Artist Shirley Lu has been working in the art and design field for almost 30 years. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Illustration of Fine Arts from Art Center College Design in Pasadena, California.

Her training in illustration strengthens her rendering of detail in different mediums and various subject matters, which led her to a career in fashion accessories design and dinnerware pattern design.

While working in the commercial art field, Shirley also pursued her personal artistic development by painting and showing mostly figurative and portraits.

After moving to Virginia Beach, Shirley began to depict Mother Nature of water in various forms.

“Water is a powerful element no matter what form it takes. Waves, ripples, or raindrops, it catches light and all the colors around it and reflects it onto the surface, transforming into abstract patterns that dance, glisten, and mesmerize the human mind in a calming, mindful way.”

When Shirley is not painting water, she is creating art that is also inspired by mother nature such as trees and wildlife in ballpoint pen, graphite, pastel, and watercolor.

Shirley has shown her artwork in multiple cities in England also in New York City, California, and New Jersey. Since moving to Virginia Beach, she now also exhibits her artwork in Hampton Roads. She is an exhibiting artist and instructor in Virginia Beach Art Center. Shirley’s artworks have received numerous awards, including “First Place.