Shani Rhys James MBE (born 1953)[1] is a Welsh painter based in Llangadfan, Powys.

[1] Shani Rhys James was born in 1953 in Melbourne, Australia, the daughter of a Welsh father and an Australian mother and came to the UK as a child.

[4] Growing up in Australia during her early years was by her own admission a particular contributing factor from her childhood to her decision to make art a career.

[5] Early education took place in Eltham, Australia from 5 to 9 years of age then Parliament Hill Girls School, London.

Art critic Michael Glover says "There's something mad, wild and thuggish about this work, such is its total lack of restraint.

Harris painted a self-portrait in the style of Rhys James, using a small hand mirror and looking at his face 'as a landscape'.