Shelly Denning

Our newest featured visual artist, Shelly Denning, isn’t new to the Swirl at all. It’s just been awhile since she’s been around. But back she is & we’re very happy that she is! Shelly brings realistic works of icons just about anyone would recognize. The details Denning captures are impressive, to say the least. Take a look at The Dude, for example, and you’ll think you’re looking at a still straight from the movie itself. Still, despite the realistic nature of Denning’s work, there is something special, strange and maybe a little bit mad about each piece. And if you know us, you know that’s just what Mad Swirl can’t resist…and we hope you can’t either! ~ Madelyn Olson

(click on the image to view it in its entirety)

Dude — Shelly Denning

Bowie — Shelly Denning

Walken — Shelly Denning

Gord Downie — Shelly Denning

Dreaming With Her Eyes Open — Shelly Denning

Bowie (1) — Shelly Denning

Percy — Shelly Denning

A bit about Shelly: I've always loved to draw and paint. When I was younger, my mother would get mad at the amount of paper she had to purchase to feed my art habit. I rarely turned in homework that didn't include doodles in the margins. I dreamed of being a successful artist and explored the various ways to accomplish this. I thought about doing children's book illustration or comic books, but none of those really seemed to fit my style. When it came down to it, I just wanted to paint portraits. There's something about the human face that can portray more emotion and can tell a story better than anything else.

Over the years, I practiced any medium I could get my hands on. My teachers were Bob Ross and other painters demonstrating their skills on PBS. In middle school, I didn't have time in my schedule to add art classes, so I would visit with the art teacher at lunch or after school. He would give me the assignments that his class was given and I would turn them in for critique.

In high school, I opted to take orchestra and theatre over art until my senior year when I finally gave up on theatre. I approached the art teacher and showed her my work. She placed me in the level 3 art class.

Upon graduation, I attended the University of Texas at Arlington, majoring in illustration. Due to events beyond my control, I had to drop out after one year. Soon after, I met the father of my children and took many years away from art to focus on raising my family. As the kids grew up and didn't require as much attention, I found myself gravitating back to the canvas.

I tried my hand at fantasy and horror artwork and had little success in this area. Discouraged, I put down the paint brush and picked up a makeup brush. I spent eight years working in the film industry as a beauty and special effects makeup artist, supplementing with face painting gigs on the side.

While I felt that this was a good outlet for me and utilized my skills well, it didn't make me happy. The long hours and tight deadlines only stressed me out. My marriage was over and I'd had a couple of failed relationships in the interim. Then I met my current boyfriend. My life got flipped around and I found myself yearning to paint again. I did one small portrait, posted it on Facebook and it had sold within the hour. That was the sign I needed. With my boyfriend's encouragement, I put together a small studio and began painting as often as I could.

I finally found my niche in painting portraits and other images from photos. I realized that while I am very artistic, I'm not very creative. As long as I have a reference, I can paint it. I now take a camera with me everywhere I go, hoping to find the perfect image for a painting. I am never more at ease than when I am creating. It is a true compulsion for me. My goal with each piece is to convey an emotion. So far, I feel like I have been successful in this.

Having had very little training, I keep myself educated by watching videos, reading books and practice, practice, practice. I'm excited to finally come back to what I feel that I was always meant to do.

To see more of Shelly's works, visit her website www.shellydenning.com