Kathleen Shirer
76 Dream Hill Drive
Poplarville, MS 39470
(601) 795-0862
jshirer1@bellsouth.net

 Born and raised in New Orleans, LA, I have had a lifelong love of creative endeavors, including sewing, needlecraft (embroidery, needlepoint, crochet), crafts, gardening, and quilting.  After raising our eight children, my husband and I moved to Poplarville, MS when he retired.  Then, I had a chance to pursue my dream of becoming a painter.  I began by taking courses at a local craft shop and taking art classes at the local college.  I became a member of four chapters of the National Society of Decorative Painters and began to attend workshops by nationally and internationally known teachers.  Techniques I explored included oils, alkyds, pen and ink, rouged oils, watercolors, and acrylics.  

   After becoming certified by Mary Owens (1998) in pen and ink - rouged oils, I began to offer classes and workshops using that technique.  I then became certified by Sandra Aubuchon (1999) in decorative painting in acrylics.  In October 1999, I was awarded the first prize for best oil painting at the Poplarville Octoberfest.  In January 2000, I was elected as the President of the MISS-LOU Busy Brushes Chapter of the National Society of Decorative Painters.  In 2000, I was commissioned by the Archdiocese of Biloxi to create a large painting for their new Learning Center Building.  I was also commissioned to create paintings for private homes in VA, NC, FL, MS, LA, and TX.  I now offer weekly classes in my own studio and I have conducted workshops in several locations in LA and MS.  I am now marketing six packets of my most popular works and look forward to expanding this aspect of my endeavors.  

   To register for my classes or to purchase my packets, or if you have any questions, you may call me at (601) 795-0862, write me at 76 Dream Hill Drive, Poplarville, MS 39470, or e-mail me at:   jshirer@ametro.net