Shelley Smolen

Shelley Smolen
Houston, Texas, USA

STATEMENT

I create my collages by piecing together small sections of my drawings, paintings, wood veneer, various ephemera and designs and patterns my young daughters make while working with me in the studio. Though my background is in sculptural woodworking, my art was forced to adapt and change after becoming a mother of three. The time, tools and specific studio setup were no longer accessible for my new life as a parent but I maintained a strong desire to preserve the patchwork quality in marquetry and similar crafts and the use of forgotten or unwanted remnants at the center of my artistic style. This stems from a love of upcycling or elevating overlooked scraps into a new work of art. This new method of creating has also become a fun outlet in our studio for my three daughters to “make pieces for mommy” and they have an active role in the making of my art.

My daughters make painted paper using several different methods, and we are constantly testing out new ideas. My daughters take great joy in seeing their pieces interwoven in the collages I make and I look forward to seeing how this process will evolve as my three girls grow older.

BIO

Shelley Smolen is a Houston-based artist who specializes in intricate collages using various materials including: drawings, wood veneer, painted paper, and various ephemera. Shelley holds an MFA from the University of North Texas and has created numerous commissions. Shelley works full time as an art educator and has three young daughters, including twins. Shelley is represented by thMTHRshp gallery.

ARTIST CONTACT

[click to email]
www.smolenstudio.com

IMAGES