Interview with Shelby Crutchley

As much as I love giving time and attention to my friends for this blog, I am equally excited to make new friends along the way. Shelby is one of my newest acquaintances from the VAST group and it is my honor to present to you this interview with her.

Shelby is the creative inspiration behind Shelby's Paintings and also has a website that is well worth the click. She studied under Salli Babbitt and Ruben Coy both of the Houston Art League and has participated in several shows. "I am a bright, colorful person" she tells me, "and my work very much reflects that. I work in both oils and encaustic (with a little acrylic sprinkled in) because of the beautiful things that I can do in those mediums with color and texture. I'm always looking on the bright side of life, but you would probably think I'm a quiet person when you met me. My art allows me to show the world the bold, bright and beautiful things I see all around me every day."

"The quintessence of my passion came a couple years ago," Shelby continues, "when two of my best friends gave me a fan deck of paint colors for my birthday." Her friends knew nothing inspires more passion and happiness in Shelby's life than vivid colors in harmonious relationships. "I am at my most calm, my most peaceful when I am creating a painting. The bodily acts involved in the process of creation are consuming. The world becomes still, and my awareness is of nothing but the process and my progress. The other facets of life fade away and I am caught in the moment of peace, of creation. Every piece that I create is a full-bodied interaction and reflection of my identity and journey."

The art Shelby creates comes from a deeply personal space where she balances experimentation with color and texture and maintaining a sense of spontaneity. "I'm often inspired by elements I see around me in nature and the experiences of my life. I interact with the colors, textures and forms within each piece, sometimes blurring the line between pure abstraction and representation. Even as I bring another piece of art into the world, I do not hope to possess or protect it. Rather, I hope that by allowing others to experience my paintings, I can enrich others' lives by giving each person a moment of beauty and peace."

When life throws some downs in with the ups, Shelby looks for something to ground her. "Whether it is a beautiful flower, a sunny day with great weather, or even something as simple as a smile someone else gave me, I try to remember that there will always be good in life."

Shelby's favorite music to paint to is Virginia Coalition or O.A.R. if she can listen to their live shows. "Those two groups just have such a fun zest for life, and it comes out through their music."

As one of her New Year's Resolutions, Shelby began completing a painting a day (well, almost!). She works mostly with oils on panels for her larger pieces but has fun with encaustic for the smaller paintings. Her progress may be viewed on her daily painting blog.

As to what shoes Shelby wears? "Flip-flops. I love to feel the sand between my toes and experience life. Plus, flip-flops can be everything from super casual to dressy or fun and funky."

"You can only be young once," states a quote on Shelby's website, but you can be adventurous forever." Author unknown.

For more information about Shelby and her artwork, please visit her shop, blog or website.