Painter, Quilter, Student
Shayli Gentry is an Art student at Emporia State University. She has been a featured artist at Emporia First Friday Art Walk, and we love her abstract watercolor paintings. She is also making quilts cool again, which we think is cool, too.
What do you make?
I make lots of things! My favorite things to work on right now are small scale abstract watercolor paintings and quilting.
Where and when did you learn your artistic abilities?
I’ve been interested in art as long as I can remember! My mom credits herself for buying me so many craft sets and crayons when I was little. My earliest memory of creating was probably when I was five. I was alone in my room following along to a scrapbook show on channel 11 with my stamp kit!
What inspires you or sparks your creativity?
Right now my cat, Vanellope, is having a huge impact on my creativity! I’ve been making her little houses and have some future plans for more cat related art! Also, just small daily things can spark huge ideas. It could be something random that I see that sparks a whole string of ideas. My “art ideas” folder in my notes is insanely long.
What projects are you working on now?
More watercolors! Soon I plan on attempting to sew some unique cat toys and possibly some scrunchies!
What is your day like? How much do you sleep? What is your work schedule?
My days are pretty long and crazy. I currently have three jobs and I’m a student at ESU! Two are art related. I work at the Emporia Arts Center as a teacher and front desk assistant, and I also work as a gallery assistant at ESU. Then I work as a bartender at The Lonesome Dove! I don’t sleep much at night, but if I have an hour here and there during the day you’ll normally find me taking a nap!
How many hours of creative work do you do in a day?
Since I’m in school as an Art major currently I would say I spend at least 3 hours a day creating and then if I have the night off and some motivation I’ll get in a few more!
What is the first work you ever sold, and for how much?
A graduation cap! I think they ended up giving me $40 for it!
When you start a new piece, where do you begin? What is the first step?
With watercolor my first step is to tape edges and then I pick a color. Once I get that first color down and dragged across the page I go from there on other colors and details I think would add to the piece. It’s never planned with watercolor what I’m doing. If I’m making a quilt the first step is picking a pattern and then a lot of math for how I want to modify the design. I never really stick to the exact pattern. I like to make it my own!
How do you know when you’re done with a piece?
When I don’t have the “it’s missing something” feeling in the pit of my stomach, I know a piece is done.
What music do you play when you’re making art?
I actually prefer to have the TV on when I’m creating! It’s kind of a way for me to track my time. I will start a show and take note what episode I’m on and then when I’m done it's crazy to see how many episodes have gone by!
Is there a meal you eat on repeat when you’re working?
Pizza. Pizza. Pizza. I eat a lot of pizza.
Are you bingeing on any shows right now?
My go-to shows are Phineas and Ferb, KUWK, Rick and Morty, and Friends.
What is the weirdest object in your maker's space?
Hmmm I’m honestly not sure. Maybe my tissue box? It’s the only non-artsy thing in the area. Lol. I have bad allergies.
What’s the last thing that made you cry?
I was listening to Phil Collins on the way to my 8am Studio class and started to tear up. Lol. I’m highly emotional in the mornings. Lots of feels.
What are you reading right now?
I don't read for fun currently. Maybe after college.
What’s your favorite artwork by someone else?
Quilts by Jean Mitchell (Virginia Jean Cox Mitchell). Insane HAND SEWN quilt tops with super detailed design. Just amazing.
Favorite thing about living here?
I love that there are things to do here that you can get to within 5 minutes or less. Lol. I grew up in Allen. There is nothing to do in Allen. Everything is far away from Allen.
See Shayli’s work on Instagram @shaylis_creations