We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Shelly Pinto. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Shelly below.
Shelly, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
As an Artist I am learning to be out of my comfort zone. Writing about my artwork and public speaking has always been terrifying to me. I spend much of my time working alone so talking about myself and life has never been easy for me.
As I have kept growing and evolving as an Artist, I am learning that it is not just about doing artwork. I am leaning to be more engaged in the artist community and public. I am learning to let go and trust myself when I write and make public speaches. By taking a risk and going out of my comfort zone and sharing about myself and artwork I have learned a valuable lesson about letting go of outcomes and all my ideals of perfection.
I am still working on myself and my own expectations that I have imposed on myself. At first it felt a bit overwhelming when I first considered writing and speaking but in hindsight I am happy I did. I am still learning to find comfort as an artist but I am finding more peace in these areas that were once scary.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My fascination with color, pattern and shapes continues to be the essences of my work. My Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother were all quilters. Their hand cut paper templates they used as patterns still influences me as an artist.
As a young person I always knew I wanted to be an artist. I graduated from Kansas City Art Institute with a painting degree. Then started my Art career at Hallmark Cards. It was during this time 32 years ago I met My husband and we co-founded our handmade paper company called Shizen design. Shizen papers is a wholesale company that sells to the hobby and art supply trade. Part of my job responsibilities at Shizen is to design the paper line. Also, I travel to India at least once a year to work with our paper manufacturers.
My most resent work that I completed is inspired by sacred geometry. I have applied this study of pattern and its overlapping circles and spirals to connect me to the world.
In my practice I like mixing colors, cut shapes and merging patterns. This process of layering and mixing reveals an inner calm with in me. My studio has become my place of solitude and meditation. As the world spins with all her chaos, my studio space is where I find a sense of joy that I hope translates in my work.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
As an Artist, I am learning to be out of my comfort zone. Writing about my artwork and public speaking has always been terrifying to me. I spend much of my time working alone so talking about myself and life has never been easy for me.
As I have kept growing and evolving as an Artist, I am learning that it is not just about doing artwork. I am leaning to be more engaged in the artist community and public. I am learning to let go and trust myself when I write and make public speeches. By taking a risk and going out of my comfort zone and sharing about myself and artwork I have learned a valuable lesson about letting go of outcomes and all my ideals of perfection.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
Most recently I have become a care giver to my Father which has taken away some of my studio time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://shellypinto.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shellypinto_art/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shelly.pinto.111
- Other: Shizen Design Handmade Papers Instagram: @shizenpaper facebook: Shizen Design Handmade Papers website: shizendesign.com
Image Credits
These photos where done by Image Quest Photography here in KC. Their address is: 3054 South 44th Kansas City, KS 66106