Shirley Yang Crutchfield is a self-taught painter redefining Renaissance water gilding for today’s world. Her practice transforms everyday women into golden heroines, using meticulous historic techniques like gilding, pastiglia, and sgraffito. Once the founder of a million-dollar tech startup, she now dedicates her career to painting, blending tradition with modern storytelling. We caught up with Shirley to discuss her artistic journey, creative process, and vision for the future.
Your work modernises Renaissance water gilding. What first drew you to such a meticulous and historic technique?
I’ve always been drawn to intricate details and craftsmanship. Water gilding fascinated me because it’s a centuries-old technique that demands patience and precision. Working with gold and traditional methods feels meditative and alive, and I wanted to bring that level of care into a modern context.
You left behind a successful career in tech to become a full-time painter. How did that transition reshape your creative outlook?
Leaving tech allowed me to slow down and focus on creation. In tech, everything moves fast and results matter immediately, but painting taught me to embrace process and subtlety. I approach each piece deliberately, thinking about storytelling, technique, and emotional resonance.
The women in your portraits are depicted as golden heroines. How do you choose your subjects, and what qualities inspire you?
I look for women who embody resilience, dedication, and quiet power, whether historical figures, contemporary icons, or archetypes. Perseverance, vision, and integrity are key qualities, often paired with a sense of elegance or impact. I try to capture both their public persona and the hard work behind it.
Water gilding, pastiglia, sgraffito—your methods are painstaking compared to modern shortcuts. Why is process so central to your practice?
The process is inseparable from the meaning. Every layer and detail requires attention and care, it mirrors the dedication I’m trying to capture in my subjects. Traditional techniques create a connection between myself, the materials, and the story that shortcuts can’t replicate.
If you want to explore more artists redefining tradition through contemporary practice, don’t miss our feature on Lucía Pizzani’s Frieze Sculpture installation.
Your career began with building the Muses App. Do you see connections between entrepreneurship and art-making?
Absolutely. Both require vision, persistence, and problem-solving. Building Muses taught me strategy, audience engagement, and patience – all skills I bring to my art. Making a painting, like building a company, involves risk, iteration, and commitment.
Technology often accelerates and simplifies, while your painting slows down and intensifies. How do you balance those two worlds?
I see them as complementary. Tech taught me efficiency and structure, while painting teaches patience and observation. Applying discipline from tech while embracing the slower pace of painting helps me stay creative and grounded.
Renaissance art celebrated saints and nobility. How does reimagining everyday women in gold change the way we see them?
Reimagining women in gold elevates their presence, highlighting resilience, intelligence, and elegance as heroic qualities. Gold becomes a symbol of respect, celebrating their achievements and stories in a way that invites admiration and reflection.
Looking forward, how do you see your practice evolving—new materials, larger works, or perhaps collaborations that bridge art and tech?
I’m excited to explore scale, new materials, and mixed media, while staying rooted in traditional techniques. Collaborations that bridge art and tech are especially interesting—ways to add storytelling, interactivity, or immersive experiences. Ultimately, I want to expand both the craft and impact of my work while honoring the meticulous techniques that drew me in.