William Alan Shirley


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.




The Virtues - character and personal growth