Sheila Benford was born in England in 1935. She painted, self taught from an early age, later trained as an airbrush artist sunsequently employed in London photographic studios for seven years. Sheila emigrated to Australia with her husband and two children in 1977;where she established her own business as a photo restorer. Between 1980 and 1987 Sheila studied Fine Arts, passing with Distinction. She has had numerous solo and group exhibitions, including major galleries around Australia and is represented in the Ministry of Health Collection. Sheila enjoys camping trips to remote northern parts of Western Australia with various art groups, finding the harsh landscape and unique forms and colours of Australia a never ending inspiration and challenge.