Meet the Artist
Debbie Shirley
From the Gallery:
We are so excited to welcome Debbie Shirley to The Collected Space Gallery. Debbie’s acrylic paintings capture the color, character and nostalgia of everyday Americana in such an incredibly distinctive way. From classic candies and storefronts to signs, streetscapes and familiar objects, her unexpected perspectives and remarkable attention to detail make each piece an experience to explore. The longer you look, the more you discover: a tiny sign, a reflection, a familiar label or another little surprise you didn’t notice at first. Her work has a wonderful way of taking something ordinary and making it feel both nostalgic and completely new. We absolutely love the personality, storytelling and sense of discovery in Debbie’s work, and we can’t wait for you to experience it in person.
Growing up in the midwest and moving to the north shore of Massachusetts after studying art in college, painter Debbie Shirley spent years in the printing and advertising fields, developing an obsession with typography and mid century modern design. Missing getting her hands dirty once the industry became digital, she returned to the paintbrush, naturally gravitating to neon lettering and commercial signage.
Combining this interest in lettering, signs and contemporary design with a passion for old buildings and nostalgic subject matter, Debbie’s work captures the spirit and eclectic beauty of iconic roadside architecture as well as grittier city landscapes and timeless objects. She finds intriguing stories and shared memories in these ordinary pieces from our past. Debbie participates in exhibits throughout the United States and has her work in a number of publications in addition to being in many collections worldwide.
