Shirley Bankey ~ Fine Artist
Inspired by her deep connection to family, Shirley Bankey creates unique and compelling art pieces. Her heart-centred work is an elegant combination of meaningful symbolism with the family tree.
Shirley's love of creativity was instilled by parents who grew up in the great depression. On their farm, they believed if you needed or wanted something, you figured out how to make it yourself, so at an early age Shirley was sewing doll cloths from scraps of material given to her by her older sisters, or by her father's side crafting projects with hammer, nails and saw.
Now a mother, grandmother and a student and teacher of the arts, Shirley encourages artistic talent in others as well. She has lived and worked in 13 cities and towns, and has touched Canadians coast to coast through her art studios and craft stores.
Spending her days in her light filled home-studio near Lake Ontario, is one of Shirley's greatest pleasures. Inspiration flows freely while she overlooks her backyard creek, lush with majestic willow trees. Just a two-minute walk from the lake, Shirley has the luxury of wandering the bluffs everyday to observe nature’s lessons. It is from watching her garden explode into awesome colour, squirrels scampering the treetops, seagulls surfing strong winds, or rolling waves creating everything from 'rock music' to a 'Brahm’s Lullaby' at the shoreline, that most inspire her paintings. Her creative process often starts with a short story based on what nature provides and is then interpreted into a work of art that includes both watercolour painting and handmade cast paper sculptures.
In her commissioned works Shirley creates these one-of-a-kind pieces by getting to know her clients personally; exploring what inspires them, from favourite colours to what they want to strengthen or create more of in their lives. Because of their meditative qualities, she recommends that people make time to sit quietly and take in the essence of their personally created art piece daily, to instil and enhance the feelings of family, love, calm, balance, harmony and well-being in their lives.
Shirley's love of creativity was instilled by parents who grew up in the great depression. On their farm, they believed if you needed or wanted something, you figured out how to make it yourself, so at an early age Shirley was sewing doll cloths from scraps of material given to her by her older sisters, or by her father's side crafting projects with hammer, nails and saw.
Now a mother, grandmother and a student and teacher of the arts, Shirley encourages artistic talent in others as well. She has lived and worked in 13 cities and towns, and has touched Canadians coast to coast through her art studios and craft stores.
Spending her days in her light filled home-studio near Lake Ontario, is one of Shirley's greatest pleasures. Inspiration flows freely while she overlooks her backyard creek, lush with majestic willow trees. Just a two-minute walk from the lake, Shirley has the luxury of wandering the bluffs everyday to observe nature’s lessons. It is from watching her garden explode into awesome colour, squirrels scampering the treetops, seagulls surfing strong winds, or rolling waves creating everything from 'rock music' to a 'Brahm’s Lullaby' at the shoreline, that most inspire her paintings. Her creative process often starts with a short story based on what nature provides and is then interpreted into a work of art that includes both watercolour painting and handmade cast paper sculptures.
In her commissioned works Shirley creates these one-of-a-kind pieces by getting to know her clients personally; exploring what inspires them, from favourite colours to what they want to strengthen or create more of in their lives. Because of their meditative qualities, she recommends that people make time to sit quietly and take in the essence of their personally created art piece daily, to instil and enhance the feelings of family, love, calm, balance, harmony and well-being in their lives.