Shirley Novak was born in Southern California. Her lifelong passion for flowers and color led her to follow her heart and also follow Claude Monets example of being a gardener and a painter. Novaks style is colorful and juicy, using the design elements of her poppy plants extensively in her work: the lyrical and whimsical stems to lead the eyes and create rhythm the pure and vibrant colors of the petals to delight; the impact of the poppy buds as accents and stepping stones to encourage the viewers eyes to play in her images. She believes art is a path that honors our natural world, and reveals the artist’s most intimate thoughts, feelings and passions. Novak has built a successful career in the print, licensing and fine at professions.