A woman with glasses and earrings, dressed in white and beige, sitting on the floor next to a wooden stool, surrounded by painting supplies, smiling at the camera, in an art studio with a white background.
Denise Mortensen is a New Jersey abstract artist known for SHELFIES® — colorful, bright, and sentimental original abstract paintings inspired by collected objects, memory, nostalgia, and joyful modern interiors.
Denise Mortensen is a New Jersey abstract artist known for SHELFIES® — colorful, bright, and sentimental original abstract paintings inspired by collected objects, memory, nostalgia, and joyful modern interiors.
Denise Mortensen is a New Jersey abstract artist known for SHELFIES® — colorful, bright, and sentimental original abstract paintings inspired by collected objects, memory, nostalgia, and joyful modern interiors.
Denise Mortensen is a New Jersey abstract artist known for SHELFIES® — colorful, bright, and sentimental original abstract paintings inspired by collected objects, memory, nostalgia, and joyful modern interiors.

shelf·ie(noun)— a curated arrangement of the things we keep, translated playfully into paint

The Hutch The Hutch
The Hutch
$1,200.00

This abstract realism piece captures the timeless charm of a well-loved hutch, adorned with vintage cups, saucers, plates, and bowls. Each delicate piece tells a story—of shared conversations, cherished traditions, and the quiet elegance of everyday life. The interplay of color and form evokes nostalgia, celebrating the beauty found in the ordinary. This artwork invites viewers to reflect on the significance of heirlooms and the warmth they bring to a home’s heart.

  • Whimsical Charm: At 20×24” on gallery-wrapped canvas, this delightful artwork brings a playful yet sophisticated touch to your home, adding character to any room.

  • Bright and Joyful Palette: The artist's use of pastel colors evokes happiness and creates a lively focal point for your space.

  • Expertly Crafted: Renowned for her shelf studies, the artist captures the beauty and sentimentality of everyday objects.

  • Ready to Display: The gallery-wrapped canvas arrives with finished edges, allowing it to be displayed immediately without the need for framing.

  • Professional-grade, archival substrate and media.

  • A matte UV finish ensures the color stays vibrant for years to come.

Everything in Its Place Everything in Its Place
Everything in Its Place
$2,200.00

Everything in Its Place is a meditation on order—not the rigid kind, but the kind that comes from lived experience. The painting evokes shelves, rooms, and quiet interior spaces where objects, memories, and moments settle over time. Curved forms and a structured grid create a sense of containment, while softened edges and layered color allow the composition to breathe.

The palette—muted blues, mossy greens, lavender, and warm neutrals—offers a feeling of calm and balance, inviting the viewer to slow down and take stock. Nothing feels accidental, yet nothing is forced. Each shape holds its own space, much like the meaningful objects we gather and keep as our lives unfold.

This piece speaks to those who appreciate thoughtful design and the beauty of things arranged with care. It’s for the home where art is meant to be lived with—offering a quiet sense of grounding, reflection, and reassurance that, even amid complexity, there can be harmony.

30×40×1.5”” acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas.

  • A matte UV finish ensures the color stays vibrant for years to come.

  • Professional-grade, archival substrate and media.

Collected Memories
Collected Memories
$800.00

This abstract composition explores the quiet act of collecting—how objects, memories, and meaning are gathered and held over time. Soft divisions and layered forms suggest shelves, cabinets, or interior spaces, creating a sense of order that feels protective rather than rigid.

With its balanced geometry and muted, nature-inspired palette, the piece brings visual calm to a room, pairing easily with both modern and collected interiors. It works beautifully as a grounding element in living spaces, bedrooms, or studies—adding depth, structure, and a sense of thoughtful restraint without overwhelming the space.

  • 16x20x1.5” acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas.

  • A matte UV finish ensures the color stays vibrant for years to come.

  • Professional-grade, archival substrate and media.

Material Memories Material Memories
Material Memories
$1,600.00

Inspired by the cherished collections that tell stories of the past, "Material Memories" captures the whimsy and nostalgia of meaningful keepsakes. This vibrant artwork celebrates the beauty of vintage treasures, evoking joy and a deep connection to the objects that shape our lives.

  • Sentimental Charm: Measuring 24x30” on gallery-wrapped canvas, this piece adds a touch of warmth and character to your home, perfect for showcasing your love of curated finds.

  • Playful and Bright: The artist’s use of bold, joyful colors brings energy to the scene, making it an uplifting focal point for any room.

  • Renowned Expertise: Known for her shelf studies, the artist beautifully captures the whimsy and significance of collected items with exquisite attention to detail.

  • Effortless Display: With gallery-wrapped edges, this artwork is ready to hang, providing a polished and professional presentation.

Celebrate the charm of your curated collections with "Material Memories," a joyful tribute to the past and the stories it holds.16x20x1.5” acrylic with wax pencil on gallery wrapped canvas.

  • A matte UV finish ensures the color stays vibrant for years to come.

  • Professional-grade, archival substrate and media.

Shop Shelfies

#shelfie

#shelfie

Denise Mortensen is a New Jersey abstract artist known for SHELFIES® — colorful, bright, and sentimental original abstract paintings inspired by collected objects, memory, nostalgia, and joyful modern interiors.

I create expressive abstract art for elevated interiors where art isn’t an afterthought.

Because I’m interested in what a room feels like—not just what it contains. Each original painting is created to shift the atmosphere of a space, introducing balance and clarity into thoughtfully designed interiors. The result is simple: interiors feel more complete, more grounded, and more intentional.

SHOP ART

What People Are Saying

  • Denise Mortensen is a New Jersey abstract artist known for SHELFIES® — colorful, bright, and sentimental original abstract paintings inspired by collected objects, memory, nostalgia, and joyful modern interiors.

    “…an absolutely stunning addition to our collection that has brightened up our space!”

    Priya V.

  • Denise Mortensen is a New Jersey abstract artist known for SHELFIES® — colorful, bright, and sentimental original abstract paintings inspired by collected objects, memory, nostalgia, and joyful modern interiors.

    "These colors are delicious!"

    Stephanie G.

  • Close-up of an abstract painting featuring bold black outlines and soft pastel colors, including green, pink, purple, blue, beige, and white. Denise Mortensen is a New Jersey abstract artist known for SHELFIES® — colorful, bright, and sentimental ori

    "I'm in awe of the colour palette! Very calming and grounding."

    Rachel W.

  • Abstract geometric art with a pattern of colorful shapes outlined in bold orange lines.Denise Mortensen is a New Jersey abstract artist known for SHELFIES® — colorful, bright, and sentimental original abstract paintings inspired by collected objects,

    "absolutely dynamite!"

    Beverly T.

  • Denise Mortensen is a New Jersey abstract artist known for SHELFIES® — colorful, bright, and sentimental original abstract paintings inspired by collected objects, memory, nostalgia, and joyful modern interiors.

    "I love it, Denise! Such a welcom breath of joy!"

    Lisa W.

  • Abstract pattern consisting of rounded rectangle and circle shapes in pastel pink, green, and beige colors, outlined with dark green borders, arranged in a grid-like structure. Denise Mortensen is a New Jersey abstract artist known for SHELFIES® .

    "The colors are so soothing."

    Wendy F.

An artist in a black outfit and pink Crocs painting a large abstract geometric artwork on a white wall. The studio has a floor covered with various abstract paintings, and art supplies including paint bottles and brushes.

It wasn’t a return—it was a beginning I didn’t see coming.

I didn’t paint for 40 years. Not because I didn’t love it, but because life got full, loud, and practical. What happened when I finally picked the brush back up in my fifties, that’s where the story really begins…

READ MY STORY

Follow me on Instagram @denisemortensenart #shelfie

Denise Mortensen is a New Jersey abstract artist known for SHELFIES® — colorful, bright, and sentimental original abstract paintings inspired by collected objects, memory, nostalgia, and joyful modern interiors.
Denise Mortensen is a New Jersey abstract artist known for SHELFIES® — colorful, bright, and sentimental original abstract paintings inspired by collected objects, memory, nostalgia, and joyful modern interiors.
Denise Mortensen is a New Jersey abstract artist known for SHELFIES® — colorful, bright, and sentimental original abstract paintings inspired by collected objects, memory, nostalgia, and joyful modern interiors.
Denise Mortensen is a New Jersey abstract artist known for SHELFIES® — colorful, bright, and sentimental original abstract paintings inspired by collected objects, memory, nostalgia, and joyful modern interiors.
A woman with blonde hair, glasses, and colorful earrings, standing in front of a white wall with paint splatters on the floor, holding paintbrushes in one hand and smiling with arms outstretched.