SHELBY SHERRIT

It has been said that art is medicine for the soul, a way to connect with our feelings, project our thoughts and heal. For Shelby Sherritt, art is exactly that, and so much more. “I’ve always been creative,” she says, reflecting on her childhood and the memories of doing craft with her nana.

Words by Bianca Flint. Pictures by Angela Hayward. And without realising, I’ve asked Shelby a hard question first: “Who is Shelby?” She laughs as she tries to find words to answer. I can already tell she is humble, with kind eyes and a wisdom that seems to be way beyond her years. Shelby is 23, although she couldn’t really remember, so we did the maths, and having been born in 1995, she is indeed 23. She describes herself as a creative person, but not just in the obvious “crafty” way, although she definitely is that, but in all elements of her life – in the way she thinks, feels and takes on life.

Shelby loved doing art throughout her schooling, and despite being very successful at it, was encouraged not to continue down that path, but to study something that had more “career potential”. Consequently, she found herself studying international relations at university, with her art being pushed aside so she could focus on her studies. However, it was while she was holidaying in Perth, after the first year of her course, that Shelby’s life suffered a significant jolt.

Aged 20 at this time, she was admitted to hospital with suspected appendicitis but was not at all prepared for what was coming next: Shelby was told the devastating news that she had cancer of the appendix and bowel. At such a young age, her whole world was suddenly put on hold. Shelby had to immediately undergo chemotherapy and have a number of surgical procedures. She then returned to Ballarat to begin her battle with cancer; she also had to defer her studies at university. Shelby knew she needed something to help see her through this time. “I don’t like not doing anything,” she says, laughing, “so I had to think about what I really loved doing.” Shelby’s love for art quickly came to mind, which led her to set up an Instagram account called the Six Month Project. It was a place to showcase her art whilst undergoing chemotherapy (over six months).

16 Shelby’s art was unique and sustainable. With no money for art supplies, she made do with what she could find, turning everyday items into works of art. “I’d collect recycled cans from my family and wrap around yarn that I found at the op shop and add succulent cuttings,” Shelby explains.

When her treatment had finished, Shelby had that niggling feeling that perhaps she should return to her studies, but her desire to be creative had become so much stronger; her art had given her so much strength at a time when she needed it most.

Shelby had participated in art therapy whilst undergoing her treatment. She loved how art could actually help people and make a difference. She made the decision to incorporate art into her profession, so that she could continue to do something she loved and help people, just like it had helped her. So, she changed focus, moved to Sydney with her partner, and enrolled in a social work course at university. Shelby was able to enrol in a ceramics class as part of the art history component of her degree.

“It was between glass blowing and ceramics, but it just so happened that ceramics didn’t clash with my other classes, so ceramics it was,” she says with a big smile. Shelby fell in love with ceramics; she tells me of the feeling, the texture, and ultimately what she was able to create with it. Shelby received high praise for her work and was encouraged to sell it. Shelby decided to convert her Instagram Six Month Project into an account that showcased all her artwork. This decision heralded the beginning of her very own small business.

Shelby’s Instagram page is filled with an overarching love of nature, with gorgeous little koala pinch pots the main attraction. As her work continued to gain attention, there was one major challenge that she was encountering – lack of access to a kiln. The firing of her ceramics was proving difficult; having to transport fragile work to a hired space in order to use someone else’s kiln was stressful and at times frustrating. “Often I’d go to collect items, and find they were damaged,” Shelby says in an exasperated tone.

Shelby had heard of other creatives doing a Kickstarter project to fund items and decided to give it a go. Essentially, it means that people “preorder” items to support a financial goal – in Shelby’s case, a kiln. She was overwhelmed with the response to her Kickstarter project, raising 300 per cent more than what she was asking for. This gave her the opportunity to not only purchase a kiln but to also set up her studio space. Shelby has a lot of creating ahead of her, but doing what she loves could never feel like a chore. Each item is unique and with each of her koalas taking a minimum of four hours to complete, they are certainly a labour of love.

Shelby’s story highlights the importance of community, of sharing resources and the power of a creative mind. She looks forward to running her own art therapy classes in the future as well as continuing to create beautiful pieces of ceramic art that have a focus on Australian natives. Find Shelby on Instagram: @shelby.sherritt.art

WARM YOUR HEART OR WARM YOUR SOUL

The road to the Grampians. It’s more an escape route. Whether you’re looking for epic or intimate, discover a world-famous National Park where your paths to adventure are endless. From rugged mountains, tranquil streams and meandering trails to sublime wines, delectable local food and open log fires, there’s something to warm the hearts of everyone. Find space. Find beauty. You may even find yourself. Plan your escape The Grampians Way at visitgrampians.com.au