It is with great joy that we introduce y'all to Shelby Kizer - the latest talent to join our ever-expanding and ever-talented Well + Wonder roster. Shelby is a Hattiesburg, Mississippi artist whose practice is grounded in her faith. Her debut Well + Wonder collection "Gratitude" features twenty two magnolia paintings and we are in love with each and every one! On the morning of her Well + Wonder debut Shelby took time to chat with us about life, art, and everything in between. We are so grateful for this time to talk and learn a little bit more about the woman behind the paint brush. And you can do the same! Continue reading to learn more about Shelby and without further ado, Pardon Me, Shelby Leigh Kizer?
What is currently on your nightstand?
A sippy cup, my bible, and a photo of my daughter, Andi.
Who is your biggest influence as an artist and why?
Andrew Bucci is my absolute favorite artist and a huge influence to my work. I love love love his energetic marks and use of the negative space in his paintings, especially in his landscapes. There is also such a balance to his paintings even if the entire painting is offset to one side.
Tell us about your childhood. What is the most memorable moment as a young person?
I had a wonderful childhood. I grew up in a small town and spent a lot of time with family and friends. I grew up playing sports, but soccer was my favorite by far. I spent most of my free time kicking a ball in the front yard, going to practices and tournaments on the weekends. I feel like it helped instill a good ethic in me!
If you could only have one supply in your art studio, what would it be and why?
My travel watercolor set. I love being able to go outside and paint.
What is your favorite room in your house? Describe it.
My favorite room would have to be the great room in our home. We have five huge 7ftx3.5ft windows, so there is so much natural light in the room. I have very muted blues, green, and pinks throughout the space, so it’s just a very light and happy space.
What is your biggest score online?
Probably a broom and mop organizer from amazon! Haha. I love things to be neat and organized.
What is the benefit of buying art through a collective? What do you recommend for those that are new to buying original art?
With all the different artists, styles, and mediums, I think it is an easy way to find out what kind of art speaks to you, especially if you are new to buying art!Something that has helped me choose art for my home is just taking one room at a time and searching until I find the perfect piece for that space.
If you have the entire day to spend in an art museum, which one and why?
I actually have done that at The Frick Museum in New York! Haha. It was so different from any museum I have ever been to. The furniture, the walls, everything about that space was part of the collection, and seeing the art in the entire setting was just magical. I also could stare at the painting titled ‘Louise de Broglie’ by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres for the entire day. It is my favorite painting I have ever seen in person!
What is your favorite hotel and what makes it special?
Honestly, I don’t really have one! Haha. My husband and I are both such home-bodies.
If you were a lipstick color would you be red, pink, or clear and why?
Probably a very light shade of pink? Probably because that’s the shade I wear everyday! Haha.
I can never get on a plane without....
A neck pillow! The perfect time to take a quick nap.
How did you get into the world of art?
My junior year of college, I started to realize I couldn’t play soccer forever and I needed to find something else I was passionate about. I thought I might have wanted to do interior design, so I took a drawing class. It was actually my first art class in over 10 years. I loved art as a young child, but around middle school, I started to realize that I couldn’t draw as well as my peers. I became super self-conscious and just quit creating all together. I am so thankful for the professors at William Carey who really encouraged me and taught me that art is so much more than drawing “well.” Haha. I realized very soon after taking a few art courses that creating art was something I wanted to do for the rest of my life!
What do you do to relax?
Take a long bubble bath.
When do you get the biggest surge of inspiration?
Spring is always when I get the biggest surge of inspiration. The flowers, the colors, the light, longer days, everything about it feeds my creative side.
Prediction for the Color of 2024?
Hmm maybe a shade of green? I feel like you can never go wrong with green!
What is your idea of a date night? Dinner and a movie or dancing all night?
A picnic in a field at sunset!
Tell us about your favorite painting that you have created.
At the moment, I have been painting some landscapes, so I’ve been looking back at some older pieces of mine for some inspiration. My favorite is called ‘Sunrise Over the Farm.’ I painted it during the pandemic. I actually painted the entire piece outside as the sun was rising at my parent’s farm. It has super washy layers and pencil marks and has the perfect shades of blue, green, purple, and brown.
One piece of advice for buying original art?
If you see a piece of art and can’t stop thinking about it, buy it!
