My name is Shelley Foley. I often refer to myself as “A Canadian Living in Paradise”, as I am a retired Canadian enjoying an idyllic retirement life in the Algarve area of Portugal.

For most of my life spent working in business and raising a family in Saskatchewan, Alberta and Ontario, Canada, art was just a hobby mainly manifested in collecting works of other artists and taking some night classes for fun. Since retiring to Portugal in 2017, I have enjoyed experimenting in my studio just outside the town of Albufeira in the Algarve. The art community is multi-talented and very welcoming here, and I’ve benefitted from the friendships and advice of fellow artists.

I work mainly in acrylics on canvas, but have also completed works using alcohol inks, items from nature, found objects and collages. Most of my pieces are in the abstract and expressionist styles and I’m known for my “Skinny People” works using elongated, faceless form to express emotions or movement. My artworks come in all sizes and shapes from 20x20 cm (8”) to meter and a half (3-5 ft) pieces. If you like one of my pieces, but aren’t sure about the colour or size, please feel free to talk to me about a print or a commission work.

Please check out my website and feel free to contact me with any questions.