About Shelley Saxon Unmasked
My Artistic Journey
As a portrait artist, I focus on capturing the essence of individuals using soft pastels. Faces are living works of art that tell of our life's journey. In order to reveal the beauty and essence of the person I allow the portrait to reveal itself out of the abstract background, stripped away from the distractions of clothes and jewellery, that mask us, only hinting at these comforts we chose to bring with us. Each portrait is a unique collaboration and exploration between myself and the sitter, to create something that has meaning for both of us.
About Shelley Saxon
Experience
Experience
Experience
I did my first recognisable portrait when I was 11. It was a self-portrait of me when I was 5. Drawn in pencil, with the abstract background in oils. I have continued to explore my creativity through visual arts ever since, encompassing portraits, still lifes and landscapes . All my early works are lost in Africa, but that has allowed me to live and work creatively very much in the present.
Work
Experience
Experience
I have a very eclectic professional background, that has taken me from accountancy, to lecturing in international taxation, refugee and human rights law, to informal diplomacy and peace negotiation in DRC, to working with people who have ASD/LD/MH and complex needs. Throughout, my passion has been to encourage, support and enable people to thrive and live their best life.
Process
Experience
Process
I begin by spending time with the sitter to get to know them and how they see themseves. I may take some photos and together, we chose the pose. I then decide on the tones and colours I want to use, and then begin the creative process and my relationship with the protrait so that I capture the essence of the person, blending the pastels on the page. A portrait is much more than a photo.