Today we’d like to introduce you to Shirley Wallitsch.
Shirley, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Originally from Wyoming, hitchhiked to Ny because of my passion for Art. First stop was in Upstate Ny a art Guild were i began to paint, Came in contact with an artist there that lived in Manhattan, asked if I would like to appretiship with her. basically stretching canvases mixing colors cleaning brushes. So I also a attended the Art Students League taking drawing classes and oil painting with live models. If was available to me as I really had no money and you could pay for the classes. I use to go behind The NY Times dumpster they through away rolls of paper which I made sketch pads. My Sister from Wyoming would send me enough money so I could pay for my classes. I also went to all the museums in Ny, My favorite was the met because you could get in with what ever donation you could afford. I spent a lot of time drawing at the Met.
During that time We would go to south Hampton in the summers it was my first encounter with the ocean amazing. I realized during that time that there were so many painters artist in Ny and most of them ended up working in offices or some other jobs that really didn’t have any thing to do with there art. So i decided then to come up with something with my creativity that I would give me the means to survive. I had a fear that I would end up like so many artist not following your heart.
To make a long story longer I ended creating some crazy sculptures out of found natural wood. At that time window displayes were a big thing so I sold these sculptors to Saks on 5th ave and well thing snow balled and I created a business. Moved to westchester had lots of available woods that owner would allow me to use and I did this work for over 10 years designing and creating all kinds of stuff, for private homes and a retail shops. During that time i had a write up in The NY Times and along with
my business I was able continue to strengthen my drawing. I never gave up my painting, I moved to NJ were I was able to dedicate my self to painting love it!!! my business in Westfield is my Gallery and also My working studio.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Never easy it has always been about following my Heart. During this amazing journey I am a alcoholic so there has been some really crazy and Dark times. Fortunately I am sober and have been for 36 years.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I have worked in oil for years and recently started working with acrylics so much fun! I am always experimenting, I love abstracts but have created som reperesntal work. I love color texture and I like to work on a larger scale but have been having fun with smaller work. I am a colorist.
I now own Wallitsch Art Gallery and Studio in Westfield NJ. This is my working studio that is open to the public by appoitment. I also now have a online store with available work for sale www.wallitschart.com
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Always following my heart and believeing in myself.
Pricing:
- 300- 4000
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wallitschart.com
