NOTE: The domain name shirleypeters.com.au has been made temporarily off line, while the ATO re-applies my business status! Apologies if you have had trouble finding me. (Nov 2024)
Biography
Shirley Peters lives on a 5 acre property in Mulgoa, NSW, Australia, with photographer husband Bob Peters, dog Honey, 5 chickens and two cockateils.
A large out-building serves as her studio space.
Shirley Peters is currently painting landscapes. Often they are 'en plein air' then completed in her studio.
Previous series have focused on Children, Cities, Le Tour de France and recently, Abstraction.
Previously, graphic design, book illustration and photography were her main practice. Prior to that, ceramics and print making.
"Colour In Your Life" TV Series
Shirley Peters' episode was filmed in Sydney and appeared on Australian TV in 2014.
MY BIOGRAPHY
I was encouraged to draw and paint as a young child. I won an award for painting "Little Red Riding Hood" at the age of five. My parents were suportive, as was my school. I chose art as my main specialty throughout my educational years, and at 18 was accepted into art school to train as an art teacher. (Along with my twin sister, Carmel.) After completing 2 of the 4 years, I transferred to graphic design and fell in love with the design world. Later I illustrated children's books and covers. I won awards for illustration and cover design, and later web site design. My painting practice became my main focus in 2008. I enrolled at the Sydney Art School to refresh fine art skills, and my career as a painter was launched from that point. My time as an illustrator have laid a solid foundation for drawing skills, and the graphic design is helpful for composition and colour theory.
My 5x Great Grandmother was an indigenous First Nation's woman from the Dharug region. My other maternal grandparents are mostly 19th century immigrants from England and Ireland. My father was English.
I am married to photographer Robert Peters. We have two adult children, and we live on 5 acres near Sydney, Australia.
My painting practice has evolved through a number of themes. Mainly I paint landscapes from my home and travels. I love painting on large canvasses so as to mimic a window or an actual experience of "being there", in the wild bush or before a waterfall. Before my landscapes I painted cityscapes. These were inspired by my travels through Europe and USA, and in Sydney. Going further back I painted figures, placing small children in the austere environment of the church in Rome. This evolved from my children's book illustration crossing paths with travels to Italy. Another series was based on workmen, construction and interesting interiors that I visited with my photographer husband during his Industrial Photography work.
Many of these paintings are on my web site.
I paint in oils, acrylics and watercolours. My style changes with each medium, and also with the surface. If I'm painting on canvas or linen in oils or acrylic, I have a traditional technique of making "slow art". If I'm painting on paper, I will be much more expressive and free, and I call this "Fast Art". I love to paint 'en plein air' and I have used different techniques for that. Painting with acrylic on very large watercolour paper is one of my unique styles, and I mount the paper onto canvas later when the paint is dry. I have done workshops where I demonstrate this technique, as it is very unusual, and something that I developed for myself.
FUN FACT: I am known for painting Le Tour de France watercolours. Every year I watch the race (overnight!) and I create one painting for each stage of the race. They are uploaded each day and sold. (I used to use EBay as an auction platform, but now I sell them on my own web site.) I have been featured on TV here in Australia as I've been doing this for 10 years.
I am not a sports painter, it is just that I love Le Tour and I think it is an amazing race, and very suitable for "fast art". My web site for TDF is https://www.bikeartbyshirleypeters.com
I have recently been producing YouTube videos, to demonstrate how to paint watercolours and acrylics. https://www.youtube.com/user/sannpet
"I react to everything I see as if it were a painting. My minds eye is constantly visualising composition, colour and tone. I don't think I'll ever tire of painting my world, either mentally or on canvas!"
me. It's easy.
Galleries
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2024 Affordable Art Fair Sydney
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2024 Affordable Art Fair Brisbane
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2023 Affordable Art Fair Sydney
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2023 Solo show at Mist Gallery, Cabarita Beach, NSW: stockroom - 6 paintings
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2023 Group showing at Gallery NWC, St Leonards NSW: stockroom - 7 paintings
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2021-2, 2018 Solo shows at Gallery ONE88, Katoomba, NSW Australia: stockroom - 5 paintings
Previous shows at:
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Gallery V, Woolloomooloo, Sydney, Australia
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Arp’s Gallery, Amsterdam:
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Brunswick Street Gallery, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia
International sales through:
Fine Art America.com for prints.
Australian sales are direct from the studio, via Gallery One88 in Katoomba and Gallery NWC at St Leonards
TV Appearances
“Colour in Your Life” Series, featuring Shirley painting near the harbour bridge in 2014.
"Behind The News" ABC TV: Peters was interviewed about her children's book illustration: 1990
SBS Shorts: 3 x Le Tour de France mentions, that appeared during breaks or in the news prior to the Le Tour de France coverage..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpB8KPj-TtU
Youtube 9,000+ Subscribers
Shirley has been creating a “Learn To Paint” series with 50 videos , nine thousand subscribers and 450,000 views.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqmYSA4NfGki034mDvkg_9g
Blog
"One Painting Every Other Day"
Interviews
Podcast in USA
Shirley Peters in conversation with Michael Todoran
December 1, 2012
Podcast in Australia : Art Supply Posse
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/art-supply-posse/id1119393753?i=1000511848091
International Show: ARPS Gallery, Amsterdam
http://www.overdekunst.nl/international-window/shirley-peters-84.html
Media
2014 Print Review of "Sydney Blues" show:
http://www.sydneyartsguide.com.au/shirleys-portrait-of-sydney/
2021 Print Review "Abundant Water" show at Gallery One88 Fine Arts
https://www.sydneyartsguide.com.au/a-new-exhibition-by-shirley-peters-galleryone88-katoomba/
From the beginning...
Shirley Peters started painting in the early seventies. She attended the National Art School in 1972/3/4 (studying Art Education and Graphic Design) and pursued a career in graphic design and illustration. Peters progressed through parallel careers as an illustrator of children’s books and a graphic designer in the emerging technology of multi-media.
Excelling in both fields, Peters reputation as an illustrator was cemented when she was shortlisted (Honour Book - 2nd Place) in the coveted CBC Children's Book of the Year Awards in 1991; and as a freelance graphic designer when she won two Netscape website design awards ‘What’s New’ and ‘What’s Hot’, in the late nineties, as well as awards for book cover designs.
In 1997 Peters returned to fine art by enrolling in oil painting classes at her local art society, then in Printmaking, Etching and Painting at the Julian Ashton School and later at Meadowbank’s Sydney Gallery School, and before long Shirley’s career became that of an exhibiting fine artist.
In 2008 Shirley Peters was listed as an “Artist to Watch” in Art What’s On. In 2009 she was Highly Commended in the Noel Chettle Art Award for Portrait and Life Drawing. And in 2010 she staged her first solo exhibition at the Brunswick Street Gallery in Melbourne, and has continued with bi-annual solo exhibitions at Gallery V, Woolloomooloo, and more recently at Gallery ONE88 in Katoomba, NSW.
Shirley Peters has also exhibited her “Le Tour de France” works in Amsterdam through the Arps Gallery.
She was a regular “open studio” member of the Hungry For Art Trail held annually by the City of Ryde, NSW.
Shirley has taught art at her local society, and given workshops and demonstrations. (She has retired from this area of her career.)
Travel
Shirley Peters has been travelling to the home of the impressionists for years with various projects: a commission to paint scenes of Moissac, a small town in the south of France. A series of montages based on Nerac, France.
China for three weeks in 2010 was impressive, albeit soon overshadowed by her husband Bob suffering a severe stroke.
In 2015 she visited middle Europe (Prague and Bratislavia) to persue her interest in the Medieval landscape. In 2016, a tour of Tasmania in a motorhome gave her opportunity to paint every day "en plein air". This trip led to a seascape series, which was shown in the "Time Tide and Decay" Solo Show at Gallery One88. Katoomba, 2018.
Regular motorhome trips around the country are plein-air opportunities, and inspiration for new projects.
En Plein Air
Plein air painting with local artist and neighbour John Rice, Don Talintyre, and other artists became a routine, as well as regular motorhome trips to coast and country.
50+ Youtube videos were filmed in 2019, 2020 in response to requests for lessons. Shirley was able to share her knowledge with a "Learn To Paint" series.
2021 saw the end of a five year drought on her property. This heavy rain inspired a new series titled "Abundant Water". Interrupted by the covid shut downs, her exhibition opening was delayed for months.
2022 was a new start and semi and full abstraction has been a new direction in Shirley's practice.
Le Tour de France
For 11 years, Peters painted the Le Tour de France cyclists.
Over 100 paintings have been uploaded to Fine Art America for reproduction.
Prints are available from www.shirleypeters.pixels.com
Curriculum Vitae
Name: Shirley Peters (nee James)
Born: 1953, Sydney Australia (with Twin, Carmel James)
Married to Bob Peters 1976
Daughter: Natalie Peters b. 1982
Son: Mitchell Peters b. 1983
Lives on 5 acres at Mulgoa: 60km west of Sydney CBD
2023
Solo show at Mist Gallery, Cabarita Beach, NSW
Group showing at Gallery NWC, St Leonards NSW
Affordable Art Fair, Sydney.
2022
Solo Exhibition "Abundant Waters" Gallery One88FineArts, Katoomba.
Private commissions
Plein Air Artists Camp at Glen Davis
Mulgoa Art Trail, Open Studio: December
2021
Painting in studio and plein air.
Acrylic teaching (short course) Penrith Art Society
John Rice's Plein Air Boot Camp at Blackheath
Attended Mudgee Painters Week
Mulgoa Art Trail, Open Studio: December
2020
Tasmania in February
Many watercolours painted, and filming for Peters' Youtube channel.
Mulgoa Art Trail, Open Studio: December
2019
Started "Learn To Paint " Youtube Channel
February trip to the southern areas of Australia, including the Great Ocean Road, Victoria.
Mulgoa Art Trail, Open Studio: December
2018
TIME, TIDE & DECAY – Paintings from the Coast
A solo show by Shirley Peters at ONE88 Gallery, Katoomba NSW
Mulgoa Art Trail, Open Studio: December
2018
Trips to north and south of Sydney coast lines for plein air painting, with photographer/husband Bob Peters, and new 'studio assistant', a cavoodle named Honey.
Fairlight Road Art Trail was held in December, with Shirley being one of three artists to open their studio.
2017
First Prize: 49th Blackheath Rhodo Art Festival: Best Painting in Exhibition
FAIRLIGHT ART TRAIL
2016:
Tasmania: Shirley and husband Bob spent one month travelling around the island in their motorhome. Shirley produced 24 plein air paintings, and was inspired to create her "Time Tide and Decay" series.
2015:
11/2015 Travelling to Prague, Bratislavia and surrounding European countries
10/2015 Ryde Art Society Group Show: First Prize Small Works: for “Le Tour de France”
June: Group Show at Gallery ME, Artarmon.
2014:
May 1: :Sydney Blues" Solo Show at Gallery V
Teaching at Willandra: City of Ryde Art Society
Workshops on Sydney Harbour beaches
Appeared on “Colour in Your Life” TV Series.
Sold studio and home, and moved to the outskirts of Sydney.
2013:
August-September: Arps Gallery, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
September 1: Hungry for Art, City of Ryde NSW
July 4th-27th "The World Beneath" Solo Show at Gallery V, Woolloomooloo, Sydney Australia
Finalist in the NSW Parliament “En Plein Air” Competition
Finalist in the Hunters Hill Art Prize
Self Portrait in the Salon de Refuses at Gallery V, Woolloomooloo
1971 – 2013 See below "Group Exhibitions"
Awards:
2021: Finalist Blacktown City Art Prize
2018: Winner "President's Prize" Fairfield City Art Society
2017: Winner "Best Painting in Show" Blackheath Rhodo. Art Prize
2015: First Prize, Small Works. City of Ryde Art Society
2013: Finalist "NSW Premier's Plein Air Award"
2013: Shortlisted "NSW Premier's Plein Air Award"
2009: Highly Commended in the Noel Chettle Art Award for Portrait and Life Drawing
2009: “Feature Artist” Art Whats On
2008: “Artist to Watch” Art Whats On
1996-9: Various web design awards for www.bobpeters.com.au
1990: Shortlisted and Honour Book, Children's Book of the Year (illustration) Mervyn's Revenge by Leone Peguero
1990: Commended, Best Jacket Design of the Year: Counting on Frank: The Bulletin Award
Solo Exhibitions:
2022 Jan 4 - 17th: Gallery One88 Katoomba: "Abundant Water" Waterfalls and floods
2018 May 1 – 13: Gallery One88, Katoomba: "Time Tide & Decay" – seascapes from Tasmania and NSW
2014 May 1 – 13th: Solo Show at Gallery V "Sydney Blue" – views of the harbour and surrounds
2013 July 4th-27th Gallery V, Woolloomooloo, Sydney Australia "The World Beneath" – depicting the empty reservoir that holds Sydney's water supply.
2010 February: Brunswick Street Gallery, Fitzroy, Melbourne "This Change Thing" – Figurative works depicting the relationship between the Catholic Church and children.
Group Exhibitions:
2013: Group Show at Gallery ME, Artarmon.
2012: Fresh Paint at Balmain Watch House
2011 "Fresh #2" at Balmain Watch House
2010: Snowscapes and Snowgums. Snowy Region Gallery
2010 FRESH (#1) at Balmain Watch House
2009 FRESH at See Street Gallery, Meadowbank
2009 RUSTED at Tap Gallery, Sydney
2009, FRACTURE, Mary Place Gallery, Sydney.
2009, Brunswick Street Gallery, Victoria (Painting 09A) Group Show
2009: Brunswick Street Gallery, Victoria (Portrait 09) Group Show
2009: Snow Gums at Jindabyne
2008: See Street Galleries, Meadowbank
2008: Hunters Hill Art and Craft Show
2002: Julian Ashton's Art School, The Rocks
1998: Willandra Art Gallery
1996: Kelly's Gallery, Epping
1994 c: St Ignatious Art Exhibition
1993: NSW Library Travelling Exhibition (NSW) Society Of Book Illustrators
1972–3: Randwick Tech Art School (pre-COFA) Exhibitions
1971: HSC Art (Pottery) selected for travelling exhibition
Organisations:
Exhibiting Member of the Royal Art Society of New South Wales, Australia 2022
President: Society of Book Illustrators (NSW) 1990-1992
Member: Illustrator's Society of Australia 1995
Member: Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (USA) 1990
Employment
1974 – 1976 Waltons Advertising : Layout artist and graphic designer
(Sydney Office, Market Street)
1977 – 1978 John Brain Studio, North Sydney: Graphic designer
1979 – 2008 Peters Art and Design (freelancing illustrator, layout and graphic design)
1996 – 2014 Assistant photographer for Bob Peters Imaging
Education:
2008/9: Part Diploma in Fine Art: (Painting and Printmaking) Sydney Gallery School, Meadowbank.
2003: Creative Writing, Sydney University.
2002: Printmaking and Etching: Julian Ashton Art School, The Rocks, NSW.
1998: Multi Media Certificate at the Computer Graphics College, Sydney
1997: Oil Painting Lessons: Willandra Art School, Ryde, NSW.
1991: Quark Xpress Certificate (Advanced) at the Computer Graphics College
1990: Quark Xpress Certificate at the Computer Graphics College
1974: Graphic Design Certificate (part) National Art School at Randwick, NSW.
1972 -73 Diploma in Fine Art (Education) (part): National Art School at Randwick Tech (pre-COFA), Alexander Mackie Teachers College, Sydney, NSW.
1971: HSC: Art Practical: Pottery. (Work selected for state tour – pre- Art Express)
1971: HSC: Art major: Islamic Architecture
"Amy's Bath" by Susan King, Illustrated by Shirley Peters.
A montage of layouts, sketches and letters concerning the process of creating a picture book.
"Mervyn's Revenge" by Leone Peguero Illustrated by Shirley Peters.
More layouts, sketches and letters concerning the process of creating a story book.