She developed her techniques while working in Rome, Italy, patenting a safe non-toxic paint in 1931.

[2][3] After graduation she gained some experience as (an untrained) school teacher in the Appalachian Mountains[1] in Transylvania County, North Carolina.

[3] In 1918 Shaw travelled to France[3] and Italy with the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA), before setting up a school in Rome.

[4] Shaw is credited with developing the art of finger painting and later introducing it into the American education system.

[4] She took a job in the progressive Dalton School in New York City, where she introduced finger painting to the curriculum.