Shelby Rodriguez

Shelby Rodriguez is a contemporary figurative realist painter working primarily in oil. Raised in Norway and Estonia, she returned to the United States to pursue higher education, earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Nevada, Reno, and an M.Ed. in Secondary Science Education.

From the Lab to the Studio: The Scientific Process

Rodriguez’s background in biochemistry and biology profoundly informs her studio practice. Approaching oil painting with an analytical eye, she translates her training in scientific observation into a rigorous technical precision on canvas. This unique perspective drives an acute consciousness of material chemistry and toxicity within the painting process, leading her to favor precise, archival methods and highly intentional palette choices. Through this fusion of disciplined observation and classical technique, she captures the contemporary human experience with striking clarity.

Current Series: The Cost of Constant

Her current series explores the ways in which women are interrupted and how the world relies on women being constantly available. Each painting portrays a subject engaged in a daily ritual—quiet, intentional acts of self-care and reflection.

These naturalistic, high-chroma scenes invite viewers into intimate spaces while simultaneously casting them as intruders, highlighting the tension between personal sanctuary and societal expectation. Rodriguez underscores the fragility and significance of these small, but sacred, moments.

Rodriguez lives and works in Reno, Nevada. She was recently selected as an emerging artist at the Artist Cooperative Gallery of Reno and is currently preparing for her upcoming inaugural solo exhibition.

Upcoming Exhibitions

Reno Tahoe International Art Show

Dates: September 17th – 20th, 2026

Location: Reno-Sparks Convention Center — Reno, NV

View Event Details & Tickets: https://www.rtiashow.com/

The Cost of Constant

Inaugural Solo Exhibition by Shelby Rodriguez

Gallery: The Depot Gallery

Address: 831 Victorian Ave, Sparks, NV 89431

Dates: May 15 – June 19, 2027