Meet Shelby Barney | Illustrator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shelby Barney and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shelby, what is the most important factor behind your success?
Passion! My brand and art are a representation of me and my passion for creating. Projecting that into my work makes me more hopeful and dedicated to growing myself in the field. If you don’t love what you’re doing it shows in your work. A passion to learn is also important for success. You will always be a growing brand so being able to work with teams, adapt, and make connections will help further the success of your brand.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Growing up in an age of digital media, art was always readily available to look at when I was young. From the shows we watched as kids to the books we all loved, art was always shown to me in some form. I think in this way creativity was always instilled in my drive. Middle school is when I started to learn more about the principles of art and when I really started my hobby of drawing. Through practicing and looking at other artists I grew to want to pursue art as a career. I truly believe we are fortunate to have the media we do because seeing others succeed and grow in a field you want to, gives people hope and a place to learn.

Through receiving my first digital tablet in high school I started to experiment with digital media. I have never been one to love traditional media, although it is very important to know as a basis, so the introduction of digital intrigued me. Starting with a basic program, Paint Tool Sai, I was able to create art. Then as my career went on, I moved onto programs like Photoshop and Procreate. Having these programs and knowledge of them pushed me to create more and start to see myself actually creating art for a living, which is the dream.

Taking risks is important in any career path. Being able to know if those risks are worth it is more important. The biggest risk I have taken in my path is to go to college and pursue a B.F.A in Illustration. It was a risk I was taking because I wasn’t entirely sure if art is what I wanted to do with my life, it was the only thing I could see myself doing but I wasn’t sure how to achieve that realistically. Taking this risk has paid off in so many ways. SCAD has taught me how to grow as an artist, through basic design principles to how to act professional in interviews they have shown me how I can make my dreams a reality.

Illustrating is now my passion and my career because of the exposure I had. I specially work with a more children’s marketed style. Having a why is important when thinking about pursuing art as a career, you want to know why and what you want to put out into the world. Personally, I have a whimsical and colorful style that I hope brings more smiles into the world. I want my work to be a simple smile in your day.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Living in Savannah is a place surrounded by nature and inspiration. There are many activities to do and places to explore. The parks are great places to connect with people and take a break from digital screens. Truly, there is no dull moment when in Savannah.

If looking for a place to eat the first place I’d go is, The Little Duck Diner, they have a menu with something for everyone and the cute little ducks in their drinks are a plus. The location is also nice because it’s close to popular places like River Street and Broughton Street.

For a fun place to relax, I’d recommend Pounce Cat Cafe. They are a great place to go when you want to be surrounded by cats. Having a nice drink and petting cats is the best way to wind down. A little bonus is all their cats are from the humane society and up for adoption, so not only are you having a great time you are supporting a great cause. Maybe one day, I’ll leave with a cat.

Lastly, if looking for a nice drive and to get out of the city, Tybee Island is the place to go. There are many local restaurants and shops that bring you into the beach life. Settling down in the sand with a good book – my current read is “Foul Lady Fortune” by Chloe Gong – while watching the sunset is a calming experience.

I would recommend visiting Savannah if given the chance.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The relationships I’ve created on my path are people I am always willing to shoutout. Family and friends are the reason I am where I am today, they are my personal cheerleaders.

My family are the foundation of my career, without them none of this would be possible. They have always been supportive from a young age about my thoughts on pursuing art as a career, never once did they make me feel it was not realistic. With enough support and drive anything is possible. Having their support to go to college and make new experiences towards this life is something I am very thankful for.

My friends are people I learn, create, and make memories with and having these experiences sparks joy and creativity that I push into my work. Picking specific people is impossible as there are many supportive creatives in my life that inspire me.

Lastly, the teachers and professors in my career are people I’ve had the pleasure of learning from. Specifically, my high school teacher, Renee Tripp, is someone that has continued to push me even through my college years. She is the reason I decided to be a professional illustrator. Through her teachings and from professors at Savannah College of Art and Design I have gained valuable lessons on how to create better, act professional, and push myself further into success.

Website: www.shelbybarney.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shelbybarneyart/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelbybarney/

Image Credits
Photography: Alexis Behilo (Personal Photo); Shelby Barney (All Other Images)