Art has always been a part of Shirley’s life, but her career took her into Horticulture and Arboriculture where artistic whims were not on canvas! She’s always looked at light, texture and colour in her gardens. In semi-retirement in 2014, Shirley began to paint. Her influences are her farm background and love for our natural environment -plants, animals, trees and light and she hopes to inspire the viewer to always consider their surroundings. Shirley works in both Acrylics and Oils and is largely self-taught.  She has participated in various workshops and more recently mentored under Dene Croft of North Vancouver.