Shelly Morgan - Biography

For the first eight years I lived in Thorpe, West Yorkshire; a small village just outside Leeds which had cobbled streets and houses with outdoor toilets. Six of my cousins lived on the same street and we had lots of fun exploring. Looking back, I remember our walks through the bluebell woods and spending most of our time by, and sometimes in, the stream at the bottom of the rec'.

We moved within walking distance to Leeds city centre when I was nine, my creative skills were apparent by then and my Dad taught me about perspective, colour mixing and light. My Mum and Dad always encouraged me to make my own decisions and they instilled a strong work ethic in me too.
My high school was in the city centre, I walked past Leeds College of Art & Design daily with dreams of going there one day......and I did! My studies included art and design, textiles, print, typography, fashion and even a little architecture. Student life had truly began, I met lots of people with the same interests and I guess we were typical teenagers, whenever we weren't studying or working, we were out enjoying the bright lights of the city.

When I was eighteen I moved to Banbury in Oxfordshire to continue my studies, specialising in Graphic Design & Illustration. I thought Banbury was quiet compared to Leeds and I missed my family and my northern friends. I also missed eating fish 'n' chips from the chippy at the back of Leeds Market (if you ever get the chance to go there, do!). I always pop in every time I am back. Leeds has changed so much, the people are the same but it wasn't the sprawling metropolis I see today.
Studying in Banbury was a fantastic time though, I became independent, I met lots of new people and in my final study year, I met a super cool guy called David, he was the reason I never returned to Leeds.

5 x 4Ft commission piece

After receiving my BA (Hons) I started work as a digital technician for a photographic company, I really enjoyed my time there but as the job title suggests, it was more technical than creative and that itch needed scratching. I began painting in my spare time and selling my pieces online. I slowly took over our conservatory as a dedicated painting area, got some industrial shelving and a large bench.
There was no stopping me, I began painting full time in the conservatory, during the summers it was ridiculously hot and in the winters I learned to paint with wooly gloves on, everything got covered in paint, the walls, the windows, the radiator, even some on the ceiling panels. I was running out of space and I knew it was time I moved out.

With a lot of help from family and friends we built my very own art studio in the back garden, I loved it, having so much more space, I was in there everyday producing landscapes and seascapes, mainly oils on canvas, some days it would be a mix of bright bursts of colours and other days, calm soothing tones.
Representing myself at that time, I am extremely proud to have sold over 2000 of my original pieces to homes worldwide. I've been commissioned by interior designers for large scale pieces and have sold to offices and public buildings all over the UK, occasionally I have the unexpected pleasure of seeing my work turn up on the television too.

Channel 4's Location, Location, Location

I get my inspiration from all over but some of my main influences are from travelling, particularly through Thailand, we spent most of our time on the small islands and in the evenings we would sit and gaze at the constantly changing vibrant sunsets, mirrored in the ocean. In the day we enjoyed quiet dream like beaches. I married David on one of those beautiful beaches, it was a fantastic day and the night ended with fireworks lighting up the night sky.
Another place I find very picturesque is the south-west of France, it's got such beautiful scenery, the beaches, the woodlands, rustic buildings and vistas of vinyards. Through marriage I've now got family there and I love it when we all sit round a table full of food, outside in the hazy sunshine, under huge trees with stumps used as side tables.

I became pregnant and had to eventually take a break from painting as my bump was smudging the bottom of the canvases, for the next few years family life took centre stage before we moved to Bedfordshire where we have settled into village life again – this time the loos are indoors.
We love it around here, rolling hills and countryside, there's an ancient hilltop woodland nearby where we love going for walks, all in half-an-hour from London too. My new studio is nearly ready and it's now time for me to dust off the old brushes. I am so excited and bursting with ideas, I can't wait to get going.

I welcome commissions so if you would like to have one of my paintings on your wall, please get in touch.
- Shelly.

email: shelly@morganart.co.uk