Works by Castellammare Artist on Display at Library

By JENNIKA INGRAM | Reporter

Watermedia paintings by longtime Castellammare resident Shirley Peppers are on display in a showing called “Flowers and Imaginary Scapes—Land, Sea and Sky” at Palisades Branch Library.

Peppers’ exhibition, with works that feature watercolors, acrylic ink and acrylics, debuted during an artist reception with food and drinks on Friday evening, February 7.

“They are amazing,” said Jean Sharp, a longtime Palisadian who attended the event.

Peppers moved to the Palisades in 1986 and married her husband in her backyard two years later in 1988.

With a career in fundraising keeping her busy, Peppers didn’t realize her future until she started painting in her 40s when she took an art class.

“It never occurred to me I would be an artist,” Peppers told the Palisadian-Post.

Now in her early 70s, Peppers transitioned from her career just over a year ago and is now a full-time artist.

“I am a full-time artist and loving (almost) every minute,” Peppers shared in a statement. “I finished my work as an educational fundraiser after fun and satisfying stints at Stanford—my alma mater—Harvard, UCLA and Harvard again for the final 28 years,” Peppers continued.

Peppers also worked in microfinance in the Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal and South Africa.

“As all your artist friends will tell you: one is never bored as an artist,” Peppers said. “Everything is interesting and challenging to us as we see things as shapes or colors or lines. Our imaginations get to live fully.”

Peppers shared that she seeks to portray flowers, colors, shapes, atmospheres and feelings, with design, paint, line, value and shape.

“The florals are self-explanatory,” Peppers shared. “The ‘Scapes’ are imaginary pieces that are whatever your mind conjures them to be: seascapes, landscape, marshscapes, cityscapes, skyscapes or mindscapes.”

She shared at the reception that she has been very lucky to have several amazing teachers.

“I’m also very lucky to have a group of amazing painting friends,” Peppers continued. “We try to sustain each other on our individual quests for skill and for the nerve to bare ourselves through our work.

“It is also a privilege to have lived in the Palisades for over 30 years, to be associated with the Pacific Palisades Art Association, and to take classes at the Brentwood Art Center, UCLA Extension and at Studio Channel Islands in Camarillo.”

Peppers also extended her thoughts about her husband, Roger Fox, as her biggest fan and most candid critic.

“He pushes me outside the mundane and tolerates my various neuroses,” she said. “He is the love of my life and I’m the luckiest woman in the world.”

The show at the library runs through February 28.

For more information about the artist, visit shirleypeppersart.com.