Congratulations to artist Shelley Wilfong, our latest ArtResin Winner! Based in Charlotte, NC, Shelley is a 3D Resin Artist who layers and shapes resin to create vibrant pieces with a pop art aesthetic: "I love to create art that has texture, is playful, colorful, and unexpected."
What's your art background? Are you self-taught or did you study art?
I always knew that I wanted to become an artist and picked up drawing techniques at an early age. My Dad taught me to use power tools at the age of seven, from there I loved to build anything I could using my hands. I was blessed to have incredible teachers that nurtured my talents early on. I continued developing those talents through North Carolina State University College of Design where I studied Industrial Design and also attended, what used to be, Parsons School of Design in Paris, France. During college I interned with the world renowned architect, Micheal Graves, where I helped design large scale building graphics and his graphics for The New York CowParade. Once out of college, I worked for a Charlotte based architecture firm as their Director of Graphics. Soon after, I was chosen to be on a DIY television show called Homemakers where an all women crew completely renovated houses and explained "how to" as we went. After four years and over sixty episodes of Homemakers, my husband and I wanted to start a family. I then transitioned into being a stay at home mom, filming occasional DIY TV commercials and designing logos to help keep my creative itch at bay. I would say that I have a very eclectic art background where I have learned so many different skills through layers of studying art, traveling, building, and also being self-taught.
Are you a full-time artist or do you create around work hours?
Yes, I am proud to be able to say that I am a full-time artist. It has been a lifelong dream come true.
What do you love about the mediums that you use in your work?
Most of my works of art are completely made using ArtResin. Not only do I love to paint with colorful, overlapping layers of ArtResin, I also use and make silicone molds to form the resin into any shape I need. It can be a very colorful and versatile material and I find new ways to use it all the time.
How did you discover resin?
As my three kids became older and my free time opened up, my creative itch was growing restless and I decided to jump back into creating again. My goal was to find a material that I could work with that was unconventional. This is when I stumbled upon ArtResin and fell in love immediately. ArtResin gave me the ability to create a colorful, 3D layered painting that was unlike anything else I had worked with before.
How has resin impacted your artwork?
Resin has given me the ability to think outside of the box and take my art to an incredible place where the unexpected fun, color, and form are the priority. Through the years I have stretched its abilities, creating 3D artworks that truly capture my heart and I hope the hearts of the viewers too.
Can you provide a brief rundown of your process?
I am typically inspired in odd ways, like walking through a hardware store or a craft store and looking at unconventional materials. I will try anything and have learned a ton through failure. The best ideas come from the strangest places, you just need to be willing to run with an idea and give it a try. My most recent artworks have combined graphics with 3D art. I start out on my computer and formulate a plan, placement, and specific colors. I find that I can take that plan and confidently make what I see on my computer. By doing this, I have some control over the outcome and ArtResin gives me the ability to bring it all to life in the best way.
Why do you want to make art? What motivates you to create?
I make art because it is the one personal pursuit in my life that makes me feel most in tune and connected with myself. I am motivated not only by my own need to create, but also because I want to share my art with the world - which is not only sharing a part of me, but hopefully sharing the same joy and peace I feel when I create and complete a work.
Does art help you in other areas of your life?
Being an artist helps me to be me, in all areas of my life, and allows me to stay true to who I am and what I care about. When I have a consistent, creative outlet, I am the best version of myself.
What do you hope someone sees or feels when they look at your art?
Whenever I see a piece of art that truly speaks to me, I can feel it in my soul and I don't want to stop looking at it. It makes me happy inside. These are the feelings I would love to convey when someone sees my work.
How do you define success as an artist? What does that look and feel like for you?
I already consider myself a successful artist, because I place tremendous value in the creative process, and add value to the world by sharing my final work.
However, the moment someone moves or hangs my artwork while wearing white gloves, will be a special feeling of success for me personally. It might seem like a silly concept but it is one that I have dreamed about for quite some time.
What's your favorite resin tip you'd like to share with our readers?
My top resin tip is to use it inside where there are no bugs and the temperature is controllable. I started out using resin in my garage. Not only is the outside temperature unregulated but the bugs love resin and seem to find their way to it every time.
Where do you sell your work?
I have sold most of my artwork through Instagram and word of mouth.
Congratulations on your win, Shelley!
To see more of Shelley's work:
Visit her website:
Follow her on Instagram: @shelleywilfongart
Every month, to celebrate our community of artists, ArtResin will send out a 32 oz kit to two lucky people who have shared the work they've created with ArtResin.
ArtResin: The Original Epoxy For Resin Art!
