Whimsical Representation

Pastel by Elyse Shea.

New for the summer, Door County resident Elyse Shea has her brightly colored pastels for sale at Great Northern by Design in Fish Creek. Shea started painting with pastel when she turned 60, and was immediately hooked. Her work uses color and texture to celebrate the beauty of simple living.

About her art, Shea says, “My art is whimsical, cartoonlike, illusory. It is a representation of life not as it is, but as I would like it to be, singing teapots, dancing stoves. I hope when you look you come away with an excitement of color, and the sense of optimism I hope the pieces carry.”

Shea lived in Fish Creek from 1976-1986, raising her family with boat builder husband Dan, while also teaching Lamaze classes to the local expectant parents in the area. They lived in Sturgeon Bay for some years after that and now reside in Bristol, Rhode Island where Dan builds and repairs wooden boats with his Bristol Boat Company.

Great Northern by Design is thrilled to exhibit Shea’s creations and will announce an opening later in the summer when the artist is in town. In the meantime, stop by to view her pastels at the home interiors shop featuring original local artworks on the walls.

Great Northern by Design, open daily (except Sunday) at 10 am, is located at the Settlement Shops at 9116 Highway 42, one mile south of downtown Fish Creek. For more information call 920.868.4135.