Shannon was born in Oregon, educated at the Art Center School in Los Angeles. After school he joined the illustration market in New York in the late 50's, following two years as a sketch man in a Madison Avenue Agency.

In 1960 he initiated his career as an illustrator, eventually working for clients from movies to stamps, magazines from Field & Stream and Argosy to Time and Show. He worked for all the major paperback houses in N.Y.C. doing Western covers for authors such as Zane Grey, Louis L'Amour and Will Henry. The cover for McMurtrey's Lonesome Dove was among his many accomplishments. In addition to his artwork, Shannon wrote and illustrated "How to Paint the Wild West" as well as two other books for the Grumbacher Library.

Shannon served two years as President ofthe Society of Illustrators in N.Y. City. After his service to the Society, Shannon turned to painting the Historic West for galleries. He has been written up in Walt Reed's Illustrator in America, Contemporary Western Artists and Who's Who in America.

He has work in the permanent collections ofthe U.S. Department ofthe Interior, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army Historical Museum, U.S. Coast Guard, Leaning Tree, Marriott, Grumbacher, Rumley, C.B.S., Burt Reynolds, California Federal Savings, University ofTexas (El Paso), University of Wyoming and the Pipin Museum. Shannon continues to participate in local and national shows.

Email: stirnwe@aol.com
Website: http://www.shannonstirnweis.com/