Since completing a Bachelor of Education (Arts & Crafts), Shirley has been involved with the arts in many ways. She travelled throughout Australia and the USA teaching in various mediums to students in hobbyist courses, whilst practising and developing her own artistic skills.

Relatively new to painting, Shirley prefers to paint in acrylics and watercolour, however, she has dabbled in many other mediums. Her style ranges from small realistic watercolour and coloured pencil sketches, to larger acrylic works using a combination of hand-shaped tools (made from recycled industrial materials) and paintbrushes to make multi-layered artworks in what might be termed a “colourful but recognisable” style.

Passionate about promoting art in the local community, Shirley is the current President of the Ferntree Gully Arts Society a position she has held for five years and also sits on the Knox Arts and Cultural Advisory Committee.