Ian's Life Story

Ian was born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada in 1971, and was soon whisked away to grow up in South Africa, Singapore and England. This multinational exposure made for a rich and diverse childhood. When he finished high school in England, he lived in France for a short time before landing a research position in the pharmaceutical industry back in England. After a year in this industry he went on to Cambridge University and read Natural Sciences.

During his last year at Cambridge an artistic itch consumed Ian, and he began to paint watercolours of the historical architecture of the city. On graduating he simultaneously secured his first professional gallery representation. This marked the dawn of what was to become a very successful art career, unbeknownst to him at the time. With a prestigious science degree under his belt, he got restless with England and found himself on a plane back to his native Canada. 

Following a short stint in Toronto, Ian moved to Edmonton to pursue his Master of Science at the University of Alberta. He financed this degree by continuing to paint and selling his watercolours in England. His research took him to Thailand, where his spiritual journey began to take a stronghold. After completing his fieldwork for his MSc, Ian decided to immerse himself in temple life and meditation in Chiang Mai for a short period. It was a life-changing experience and has stayed with him ever since.

When he graduated from the University of Alberta, Ian realized that he was already beautifully and successfully employed as a visual artist. He also found work as an illustrator, and dozens of books feature his stunning, life-like illustrations. Now a full-time artist, his career took off. He was soon jetting off to Toronto, San Francisco, New York, and across the pond to England, for major art shows. His paintings also garnered the attention of two publishers, which resulted in the printing of fine art coffee table books in both England and Canada.

Ian still makes his home in Edmonton, Alberta, almost twenty years after his move back to Canada. Now a well-established career artist, his work is highly sought after. You can find out more about his art at www.iansheldon.com. He continues to paint, for it is his own source of meditative colour therapy; this has become even more important because it brings balance into his life as he engages in the healing of others as a Soul Doctor.