Registration: Each student needs to enroll individually.
Location: Sedona Arts Center, Theatre Studio.
Materials: Materials are included for use during the class, but you are welcome to purchase or bring your own. See Materials tab.
Create a one-of-a-kind character portrait (not cartoon) that captures the true spirit of your favorite horse, pet, or wildlife subject. Working from a photo—either one you bring or a reference provided—you’ll learn how to move beyond simply copying an image and instead bring out personality, mood, and essence.
Shelly will guide you step by step, beginning with quick pencil sketches to explore form and character. From there, you’ll transfer your image to canvas, build a dynamic underpainting, and layer in details that reveal the heart of your subject. By the end, you’ll have your own expressive interpretation of the animal—full of life and individuality.
Be sure to bring a lunch or snack with you – we’ll take a quick break during the day.
Materials/supplies will be available for your use during the class and are included in the tuition. You can also bring any materials/supplies that you already have on hand.
With materials included, all barriers have been removed so that you can explore the fun of painting! All you bring is yourself, a lunch or snack, and clothing that you can get some paint on!
26 0120w SH
Shelly Hackett
Shelly Hackett is a full-time artist based in Fountain Hills, Arizona, known for her expressive, atmospheric style and vivid gestural brushwork. Her work captures the essence of her subjects—often horses and western themes—with a unique blend of accuracy and emotional depth. As one juror noted, “I can actually hear the movement of these horses going down the path,” a testament to the life and energy in her paintings.
Born in the Sonoran Desert, Shelly’s lifelong connection to the Southwest and its equine culture began early—drawing horses as soon as she could hold a pencil and riding Shetland ponies not long after. Though her subject matter varies, the horse remains a central muse in her work.
Shelly studied art at Arizona State University and Scottsdale Community College, but credits much of her artistic foundation to her time working as a graphic artist under art director Dick Axtell. Her professional journey also includes an impressive design career, working internationally in frame moulding design and production in Italy, Indonesia, and the UK.
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.
Her award-winning artwork has been featured in Western Art Collector magazine and exhibited in galleries across the U.S., including in Chicago, Los Angeles, Sedona, and Scottsdale. As a teacher, Shelly brings her diverse experience and deep knowledge to the classroom, leading workshops such as Anatomy of the Horse, Finding Your Style, and Introduction to Oil.
With a passion for sharing her expertise, Shelly’s classes focus not just on technique, but on helping students infuse their work with life, mood, and authenticity.
All Materials are provided for your use during the class. You can also bring any materials/supplies that you already have on hand.
Be sure to bring a lunch or snack with you – we’ll take a quick break during the day.
Oil Paints:
Permalba White
Raw Umber
Ultramarine Blue
Burnt Sienna
Raw Sienna
Small tube:
Cad Red
Cad Yellow
16 oz terpenoid
Disposable palette- 9 x12
Palette knife
Canvas, or Wood Panel – 12 x 12 or 9 x 12
A variety of medium to small brushes of your choice
Old dish towel or two
Cancellation Policy
Registration:
Each student must enroll individually.
Students may register online or by calling the Sedona Arts Center’s Office at 928-282-3809, ext. 1.
Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express are accepted or student may pay with cash or check by registering in person during office hours, Monday – Friday, 9 am – 5 pm.
In-Person and Online Workshops Registration/Cancellation Policy:
Payment in full is due upon registration, or a payment plan can be put in place by the student upon check-out through Sezzle.
There is a 15% Cancellation Fee for any cancellations made before December 20, 2025. Remaining balance will be refunded.
There are no refunds after December 20, 2025.
If Sedona Arts Center cancels the workshop for any reason, all payments made will be refunded in full.
Note: If traveling to Sedona, we strongly urge students to purchase refundable airline tickets or travel insurance in case of workshop cancellation due to insufficient enrollment or other unforeseen changes. Sedona Arts Center is not responsible for non-refundable ticket purchases or lodging fees.
Important Cancellation Policy Message:
The Sedona Arts Center is not responsible for providing make-up sessions or issuing refunds, credits, or transfers for courses missed as a result of illness, emergencies, or other events beyond our control. There are absolutely no refunds after the cut-off date for any reason, unless the Sedona Arts Center has to cancel the workshop, then all fees paid will be refunded in full.
Kelly Sutton - Fountain Hills, AZ
Shelly encourages me to keep moving forward and let go of my perfectionism. Her direction helps me overcome my barrier of meticulous attention to detail too soon, using blocks of color then fine tuning details. We have laughter which allows for more creativity and fun.
Eve and Richard Smith - Cave Creek, AZ
Richard and I really enjoyed the class today. First time we ever attempted a horse. Didn’t think we could do it until your class. Thank you.
Linda - Cave Creek, AZ
Just really enjoyed the class today, it felt great to get back in the studio.
You are an excellent teacher.
Beth - Cave Creek, AZ
Thank you so much, your class was very relaxing and enjoyable while learning things, which was exactly what I was looking for.
