Since a “Renaissance Man” refers to a person with many talents, it makes sense that “Renaissance Woman” Shirley Yang Crutchfield is an expert in several things—including metal leaf gilding of the Renaissance. After launching the LinkedIn-like platform Muses for creatives to connect online, the Chicago-based entrepreneur sold her company to become a full-time artist. As Sun Valley Contemporary Gallery prepares to display Crutchfield’s latest work (Aug. 29-30), Rebellious talked to the successful Millennial about her journey from 21st century tech to 14th century techniques.
Janet Arvia: Before creating Muses, you worked at Myspace, Sony Playstation, Audible, and NBCUniversal. How did this experience affect your path?
Shirley Yang Crutchfield: The experiences I gained at these major companies shaped my approach to innovation—though in large organizations, the pace of change was not always under my control. I realized I wanted to take the insights I had gathered and apply them to my own vision, one that could empower creators and freelancers to find opportunities more quickly and directly. In 2019, my company Muses grew into a thriving global community with over 45,000 members in 121 countries, facilitating more than 15,000 partnerships each month. Our members had the opportunity to collaborate with global brands like NIKE, Four Seasons, and UNIQLO. Being able to directly impact the success of these individuals and businesses was incredibly fulfilling as it made me feel connected to a wider purpose.
You founded Muses when you were pregnant. How does this dispel “mommy brain” and other misconceptions about women who are expecting?
Looking back, it feels good to know I navigated both entrepreneurship and pregnancy simultaneously. It was a remarkable experience to pitch my company for funding and go through the process of selling it while also preparing for the arrival of my child. I was eight months pregnant when I pitched Muses for acquisition, and I found that being visibly pregnant added a layer of empowerment to the process. It felt powerful to be at the table, talking about my business while carrying the future generation. In fact, I signed the agreement to sell Muses on the hospital bed before I delivered my child. It was a powerful reminder that women can excel in all areas of life, regardless of the circumstances.
What made you decide to switch careers?
After spending two decades in tech, I reached a point where I wanted to reconnect with something deeply personal to me—my creative side. Art has always been a passion of mine, and I felt it was time to invest in that part of myself, to prioritize what is truly meaningful to me at this stage in my life. I recognize that making this shift is a privilege. For me, it’s about aligning my personal growth with my creative aspirations…My “Being Iconic” series is an exploration of the strength, resilience, and often-overlooked dedication that drives iconic women. Each piece is a tribute to the power of women who have shaped their industries and live in remarkable ways.
It’s interesting that a career in tech is tied to the future yet the techniques (water gilding, pastiglia, and sgraffito) you use in your art harken back to the 14th century. What drew you to this style?
I’ve always been fascinated by intricate details, those subtle yet meaningful elements that reveal themselves over time. For me, these details reflect the complexity of the individuals I portray. My portraits aim to be both glamorous and thought-provoking, gradually unveiling the layers of strength and vulnerability that exist beneath the surface.
The Renaissance resonates with me because of its deep commitment to beauty, precision, and craftsmanship—values that seem increasingly rare in today’s world. Artists of that time dedicated themselves to mastering their craft, and I feel a sense of responsibility to revive these traditions. By doing so, I not only honor the past but also stand upon it to create something new. Through this lens, my work offers viewers an opportunity to pause and reflect, reminding them that true mastery takes time, that beauty can hold profound truths, and that the past has much to teach us as we continue to build the future.