‘It is a gift to create’

Shirley Bird-Wright is an artist and a teacher. Her artist’s statement is simple and sums up her belief that “as an artist, it is a gift to create and share my ideas with others and that my work will travel where it needs to go and be seen by those who need to see it.”

Bird, 60, takes her talent with her to classes and workshops, working alongside her students, creating her work in a group environment rather than in a private studio. “There’s no space at my home to paint,” she said, “but there are plenty of classrooms for me to paint in.”

Bird was born in Spokane and raised on the north side. At the age of 20, she was labeled disabled as she struggled with alcoholism. Through Vocational Rehabilitation, Bird took an aptitude test that showed art was her forte and she went to Spokane Falls Community College where she received a degree in visual media design technology.

She opened an art/antique gallery in the Garland District, sold it, and then became a traveling antique dealer. More than eight years ago, her husband was given six months to live but a new doctor gave him the help he needed and he is doing fine.

Bird began taking more and more classes in all mediums of art. “I went to a watercolor class and the teacher just told us to paint and that was it,” she said, “Then I began teaching.” She even took some classes in Web site design in order to sell her antiques online.

Sober for more than 30 years now, Bird has never stopped learning or teaching. “When I learn something, I want to learn it all,” she said. She is a certified Terry Madden watercolor instructor and in 2007, when she saw a demonstration on Art Clay Silver, she became an Art Clay Silver instructor.

She also teaches oil and acrylic painting, and drawing in an array of styles for the Parks and Recreation department, Spokane Community College’s continuing education program, at CenterPlace, senior centers, Corbin Art Center and Spokane Art Supply where she coordinates other classes, bringing in dozens of artists. “I also get to take classes there for free,” she said. She teaches and takes classes wherever and whenever she can.

Her own work illustrates sensitive studies of landscapes, flowers and animals. Her first animal painting was a pony that she did in oils when she was 8. Now she portrays animals, her favorite subjects, filled with personality. Stephenie Stafford took a watercolor animal portrait class from Bird over the summer and has been her student ever since. “She’s a portal for me to a whole new world,” Stafford said, “She uplifts us with what she knows.”

Bird enjoys her students as much as they enjoy her. “I do it because I enjoy it,” she said, “It’s about giving back and I really like seeing their faces when they ‘get it.’ ”