Shelly Denning Creative

228 photos

Customers rated this pro highly for work quality, professionalism, and responsiveness.

Read reviews that mention:

• commission・2

• portrait・1

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Sherri M.

Feb 21, 2019

Wonderful to work with. She listens to every detail you communicate then does an exceptional job putting it on paper. We highly recommend Shelly for painting any portrait you are considering. We are extremely happy with the results.

Shelly Denning Creative's reply

Thank you so much for the kind words! I loved working with you on your house portrait and would be delighted to work with you again in the future!

Reginald D.

Sep 20, 2018

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Hired on Thumbtack

Hired on Thumbtack

I can't say enough about the artwork that Shelly created for me. I thought the idea I had in my head was spectacular, but as I continued to consult with Shelly, that idea went from spectacular to otherworldly. She is an extremely skilled and talented artist, who is very patient, detailed and customer-focused. She gave me all the latitude in the world to share my ideas, being sure to not step on my creative toes in anyway. She then suggested creative twists that I never would have thought of, that took this artwork to an entirely different level. I can't say enough about what I ultimately received from her. I proudly display her artwork in my living room and marvel at it every day. In hindsight I would have paid double what she charged me. The quality of her work is just that good!

Details: Painting • Canvas

Shelly Denning Creative's reply

Thanks so much, Reggie! This was the largest canvas painting I've done so far and it was a lot of fun. Let me know if you ever need anything else and we're definitely going to try to get out to see your band play some time! :)

Portrait Artistry

Sri H.

Jul 20, 2018

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Hired on Thumbtack

Hired on Thumbtack

Shelly was extremely easy and flexible to work with. We needed her help to design our wedding invitations and they turned out great! We were under a bit of a time crunch and Shelly put in the extra hours and got them done just in time for us! She is very approachable and gives constant feedback which helped us out a lot. Even though this type of invitation was a new type of thing for her, she was excited to take the challenge. Definitely a go-getter! What I really liked about her was that she was very responsive. Since we never got to meet her in person, we were concerned about the responsiveness but she made it really easy for us. Thanks for all your help Shelly!

Details: Personal • 1 illustration • Pencil • Ink • Phone or internet (no in-person meeting)

Shelly Denning Creative's reply

Thank you so much, Sri! Congrats on your wedding and I hope you and Niha have an amazing few days of celebrations! Let me know if you ever need anything else. :)

Illustrating

Kandis R.

Jul 12, 2018

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Hired on Thumbtack

Hired on Thumbtack

Shelly was a LIFE SAVER for a last minute special effects makeup need I had for a production. She worked with me to help us accomplish the goal and vision we had. She was able to modify her tools and methods to fit our timeline without sacrificing on the quality. I hope to one day get to work with her on a non-rushed timeline because I can't imagine how much more detail she'd put into a project if she has the time to do it. Highly recommend her and she's timely, professional, and cleaned up everything well after she finished her job.

Details: General entertainment / party • No specific theme • The body painter travels to me

Shelly Denning Creative's reply

Thanks so much, Kandis! The video looks great! I hope everyone enjoyed it. :)

Body Painting

Sebastian R.

Jun 21, 2018

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Hired on Thumbtack

Hired on Thumbtack

Shelly Denning is a an extremely talented artist the will take whatever your idea is and make it happen! She is super kind, hardworking, and trustworthy! Her artistic abilities are of the charts and she is someone that I am truly grateful to ever work with!

Details: Commercial • 1 illustration • What the illustrator recommends • Phone or internet (no in-person meeting)

Shelly Denning Creative's reply

You're too sweet! Thank you so much, Sebastian! Hope your song is a huge hit! :)

Illustrating

FAQs

• What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?

  For portraits, I have basic pricing for several mediums and sizes. That pricing can be found by clicking "Pricing" on my website. Pricing can be affected by the medium, size, number of subjects, unusual surfaces or if editing is required (such as merging several photos together). Please contact me for an accurate quote. Here's pricing for an 8"x10" portrait of one person in a realistic style based off a single photo with no additional editing: Oil on canvas: $397 Acrylic on canvas: $347 Watercolor on paper: $329 Pencil on paper: $595 Charcoal on paper: $325 Colored Pencil on paper: $661 The same piece as a 24"x36" would be: Oil on canvas: $3,866 Acrylic on canvas: $3,336 Watercolor on paper: $2,000 Pencil on paper: $2,800 Charcoal on paper: $1,499 Colored Pencil on paper: $4,453 For murals, the price can fluctuate greatly depending on the size, location, detail, etc. Mural pricing is done on a case-by-case basis. If detailed art is too pricey, I can do something more simple like a line drawing or pop-art style of work. This can lower the price greatly. I can also set up payment plans if needed.

• What is your typical process for working with a new customer?

  After the initial quote is made, I like to have a conversation with the customer. This can be done over the phone, through e-mail or face-to-face. If the customer is ready to hire me based on the final quote, a 50% deposit is made for the work and the commission agreement is signed. If new designs are being created, a nondisclosure agreement must also be signed. Sketches are done based on the customer's needs. Once approved, we decide on a time for me to begin the work. Progress photos are sent during the process. When I'm able, I also do a time lapse video of the work. Once complete, the artwork is delivered, picked up or presented (for murals) and the remainder of the payment is due. I also provide the customer with a maintenance statement that details the materials used in the work and how to take care of it.

• What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?

  Over the years, I practiced any medium I could get my hands on. My teachers were Bob Ross and other painters demonstrating their skills on television. In middle school, I didn't have time in my schedule to add art classes, so I would visit with the art teacher at lunch or after school. He would give me the assignments that his class was given and I would turn them in for critique. In high school, I opted to take orchestra and theatre over art until my senior year when I finally gave up on theatre. I approached the art teacher and showed her my work. She placed me in the level 3 art class. ​Upon graduation, I attended the University of Texas at Arlington, majoring in illustration. Due to events beyond my control, I had to drop out after one year. For years, I kept myself educated by watching videos, reading books and practice, practice, practice. In 2019, I decided to return to school after a 23-year hiatus. I am currently attending The University of North Texas in pursuit of my BFA in Studio art with a double concentration in sculpture and drawing/painting.