Artist's Bio

I’m Shireen Thomas (nee Jacob). I was christened as Maria & therefore it's my official first name. Just for the record, I am an Indian, American, Syrian christian (how’s that for confused genetics?)

Realizing that the way to a woman’s art is through a fat salary, i joined advertising. I did my Post Graduate Degree in Commercial Art (now known as Graphic Design) from J.J. School of Art , Bombay (Mumbai), Sophia Polytechnic, Bombay (Mumbai) & Madras College of Arts & Crafts, Madras (Chennai).

I picked up the paintbrush when i was 7, and had an art attack. Six month in HTA - Hindustan Thompson Associates (now JWT - J. Walter Thompson) as an artist, I was a stick up woman ! Four years as visualizer with Jaison Advertising, Madras, four years as Art Director in Ogilvy & Mather (now Ogilvy), Madras. Six years as creative supervisor in JWT, Madras. Was there life after JWT ? Yes. I quit India to come to Virginia (for lovers!), exhibited & sold some of my paintings and beaded & painted jewelry at the Kennedy Center for Maximum India,  March 2011.

Statement

Ever since i became a citizen to vote in America in 2008, i became part of history for my first vote was a winner! I designed a button for myself which became a rage with my friends & colleagues. i have changed my medium of art to making art with everyday recycling that affects all life on our beautiful planet. I have committed myself in being a 100% volunteer designing & making buttons for various social causes I believe; helping others who have been less fortunate in life, teaching recycling to recreate art to help them fight certain challenges in life & regain their confidence & not be shunned by society.