Shirley Barker

In 1999, Shirley had semi-retired from the 9 to 5 gig and went into crafting.  She started selling product at festivals and shows, then decided to take art classes to help understand the relationship of color.  Shirley attended Las Positias Community College in Livermore, California from 1999 to 2004.  She has been painting on canvas ever since.  It  had became her passion, especially chrome.  When she paints chrome, she sees and feels the reflections of life that catches her soul and lingers within her heart.  To Shirley, a good artist must capture this soul for all to see and leave them breathless for all eternity.

"Street Vibrations", painted in 2000, won a Silver medal at the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton, California in 2000 and also received a Special Recognition Award 2000 from the Riverside Community College, All California College Exhibit, Riverside California.  This was only her second project as a student.  An artist had been born!

Continuing her passion, Shirley also won awards at the Las Positas College Spring Art Festival in 1999 and 2000, Livermore, California.  In 2005, she joined a newly formed art group in Livermore and the Livermore Art Association. In 2005, Shirley and her husband decided to move to Tennessee. Playing with the art community came to a complete halt, until she joined the Arts Council of Williamson County. It was time to play again! 

Shirley can be contacted at barkspirit@bellsouth.net or 931.490.6807.