Who is CurlyShirley?
CurlyShirley is a self taught visual artist
who began playing and expressing herself using different mediums from a very young age. She uses her emotions/experiences to transmute creativity through her hands as a way to express herself on the canvas and bring healing to others.
Through her experience of grief & the overflow of love that she has discovered in that, she has fostered a better relationship with herself and her emotions all while creating a safe space through art/creativity.
Her ultimate goal is to work to create that environment with other people so they too can ultimately begin creating a space for themselves to be and feel who they are, so they can pay it forward and share their greatness with others.
She truly believes that love is what makes the world go 'round.
The focus of her work is energy healing whether that is Reiki Infused pieces, Intentional Paint Workshops or personalized gifts.
She is best known for her paint sessions where she collaborates with attendees to learn more about the power of intention, connecting & exploring our inner selves through creativity. She has collaborated with many non-profit agencies within the city of Toronto including The Community Healing Project, Frontlines, Stella's Place, TDSB and many more.
“I see myself as someone who is a creative. I am motivated by love and the exploration of all the ways it can manifest. Whether its with what I paint/draw, how I dress, how I express myself within the world. I believe in giving/sharing that even when it’s uncomfortable or seems taboo to do so. ”
Who & what inspires you?
I am inspired by my mom, Shirley, who passed away when I was young. I don't know much about her other than stories but when I think of all the things I am told she inspires me to want to have purpose and touch the lives of the people I interact with, even if that means just making their day a teeny tiny bit brighter.
I would also say it has motivated me to look at the lens of motherhood and the power of community as my experience of exploring womanhood derived from sisterhood, friendship, and my relationship with other female figures in my life, such as aunties, teachers, cousins as well as forcing me to have a stronger relationship with myself and trust/believe that I can still show up as a good person regardless of my circumstances.
Someone else I couldn’t leave out inspiration wise is my dad, because of how he showed up for me to make up for that feeling a loss at such a tender age. It doesn't seem easy to do so all on your own but he chose love, to be tenacious and not give up. Which has taught me that giving up on my dreams (particularly with art) is just not an option!