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Shirley Fearn Shaneyfelt: (1916 -2004) DC - Northern Virginia Artist


Composition “There is a Light”
Oil on Canvas, 37” X 37”, in a silver leaf frame

The colorfield abstract impressionist canvas is like a radioactive sea of golden aspen with acidic spots of green and an undulating band of textured silver. The yellow works as a guiding light, directing us toward the thrill of fall colors and reminds us that bright colors encourage our souls.

Shirley Fearn Shaneyfelt: (1916 -2004) DC - Northern Virginia Artist

Sheneyfelt worked in a variety of artistic styles and media, from naïve to large abstract oil paintings, to delicate brush paintings and watercolors. Some of her most noted paintings were in a naïve style of the civil rights movement here in the Washington, DC area.

The Museum of Nebraska Art holds a painting called: Freedom March - see below - photo by MONA. The Museum states - the painting “is an excellent example of naïve art, as the perspective within the composition is awkward, contains a forceful use of pattern and color, but nonetheless shows a charming and honest approach reflecting social issues of that era.”


Another painting from this period was featured in a 1966 article in the Washington, Post. The painting was called: 1966, Year of Talk. Both are similar in composition. 1. / 4.

Shaneyfelt studied at Hastings College, the Corcoran College of Art in Washington and the Northern Virginia Community College. Additionally, she perfected her delicate Sumi-e or ink painting under the instruction of famed Chinese Art Master Henry Wo Yee-Kee. 3.

She exhibited her work at many local galleries and museums, including:
  • Smithsonian
  • Washington Gallery of Art
  • Georgetown University
  • University of Virginia
  • Old Towne Gallery (Alexandria, VA)
  • The Art League of Alexandria, VA
  • Heron House Gallery, Reston, VA
She was a four-time winner of The Art League’s first prize as well as other numerous awards. 

She was a member of:
  • The Washington Women's Art Center
  • The Art League of Alexandria, VA
  • The Belle Haven Women's Club in Alexandria, VA
  • The National League of American Pen Women, Treasurer 1978 to 1980
There is an art folder at the Smithsonian’s Art Archives.
  • The Washington Post, Friday, December 9, 1966 -1
  • The Daily Times, Salisbury, MD, June 26, 1972 - 2
  • Obituaries, The Washington, Post, June 11, 2004 - 3
  • Internet and Database Searches - 4
Footnote:
It should be noted that Shirley Shaneyfelt’s husband recently died. LYNDAL L. SHANEYFELT was a Former F.B.I. Special Agent, esteemed document examiner and expert in photographic analysis. As part of the Warren Commission investigating the assassination of JFK, Mr. Shaneyfelt, a key witness, analyzed film and photographs to determine the site and angle of the bullets fired. Mr. Shaneyfelt died April 24, 2014. This information was taken from the Death Notice in the Washington Post.

Business Card for Shirley Shaneyfelt
___________________________________________________
Waller-Yoblonsky Fine Art is a research collaborative, working to track artists that got lost and overlooked due to time, changing styles, race, gender and/or sexual orientation. Our frequent blogs highlight artists and art movements that need renewed attention with improved information for the researcher and art collectors.  The photo was created by Mr. Waller and all materials are used under the Fair Use Section 107, Copyright Act, unless otherwise noted.  #waller-yoblonskyblogspot  #shaneyfelt






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