Your gilded paintings use centuries-old techniques like water gilding, pastiglia, and sgraffito. What drew you to these historic processes, and how do they influence the themes you explore in your work?

I fell in love with these old techniques because they’re so intricate and intentional. They take a long time to learn and lots of practice to do well, and that’s part of what draws me. After years in tech where everything moved fast and was constantly being optimized, I found it really grounding to work with something that honored slowness, patience, and care. Laying down the 24K gold by hand, carving delicate details, and watching the light catch on those surfaces feels both sacred and strong. It’s become my way of honoring women who hold so much, women and other subjects, often fashion tapestries that shine and also carry depth, complexity, and quiet resilience. I think that’s why I’m so drawn to these materials. They’re beautiful, but they also have weight. Just like the subjects I paint.

You’ve had a successful career in tech before fully stepping into your role as a visual artist. Can you share more about that transition, what sparked it, and how does your past life in tech shape your art practice today?

My career in technology has been focused on building products and cultivating audiences. The continuous thread into creating art is the nature of entrepreneurship and I draw a lot of parallels between the two, namely all of the learning, conceptualizing and tenacity needed to create something that you share with the world. Except now, rather than creating a product or an app, I’m creating artwork for myself that hopefully speaks to others through personal exploration. After two decades in technology, I exited the company I created, helped launch a crypto currency, started a family, and decided to transition to creating art that is personal in practice and universal in scope. I recognize it is an absolute privilege to be able to invest in myself and share stories we can all relate to through the artwork.

Many of your works celebrate the strength and perseverance of women, often inspired by peers in your life. Can you tell us about one particular piece in this new collection and the story behind it?
 

This piece is inspired by the prima ballerina in Swan Lake, a role that represents the pinnacle of discipline, artistry, and resilience. What most people see is the effortless grace, the flawless technique, the beauty of the performance. Behind that is a lifetime of rigorous training, personal sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to craft. This dancer didn’t just land the role. She earned it, moment by moment, through the kind of work most people will never witness. I wanted the gold to feel like both a halo and a weight. The swans in the background reflect the many versions of her she’s had to become along the way: student, artist, competitor, leader. She holds them all with elegance. This painting is a tribute to the quiet strength it takes to make something so difficult look so serene.

For those new to water gilding, what can visitors expect from your live demonstration and artist talk at Sun Valley Contemporary Gallery on August 30?

I will bring my traditional water gilding kit and demonstrate various versions of how old masters from 14th century Italy create beautifully gilded surfaces using 24K gold leaf, what etching and burning gold surfaces can create as beautiful intricate patterns.

What’s next for you creatively? Are there any themes or techniques you're excited to explore in the coming year?

I’m exploring collaborations across luxury fashion, design, and heritage brands, integrating fine art and the message it brings into the art of living.

Join us on August 30 for a rare opportunity to witness Shirley’s creative process firsthand. She’ll present a live demonstration of traditional water gilding and share stories behind her works in an intimate artist talk. From the shimmer of gold to the stories of perseverance beneath, her art invites reflection, admiration, and conversation.

Check Out All the Pieces by SHIRLEY HERE