Debbie Shirley

Member since 2019

Growing up in the Midwest and moving to New England after studying painting at a liberal arts college in Pennsylvania, Debbie Shirley spent years in the printing and advertising fields, developing an obsession with typography and mid century modern design. Returning to the paintbrush once her children started school, Debbie naturally gravitated to neon lettering, dusty antiques, and old bricks and rust.

“Peeling paint, fading bricks, weathered surfaces, rust - the effects of time - are what draws me to certain subjects. With a background in typography, I have always been fascinated by the use of lettering in signs. In my work, I combine this interest in signs with an appreciation for old buildings and nostalgic subject matter to take a look at iconic roadside architecture and small town America.

I carry a camera with me, never knowing when a building or sign will catch my eye with its colorful shapes or interesting shadows. When possible, I like to sketch or paint on site in addition to taking pictures. I use my photographs as a starting point, changing things as needed to improve composition or to evoke a feeling. I work in acrylics, painting in thin layers, taking advantage of the medium’s quick drying time. I use layers to first build form, and then to add texture, age and patina. I often work on multiple pieces at one time, always getting excited by my next idea, sometimes doing multiple paintings of the same subject when I feel there is something more there that I want to capture.

I love that viewers tend to have their own connections to the subjects that I love to paint. Maybe it is a place they have visited or maybe it just reminds them of one, but I often see people stop in front of one of my paintings with a smile. Frequently they share their stories with me, memories from a time gone by and an appreciation for these places that may soon be gone (or have already disappeared). I consider it an honor to be able to capture a bit of our history and the connections we share amidst the disconnect of today’s chaotic world.”

Shirley’s paintings are in collections worldwide and have won many awards in local art exhibitions. She is an active member in a number of local art associations including Rockport, Newburyport, New Hampshire and Greater Haverhill - and is also a juried member of a few national art associations including the National Association of Women Artists and the International Guild of Realism. She welcomes visits to her small studio in downtown Haverhill by appointment.

All images ©Debbie Shirley