Shelby K. Smith creates with one simple intention—beauty. Her work, defined by sharp geometric forms and vibrant color palettes, radiates a sense of joy rather than a complex ideology. While many artists position their creations as visual arguments or personal manifestos, Smith takes to her canvas with a refreshingly unburdened approach.

She sees her art as a visual escape, a carefully designed arrangement meant to elevate mood and offer a moment of visual delight. Each piece is a pursuit of balance, both in color and in form, aimed at producing a harmonious experience rather than stirring confrontation or debate.

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A self-taught artist with a rich background in the beauty industry, Smith draws upon decades of experience working with global cosmetic brands like Estée Lauder and L'Oreal. As the Executive Director of Makeup Marketing for Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, Smith collaborated directly with the founder of the brand to shape product narratives and develop compelling color stories. 

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Color lies at the heart of her work. Every artwork begins with a palette—carefully chosen hues that dictate the flow and structure of the piece. From there, she brings order through geometry: clean lines, symmetrical compositions, and brushwork so precise it could be mistaken for digital. Yet despite the clarity and structure, each painting retains a tactile quality. The drama emerges from contrast, the rhythm from repetition. Her minimalism is not empty—it’s filled with intention.

 

Smith earned a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Florida and an M.A. in Communications from Fordham University. Her work has made its way into more than one hundred private homes across the United States and abroad. Her paintings have been exhibited in a multitude of gallery shows and can be found at Fine Art Galleries in New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Florida.