A storyteller and creator since childhood, my real education began in the vast desert landscape of the Sinai where I spent time with its native Bedouin, observing and listening to their daily rhythms and stories. It was there, in my late teens, that I realised how powerful the presence of a ‘place’ is in shaping our sense of ‘being’ in the world.
I went on to live and travel throughout Europe, the East and America for the next 5 years, listening to and creating many more tales, before returning to the UK and consolidating these experiences, and my education, with a degree in Theatre.
I trained as an actor, writer and director at Dartington College of Art – a rigorous training which traversed the boundaries of theatre, music and contemporary art and nurtured my innate instincts for narrative and strong visual language. Exploration of the ‘Psychology of Space’ was a fundamental aspect of our learning and frequently the starting point for creative process. This provided me with a deep understanding, and abiding fascination, with the relationship between people, places and the narratives they generate and it is this alchemy which constantly inspires me and flows through everything I do.
After ten years as a professional actress, I became involved in the world of art. I ran my own gallery in Bristol, curating regular exhibitions of contemporary paintings and sculpture and travelling the South West to source new artists.
The lure of Devon seascapes eventually drew me back to the South Hams to live and, over the last 20 years, I’ve worked with many arts venues and galleries in the area promoting contemporary abstract and landscape artists. I’ve enjoyed providing art schemes in stunning waterside properties - always serving as that crucial link between client, artist, gallery, and that which is frequently overlooked: the space itself.
I now work with both private and commercial clients who are committed to creating authentic, inspirational spaces. It is my absolute joy facilitating their journeys from desire, through doubt, to confident decision and usually, like all good stories, it’s a transformational process.
Shelley