Shelley Buckner was born in Ayrshire. She studied for an OND in Graphic Design at Aberdeen's College of Commerce before going on to gain a BA with Honours in Art and Design at Gray's School of Art, Aberdeen.

For 13 years Shelley worked as a jeweller and illustrator in advertising in South Africa, finding inspiration in the beauty of the landscape and animals. Now living in the North of Scotland, Shelley has set up her own Graphic Design business to concentrate on her love of illustrating.