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Star Crossed
(2023) 24.5" x 18.5" mixed medium on canvas
This painting features a surrealistic-dream-like landscape of space. Hands belonging to a man and woman stretch across the canvas, far from the others’ touch, yet seemingly connected by a metallic greenish-blue beam; while an outdated landline telephone; in the top right corner, perched upon a warped column; hurls down towards the woman’s hand. A golden arch frames a singular eye, hovering over a rainbow. The eye looks out directly at the viewer. On the left side of the canvas; the viewer is drawn to a blackhole which seemingly spins and creates the illusion of a slow engulf of surrounding objects; due to the optical effect of the meticulously placed holographic paint, which serves a high contrast to the rich, matte pigment of the blackhole. These objects include nebulae clouds, and a moonlike planet. The longer the viewer looks the more questions, symbolism, and meaning can be found by the viewer.
Planet Island
(2024) 10" x 10" acrylic & oil on canvas
Planet Island started with the intention of creating a more simplistic piece; while still evidently showcasing Shelby’s unique style. It features a smooth contrast of both warm and cool earth tones, using different techniques for both the oil and acrylic paint. These techniques meld the painting together creating a discernible image, yet still allowing the viewer to raise the question; “What is it?”. The viewer is drawn to the upper middle portion of the canvas, where an object resembling an island hovers above the similarly textured lower half. Shades of indigo and blue blend together to invent the idea of water body and horizon. This painting leans more into semi-abstractionism rather than the surrealistic component that can often be found in the body of her works.
Vermilion Girl
(2024) 30" x 22" acrylic, oil & gold leaf on birchwood
The artist named this painting with a double meaning in mind. Vermilion is known as a reddish-orange colour or a brilliant red pigment with orange undertones; much like the colour of the long goddess-like dress worn by the girl in the painting. This painting was originally commissioned by a business mogul based out of China who prompted the piece by saying they wanted “A painting of a beautiful girl in red,”. The girl is surrounded by a semi-abstract design closely resembling water or a zoomed out photo of earth and its oceans. She stands with her eyes closed, confident, yet peaceful; as her long dark hair begins to gently wrap around her body. Flecks of gold can be found throughout the painting. Vermilion Forks is also the former name of the town the artist is originally from.
Solus Odyssey
(2025) 8.5" x 8.5" each piece
This 2 piece work was created while Shelby was in Seoul, South Korea on a 3 month modelling contract from November 2024-February 2025. During this time the models discovered that the agency had been dishonest about money and payment. While being aware from the beginning; that contracts like this to Korea are not about earning a lot of money, the disappointment and frustration of being taken advantage of, and being unable to do anything about it, had set in. These pieces were made as a way to drift the focus away from the feeling of being trapped and alone in a foreign country onto something the artist could control; her art. Both pieces feature a background emulating the blues and greens of earth and water, using the abstract acrylic pour technique. The first painting draws the viewer to a holographic-looking sphere nearing the upper left corner. As the viewer moves or the light shifts, the sphere seemingly changes colour. The second piece features a realistic astronaut, floating, surrounded by nothing but the vibrant blue-green background.