Meet Shelley

Born and raised in China, Shelley Hanmo Qian moved to the US to study piano when she was 18 years old. While in the US, Shelley became an award-winning concert pianist, music educator, and arts coordinator. Shelley earned her doctorate in music and a master’s degree in arts administration from Indiana University.
During all that time, paper art has always been her creative outlet. But in 2019, Shelley decided to pursue her passion in illustration more fully by launching her art studio Junonia Arts and sharing her creative vision with the world.
Shelley also partners with the Edible Communities, a network of more than 90 independently-owned, locally-focused magazines across the U.S. and Canada to source reused material for her artworks and keeping her art eco-friendly. Shelley’s new children’s book titled In the Quiet Beauty of the World is now available via Amazon. Shelley is a proud member of Illustrators For Hire and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
Shelley currently resides in Indianapolis, Indiana with her husband where she runs Junonia Arts, as well as teaches piano and music lessons.
Her paper art works are made using mostly repurposed paper materials such as magazine pages, shopping bags, mailing catalogs, wrapping paper, etc. and often feature nature scenes, animals, and diverse characters. When Shelley posts her colorful collage art on social media, she includes fun facts, conservation tips, and fairytale stories.
The name “Junonia Arts” took inspiration from the junonia, a rare type of seashell native to Florida, USA. Besides its obvious connection to her name “Shelley”, the junonia shell offers a unique beauty that is unlike any other seashells.
“What does ‘Junonia’ mean?”
Creating art out of materials that are regularly thrown out is the core mission for Junonia Arts. Shelley believes protecting the planet is a responsibility for everyone on a daily basis. Through Junonia Arts, Shelley hopes to promote the awareness of reusing and upcycling while bringing joy to many others through her storytelling illustrations.
Junonia Arts is also a symbol to unite Shelley and her husband, who is from Florida. After all, Junonia Arts is an artistic journey inspired by her husband’s encouragement and support.
