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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. Her art is a celebration of structure and simplicity. It invites the viewer into a space of stillness and exploration, where pattern-based designs create a sense of calm, balance, and order.

 

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. Texture also plays an essential role. By incorporating textiles and layered materials into her canvases, Smith introduces depth and dimension while remaining true to the signature style of her work.

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Influenced by artists such as Frank Stella, Carmen Herrera, and Josef Albers, Smith is drawn to minimalism, precision, and the power of repetition. At the same time, she finds inspiration in the past, weaving historical color palettes and design motifs into her artwork. The result is a distinctive style that feels both new and familiar, grounded in structure but filled with intention and purpose.

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BACKGROUND

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A self-taught artist with a rich background in the beauty industry, Smith draws upon decades of experience developing brands and curating color stories for companies such as Estée Lauder, L’Oréal, and Bobbi Brown Cosmetics. 

 

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.​

GALLERY REPRESENTATION

Quidley & Company Fine Art Gallery
Naples, FL & Nantucket, MA
https://quidleyandco.com/

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

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

FEATURED ARTWORKS AT

KW Contemporary Art
Kennebunk, ME
https://kwcontemporaryart.com
 
Thomas Deans Fine Art Gallery
Atlanta, GA
https://thomasdeansfineart.com/
 

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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