Shirley Mackey :

My interests in painting started about forty years ago, but I didn’t act on it until twenty years or so later.  When I looked into finding a teacher, with whom I might paint, I had to look no further than my daughter, Jennifer, who had studied with an amazing teacher named Barbara Bassett.  I joined a group of women who are taking lessons with her, and whatever talents I had evolved because of her.  My interest in subject matter changes from landscapes to cityscapes to seascapes.  I have to have an emotional connection with the subject.  Basically, I paint for my children.  If someone is interested in owning one of my paintings, that is like icing on the cake.  I have paintings in many collections in Florida and throughout the country.