Shelley began his artistic career as a printmaker for the distinguished artist Michael Rothenstein RA in the early 70’s, and went on to teach at Goldsmith and Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design in London. His work has been shown in London including the Royal Academy Summer Exhibitions and he participates in art fairs in London and the South-East. He has won the John Purcell Paper Award for Outstanding Printmaking and the Aberystwyth Purchase Prize. 

Work by Shelley is held in public and private collections. 

His silkscreen print ‘Move to White’ is part of the British Museum Print and Drawing Collection.