Shirley Davis
Artist Questions
Where were you born?
I was born and raised in a small rural town in Southeast Arkansas, called Portland. Portland is located in the South East corner of the state where it borders two other states: Louisiana @ 30 miles south, and Mississippi @ 20 miles east. Because all three states also borders the Mississippi River in this area, it is known as the Delta Region.
When and under what circumstances did you move to Houston?
When I moved from my hometown, I did so to attend school. My relocation took me to Indianapolis, Indiana. There I obtained a BA degree in Psychology from an extension campus of Purdue University (Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis). I also married during this time period. By the time we relocated to Houston in1978, I had a 3 year old son, and was expecting my daughter later that year.
I have some fond memories of my early beginnings in Houston, and recall things were quite different than they are now. When we moved here from Indianapolis, I considered Houston a “big” city and anything other than slow paced, but with a “hometown” feel that, no matter where I traveled, I was always glad to come home. I recalled back then, many people who were native to the area or who had lived here for some time, referred to the city as “Boomtown”, because it had skyrocketed to a big city seemingly overnight. By comparison to the Houston of 1978, with an ever increasing population and new construction projects, I have to agree that the changes have been daunting. Nevertheless, even amidst all the changes, activities and demands of the hustle and bustle lfestyles, I feel Houston still has a hometown atmosphere.
What induces you to live and/or work in Houston today?
During the late 90’s, I found it necessary to move away for several years to seek employment in Chicago. From there, after about 4 years, I moved back to my hometown of Portland to help my parents who were aging. I returned to Houston in 2007. I felt like I had to. My children grew up here and you might say, literally, that I’ve spent the better potion of my life, living and working in the Houston area. Even though close friends have moved away, and I’ve endured tremendous lifestyle disruptions, personal disappointments and economic struggles, the longevity of living here and having established a sense of connectiveness, and a relationship with the city itself, keeps me here. At this time I live and reside in Missouri City, TX.
Artist Information
Name: Shirley Davis (aka sd, Sherry, Shirley Ann Bynum)
Contact Info: 281-865-8191
sadavis622@gmail.com;
sadavis2103@gmail.com;
shrianndavis1255@gmail.com
Website: www.amysticseye.com
ARTIST BIO
For the most part, I consider myself as self-taught. As a child growing up in a small southern town like
Portland, there was very little else to do but to make the best of what we had, which was very little.
During the summer months when there was no school, aside from reading books loaned to us by a lady
my mother had worked for as a domestic and my father as a laborer, I also enjoyed coloring pictures in
coloring books. If we didn’t have a coloring book, which was usually the case, we drew our own
pictures. I was no gifted artist and never saw my drawings or interest in this pastime as anything special
beyond the average child’s interest and abilities. But I really enjoyed this pastime. It was a lot like
reading and getting pulled into a story and allowing the images to come to life or take me away. I
would get pulled in to the pictures and the process of creating and coloring in the same way. Getting so
absorbed, I usually ended up coloring the whole page - borders and all - which should have been a clue…
Later, I became a little better at drawing images by tracing them or reproducing simple black and white
magazine images. In high school I was introduced to a few simple drawing techniques which helped me
to “see” an object as it really was, instead of the how I imagined it to be. These techniques included an
introduction to contour drawing, prospective drawing and the use of a horizon line, all of which helped
to improve my ability to draw real life forms, instead of the flat images reproduced from cartoons and or
magazines. From this, on graduation from high school, I decided to major in Art Education at the
University of Arkansas-Monticello, but completed only one year. Training at Monticello had included a
course in Art History, Design and Color, Art Appreciation and Introduction to Drawing. Upon completing
a year at UAM, I transferred to Indiana University-Purdue University (IUPUI). At that time however,
there was no art curriculum at this campus of IU. This forced me to consider another degree program. I
decided on Psychology with a minor in Social Work. Although I graduated the spring of 1978, my
degree (BA, Purdue University) was not conferred until a few years later, after completing the last 15
hour degree requirements as a Transit Student (Texas Southern University) due to my relocation
Houston.
After settling in Houston, at various intervals the desire to explore painting emerged. Serval pieces
which have either been sold or given away, provides examples of the learning process involved with
painting and my use of acrylics. Since I had not had any training in painting techniques, I consider my
early paintings styles as somewhat coarse and perhaps, one dimensional. I tended to keep the images
simple, using contrasting and bright colors to add dimension and depth. Two paintings I still have,
silhouette of three men in a boat (same title) and an abstract village scene, demonstrates how I
combined color and simple drawings to create images I consider intuitive representations. I believe,
now however, that this type of intuitive representational art is not only the essence of a self-taught
artist, but a practice which I feel many masters practiced and blended with more formal techniques to, I
feel, help them establish their own unique style or brand. A few years ago, I reproduced the “Three
Men In A Boat” on paper adding a few changes, including a new title: “Guides”. It has been included
with my submission. I considered these as primitive images, but I love primitive art and I love both
versions of this particular painting.
In early to mid 80’s a desire to further explore and improve painting techniques lead me to take a few
private oil painting lessons. Oil painting remains my favorite painting medium. I have evolved in some
applications, but I still prefer to create and paint intuitively. I began to market my art in the mid to late
80’s, developing the business name, A Mystic’s Eye. I felt the name exemplified and honored the
intuitive process involved in translating the non-visual and conscious impressions related to feelings,
ideas and concepts, in to an expressive form represented as art.
Although I’ve not seriously pursued an Art degree again, other formal training includes studio drawing at
University of Arkansas Little Rock in 2004, prospective drawing at Triton Jr. College, Chicago, in
2000. Other artistic training experiences includes a certificate of jewelry design from New York Institute
of Art and Design (formally the Sheffield School), sculpturing course at the Gazelle School in Houston
and recently, private training in pottery making at the Potter’s Place Pottery in Sugarland. Exhibits
includes University of Houston, 1991 and several local festivals. Recent exhibits (April-May, 2017)
includes Shawn Anthony’s Salon in Houston; an online portfolio with Fine Art America, where several of
my pieces are featured. In 2012, I launched a business website, A Mystic’s Eye (www.amysticseye.com
), to promote both my art work and jewelry line. The website includes examples of older works as well
as a few recent pieces. In February this year, I began a part-time job as an art teacher with Michael’s
Craft Stores in Sugarland, promoting Grumbacher painting tools and supplies, as well as their basic
acrylic painting techniques. During open house events and or other promotional events, I have had the
opportunity to exhibit samples of paintings rendered exclusively for the painting classes.
Where were you born?
I was born and raised in a small rural town in Southeast Arkansas, called Portland. Portland is located in the South East corner of the state where it borders two other states: Louisiana @ 30 miles south, and Mississippi @ 20 miles east. Because all three states also borders the Mississippi River in this area, it is known as the Delta Region.
When and under what circumstances did you move to Houston?
When I moved from my hometown, I did so to attend school. My relocation took me to Indianapolis, Indiana. There I obtained a BA degree in Psychology from an extension campus of Purdue University (Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis). I also married during this time period. By the time we relocated to Houston in1978, I had a 3 year old son, and was expecting my daughter later that year.
I have some fond memories of my early beginnings in Houston, and recall things were quite different than they are now. When we moved here from Indianapolis, I considered Houston a “big” city and anything other than slow paced, but with a “hometown” feel that, no matter where I traveled, I was always glad to come home. I recalled back then, many people who were native to the area or who had lived here for some time, referred to the city as “Boomtown”, because it had skyrocketed to a big city seemingly overnight. By comparison to the Houston of 1978, with an ever increasing population and new construction projects, I have to agree that the changes have been daunting. Nevertheless, even amidst all the changes, activities and demands of the hustle and bustle lfestyles, I feel Houston still has a hometown atmosphere.
What induces you to live and/or work in Houston today?
During the late 90’s, I found it necessary to move away for several years to seek employment in Chicago. From there, after about 4 years, I moved back to my hometown of Portland to help my parents who were aging. I returned to Houston in 2007. I felt like I had to. My children grew up here and you might say, literally, that I’ve spent the better potion of my life, living and working in the Houston area. Even though close friends have moved away, and I’ve endured tremendous lifestyle disruptions, personal disappointments and economic struggles, the longevity of living here and having established a sense of connectiveness, and a relationship with the city itself, keeps me here. At this time I live and reside in Missouri City, TX.
Artist Information
Name: Shirley Davis (aka sd, Sherry, Shirley Ann Bynum)
Contact Info: 281-865-8191
sadavis622@gmail.com;
sadavis2103@gmail.com;
shrianndavis1255@gmail.com
Website: www.amysticseye.com
ARTIST BIO
For the most part, I consider myself as self-taught. As a child growing up in a small southern town like
Portland, there was very little else to do but to make the best of what we had, which was very little.
During the summer months when there was no school, aside from reading books loaned to us by a lady
my mother had worked for as a domestic and my father as a laborer, I also enjoyed coloring pictures in
coloring books. If we didn’t have a coloring book, which was usually the case, we drew our own
pictures. I was no gifted artist and never saw my drawings or interest in this pastime as anything special
beyond the average child’s interest and abilities. But I really enjoyed this pastime. It was a lot like
reading and getting pulled into a story and allowing the images to come to life or take me away. I
would get pulled in to the pictures and the process of creating and coloring in the same way. Getting so
absorbed, I usually ended up coloring the whole page - borders and all - which should have been a clue…
Later, I became a little better at drawing images by tracing them or reproducing simple black and white
magazine images. In high school I was introduced to a few simple drawing techniques which helped me
to “see” an object as it really was, instead of the how I imagined it to be. These techniques included an
introduction to contour drawing, prospective drawing and the use of a horizon line, all of which helped
to improve my ability to draw real life forms, instead of the flat images reproduced from cartoons and or
magazines. From this, on graduation from high school, I decided to major in Art Education at the
University of Arkansas-Monticello, but completed only one year. Training at Monticello had included a
course in Art History, Design and Color, Art Appreciation and Introduction to Drawing. Upon completing
a year at UAM, I transferred to Indiana University-Purdue University (IUPUI). At that time however,
there was no art curriculum at this campus of IU. This forced me to consider another degree program. I
decided on Psychology with a minor in Social Work. Although I graduated the spring of 1978, my
degree (BA, Purdue University) was not conferred until a few years later, after completing the last 15
hour degree requirements as a Transit Student (Texas Southern University) due to my relocation
Houston.
After settling in Houston, at various intervals the desire to explore painting emerged. Serval pieces
which have either been sold or given away, provides examples of the learning process involved with
painting and my use of acrylics. Since I had not had any training in painting techniques, I consider my
early paintings styles as somewhat coarse and perhaps, one dimensional. I tended to keep the images
simple, using contrasting and bright colors to add dimension and depth. Two paintings I still have,
silhouette of three men in a boat (same title) and an abstract village scene, demonstrates how I
combined color and simple drawings to create images I consider intuitive representations. I believe,
now however, that this type of intuitive representational art is not only the essence of a self-taught
artist, but a practice which I feel many masters practiced and blended with more formal techniques to, I
feel, help them establish their own unique style or brand. A few years ago, I reproduced the “Three
Men In A Boat” on paper adding a few changes, including a new title: “Guides”. It has been included
with my submission. I considered these as primitive images, but I love primitive art and I love both
versions of this particular painting.
In early to mid 80’s a desire to further explore and improve painting techniques lead me to take a few
private oil painting lessons. Oil painting remains my favorite painting medium. I have evolved in some
applications, but I still prefer to create and paint intuitively. I began to market my art in the mid to late
80’s, developing the business name, A Mystic’s Eye. I felt the name exemplified and honored the
intuitive process involved in translating the non-visual and conscious impressions related to feelings,
ideas and concepts, in to an expressive form represented as art.
Although I’ve not seriously pursued an Art degree again, other formal training includes studio drawing at
University of Arkansas Little Rock in 2004, prospective drawing at Triton Jr. College, Chicago, in
2000. Other artistic training experiences includes a certificate of jewelry design from New York Institute
of Art and Design (formally the Sheffield School), sculpturing course at the Gazelle School in Houston
and recently, private training in pottery making at the Potter’s Place Pottery in Sugarland. Exhibits
includes University of Houston, 1991 and several local festivals. Recent exhibits (April-May, 2017)
includes Shawn Anthony’s Salon in Houston; an online portfolio with Fine Art America, where several of
my pieces are featured. In 2012, I launched a business website, A Mystic’s Eye (www.amysticseye.com
), to promote both my art work and jewelry line. The website includes examples of older works as well
as a few recent pieces. In February this year, I began a part-time job as an art teacher with Michael’s
Craft Stores in Sugarland, promoting Grumbacher painting tools and supplies, as well as their basic
acrylic painting techniques. During open house events and or other promotional events, I have had the
opportunity to exhibit samples of paintings rendered exclusively for the painting classes.
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