Shelly Denning Creative

Serves Agoura Hills, CA

35244

Hired 25 times

1 employee

30 years in business

$50/hour

4.9

This pro accepts payments via Cash, Check, Credit card, Google Pay, PayPal, Samsung Pay, Square cash app, Venmo, and Zelle.

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Credentials

Background Check

Shelly Pinder
Completed on 9/26/2024

Introduction

Welcome to Thumbtack! I hope to make your experience here easy and fun! I will be your personal guide throughout the process. I want to hear the story of your loved one, your pet, your business or whatever it is that brought you here today. I will do whatever it takes to bring your ideas to life. I work in a number of styles and mediums. I can do everything from pop-art to photo-realistic portraits. Please look through my gallery for samples of my work. For personal projects, my goal is to create a piece of artwork for you that is as special as the memories associated with it. At just one glance, anyone looking at your art will feel exactly the way you do when you think about the person, pet or object in it. For business projects, first impressions are everything. I will create some artwork that makes your business not just stand out, but shout out over the competition! Whether you wish to convey an atmosphere of refinement and sophistication or fun and excitement, your clients should feel that energy the minute they see your building or ad or walk through your door. I can help make that happen. I strive to give my clients the best possible product for their budget. I have spent the last 30+ years working to enhance my craft and I continue to do so on a daily basis. I am trustworthy, committed and passionate about what I do. My goal is to make the experience as easy as possible for you and to make sure that you are excited about the results. So what are you waiting for? Call me or send me a message today so we can get started on your project!

Q&A

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

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. 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?

I have my BFA in Studio Art with a concentration in Drawing and Painting from the University of North Texas. Before attending UNT, 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.

How did you get started doing this type of work?

I've always loved to draw and paint. When I was younger, my mother would get mad at the amount of paper she had to purchase to feed my art habit. I rarely turned in homework that didn't include doodles in the margins. I dreamed of being a successful artist and explored the various ways to accomplish this. I thought about doing children's book illustration or comic books, but none of those really seemed to fit my style. When it came down to it, I just wanted to paint portraits. There's something about the human face that can tell a story better than anything else.

What types of customers have you worked with?

Having worked in the film industry for a long time, I've had the opportunity to work with many different types. Some know exactly what they want and some are willing to let you experiment. I'm a pretty laid-back person who is comfortable dealing with just about any personality.

Describe a recent project you are fond of. How long did it take?

I recently had a request to do a pop-art portrait of a couple. It was a rush job and the client wasn't exactly certain of what she wanted. I suggested "fun and colorful" and she agreed. After doing the portrait, she liked it, but she didn't love it. To make the best use of the time we had left to complete the project, I sent her several images of pop-art styles. She picked her favorite and I did the new painting based on the style she chose. She was very happy with the results. In the end, she decided to purchase both pieces of work and they were a huge success with her friend to whom they were gifted. I got to try out some new styles and she got two cool portraits. Everybody wins.

What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?

Research! Check out an artist's website. Does their style excite you? Is their price range in your budget? Are they trustworthy? Artists are notoriously wacky folks, so read Thumbtack reviews (if available) and make sure that you feel comfortable working with them.

What questions should customers think through before talking to professionals about their project?

What style am I looking for? Research images online to find a style that you like. Much like taking a photo of a haircut to a hairdresser, a photo of art that you like will help the artist to know how to approach your artwork. What medium do I want? There are so many options out there. Visit my website FAQ and read the entry on different mediums to help make a decision between some of the more common options. What message do I hope to convey with my artwork? Do you want someone to feel excited? Sad? Confused? These emotions can all be expressed in different ways through art. By letting your artist know what you hope to achieve, they will have a better idea of how to approach your artwork. How much am I prepared to spend? Mediums, styles, surfaces, subjects and other factors all play a role in how much an artist will charge. Take a look at other work they've done and see if pricing is available. For my pricing visit my website and click on "Pricing".