American b. 1939

Renowned Impressionist painter Shirley Cean Youngs is a native New Yorker who now lives on a family compound in Connecticut surrounded by nature and those she loves. There among the wildlife, gardens, and river, she paints in the Impressionist style that has been a long tradition in the Connecticut community of artists. She has taught art to gifted children and seniors, as well as to matriculated art students at Connecticut’s leading institutions, in precious hours tucked between paintings. Her works are in the collections of Americans and Europeans abroad. She has had many “one woman” and juried exhibitions, both nationally and internationally.

The artist is recognized as one of the leading living artists by Who’s Who in American Women, and among those in national and international art circles. Invitations to exhibit her paintings have taken her work to such places as Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Canada. Her works hang in the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington D.C., the collection of H.R.H. Prince Charles of England and numerous other celebrity, corporate, and private collections.

Her work is published in Rockport Publishers’ editions of The Best of Oil Painting and Portrait Inspirations, and has been featured on magazine and book covers, as well as in numerous articles in books and newspapers. During years of perseverance, determination, and commitment to her work, Youngs felt she was “beckoned” to the easel by her sensitivity to the moods of nature, a subtle gesture, gentle sound, or feelings of light. Others have described her work as “visual poetry”.

ARTIST’S STATEMENT:
“Art to me is an expression too subtle for words. To be given this means of expression is a gift beyond value. When I am painting, serenity settles peacefully over my life, and hopefully I express those pleasures to others to be enjoyed over again.”

EDUCATION:
1971 Daniel Greene Studio and School New York, NY
1969 Brackman School of Fine Arts New York, NY
1965 Famous Artists School, graduate with top honors Westport, CT

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS:
Lever House Gallery, Park Avenue New York, NY
United Sates Coast Guard Academy New London, CT
Pastel Society of America New York, NY
National Arts Club, Gramercy Park New York, NY
Cummings Art Center, Connecticut College New London, CT
Hudson Valley Art Association White Plains, NY
Lyman Allyn Museum New London, CT
William Benton Museum Mansfield, CT
Slater Museum Norwich, CT
Mystic Maritime Gallery Mystic, CT
Mystic Maritime International Exhibition Mystic, CT
Pelham Country Club Pelham, NY
Eugene O’Neil Theater Waterford, CT
Boston, Newbury Street Boston, MA
Rockport Art Association Rockport, MA
Mystic Art Association Mystic, CT
Lyme Art Association Old Lyme, CT
Greenwich Workshop Gallery Greenwich, CT

COLLECTIONS:
National Museum of Women in the Arts Washington, DC
HRH Prince Charles of Wales London, England
Richard D. Frisbee III Foundation New York, NY
Temple of ECK Chanhassen, MN
Senator Leiberman Washington, DC
Levanthal Collection Boston, MA
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach, FL

MEMBERSHIPS:
Lyme Art Association
Mystic Art Association
Pastel Society of America
Connecticut Pastel Society
National Museum Women in Arts
International Society Artists

PUBLISHED:
Who’s Who of American Women
The Best of Oil Painting
Portrait Inspirations
Discover Connecticut Magazine
Cover illustration for book “We Are Not Alone” by Robert Marsh
Norwich Bulletin
New Haven Register
New Haven Advocate
New York Times
New London Day
Main Street News
Hartford Current
Pictorial Gazette
Willimantic Chronicle
The Shoreline Times
Mystic Coast and Country
Rhode Island Monthly
Upstate Magazine
Antiques and the Arts Weekly

TEACHING:
Lyman Allyn Museum, Connecticut College Campus New London, CT
Lyman Memorial High School Gifted Students Program Lebanon, CT