Artist
Biography

Shirley was born in a quaint cottage overlooking Lake Harris in Astatula, Florida. A native Floridian, she currently resides in Dover, Florida with her art-critic, and often times contributing-artist pug, Jada.

She was a Teacher's Assistant at Robinson Elementary, working with kindergarten children for 30 years. This is where she attributes that her lettering and art skills came from...helping over 9,000 children form their alphabet letters was the perfect segue to sign painting/folk art.

Shirley is now retired and enjoys painting, spending time with family and friends. She enjoys showing and selling her art at various shows in the Bay area with her daughters.

Her immediate family, husband, Ray and daughters Rhonda and Sherrie are all accomplished artists.

Painting and showing their art together has softened the deep hurt left by the families recent loss of their beloved father, Ray. "We feel him here with us and we know he would be proud of what we've accomplished together ... and all because of his everlasting love and support."

My daughter, RhondaK, was the originator/creator of the Tiki-Bar signs that we've become known for. She began painting signs over 5 years ago while living on her Motorsailer in Cortez with her two pugs, Fe Fe and Oscar. She has experienced great success in the Merry-time Folk Art Scene and is collected by thousands, and many galleries and shops feature her work. Rhonda is also a published author and poet. Visit her site at www.RhondaKWrites.com.

Here's a Channel 10 News broadcast of my other daughter, Sherrie St. James, who is also an wonderful artist, underwater photographer, and metal sculptor working at The Creative Native Gallery in NW Brandon. Click on the image to play...it may take a second to load. Visit Sherrie's site at: www.sherriestjames.com