I am a Scottish visual artist and illustrator based in Falmouth, Cornwall. My practice spans painting, printmaking, and narrative illustration, producing work for exhibitions, installations, and private commissions. I work with storytelling, drawing and painting to create a range of work for picture books and site-specific installations, as well as teaching art, and collaborating with communities. I have exhibited widely across the UK, completed residencies, and received awards that reflect my evolving practice.

Kirsten Shanks

I am a Scottish visual artist and illustrator based in Falmouth, Cornwall. My practice spans painting, printmaking, and narrative illustration, producing work for exhibitions, installations, and private commissions. I work with storytelling, drawing and painting to create a range of work for picture books and site-specific installations, as well as teaching art, and collaborating with communities. I have exhibited widely across the UK, completed residencies, and received awards that reflect my evolving practice.

Available to hire

I am a Scottish visual artist and illustrator based in Falmouth, Cornwall. My practice spans painting, printmaking, and narrative illustration, producing work for exhibitions, installations, and private commissions.

I work with storytelling, drawing and painting to create a range of work for picture books and site-specific installations, as well as teaching art, and collaborating with communities. I have exhibited widely across the UK, completed residencies, and received awards that reflect my evolving practice.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

SEN Teaching Assistant at Halwin Primary School
January 1, 2023 - Present
SEN teaching assistant; delivers workshops and supports students with additional learning needs.
SEN Teaching Assistant at Private Client
July 1, 2024 - July 1, 2024
1:1 portraiture and studio-based teaching for private clients.
1:1 Portraiture / Private Tuition at Private Client
January 1, 2021 - January 1, 2023
1:1 portraiture commissions for private clients.
Workshop Facilitator at Halwin Primary School
January 1, 2023 - Present
Teaching and workshop series; planned for 2026 and ongoing from 2023.
Illustration Installations at Beaver Trust
January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022
Information boards; site-specific installations at Woodvalley Farm, Truro.
Studio Residency at SaltSpace Coop
January 1, 2020 - March 1, 2020
Studio residency in Glasgow; January–March 2020.

Education

MA Authorial Illustration at Falmouth University
January 1, 2021 - January 1, 2022
BA(Hons) Fine Art: Painting and Printmaking at The Glasgow School of Art
January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2019

Qualifications

John Kinross Scholarship
August 1, 2019 - November 1, 2019
Maude Marshall Scholarship
January 1, 2015 - December 31, 2015
GSA Widening Participation Students Choice Award
January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019
WO Hutcheson prize
January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019
Nurturing Talent Award, Young Scot
January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021
Emerging Artist Programme, Tate St Ives
January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022
VACMA, South of Scotland, Emerging Visual Artist Grant
January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Professional Services, Other