Lependorf-Shire is an artist collective formed by Shelly Inez Lependorf and Stan Shire, two accomplished artists with a deep connection to the natural world and its portrayal through various artistic media. Shelly Lependorf, a Philadelphia native with over 30 years of experience, has exhibited her work worldwide, earning numerous awards in painting, printmaking, and sculpture. Her richly layered paintings embody the balance and harmony of the natural world, blending abstract expressionism with Asian philosophical influences. Lependorf's work is known for its controlled abandon and balance of opposites, creating a new reality in each piece that connects with viewers on an intimate level. Her art, found in private and corporate collections globally, is currently evolving through her collaboration with Stan Shire.
Stan Shire, Professor and Chair of the Photographic Imaging Department at the Community College of Philadelphia, brings a strong background in photography and film to the collective. With a BFA from the Philadelphia College of Art and a Master's degree in Education, Shire's work has been influenced by renowned photographers like Ansel Adams and Ray K. Metzker. His paintings are characterized by the textures and tonalities of the landscape, rendered on unprimed canvas with sumi brushes and micaceous glazes that create an ethereal, luminous effect. Shire's monochromatic terrains evoke a sense of limitless space and stillness, inviting viewers to explore the elemental beauty of fog and the natural world. Together, Lependorf and Shire create art that transcends traditional boundaries, merging their unique perspectives into a cohesive and powerful body of work.
