Shirley Shelton Contemporary Artist Biography

''I live and work in the picturesque rural county of Norfolk, England.


I studied art and design at the College of West Anglia, Kings Lynn and Norwich School of Art & Design, but consider myself to be mainly self taught
I have been naturally drawn to expressing myself with painting and drawing since childhood.


When someone asks me to describe my work I say colourful, bold and expressive!.I don't like to be recognized by one particular style because over the years I have developed many different ways to represent my imagination on canvas, using both figurative and abstract techniques depending on the kind of mood or atmosphere I am trying to create. (also depending on the kind of mood I happen to be in at the time!)I often use a variety of media to create both texture and effect. I don't like to plan a painting from start to finish before I put brush to canvas, I often let the picture take on a life of its own and experiment as it's painted. I'm a great believer in following my instinct.
If you only ever work to a predetermined plan, you'll never have the occasional "happy accident" from which some lively and spontaneous paintings emerge.
I have an obsession with skies and sunsets finding their dramatic colours and shapes a constant inspiration, my other great passion is Africa with its richly diverse culture and landscape.
Each and every painting I create expresses and embodies part of who I am, so much so that there's often a shred of reluctance to see my 'offspring' depart when they're sold.

At present most of my efforts are divided between exhibiting locally, selling my paintings online, and juggling my time between easel and VDU.

I hope you enjoy looking at my work and thank you for you interest''.