Q&A with Local Artist, Shelby Leblanc
Local artist, Shelby LeBlanc, is known for her big, bold, and attention grabbing work! She creates her larger than life mixed media pieces by ripping out pictures and words from old books and magazines. Learn more about Shelby and her one-of-a-kind pieces in her Q&A below.
Tell us about yourself:
I'm 29 and from Columbia, SC but I moved to Charleston last April. I live here with my fiance and our three dogs. I enjoy cooking, traveling, music, art, and being active.
Tell us how you got started in art?
I've been artistic since I was very young. When I was a kid my parents got me classes with a local artist in Columbia and I took art in school. While in college I didn't paint much, but I started back after a terrible time with depression. Art probably saved my life.
How would you describe your art?
Big, bold, and demands attention. Oh, and I destroy a lot of books...
What inspires you?
Nature, people, & places I've seen or traveled to
Which artists inspire you?
Henri Matisse, Georgia O'Keefe, Claude Monet, Loui Jover, Andy Goldsworthy, Erin Hanson... too many to list!
What do you love about working in the Charleston Art Community?
I love meeting new people. I'm still very new to the Charleston community but I love the diversity or artists here.
How does Charleston inspire you?
Charleston is beautiful and lively; it's full of history, culture, food and interesting people. How could you not feel inspired?!
What is your current favorite piece that you have done?
One of my favorite pieces is an Octopus paper mache installation at Frothy Beard Brewing Company in Charleston. The statue is completely made out of recycled materials- thanks to the city paper for copies of old magazines!
What is the most difficult part about being an artist?
Continuing to be innovative and creative. Battling self doubt. And setting prices.. I hate talking about money but it's really difficult to set a price on something you that you pour a piece of yourself into.
What is the best part about being an artist?
Doing something you love is truly the best, but getting the chance to see the world differently and having the ability to create something to share with others is also pretty incredible.