about the artist

Born and raised in Ottawa, ON, Shirley Corneau, has been honing her artistic skills since she was little and always dreamt of becoming an artist and teaching art. With pencils and paper by her side she was doodling and drawing daily. In 1953, at the age of 10, she was recognized for a mural she pained at her school celebrating the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II and later went on to win a "Draw Me Magazine" scholarship.

Married in 1964 she and her husband moved just outside Almonte to raise their young family. During this time she turned her hand to many art forms including pastels, ceramics, jewellery-making, sewing, knitting, macramé and quilting often volunteering her time and talent to teach others how to tap into their own creativity.

"I am grateful for the opportunity to keep the past and memories alive on canvas with my detailed art."

Once the nest was empty, she and her husband moved to Calabogie to live full-time at the "Back of the Moon" — the inspiration for her studio name. It is here where her love for painting was rekindled after organizing a ladies' golf charity event themed "A Night in Paris".

As the event and theme coordinator, she took brush to canvas along with several other local artists showcase paintings of well-known local landmarks and landscapes. Shirley's works included an Acrylic painting of an old abandoned truck with a tree growing out of it on Main Street in Calabogie, ON (featured top-left) and the old Whipple Tree Shanty (featured bottom-left).

Following this rekindling, she set out to perfect her techniques through oil, watercolor, pencil and acrylics' classes with both local and US-based artists while vacationing in Florida over the winters.

Since this time she has been commissioned by many to capture such subjects as homes, local landmarks, nature and landscapes as well as personal and pet portraits. "I am grateful for the opportunity to keep the past and memories alive on canvas with my detailed art. A tiny red bird hovers above my signature as an expression of love and to represent the happiness I derive from painting" she says.

Now residing back in Ottawa with her daughter and their family, Shirley's passion for painting is coupled with her knitting and sewing talents creating unique purses made from upcycled men’s ties that she showcases at local arts & craft shows.

Click here to see upcoming show dates or reach out directly for any commission requests.

Old Stone Mill in Delta, Ontario

Year: 2010 | Acrylic

Old Barn

Commissioned by Robin Postma | Acrylic

Horse Barn

Commissioned by Andrew Boyd | Acrylic

Portrait

Commissioned for Charity Event | Acrylic

Animal Portrait

Commissioned | Acrylic

Child Portrait

Commissioned by Andrea Benoit | Acrylic

original photo

Barryvale Barns | Acyrlic

Old Barn Springtown, ON | Oil

Old Mill Balaclava, Renfrew County, Ontario

| Acyrlic

Stewart Park Perth, ON | Acrylic

Country Farm | Acrylic

Cornwall, ON | Acrylic

Forest Trees | Mixed Media (Framed)

$425

Fall Forest Calabogie, ON | Acrylic (Framed)

$225

Grassy Bay (Autumn) Calabogie, ON | Oil

Marula Tree | Acrylic

Old Barn | Acyrlic

Windy Laundry | Acrylic (Framed)

$250

Ski Village Calabogie Peeks & Resort | Acrylic

Abstract Deer | Acrylic

Art Abstract (Bessy) | Acrylic

Tulips on Parliament Ottawa, ON

Spring Tulips Ottawa, ON

$175

Stittsville crafter, producers & Vendor markets

eQuinelle Clubhouse

140 Equinelle Dr. Kemptville, ON

Date: Saturday, Nov 25, 2023

Time: 10 AM - 3 PM

SHirley COrneau

Artist | designer | crafter

343-996-2877

jccwrench@aol.com