Wife, Mother, Marine Biologist, & Artist
Shelly is a wife, mother of three (so far), a marine biologist, and current artist. Shelly originally began painting as a hobby while in college and continued the hobby for several years as she worked in the marine science industry. In 2020, Shelly decided to make her art her full-time focus and began ShellART as it is known today. Feel free to continue reading for the full story.
The Florida Years
Shelly grew up in the Florida panhandle just on the edge of the Gulf of America. She spent her childhood making many trips to the beach where she not only played, but learned the science behind all the wonders and beauty of the ocean from her mother. She continued this education formally at the University of Tampa where she graduated Magnum Cum Lauda with a B.S. in Marine Sciences with a Chemistry Minor. After this she worked for Escambia County Marine Resources where she worked primarily on the RESTORE program and also became a Scientific Diver. In these early years Shelly began painting for friends and family as well as using her artistic talents in support of local conservation efforts such as the Gulf Coast Lionfish Coalition and Ocean Hour.
The Alaska Years
After her years in Florida (and a brief stint in Southern Alabama) Shelly’s husband was stationed in Alaska and Shelly spent the next seven years working and painting in Alaska. Her first year in Alaska she worked at the William Jack Hernandez Sport Fish Hatchery with Alaskan Salmon. In addition to gaining experience in working with Salmon and the Alaskan environment, This is where Shelly started seriously fishing, and she fished A LOT.
After her year in Anchorage Shelly moved to Juneau and began working at the Douglas Island Pink and Chum hatchery. Shortly after moving to Juneau Shelly and her husband created ShellART Studio. Juneau is where Shelly really hit her stride painting, produced everything from artistic renderings of marine life to technical and scientific drawings for Alaska Fish and Game.
The Shenandoah Valley and where we are now.
Shelly’s new home is the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. When Shelly isn’t busy painting, her time is filled with children, joy, and laughter as she cares for, and educates, her children.