About Shirley
Background
I was born in East Yorkshire and I initially trained and worked as a teacher. I taught Art and Design up to ‘A’ level in Beverley High School before becoming a full time professional artist.
I am based in Cottingham which is just outside Beverley and I also have a studio in Ravenscar on the North East coast.
Exhibitions
Rather than going through the usual gallery channels, I tend to enjoy designing, planning and producing my own solo Art Exhibitions.
The last, very successful Exhibition entitled ‘Fragments of East Yorkshire’, was held in Beverley Minster in June, 2004.
It was opened by Baroness Estelle Morris.
Besides getting on with my own work, I also enjoy taking on commissions whether they are landscapes, portraits of people, animals or places.
Themes
One of my main themes explores the changing landscape around East Yorkshire, especially the Market Town of Beverley and its environs.
I enjoy working on the townscapes, riverscapes and seascapes of the East Riding, particularly where the once prosperous ‘fishing fleets’ were based.
I also love painting around the area around Ravenscar and Whitby on the North Yorkshire Moors.
I like travelling abroad and find I am often inspired by the sights, sounds and the people I meet, particularly in Italy and France.
Recently I have travelled in Egypt, Jordan and Canada and at the same time I have managed to do some paintings in the village of Boot in the Lake District!