Who we are


William Shirley was born and raised in Northern California. He studied the arts, writing and philosophy at Mt. Diablo Valley Jr. College in California, the New School of Social Research in New York, and the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in France. He attributes much of his expression to his studies of the great masters' works in the galleries and museums of Europe and America.

He worked as a freelance artist for all the major record companies and film studios in Los Angeles and New York City, and then went on to focus solely on his forte in portraiture. In recent years his further studies in art and philosophy have developed and expanded his work in many styles and mediums.

His artworks are owned by Mr. and Mrs. Steven Rockefeller, John Travolta, Marlon Brando, Barbra Streisand, Warren Beatty, Andre Previn, and Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Davis, among others. Works for political dignitaries include former President Jimmy Carter, former Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley, the late Prime Minister of Israel Menachem Begin, and former Secretary of Commerce Robert Mosbacher.

Currently he is creating a series of works, The Virtues, which will appear on this site throughout 2002. Upon completion of the 12 works, a nation-wide exhibition tour will display the works in major US cities.





Melanie Pahlmann was born in St. Louis, Missouri. In early childhood, she lived with her family in southern Germany. This initiated her passion for foreign cultures and international travel.

Melanie took an early interest in writing. She studied journalism, political science and French at the University of Kansas, as well as the Sorbonne and L'Universite de Franche-Compte in France. She also served as an intern for the U.S. Trade Representative in Wasngton, D.C.

After graduating college with B.A.'s in journalism and political science, Melanie served and managed numerous state and national political campaigns. While on retreat after a long presidential race, she experienced a spiritual awakening and never returned to politics. She traveled extensively in Mexico and the southwest for several years and returned to school to study psychology. She received her M.A. from Regis University in Denver in 1999.

She now lives in Santa Fe, NM, where she and William Shirley are co-producing a book, The Virtues, a collaboration of his paintings and her writing on twelve virtues.




The Virtues - character and personal growth