Shelly Pamensky
Shelly Pamensky is a mixed media artist, working from her studio in London. She completed a law degree in South Africa and is a self-taught artist who turned her attention to painting after a career in the City of London.
Pamensky’s methodology fuses masculine and feminine elements in her work. Glitter, weaving, and paintings resembling dresses are juxtaposed with the use of spray guns, automotive paint, and flake guns derived from the male-dominated automotive industry. The resulting paintings can be bold, geometric grids, or soft and playful.
She has sold paintings to private collectors and undertaken numerous commissioned pieces in collaboration with collectors, curators, and interior designers. She has exhibited in various group shows and art fairs, including The Affordable Art Fair, Roy’s Art Fair, and The Other Art Fair. She is currently a member of Artcan. Additionally, her work has gained recognition through features in art magazine publications and online exhibitions.
Contact
www.shellypamensky.com
shelly.pamensky@gmail.com
@shellypamensky
Interview
What inspires your art practice and keeps you motivated?
I have an innate need to create. Making art is a form of expression for me and is deeply influenced by my internal world. My personal experiences and emotional shifts often shape my work—whether it’s a subtle change in my color palette or a significant transformation in my medium. For instance, transitioning from pure oil painting to working with spray and glitter was closely tied to major life changes that redefined my artistic perspective. Ultimately, the need to create, combined with an expansive and adaptive mindset, fuels my artistic practice.
How does your mission as an artist influence the work you create?
My mission as an artist is to cultivate a sense of inner peace—both for myself through the act of creation and for the viewer through their perception of my work. I am particularly drawn to color because of its profound ability to influence emotions. I pair color with texture to engage the viewer further, fostering a dynamic interaction. My work leans towards abstraction, which invites the viewer to embark on their own internal dialogue, making the experience personal and introspective.
Can you share a key part of your creative process that helps you stay focused?
Experimentation is at the heart of my creative process. The act of exploring and pushing the boundaries of my practice keeps me energized and focused. Often, discoveries made while working on one piece spark ideas for the next. Curiosity drives me, and even mistakes become valuable lessons, opening new doors and fueling my creativity.
What mindset do you rely on to overcome challenges in your art career?
I understand that creativity isn’t a constant, mechanical process; it ebbs and flows. To overcome challenges, I allow myself the freedom to experiment and create without the pressure of an audience. This approach helps me stay playful, try new techniques, and connect with work that feels authentic. Additionally, I emphasize developing good habits. Art is a practice that requires time and dedication, so I make it a daily ritual to spend time in my studio, even if I’m not working on a specific project.
How do you hope your art impacts the world or your community?
I hope my art brings a sense of joy and peace to my community and the wider world. Central to my work is the concept of balance—balancing color and shine, textures, the interplay of colors, and the masculine and feminine elements. This harmony imparts a calming visual effect, which I hope encourages an internal dialogue of serenity and introspection. My ultimate goal is to create a visual experience that resonates on a deeper emotional level, fostering a sense of tranquility and connection.
