Shirley Kessler is an artist driven by divine inspiration.
The 78-year-old’s patient talent is on display in works found throughout The Manor. One collection that decorates the hallways features mermaids. And in the lobby, is the Queens of England, a special collection celebrating Victoria Day.
Each work is an intricate mixed-media collage that elegantly incorporates fabric, jewelry, illustrations beads and an array of other items that have been given a new life in art. In fact, 90 per cent of the materials used, including frames, are found in local thrift shops, says Kessler.
“I owe a lot to my wonderful daughter, Linda, who drives me around and searches endlessly for all the stuff I use in my creations…,” says Kessler. “A lot of what I do is personal inspiration but next comes having a lot of neat ‘junk’ to work with. A lot of people have been really great, bringing me their old jewelry and outdated treasures to incorporate into my inspirations.”
Kessler says she’s only been working at the collages for about a year, since she took up residence in the Manor. It began, she says, after enduring a year of poor health.
“I was very weak and just coming out of a bad health year, I kept saying the reason I was still alive was because the Lord had whispered to me, ‘I am not done with you yet,’” says Kessler. “And so it follows that I assume he thought, ‘If I’m going to keep her around for a few more years, I had better give her something interesting to do.’”
Kessler credits the staff at the Manor for their support, saying it’s a privilege at any age to be able to do something you love and not have to worry about making meals or cleaning up. And the staff and residents are appreciative of the work Kessler has done, which brightens up the lobby and hallways.
Two of Kessler’s pieces also received prizes at the Salmon Arm Fall Fair.
“I’ve always had a creative sense but for sure, as long as you have two hands and two eyes, you’re never too old and it’s never too late,” says Kessler. “My hope is to inspire someone else to take up something similar – it’s so much fun and incredibly satisfactory just to create.”
Kessler says the Queens of England has been a great learning experience.