Softness as Strength

Through sculptural paper and vibrant forms, Macey Shae McLaughlin redefines femininity and the power of playful creation

Macey Shea McLaughlin — known professionally as Macey Shea Illustration — has always been creating. Now pursuing her Bachelor of Fine Arts in illustration at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, she has turned a lifelong passion into a practice rooted in identity, community, and reclamation.

Growing up as essentially an only child, art became her outlet for self-expression. Today, that foundation shapes work that challenges traditional hierarchies in the art world—particularly the dismissal of mediums often labeled as “women’s work.” Through sculptural paintings and mixed-media pieces, Macey reclaims those forms, approaching them through a distinctly queer lens.

“A defiance in pink” - 2025

Her style is immediately recognizable: bright, whimsical, and deeply intentional. Where as femininity and softness are often trivialized, Macey embraces them. Drawing from her experience growing up in a small Arkansas town, she uses vibrant color and playful imagery to explore complex themes, pushing viewers to reconsider what is seen as meaningful or important.

Working across mediums like textiles, quilling, gouache, layered paper, and paper mâché, her pieces often take on a sculptural quality. Dolls are a recurring motif—symbols of identity, domesticity, and creation. These figures become extensions of her perspective, offering alternative narratives of womanhood and queerness.

My fabulous creation in Charlie patricolo's wonderful self driven doll making class @johnccampbellfolkschool! This is step one of my SURF Grant project based around bringing queerness back into folk art and researching queer fashion and the folk art of fabric doll making

The work she brings to The Loom: Art Shuffle reflects this approach. From dimensional paper sculptures to handcrafted dolls, including pieces made through traditional casting techniques, her art blends technical skill with emotional depth. Each piece invites interaction, curiosity, and conversation.

That conversation is central to her practice. Macey values the way viewers engage with her work—asking questions, sharing memories, and forming connections. For many, her pieces evoke childhood nostalgia, particularly through references to paper dolls and creative play, creating a bridge across generations.

Beyond her own work, Macey is deeply invested in the community. As a program assistant at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, and through workshops of her own, she creates spaces for others to explore their creativity. Teaching, for her, is an extension of making—an opportunity to provide the same outlet that shaped her.

Looking ahead, she hopes to pursue artist residencies and eventually open her own creative space. In the meantime, she continues building connections locally, collaborating with other artists to create opportunities and amplify shared voices.

If you’d like to see more of her work you can find it on her Instagram @maceyshae_illustration.