Shelley Rapp Evans

It is the thrill of the hunt that ignites my creative inspiration for the “Spirit Keeper” series. I have traveled and collected exotic textiles from all over the world as well as found objects, vintage buttons, copper, leather, and old trade beads. As the variety of treasures changes, so does the work.

Traveling is also a passion that goes along with creating, so taking a trip to look for textiles is another source of excitement and inspiration for my work. I enjoy experiencing diverse cultures and adding bits of this experience into each piece I create. I want my work to be a global mix of visual colors and textures with the feel of an old primitive museum relic.

Shelley was born and raised in southern California. She spent most of her childhood summers combing the beaches of Laguna collecting shells, driftwood, rocks, an odd shoe…. She attended Pasadena City College and San Diego State College, and she is self-taught as an artist. In her 20’s Shelley caught the travel bug and took off with two girlfriends to explore Europe. This opened her eyes to a whole new world of experiences, visual beauty, foods, and people. (All to be put away for later use in her work…) Art has always been a passion and a driving force.

Now an artist for more than 30 years and winner of numerous ‘Best of Show’ awards, the creative journey has taught her to trust her hands, her imagination, and her self-taught skills. Today her three-dimensional sculptures are the sum accumulation of her travels, her collecting and her journey as an artist. I am continually challenged and inspired by the unlimited possibilities of the human form.