A blog review about my show "Bipolar Clowns and Spirit Babies"

http://remodernreview.wordpress.com/2013/08/31/exhibition-bipolar-clowns-and-spirit-babies-paintings-by-shelley-whiting/

Fellow artist Richard Bledsoe wrote a touching and thoughtful review about my show "Bipolar Clowns and Spirit Babies."

Presenting the Clowns, Triptych, Acrylic on Board, 48X144

Wedge and Bottle in Phoenix, Arizona

My interview with Christopher Qi-YueMedia.com

Christopher Qi-yueMedia.com did a wonderful job interviewing me at Warehouse 1005 about my "Bipolar Clowns and Spirit Babies" show

at Tsoms Vegetarian Flavor, Tempe AZ

Me in front of "Three Heads" at Tsom's Vegetarian Flavor in Tempe AZ

Bipolar Clowns

Sumo Clown, 4X4, Acrylic on board

Effect of Achieving Clowndom, Acrylic on board, 4X6

This manic side is shown in some paintings in the form of fashionable clowns. Clowns are both extremely theatrical and over the top. They transform themselves using a sort of enlightened silliness.

Beauty Queen Series



Beauty Queen 3, Acrylic on board, 8X4




Beauty Queen1, Acrylic on board, 8X4



Beauty Queen 2, Acrylic on board, 8X4

Other paintings are inspired by high school homecoming and prom queens. Throughout my whole life I’ve always been the geek. Imagining myself as one of these princesses was a challenging role-reversal. High school royalty to me is a regal artificiality. In these paintings  am making over versions of myself like  paper dolls with different hair styles and dresses. The sugary fun of the princess exploration is contrasted with an agitated background of repetitious swirls.