Rising Stars: Meet Shelley Heffler

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shelley Heffler. Them and their team share their story with us below:

Shelley Heffler was born and raised in the Bronx. She attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York where she studied interior design, followed by a Bachelor’s Degree in Art. She graduated from Cal State Northridge with a Master’s degree in fine art followed by a teaching credential. She traveled extensively throughout Europe and Asia photographing the lives of fascinating people and the rich cultural landscape they live in. On returning from her travels, she settled in Los Angeles where she taught ceramics and fine art for L.A. Unified for over 25 years. Additionally, she was an adjunct professor at Otis College of Art and Design, a Nationally Board-Certified Professional Educator, and a mentor teacher. Her exhibition history includes the Los Angeles County Museum of Art rental gallery, the Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery and group shows throughout the United States. Her work has been reviewed in the British magazine Hedge, Los Angeles Times, LA Independent, Daily News, San Diego Tribune and San Diego Art Review. She was nominated for the Awards for the Visual arts and received a Fellowship from Funds for Teachers. Her paintings and photographs are in the collections of many collectors across the United States. She has been identified as “One to Watch” on Saatchi On Line and featured in “Art Pins”. Since the pandemic, Shelley has created outstanding community outreach programs. ‘Home’, where 130 quilt pieces were donated and auctioned to benefit the unhoused and the Artist in Residency at Inglewood’s Rogers Park, ‘It Takes a Village’ quilt project, bringing the community of Inglewood together. Her studio is located at the Perez Art and Design Plaza in Cathedral City, California.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Art has been in my blood. Whatever I engaged in focused on the arts. I graduated Fashion Institute of Technology with a degree in Interior Design and was happy to get a job painting designs for a carpet company. When I moved to Los Angeles, jobs in the art field were geared to animation. Although I continued to make art, I was lucky to get a job teaching art. I had to be flexible given the fact that I taught ceramics, computer, advanced art and whatever they needed me to teach. I learned a variety of skills and to be open to change. I learned more about the artworks and galleries and surrounded myself with artists. I was naïve in the whole business of art. This is something never taught in schools. Like teaching, I have had to learn from others and educate myself about the art world. I feel I lost a lot of time getting my work exposed. I have no mentors to help. I joined the Southern California Women’s Caucus for Art, where I eventually was president for six years, and developed art friends learning from each other.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Six years ago, I went to a residency in Mexico. I pushed the boundaries of my paintings by tearing them up and reconfiguring them into sculptural wall pieces. When I returned to L. A. I continued to explore the process and wanted to find other materials to use. West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce was giving away vinyl street banners. I collected a few and wanted a few more. They brought me to a landfill where hundreds of used banners laid in the mud. The lightbulb went on! I stuffed my car with the banners, cleaned them and brought them to my studio. Since then, I have been seeking out banners from various companies to use in my art. My work has always been about the marks man leaves behind. The street banners will never degrade or go back to the environment. I feel it is my obligation as an artist to take the material, use it in a creative way and create a new narrative. I transform the colors and text of the banners using various textile methods and sculptural techniques creating wall sculptures that have movement and form. The artists I emulate are El Anatsui, John Chamberlain, Lee Bontecou and Linda Benglis.

Who else deserves credit in your story?
I wish I had a mentor. My artist groups and friends are my biggest supporters and cheerleaders.

Pricing:

• Small works $250-$900
• Larger works $2500-$5500

Contact Info:

• Website: www.shelleyheffler.com
• Instagram: 679shell
• Facebook: shelleyheffler
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRI8pTXbuvQ