Artist Spotlight - Shelby Oredson
Who are you? What do you do?
My name is Shelby Oredson, and I’m a watercolor artist specializing in wildlife and landscape art prints, custom pet portraits, and stationery goods. Although I studied art briefly in undergrad, I consider myself a self-taught watercolor artist and thank my entry into motherhood for helping me rekindle my creative passion. I’m a mom of three (with an “oops” baby due in September) and a wife to a Coast Guard helicopter pilot. If I’m not painting or running after my kids, you can most likely find me soaking in the great outdoors or catching up with friends over a board game.
Who/what inspires you?
Mother nature is my greatest inspiration. Having spent the past three years in Sitka, Alaska, I fell in love with the majesty of the mountains and the towering pines. I hope my work inspires people to pause, take a breath, and step outside. I believe the greatest lessons and memories transpire in the wild.
What is your favorite moment in the process?
Watercolor is all about layering from light to dark, and my favorite moment is when I can finally add the tiny details that make a painting come to life. Whether it’s fine hair lines on a pet portrait or tiny peaks of pines in the distance, details make magic.
What is a trick of your trade or a piece of advice for artists in your medium?
The best piece of advice I can give any beginning watercolor artist is to invest in high-quality paper. You can buy fancy brushes and expensive paint, but if you’re not working on the right surface, those brushes and paints will flop. Watercolor requires a lot of practice, loads of patience, and really, really good paper. Check out my latest blog post for all my favorite supplies!
What’s next for you?
We just moved from Alaska to Indiana where my husband will pursue an MBA at Purdue University for the next eleven months. With a new baby on the way and three more rambunctious kids at home, the short-term future of my business is a little unclear. Time won’t be on my side, so I’ll be taking things one day at a time and slowly chipping away at some of my business goals while keeping four tiny humans alive.
Where can we find you?
You can find my shop online at www.brokenpaddlestudio.com or on Etsy. I share lots of updates and behind-the-scenes stuff on my Instagram @brokenpaddlestudio. And I’m hoping to sell my work at some markets and events in the Indiana/midwest area this next year!