Shirley Bernstein born
in Philadelphia studied at the Philadelphia College of Art
(now The University of the Arts) on scholarships graduating
with honors in 1965 with a BFA. She completed her graduate
school at Indiana University receiving a MFA in 1967 with
honors. Her major studies were in printmaking with minors
in painting and drawing.
Shirley is as an artist that creates works
on paper. Her hand pulled original prints include relief,
intaglio, silkscreen, monotypes and lithography. She draws
with oil pastel, dry pastels, watercolor, ink, pencil and
charcoal. Shirley has exhibited her work both nationally
and internationally in juried group and solo exhibitions.
A founding member of the Printmaking Network
of Southern New England and the New York chapter of the
Women’s Caucus for Art, Shirley has also achieved
the rank of artist member of the Connecticut Academy of
Fine Arts. She is a member of People to People International
and the College Art Association.
Ms. Bernstein is currently teaching art at The University
of Connecticut and Quinebaug Valley Community College in
Connecticut. She has taught at Eastern Connecticut State
University, Cooper Union, NYC, Indiana University, IN, Kean
University, NJ, Beaver College, PA, University of the Arts,
PA, Fashion Institute, NYC and Knoxville College, TN.
After moving from New York City to the rural
northeast corner of Connecticut, the vastness and beauty
of the land and sky captivated her. The images began dealing
with the moving, majestic, aliveness of the sky and the
land. They took on a spiritual quality with a meditative
stillness as well as reflecting the force and vigorous action
in nature. Luminous energy effects on the clouds and reflections
on the landscape are explored through a combination of reflected,
direct, filtered and backlighting situations. A beautiful
landscape can be a dark one introducing the element of mystery,
the notion of magic and the supernatural powers of natural
forces.
These series of images explore the boundless
space of the sky infused with light disappearing into the
unique contours of the horizon. The horizon is used to divide
the picture plane and describe an impression of the flora
and fauna. An environment that is easily accessible for
the viewer to enter and perceive is created. There the viewer
is invited in to explore the sensual and provocative forms
hidden nature.
