Shirley Fox
Artist
Shirley Fox is a creative, visual artist whose work is inspired by nature. Ms. Fox's deep appreciation for nature and concern for environmental sustainability are reflected in her unique style and technique of painting. Through the use of a variety of mediums, she creates artwork in resolute hues that represent the vibrant colors of the living world around us.
Ms Fox currently lives and works in the Orlando, FL area. She is an award-winning painter whose work has been shown in the Orlando Museum of Art. She has sold her artwork in several art festivals and juried art shows, and her work is collected nationally. She has served as a board member for local art leagues, as well as a juror and curator. Additionally, but she has taught drawing classes and is a facilitator of a class based on the book “The Artist Way”.
It was through the influence of her artist aunt that Ms Fox discovered her love of painting. Primarily self-taught, Ms. Fox also studied art and drawing at Valencia College and Crealdé School of Art.
Artist Statement
She was 16 years older than my mother. She was my Aunt Lucy and she “married well”. When I was growing up, visits to either of her homes was always a treat. I’m pretty sure that my fascination with art started in her spacious studio in Evanston, IL.
My memories are: I’m sitting at a small table. Laid out before me is a large sheet of paper and some pastel chalks. They feel soft and cool to the touch and there are oh so many colors! Mostly I think I enjoyed what every child would enjoy with pastels. The mess. Color on my hands. Color on my clothes. Those first markings that are just free to slide across this large piece of blank paper. I’ve never felt so engaged and so important like every line I make on that paper is something that matters. It’s me on that paper. The actual free me.
In some ways I feel I have come full circle with my art. Now, when I create these abstracts, I’m back there with that inner child. It’s intuitive and it’s me on that canvas.