 Born in Lancashire and brought up in London and the West Country, I left school longing to work in the arts. That ambition was, alas, rejected on economic grounds, though as a publican, restaurateur and particularly as a chef my creativity was to always the fore.
Subsequently, many years of interior design work with fabulous textiles further fed and developed my hunger for colour and texture.
An abrupt change of career in 1993 brought me into academentia at Aberystwyth University where I successfully tackled a Computer Science degree. After that, what seemed like a rollercoaster of coincidences, but was probably a series of unconscious life choices, led me into a management role in the Information Services Department.
It is a high-pressure environment and quite a few years ago now I joined a class offered by Aberystwyth University's School of Education and Lifelong Learning, 'Architectural Detail' as a way of relaxing. Discovering at the first class that course was actually 'Advanced Watercolour and Architectural Detail" removed the relaxation element instantly, but I was encouraged by colleagues and tutors and, as a result of their generosity in sharing knowledge and technical skills, I haven't looked back.
Having now achieved the Higher Education Certificate in Art and Design, I am following the career path I dreamed of so long ago. My work has been exhibited in Aberystwyth (Toko, Morlan, Nanteos, Aberystwyth Arts Centre), Carmarthen (King Street Gallery), Rhayader (@The Gallery), Tregaron (Oriel Celf Cambria Arts) and Machynlleth MOMA Wales (Y Tabernacl).
As a member of The Picturemakers, I have exhibited regularly since 2006 in galleries across Wales and in the past year The Picturemakers have shown in Aberystwyth, Rhayader, the Brecon Beacons National Park Visitor Centre and Oriel Theatr Clwyd in Mold.
We last exhibited together in October 2011 at the Old Surgery Gallery, Clun, and we have been invited to return there to exhibit next summer.
My current solo exhibition is at Brynamlwg Staff and Social Club, Aberystwyth until 1st April.
Forthcoming exhibitions:
May − June, 2012: Radnorshire Museum, Llandrindod Wells
21 Aug – 20 Sept, 2012: Morlan Centre, Aberystwyth.
19 Jan – 25 Feb, 2013: Gallery 3, The Gateway, Shrewsbury. Easter, 2013: Brecon Theatre 18 July — 23 August, 2013: Courtyard Gallery, Hereford You can enjoy the work of my colleagues and 'critical friends', The Picturemakers at: http://www.thepicturemakers.co.uk.
Follow my blog Contact me: shelley@shelleyupton.co.uk
Shelley Upton. BSc., ACIPD, Dip RSA, Cert AD. |
About me
Subpages (1):
New work
|