We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Shelby Monteverde a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Shelby, appreciate you joining us today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

Yes!

My creative journey started many years ago, but I never thought it could actually become a career for me. Of course I have taken many steps and risks along the way to get me where I am today, but those steps wouldn’t have been possible without a specific path being laid out before me to follow. This journey has been one of faith and surrendering rather than building and hustling. The creative journey is just as much about the process as is every painting from start to finish.

Art was not a full-time career from day one! It took a year of commissions while finishing college, a year of commissions split between three other part-time jobs post college, and a year of letting go of the other jobs to finally accept art as the narrow path for me. I did only commission work for another year, until I was drowning in the demand and simultaneously drained of every last drop of my creativity and fulfillment. I knew there was more for me in this!

A major step out of that hard place was to say no to commissions and instead say yes to all the paintings I wanted to paint. This meant saying no to people, guarantees, safety, money, and BOXES. This meant saying yes to authenticity, risk, fear, unknowns, and FREEDOM. Whatever the outcome, I was being led towards creative freedom and expression into an experience that was tailor-made for me to enjoy. Since, then I have explored so many subjects that I love.. a life-long journey I hope. It is a huge blessing to have others connect with my paintings enough to purchase them. I will never take that for granted!

It’s possible that I could’ve sped up the process in saying no to commission sooner, but I honestly don’t know if my heart was ready to take those risks. I’m learning each day that the creative process is full of risks and decisions and roadblocks and problem solving, but you can’t resolve those things all at once. That’s why it’s called a process. I’m just trying to be on the lookout for the small things that trot me along on this path, trying my best to stay as true and genuine to who I am created to be and do as a unique individual – as we all are.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Shelby Monteverde and I am a fine artist from Memphis, TN. I’m currently painting in acrylic on wood panels. I paint all sorts of subject matter- oranges, crayons, ducks, swans, tennis courts, etc. I really love still life paintings with a modern/relevant twist. It’s important to me that we notice the mundane beauty around us, the simple joys that go unnoticed among all the glamours of this world. I would love to offer a slowness and breath of peace to those who come in contact with my paintings.

I mostly prefer to offer original fine art paintings, but I have expanded to include a limited number of fine art prints! I am currently represented by a handful of galleries- Meyer Vogl Gallery in Charleston, Liz Lidgett Gallery in Des Moines, and Well and Wonder, an online gallery.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Hands down my absolute favorite book for creatives is The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. I truly believe painting and creativity is a spiritual journey, and this book and author holds true to that stance as well. It’s full of encouragement and exercises to help you along on your journey of doubts, comparison, fear, imposter syndrome, etc. It has continued to shape the way I think about creating, productivity, and sustainability. It’s less about the entrepreneurial side of this career, but I feel as though there is no entrepreneurial side if you aren’t nourishing the creative, deep work within you.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I always feel like I sound so dramatic when I talk about commission work versus original pieces that I paint. I’ve decided that in 2023 I will not be taking new commissions. It’s hard for me to not feel bad about it because it tends to feel selfish for me to say no to others while I blissfully paint what I want to paint instead of catering to others wants. I often wonder how that comes across to non-creatives. Most creatives that I talk to also struggle with commission, but it is hard to explain it in a way that makes sense.

I will say painting what I want to paint still comes with it’s own set of struggles… showing up when the work isn’t turning out how you envisioned, persevering through the ugly stages, doubting anyone will even like this.. the list goes on! And juggling other commitments such as releases, shows, deadlines.. while completing commissions when you’ve promised them and then still leaving room for inspiration and exploration.

Do you know that feeling when you’re trying to decide what you want from a restaurant and you just don’t know and the waiter is standing over your shoulder waiting for you to decide. Or you’re in the shampoo isle and your husband is like okay can you just pick one please, but it only makes you question even more what you want. You know this feeling.. pressure. It doesn’t matter how accommodating and flexible a person you are.. there are SO many delicate little decisions that go into a painting that having to consider a whole other person in those decisions can be utterly paralyzing.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.shelbymonte.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shelbymonte_art/

Image Credits
Stefanie Rawlinson, Shelby Monteverde