Watercolors, Sculptures and more fun things!

I love to make things.  Some times I want to be very realistic and then I take photographs too. More often I want emotion to come through the art.  Some abstracts work for that better than realism.  I am working toward a day when I can combine the emotion, the need to express and the craft or good work that will let the world see what I see.  That is what being an artist is to me.  I believe that all people see things differently, An artist has a drive to share how they see so the rest of the world can get a glimpse of the magic we see everyday.  I have been told that I need to find the one medium or material and get serious about it.  WHY?  I find delight in making cut paper images, folding paper, finding treasures on the beach and streets and using traditional materials too.  So one day I might decide to stick with one material, but I might not and that will be fine also.  Making art is the answer to any question.

Hi, I have been so occupied with working in the studio and traveling to great art workshops, I have not visited this site in a while.  I am looking forward to attending more workshops in the spring and have joined a group of artists going to France in June to paint and explore the sunny hillsides and tiny villages in Southern France!  I have painted several portraits that I will post here and have been very blessed to meet some fun artists along the way.  I want to thank my friends Kay and Bob Fuller and Ellen and Larry Newman for their kind love and new friendships!  I visited with Kay and Bob on the occasion of Bob's Birthday, he was a first baby born in the new year, some years ago.  I never knew a "First baby in the new year" before.  It is a fun distinction and just shows me once again that we all have amazing stories to share.  My Friends Ellen and Larry Newman take me right back to my childhood with their NY accents!  I got to stay with Ellen and Larry in their beautiful home in Durham when I was on my way to Charlotte for a workshop at Nancy Couick's Studio.  I have just finished three small wood panels that I am donating to the March of Dimes Fundraiser at the Target Gallery in Old Town, Alexandria.  Have been working on a fun sculpture made of rusty barbed wire and old pie tins!  It is a new species of flowering vine.  Needs a name, like Flora Bunda Rusticum... or something fun.  Had two works in the Small Wonders exhibit at the Maryland Federation of Art in Annapolis, Md and won the Wally Schindler Sculpture award for Pandora's Hope at the Capitol Hill Art League, All Media Show.  Jack's Boxes won an honorable mention at the Art League Gallery/ Torpedo Factory, Alexandria and Humming along was awarded a third place ribbon and a monetary award!  I have entered three large shows and will be finding out more about those in the near future.  I did not get in to the prestigious American Watercolor Show this year, and I mention that because sometimes it looks like my life is just humming along with no ups or downs.  The smile on my face does mean my life is perfect, it means I feel so very blessed to be here and to be able to play in my studio.  Thank you.  XOXO sharie

Have been busy painting and making fun little sculptures for a variety of new shows.
Took a class in painting in Lynchburg and one in Roanoke too.
The results have been wonderful.  I was recognized at the Art League Gallery for my
Sculpture called Jack's Boxes with an Honorable Mention Award, and then at the
Greensprings Farm Park Show I was recognized with a third place award for my painting
Humming Along.  If I can remember how to post the photos I will do it. Wait for it!

Three new paintings, having fun in the studio.

I started making Artist Trading Cards, I like the small concept and the idea that they are traded.  I put a few on ebay, just to see what would happen, nothing happened.  I kept painting, I liked them this way, not cut up...

Welcome to my new Art Studio!

I recently stopped teaching in a public school and will be teaching private art lessons to home schooled kids in my own studio.  I believe that drawing is a skill that most people do not realize they have.  If you can write your name you have the physical ability to draw.  Now you just need the confidence to keep doing it.

So what if your first drawing does not look "right".  Knowing what you hope it will look like is half the work.  Now that you know what you want you can get there.

I am going to post some photos of my drawings and other art.

Art Critique is not the same as Critical Comments.  Art Critique means that you offer some constructive comments that are based on an understanding of the elements and principles of design and that you use them in your writing to help the artist see what you see and help them make the art they hope they are making.  So if I hope you will look at the eyes of the child, but you are distracted by the tree in the background, you could let me know what you would do to make a more successful work of art.