I love the movement involved in creating abstract art, as well as, the movement in the art itself and how it lures the eye around a canvas. I am drawn to abstract work because it allows for exploration, experimentation and individual interpretation.

My paintings take shape organically layer by layer. Intuitive mark making, mixing and layering on paint until a cohesive color palette has emerged. The trick is then knowing where to add and take away to develop composition and visual interest.

I work primarily with acrylic paints and various mark making tools (pencils, graphite, charcoal, oil sticks, oil pastels, pastels,acrylic markers). Using a variety of brushes and knives creates depth, texture, and unique details that make each piece captivating.

Painting puts me in a state of flow that is meditative in nature. It gets me out of my head and enables me to be truly present. Painting allows me to dwell in a place of authenticity.

Creating abstract art is very similar to life. Mistakes are commonplace. Paintings would not be the same without the mistakes and knowledge gained through each. 

Shelly Deriso is an artist in Atlanta, GA represented by The Gregg Irby Gallery. After retiring from the stressful mindset of corporate America, she rekindled her childhood passion for art. She is an intuitive artist and would be considered primarily self-taught. However, she has studied under numerous artists (both locally and nationally). 

Shelly started working in oils in 2008, but quickly moved into encaustics. She currently works with acrylics because the quick drying time allows her to work in layers.