the real voyage of discovery

LIES NOT IN SEEKING NEW LANDS BUT SEEING WITH NEW EYES

THE REAL VOYAGE OF

DISCOVERY

LIES NOT

in seeking new lands but  
seeing with new eyes  

(M.PROUST) 

I never bought into the follow your dreams paradigm. It seemed unrealistic, idealistic and out of touch with reality. So I didn’t. I didn’t follow my heart until one day my life was stripped of all certainty and at that crossroad I took the path contrary to all reason and sensible advice.

My name is Shelley-Anne and this is my story.

In no particular order I am, mother of two phenomenal boys, collector (of things I don’t need) and full-time artist working from my studio in Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa.

I always paint women. I have yet to uncover the reason for my fascination with the female form, but she really has been, and always will be, my muse eternal. I create mixed media artworks of delicate feminine beauty. The images are a fusion of subtle emotion, symbolic pattern and fashion. My technique, a mix of digital and traditional approaches. I use oils, acrylic, collage and whatever else beckons me in the moment.

A beautiful word in Xhosa is “Ubuntu”. It means “I am because we are”. It’s a whole heap more than collaboration, it’s about overcoming together. In the spirit of “Ubuntu” I have started adding embroidery and beadwork to my art. This I entrust to other crafters as a humble means of supporting the story and lives of local people. We are not in this alone. It takes a village to conquer, no?

a journey of a 1000 miles

BEGINS WITH ONE SMALL STEP

For those curious souls who would like to know more of the “where, who and how” here are the rest of the puzzle pieces.

My story began in 1969 in Cape Town. I was born amidst one of the worst earthquakes to hit South Africa. New mothers grabbing their hysterical babies and screeching out hospital doors in fear of their lives. Shaky start, you might say.

As a shy little girl growing up I was constantly doodling and drawing. School was repetitive in that teachers scolded me, “beautiful illustrations Shelley, what about the text”. Hence going to art school and studying fine art was a no-brainer. Four years of happiness, dedicated learning and carefree living followed. I also happened to meet my photographer husband on the beach during one of those breezy moments.

Fast forward two decades and a continent change. Add my gorgeous Adrian, two little boys, plus a career path that included graphic design and lecturing art. Such was my life in the United Kingdom. Then came one fine day when the big blue skies of Africa beckoned just a little too strongly. Plans were made, containers were packed, flights were bought and in 2011 the Graham family started a new adventure on home soil in Port Elizabeth.

This should have been the happy-ever-after part. You know, where Adrian and I built our creative empire and grew old graciously together. Devastatingly enough, this chapter was to hold my darkest hour.

A ROAD LESS TRAVELLED

At home, on the evening of 20th Oct 2016, I experienced what every wife and mother dreads. My husband of 18 years died. Just like that. I had no warning. The four of us were at home alone. One minute I was married and the next, I was “that thing” called a widow. The chaos and agony, indescribable. The blackness of life without Adrian encompassed me like hell itself. My 8 and 10-year-old boys instantly fatherless. Well, no earthly father anyway. I now walk this road as a mother and an artist, hoping that the grief, pain and regrets direct me to another side of myself, an altered state, one where I walk in time with God.

My husband is forever free, a being of light and love, but I am on the other side of eternity. What do I do with the here and now? Seeing death up close makes life on earth seem awfully fragile and short. However, every day is beautiful in its purpose. The goal is to make each one count. Where I was always too nervous to take up a paintbrush fulltime. I’ve done that now. I am following the longings of my heart.

I will paint,  I will create, I will love recklessly

I CHOOSE RISK OVER

MEDIOCRITY

  I AM DONE   

WITH

DYING

I will paint,  I will create,
I will love recklessly
I CHOOSE RISK OVER

MEDIOCRITY

 I AM DONE WITH

DYING

Education

1988-1992

National Higher Diploma – Fine Art (Printmaking) PE Technikon, SA 

Awards – 1988 Merit Award, 1990 Colours Award, 1991 Colours Award 

Distinctions – History of Art, Drawing & Printmaking

1983-1987 

Matric – University Pass. Pearson, PE, SA
English, Afrikaans, Maths, Biology, History, Art

Curriculum Vitae

Nov 2016 – Present : Fine Artist & Surface Designer

My mission as a fine artist is to use art to inspire, to empower and “just because” I endevour to paint the narrrative of the African women.

March 2011 – Oct 2016 : Teacher and Fine Artist 

Art Classes at various venues, Port Elizabeth, South Africa. I ran personalised art classes for children while simultaneously pursuing my career as a fine artist.

Feb 2004 – Sept 2010 : Visual Arts Tutor

West Herts College, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom.

DUTIES:

• Tutor in formal drawing and painting (acrylic, oil, watercolour and mixed media)
• Over the years the classes on offer have varied and I have taught subjects according to College syllabus.
• Other informal subjects included picture framing and various craft disciplines

Oct 2002 – Jan 2004 : Creative Support Worker

ESF Projects, NHS, Radlett, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom

DUTIES:

• Running drawing,
• painting & craft classes for learners with mental health difficulties.

Oct 2001 – Sept 2002 : Manageress and Picture Framer

Kingsbridge Art Picture Framing – Fulham, London, United Kingdom Manufacture of picture frames, stock management, administration

March 1999 – July 2001 : Lecturer

Cape College – Cape Town, South Africa

DUTIES:

• Lecturer in Formal Drawing and Computer Graphics.
• Preparing & running classes according to college syllabus.
• Assessing work for exam purposes

Nov 1995 – Feb 1999 : Graphic Designer

Kohler Corrugated – Cape Town, South Africa

DUTIES:

• Package design from negotiating with clients to final completed product.

Jan 1993 – Oct 1995 : OTHER

Gap year, international travel & miscellaneous work experience as a graphic designer.

COMPUTER SKILLS

Adobe Photoshop CS5