Meet Shelby Little | Artist

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

Hi Shelby, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
This is something I’ve struggled with. As an artist, it’s easy to feel like every spare moment should be spent in the studio. I’ve learned to see my studio time in seasons, where sometimes I’m busier creating, sometimes I’m busier doing admin work, and sometimes I have more free time. I try to stick to a schedule, but also listen to my body and be flexible about breaking that routine when needed.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As a painter, I draw on the playful narratives of Greek and Roman mythology. These themes are explored in my current show, Lies of Poets, on display through July 12th at Spalding Nix Fine Art in Atlanta. The exhibition is inspired by C.S. Lewis’s retelling of Psyche’s story in Till We Have Faces.
Through a series of portraits, I begin with specific sculptures as sources, then gradually transition to painting intuitively without reference. Blending contemporary and archaic color palettes with familiar ancient imagery, I aim to create a dialogue between past and present, inviting viewers to contemplate the cyclical nature of time through my own retelling.
I’ve always seen myself as an artist and never considered another path. I grew up in New Orleans surrounded by adults with creative careers. My mom was a comedian and writer, I had friends with parents in the arts, and my teachers at New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) were all working artists. I think it was important for me to go to their openings and see them exhibiting work; it made pursuing a career in the arts feel very normal and achievable.
Two years ago, I moved to Athens, Georgia, with my husband. I was concerned the move would limit my opportunities, instead, I’ve been pleasantly surprised to have found a supportive community here. It’s been a very “leap, and the net will appear” experience. I’m grateful for how welcoming my new friends in Athens and Atlanta have been to me.

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.
First, I would pick them up at the airport and we would spend time in Atlanta before heading to Athens. I would start the day by walking through the Decatur Cemetery to get a coffee at Opo Coffee and a breakfast sandwich from Kelly’s Market. After, we would walk around visiting shops in Decatur and have lunch at Chai Pani. We would spend the rest of the day at the High Museum, visit art galleries, get dinner at Ticonderoga Club, and head back to Athens at the end of the evening.

In the morning, we would start the day with a walk through Dudley Park to Mama’s Boy for breakfast and read through the Flagpole to find things to do during their visit. We would also hike one of the trails in the Botanical Gardens, walk around downtown, and visit the Lyndon House Arts Center, Georgia Museum of Art, Athenaeum, and Tinyath Gallery. Before leaving we would eat at The Grill at least once and get drinks at Hidden Gem.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to shoutout all of my teachers, especially Benjamin Marcovitz, my high school Free Enterprise teacher. He saw potential in me that I didn’t see myself and cared enough to convince NOCCA to accept me halfway through the school year.

Website: https://www.shelbylittle.com

Instagram: @shelby.little.studio

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shelby.little.studio/