Who is Shirley Nathan? The Life of A Creative Powerhouse
One early morning, Shirley Nathan was asked in to send a photo for a newspaper article. In a hurry, she snapped this shot of herself.
Early Life
Born in 1938 to Mother Ingeborg and Father John Boy in Hollywood, California, Shirley Ann Austin knew from a young age that she was born to be an artist. She pursued her creative interests even after uprooting her life to eventually settle in the Bay Area.
Right after high school, she got married and had the first of her four children. But when her first marriage ended in 1966, Shirley realized she had to make a living on her own to support her and her kin.
Education & Early Career
Having studied under artist Roberto Lupetti for three years, Shirley decided to merge her passion and her career by becoming a full-fledged artist and selling her work for a living.
She transformed the pressure of single motherhood into fuel for success, and soon after, became a locally renowned and celebrated artist. Despite the exceedingly crowded landscape of artists, Shirley was able to support herself and her children by making her name in the Bay Area world of art.
In addition to her floral paintings, for which Shirley earned the moniker The Daisy Painter, she also created still life paintings and portraits.
Shirley’s Career Takes On a Life of Its Own
As an early pioneer in defying gender-normative status quos, Shirley began painting nude male portraits. In doing so, she intended to restore balance the typical portraits of undraped women that often catered to the male gaze.
In response to flipping this double standard, she developed a reputation as a forward-thinking artist and received a deluge of positive publicity accordingly. Invitations began to roll in, requesting her attendance at private events and charity benefits.
She gained the opportunity to meet and work with great artists including Roberto Lupetti, Lynn Lupetti, Oscar De La Renta, Irene Manning, Lex Connolly, Margaret Keane, Barbara Wallace, Patricia Davis Selin, and Kathryn Crosby.
Shirley opens her own galleries
Riding the newfound surge in demand, Shirley Ann Austin opened two of her own galleries: Austin Galleries and Austin’s Rainforest (both located in San Mateo). She used her acclaim and massive reach for good by creating stepping-stones of exposure for up-and-coming local artists.
Shirley’s art has been displayed in many art galleries, the most famous being Cory Galleries, Atwater Galleries, and Margaret Keane Gallery of Hawaii. Her original artwork has hung alongside pieces by the likes of artist Patricia Davis Selin, Barbara Wallace, Inge Saastad, John Axton, Dee Andreini, and Sather Burguiere.
Shirley’s press appearances
She was a darling of the press for her extensive background in philanthropic and artistic work. The San Francisco Press Club featured Shirley as a guest speaker, sharing the very same stage as Agnes Moorehead a month earlier.
In November 1972, she made a live guest appearance on a radio talk show hosted by the esteemed and influential Owen Spann. Shirley’s social life as a highly-regarded local artist landed her in the pages of The San Francisco Chronicle alongside many famous actors, singers, artists, and influential public figures.
Always the vivacious life of the party, Shirley was featured in The San Mateo Times as the host of the famous “Champagne Parties.”The San Francisco Chronicle highlighted Shirley’s work and life alongside that of many famous actors, singers, artists, and influential public figures.
Shirley’s philanthropic activities
When she wasn’t busy throwing glittering soirees, she committed her time toward philanthropic efforts. Between running multiple businesses and raising her children, Shirley spent her spare time volunteering at the Presbyterian Hospital, where she donated her original works of art alongside actress Irene Manning. She also participated in St. Jude Children’s Hospital Benefit where she showcased, and later, donated her artwork.
Ever the subversive against antiquated “pink ceilings,” Shirley spearheaded the 1st Annual Women’s Football Clinic. She partnered with former 49ers and Saints player Monty Stickles to initiate the takedown of gender barriers on the football field. Together, they left their legacy on the sociocultural movement that would bring about today’s wide acceptance of women’s sports.
Shirley’s awards
Adding to her long list of titles—mother, artist, humanitarian, community leader, socialite, wife—Shirley was the recipient of awards recognizing her charitable acts, including:
Certificate of Merit and Appreciation of the 38th Annual San Mateo County Fair and Floral Fiesta (1972)
Certificate of Merit and Appreciation of the 39th Annual San Mateo County Fair and Floral Fiesta (1973)
Certificate of Merit and Appreciation of the 40th Annual San Mateo County Fair and Floral Fiesta (1974)
Certificate of Appreciation from Comp Youth Services (1975)
Certificate of Appreciation by the American Revolution Bicentennial Committee of San Mateo County (1976)
Where is Shirley Today?
Today, Shirley Ann Austin goes by Shirley Nathan. After retiring from her fast-paced artist career, Shirley relocated to Sunnyvale, California. She delighted in the leisurely pace of her new home, which allowed her the creative space to continue making art and explore her passion for gardening.
As Shirley continued adding to her garden, she realized that she had a problem: there was no adequate market solution for her evolving garden. Ever the creative powerhouse, she conceived the concept for the Easy shelf series as a simple, customizable, and mobile display shelving solution. Shirley quickly realized that she could share her idea with the world and started Shirley’s Simple Shelving, where she now serves as the Founder and Creative Director.
In partnership with Atlas Manufacturing Company, she redefined the word Shelfie with her industrial-grade steel frame shelves. Shirley’s shelves are popular among gardening enthusiasts and commercial nurseries alike. Shelfies are infinitely usable in the office, kitchen, home and garden:
The Tabletop Easy can be purchased in different color combinations for special holidays, sports teams, and schools, and can be used to display small items like spices bottles, baby shoes and supplies, and skincare and cosmetics
The Plexi Easy is a sleeker “invisible” shelf to direct full attention to display trinkets and tchotchkes, eyewear collections, floral arrangements, hors d'oeuvres, and whimsical desserts
The Mini Easy can be wall-mounted, and may be used to display photo frames, wine collections, small plants, plush toys
The Little Easy can be used to display books, shoes, ceramics and pottery, and metal and glass decorative pieces
The Big Easy, Triple Easy and High-Five Easy can be used to store large plants, heavy decorative objects, and large coffee table books in home settings; and a large inventory of items for sale by commercial vendors at nurseries, craft fairs, and flea markets
From the canvas to the drawing board, Shirley created a product with which her customers could interact and personalize to fit their everyday needs. Her shelves have been featured on popular gardening YouTube channels such as: The Bonsai Zone, FancythatwithCandice, Craft-o-maniac, Plantznthings, and The Rusted Garden.
