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About the Artist

ARTIST’S STATEMENT

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Shelby K. Smith is an abstract painter whose work explores the harmony between color, shape, and space. A self-taught artist with a rich background in the beauty industry, Smith draws upon decades of experience developing brands and shade stories at companies such as Estée Lauder, L’Oréal, and Bobbi Brown Cosmetics. Color is at the heart of her work; she sees it as both a subject and a medium, capable of shifting perception, creating rhythm, and inviting an emotional response.

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Smith’s artistic influences reflect her affinity for clean lines and innovative color use. Artists such as Frank Stella, Carmen Herrera, and Josef Albers resonate deeply with her. She appreciates their focus on minimalism, repetition, and precision - qualities that define her own work. At the same time, Smith finds inspiration in the past, weaving historical color palettes and design motifs into her artwork. The result is a distinctive style that feels both contemporary and familiar, grounded in structure but filled with intention and purpose.

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BACKGROUND

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Originally from Newton, Massachusetts, Smith lives in the coastal town of Darien, Connecticut. She holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Florida and an M.A. in Communications from Fordham University. Smith's paintings have made their way into more than one hundred private homes across the United States and abroad. Her work has been featured in a multitude of exhibitions and can be found at fine art galleries along the East Coast and beyond.

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Quidley & Company Fine Art Gallery
Naples, FL & Nantucket, MA
https://quidleyandco.com/
 
Thomas Deans Fine Art Gallery
Atlanta, GA
https://thomasdeansfineart.com/

KW Contemporary Art
Kennebunk, ME
https://kwcontemporaryart.com

Elisa Contemporary Art
Fairfield, CT & Riverdale, NY
https://elisacontemporaryart.com/

Candita Clayton Gallery
Warwick RI
https://www.canditaclaytongallery.com/
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PHILANTHROPY

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Smith believes in giving back to her local community. Over the years, she has contributed funds and made in-kind donations to the following organizations:
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Darien Depot - Offers a welcoming, relaxed, judgement-free and safe home away from home for Darien's youth while providing opportunities for personal growth, leadership development, and community outreach.
https://dariendepot.com
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Grassroots Tennis & Education - A development organization that uses the sport of tennis to engage youth in holistic out-of-school education and activities. This free, year-round program combines tennis instruction with academic support and character development.
https://www.grassrootste.org
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Person to Person - Supports families and individuals as they move toward stability with healthy food, clothing, housing assistance, and a path to economic opportunity.
https://p2phelps.org
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The Community Fund of Darien - Provides neighbors with access to food, housing, physical and mental healthcare, job training, and youth success programs.
https://www.communityfunddarien.org
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Wave Strong - Focused on breaking down the stigmas of mental health and building a community that spreads messages of positivity and hope throughout the Darien community.
https://wavestrong.org
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