: says. “That’s really huge. There is such a strong creative culture here.”

To view :Shen:’s work and stay up to date on what she is doing next, check out shenstudio.com, where you can also sign up for her email newsletter, or follow her on Instagram at @shenshen210.