Image of Shirley Dawson

Welcome to my home on the World Wide Web

Hello, I am Shirley Dawson of Bella Vista, Arkansas. I’m a retired civil servant, web designer and photographer.  I’m also an artist, an avid reader, a speedy-typist/transcriptionist, an internet fanatic, music lover, animal lover, nature lover, sister, mother and grandmother, wife and a follower of Jesus the Christ.

I live in Bella Vista, Arkansas.  My husband, Mel and I recently moved here from White Hall, Arkansas, where I was born and raised.  Mel retired in July of 2016 and we are now living our dream in the beautiful hills of Northwest Arkansas.  We had visited Bella Vista for many years before deciding to purchase a retirement home here in 2013.  Now that Mel is retired, we are permanent members of this beautiful, friendly community. We attend Bella Vista Baptist Church and I work in the AWANA program there each Wednesday.  This makes 21 years that I have been involved in an AWANA program.  This year I am a leader/listener for the Sparks Club age group (K-2nd grade).

I have a degree in Organizational Management from John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. I worked for the federal government (FDA) for 33 years in various administrative support positions (from clerk-typist to accounting technician, to network administrator, to help desk technician, to web designer, computer technician, and management of a large Meridian phone switch).  In each of these positions I learned more and more about computer software and graphics in general as well as helping others learn to use their own computers and software.

After retiring from the civil service in 2006, I opened my own web design business and then a photography studio along with a friend of mine.  We both studied at the New York Institute of Photography online (up to the point of graduation but stopped there because the volume of studio work had increased so dramatically)  and attended many workshops and conventions and were members of the Professional Photographers of America.  Some serious health issues I developed required I sell my share of my Photography Studio out to my business partner in 2009.

However,  I still love using my computer and software, spending hours each day typing, editing, creating images and exploring the internet. Currently, I use my camera from my wheelchair, to capture images for my fine art.

I am a perpetual student and believe in a lifetime of learning.  I always have several online courses which I am enrolled in to learn new things. Right now I’m studying dog training, affiliate marketing, creating WordPress blogs, the new features of Corel Painter 2018, food photography and more.   I am fascinated by many subjects, art, design, graphics, especially those of a spiritual nature. I am a Bible reader and a student of the Bible and biblically based works.

I realize, as a Christ follower, I have a purpose and a mission to help spread the good news of the Gospel. One of the ways I do this is through discounted services to Christian ministries and businesses.  If this describes you or your website and fine art needs, ask me before ordering my products/services.

Comments

Thanks for looking at my site and coming to this page.  I would love for you to leave any questions or comments below.

– Shirley