Shelby is an artist based out of Memphis, Tennessee that makes breathtaking still life paintings. Her work speaks to her motive of taking a moment to appreciate the moment she is in and in turn inspire the viewers to appreciate the day-to-day. I had the honor of chatting with her a little about herself and her creative process and I am so excited for all of you to get to know the incredible artist behind the beautiful work.
Coffee, Yoga, and Kisses from Rue (Our dog).
I would say I have always loosely considered myself an artist - moreso "artsy." Creativity and drawing skills came natural to me from the start. My abilities became more evident in elementary school then into high school and college, but I never pushed it because I didn't consider being an "artist" an optional occupation. I'm passive in a lot of ways and I don't like thinking about the future too much, so must've assumed I would follow in my parents footsteps and take over the family business - Kelly's Designer Draperies. I bought a $100 sewing machine in college because I started making custom pillows on the side while I took classes at the University of Memphis. That little white sewing machine brought out every bad quality inside of me. I can't tell you how many times I fantasized over ripping the plug out of the wall and sending it crashing through my second story bedroom window. Safe to say, sewing was not for me.
In short, I painted for a friend in college and after posting the painting, I got more and more requests for commissions! I painted only commissions from 2017-2019, along with three other part-time jobs. There simply wasn't the time or capacity for me to take the time to paint what I wanted, but the hunger grew deep and strong and angry. There I was again, fantisizing over ripping the commissions to shreds and tossing them out my second story bedroom window. I promise I'm not a violent person, but when there's a change that has to happen.. God likes to make it real painful for you to stay where you are, at least that's been my experience.
My new hubby at the time listened to all my drama and "literal heart wrenching drowning" over commission work, and encouraged me to quit the other jobs. Lulie Wallace also felt my pain and encouraged me to let go of commissions and just paint what I wanted to paint. She thought I was good enough? That still felt so scary. Do I stay stuck or venture into the unknown? Well it hurt too much to stay stuck, so I had to get moving and pray for the faith to keep going forward.
So for the past few years, I've still done commission work, but figured out a little better of a balance in making the space for me to paint what I so desperately desire. It has been so freeing, sustainable, and affirming!
I'd say I'm still processing the fact that this is actually my job right now. It's taken years for me to accept that I am, in reality, a real life working artist. And that will probably be a lifelong process. Deep down I've always felt pulled, called, made for this. It honestly makes more sense than a lot of things in the world that God created me all along to be the artist he planned me to be from the start.
I draw most of my inspiration from noticing the natural magic in the simple moments of the every day. The way the light strikes something and changes it's color, the personality of an avocado chilling on a kitchen towel, an interaction between strangers, unexpected color combos.. quiet, stillness, sounds, smells, feelings, warmth. The truth is, the things I choose to paint are not from my own creation, it's just me noticing what is already there. I consider God the creator of all things and being able to paint and appreciate even the smallest details of this life feels like such an honor. It's hard for me to take full glory for anything that I paint because it originates from someplace higher than myself.
I feel fortunate that I've received such good advice from other artists (and I hope I can pass what I've learned to others), but there's still so much that you can only learn by going through it. I'd probably tell a younger Shelby that it's not selfish or prideful to think you're good at paintings and pursue it. And just because you feel scared doesn't mean you don't paint anyways.
