Artist’s Story
Shelly Hackett
B. 1954
Her lifelong connection to the Southwest and its equine culture began early, drawing horses as soon as she could hold a pencil. Though her subject matter varies, the horse remains a central muse in her work.
Shelly studied art at Scottsdale Community College, but credits much of her artistic foundation to her time working as an artist under art director Dick Axtell.
Her professional journey also includes designing picture frame molding and traveling to Treviso, Italy; Jakarta, Indonesia; and London/Swindon, UK, for design projects.
While in Italy, she worked on clay sculpting and production finishes, creating product designs for the global market.
In 1996, Shelly transitioned into scenic painting for film and commercial sets in Los Angeles, including work on a Super Bowl Pepsi commercial and multiple music videos. Further refining her skills in large-scale, figurative painting.
Shelly’s work has been featured in publications including Western Art Collector’s June 2023 edition.
Her exhibitions include shows in Chicago, Los Angeles, Sedona & Scottdale. As one juror noted, “I can actually hear the movement of these horses going down the path.”
Shelly now resides in Fountain Hills Arizona, painting and teaching workshops such as Anatomy of the Horse, Finding your Style, Introduction to Oil and Essence of the Animal.
Publications, Awards, & Exhibitions
Publications:Western Art Collector June 2023 Issue-Collectors Focus “Woman Artists Taking Center Stage”
Horses In Art 2006 featured artist “Developing Her Own Style” By Leah Rakali
Awards:Fountain Hills Annual Juried Art Show Awards
January 7th, 2019 / Judge’s Statement by Lili Anne Lauren
Honorable Mention: ( Jake ) oil on canvas, by Shelly Hackett
“This painting tells a story with nice loose brushwork of a young cowboy who appears to be surveying His cattle.
I like that the work is not overly rendered which gives the work a casual appearance reflective of the cowboy’s equally casual stance. The sunglasses give it a contemporary vibe.”
Fountain Hills Annual Juried Art Show Awards
January 2021 / Judges statement by Julie Gilbert Pollard
First Place : ( Diego ) oil on canvas, by Shelly Hackett
“ I can actually hear the movement of these horses down the path. The unusual viewpoint of this scene
Strikes me as interesting, exciting and challenging!
I enjoy the accuracy of the subject painted with loose, expressive brushwork.”
Exhibitions:Recent:
2021 Fountain Hills Annual Juried Show / AZ
2019 Fountain Hills Annual Juried Show/ AZ
Group Shows:2014 Jones Coffee Roasters / Pasadena CA
2010 Heritage Gallery and Wine Garden / Pasadena CA
1995 Mars Gallery, in Celebration of Chicago’s International Art Expo / Chicago Illinois
1994 North Wind Gallery / Sedona AZ
1990 Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibition / Los Angeles CA
Solo Shows:
1990 Rob Roy Gallery / Los Angeles CA
1987 Eleven East Ashland / Phoenix AZ
Juried Shows:1993 100th Exhibition, Eleven East Ashland / Phoenix AZ
Juror: Heather Linberry, Curator of ASU Art Musem
1987 Phoenix Artist Colition / Phoenix AZ
Juror: Bruce Kurts, Curator of the Phoenix Art Museum
1986 La Phoneniquera, Mars Gallery / Phoenix AZ
Juror: Donald Lock