Work samples

  • This Exist Somewhere, It Has To.
    "This Exist Somewhere, It Has To."

    Collage

    100"x150"

  • Steve's Car.
    "Steve's Car."

    42"x48"

    Charcoal on Rives

  • When I Think Of Us, I Think Of Hummingbirds.
    "When I Think Of Us, I Think Of Hummingbirds."

    Pigment prints, ink and beads on paper.

    40"x40"

  • Day Dream
    "Day Dream"

    Paintin 2

    oil painting

    20"x38"

About Nova

Baltimore City  


 Nova Shelley is a contemporary artist based in Baltimore that focuses on the female condition. Her works encompass oil paintings with unapologetic imagery of severed heads placed in still lifes/landscapes, playful collages that utilize repetition as well as large scale illustrative figurative charcoal drawings. Her works depict personal narratives, misogyny, intimacy of female friendships, childlike play and an overall vibe of the environment in which she lives. 

She… more

View Nova's Resume
Jump to a project:

"This Exists Somewhere It Has To."

"This Exist Somewhere It Has To," is a series of works that I created because I just want to see it. It is pure joy and play. Many of the pieces in this series are still working. The works are made from digital images  printed and made into large scale collages. 

 

 

  • This Exist Somewhere, It Has To.
    "This Exist Somewhere, It Has To."

    Pigment print on paper

    100"x150"

  • This Exist Somewhere, It Has to.
    "This Exist Somewhere, It Has to."
  • This Exists Somewhere, It Has To.
    "This Exists Somewhere, It Has To."
  • Ice
    Ice

    Working digital collage

    70"x80"

  • This Exists Somewhere, It Has To.
    "This Exists Somewhere, It Has To."

    working

    Digital Collage

    80"x110"

  • There Is A Bluebird In My Heart.
    "There Is A Bluebird In My Heart."

    working

    Pigment print on paper

    100"x50"

  • Detail-There Is A Bluebird In My Heart.
    Detail-"There Is A Bluebird In My Heart."

    Pigment print on paper

    100"x50"

  • Paradise.
    "Paradise."

    Working Collaged pigment print

    40"x48"

  • detail-Paradise.
    detail-"Paradise."

    detail- collage pigment print on paper

    40"x48"

  • This Exist Somewhere, It Has To.
  • This Exist Somewhere, It Has to.
  • This Exists Somewhere, It Has To.
  • Ice
  • This Exists Somewhere, It Has To.
  • There Is A Bluebird In My Heart.
  • Detail-There Is A Bluebird In My Heart.
  • Paradise.
  • detail-Paradise.

    • "Lemons."

    "Lemons" is a series that explores the combination of different mediums while creating a visual biography. The works explore femminnity, craft, ritual, selfcare, personal history and sisterhood.

    The works are made from collaged pigment prints, bead, ribbon, ink and pencil.

    • When I Think Of Us I Think Of Hummingbirds.
      "When I Think Of Us I Think Of Hummingbirds."

      "When I Think Of Us, I Think Of Hummingbirds."

      32"x32"

      collage pigment prints, bead and ink

    • Detail-When I Think Of Us, I Think Of Hummingbirds.
      Detail-"When I Think Of Us, I Think Of Hummingbirds."

      Detail-"When I Think Of Us, I Think Of Hummingbirds."

      32"x32"

      collage pigment prints, bead and ink

    • I Use Hid Under The Kitchen Table So My Mother Could Not Brush My Hair.
      "I Use Hid Under The Kitchen Table So My Mother Could Not Brush My Hair."

      "I Use Hid Under The Kitchen Table So My Mother Could Not Brush My Hair."

      32"x34"

      Collage pigment print, pencil and ribbon

    • DetailI Use Hid Under The Kitchen Table So My Mother Could Not Brush My Hair.
      Detail"I Use Hid Under The Kitchen Table So My Mother Could Not Brush My Hair."

      Detail"I Use Hid Under The Kitchen Table So My Mother Could Not Brush My Hair."

      32"x34"

      Collage pigment print, pencil and ribbon

    • I Had Earrings Shaped Like Stars.
      "I Had Earrings Shaped Like Stars."

      "I Had Earrings Shaped Like Stars."

      32"x32"

      Collaged Pigment prints,beads and pencil on paper

    • Detail-I Had Earrings Shaped Like Stars.
      Detail-"I Had Earrings Shaped Like Stars."

      Detail-"I Had Earrings Shaped Like Stars."

      32"x32"

      Collaged Pigment prints,beads and pencil on paper

    • Orange Trees Are Mostly Green And Buttercups Smell Like Honey.
      "Orange Trees Are Mostly Green And Buttercups Smell Like Honey."

      "Orange Trees Are Mostly Green And Buttercups Smell Like Honey."

      32"x32"

      Collage pigment print, pencil on paper.

    • Detail-Orange Trees Are Mostly Green And Buttercups Smell Like Honey.
      Detail-"Orange Trees Are Mostly Green And Buttercups Smell Like Honey."

      Detail-"Orange Trees Are Mostly Green And Buttercups Smell Like Honey."

      32"x32"

      Collage pigment print, pencil on paper.

    • I Thought Bandanas Were Cool Because Of The Karate Kid.
      "I Thought Bandanas Were Cool Because Of The Karate Kid."

      "I Thought Bandanas Were Cool Because Of The Karate Kid."

      32"45"

      Collage Pigment print, pencil on paper.

    • "Sleepover"

      Digital collage of video

  • When I Think Of Us I Think Of Hummingbirds.
  • Detail-When I Think Of Us, I Think Of Hummingbirds.
  • I Use Hid Under The Kitchen Table So My Mother Could Not Brush My Hair.
  • DetailI Use Hid Under The Kitchen Table So My Mother Could Not Brush My Hair.
  • I Had Earrings Shaped Like Stars.
  • Detail-I Had Earrings Shaped Like Stars.
  • Orange Trees Are Mostly Green And Buttercups Smell Like Honey.
  • Detail-Orange Trees Are Mostly Green And Buttercups Smell Like Honey.
  • I Thought Bandanas Were Cool Because Of The Karate Kid.

    • "1990"

    "1990" is a series of drawings that illustrate memories of my childhood friend. The work explores female friendships , memory and loss.

    The work consist of black and white charcoal drawings with the figures simplified in an illustrative style. 

     

     

     

     

     

     

    • Smoking in Steve's Car.
      "Smoking in Steve's Car."

      Charcoal on Rives

      42"x48"

    • Detail-Smoking In The Back Of Steve's Car.
      Detail-"Smoking In The Back Of Steve's Car."

      Charcoal on Rives

      42"x48"

    • Snowy Night.
      "Snowy Night."

      Charcoal on Rives

      18"x22"

    • Friends.
      "Friends."

      Charcoal on Rives

      42"x48"

    • Detail Friends.
      Detail "Friends."

      Charcoal on Rives

      42"x48"

    • Alesha.
      "Alesha."

      Charcoal on Rives

      27"x30"

    • Alesha.
      "Alesha."

      Charcoal on Rives

      27"x30"

    • Kim.
      "Kim."

      Charcoal on Rives

      42"x42"

    • Kim.
      "Kim."

      Charcoal on Rives

      42"x42"

    • Smiling Dog.
      "Smiling Dog."

      Charcoal on Rives

      22"x30"

  • Smoking in Steve's Car.
  • Detail-Smoking In The Back Of Steve's Car.
  • Snowy Night.
  • Friends.
  • Detail Friends.
  • Alesha.
  • Alesha.
  • Kim.
  • Kim.
  • Smiling Dog.

    • Painting

    This is a very new painting series that I have started. It illustrates this feeling I get. I am not sure what this is yet. Maybe a series of selfportraits.

    • Center Piece.
      "Center Piece."

      Painting 1

      40"x40"

      Oil on canvas

    • Day Dream
      Day Dream

      Painting 2

      Oil on canvas

      24"x30"

    • alternate view_Day Dream
      alternate view_Day Dream

      Alternate view-Painting 2

      Oil on canvas

      24"x30"

  • Center Piece.
  • Day Dream
  • alternate view_Day Dream