Shelly Deriso

“My paintings take shape organically layer by layer. Intuitive mark making and layering on color until a cohesive color palette has emerged. The trick is then knowing what to take away to develop composition and visual interest. I work primarily with acrylic paints, inks, and mediums, pencils, graphite, charcoal, oil sticks, oil pastels, pastels and acrylic markers. Using a variety of tools 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.”