Life & Work with Shelly Gayring of Oriental

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shelly Gayring.

Hi Shelly, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I moved from Central New York to North Carolina in 2018, where I began my creative journey. I’ve always had a love for the Ocean & began creating pieces for my home. I was encouraged to start selling & it’s grown and evolved. I create both functional pieces like the charcuterie boards but have started doing more & more fine art, which I find more creatively rewarding. I now have collectors across the country & have placed in art competitions & been shown in galleries & magazines.

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I have had some struggles along the way. I had an accident in 2020, which has resulted in a few surgeries, and as my interest in my art grew, I had to take time away to heal & have had to pass on a few amazing opportunities. Also, Resin is one of the mediums I use & it’s tricky to use. It’s a liquid that hardens to a solid. Due to that, it has restrictions as far as work time & control. I feel I’ve mastered it as much as possible & use those past failures as examples of what not to do.

Another challenge is that I have a full-time career in addition to my art so finding time is challenging.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a mixed media artist with a focus on the flow & feel of water. I mainly create ocean scenes & aerial water views. I have a vision for each piece. I try to focus on one piece at a time rather than mass production. I feel I can create more depth and realistic pieces when I take the time to & put all my creativity into individual pieces.

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
As an artist, you are your biggest critic. Don’t focus solely on how your art makes you feel.

A piece I might not feel captures what I intended can be a piece that someone loves and reminds them of a beach or memory that brings them joy.

Contact Info:

• Website: Artandshore.com
• Instagram: @artandshore
• Facebook: @artandshore