Biography

Elias first made her mark as an artistic force as a concert pianist with performances across Canada, frequent broadcasts on CBC's Radio Two and the recording of three CD's. She also earned the sobriquet 'Piano Woman' during New Music Festival performances with Maestro Bramwell Tovey and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra (WSO).

Her current incarnation as painter finds her marrying the art forms in works that often feature abstract music themes in bold strokes and colours. Her exceptional skill in capturing moments or movements of music and bringing them to life on canvas, has led to a high demand for her work, with more than one hundred private commissions to date including ones to Florence, Italy, and numerous sales. 

Some of those who have commissioned her work include Corus Radio Winnipeg, Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company, Canadian opera sensation Jean Stilwell, composer Randolph Peters, and novelist Arthur Motyer (The Staircase Letters), who describes Elias's paintings as 'vital and colourful forms that sing'.

Stilwell, who has been accompanied by Elias on piano in performance, said, "Not one of her paintings is without exquisite colour, passionate energy, committed detailing and a fabulous sense of humour."

Shirley Elias' original paintings can be found in private and corporate collections in Canada from coast to coast, as well as in England, India, Italy, Mexico, Sweden, and the USA.

"My art is about communicating with color and composition. As a concert pianist my performances were about connecting with an audience from stage, using colors of sound within a structured musical framework. My work as a painter is based on a similar principle, as I aspire to communicate with colors on canvas; vibrant colors presented in a detailed and balanced composition. I am directed by the flow and rhythm of the colors and design. Just as one's ear is constantly stimulated in a concert setting, I now strive to keep the viewer's eyes engaged and moving across the painting." -- Shirley Elias

Shirley's original paintings may be viewed at businesses and corporate offices that include:

Corus Entertainment Winnipeg

Bellatrix Exploration Corporation, Calgary

La Sosta de' Golosi, Florence, Italy

Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company head office, Winnipeg

Place Louis Riel Hotel, Winnipeg

Croatia Industries, Saskatoon

Salon Chop, Winkler

Buhler Gallery, St. Boniface Hospital, Winnipeg

To visit Shirley's website please click here. (Opens in a new tab or window)

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