Shirley believes that the ability to create beauty and art is largely dependent on instinct and natural talent. These qualities she has in abundance.

Shirley went to school in Grahamstown and still lives in the Eastern Cape. She has an intimate relationship with this part of the world, which is evident from her work. She is known for her seascapes – particularly depicting the stretch of coastline from St Francis Bay to the Kariega River Mouth – and for her landscapes, which usually incorporate aloes and rugged terrain against dramatic backgrounds. Her work glows with the depth of many layers of paint and is richly textured, relying heavily on the use of a palette knife. It exemplifies both style and substance – She has an understanding of changing trends in interior design and displays her confidence and versatility to great effects when painting one of her characteristic scenes in unexpected and sophisticated colours, or in the abstract. She also has a penchant for elegant still lives and has developed a unique, monochromatic mixed – media style of painting roses, aloes and proteas.

Shirley has run a successful gallery for many years, recently moving premises to the vibrant Stanley Street in Richmond Hill, Port Elizabeth. The Gallery doubles as a working studio, in which she offers art classes, These classes reflect her enthusiastic and full-filled approach to life and to art, and the students will often be seen balancing a glass of wine on their easels.

Over the years, Shirley has exhibited at various galleries, and she has a regular venue at the Highlander in Grahamstown during the annual Standard Bank Arts Festival. Her works have been sold worldwide, and it makes her happy to paint a memory for an expatriate who longs for a little bit of home.