As I continue to paint most days in the studio I now have set up, my paintings, both on paper and canvas, are seeming to multiply. I really enjoy the freedom of painting in a more abstract manner. The end result is often surprising even to me.
My color palette changes weekly but now I am on a blue streak. The canvas beckons …
Most of my early work was created using prismacolor pencils, a waxy kind of pencil that when pressure is applied creates vibrant colors. Although each piece of art was first drawn with a graphite pencil, all color was added using the prismacolor pencils.
Many of my fun and colorful pieces of art are now in collections of people who started buying my work early on. My art is displayed in various public buildings, lawyer’s offices, doctor’s offices and in many children’s hospitals around the country.
My next phase as an artist includes my images created with gouche on paper. Most in this series combine some geometric element in juxtaposition with an animal, as shown here with the Red Horse.
All Art copyright by Sharon Pierce McCullough … all rights reserved.
Midnight on a moonlit night is the balancing point between dark and light. This is the theme of my newest abstract painting, done with acrylics on canvas.
As with most artists, I was inspired by one artist in particular early on. I think that is why my early art was almost always whimsical in nature. My great inspiration was, and has been, Marc Chagall. I love his choice of colors, the movement and the whimsy. An editor of my children’s book series “Bunbun” once told me that I have the mind of a 5 year old. Most people might be insulted by this, but I was rather pleased. Ask any artist … it is extremely difficult for many writers and artists to put themselves into that mindset of a child.
As Marc Chagall once said, “If I create from the heart, nearly everything works; if from the head, almost nothing.” How very true. Art just has to be let free … flowing from the heart to the hand.
Now that my heart and mind have embraced abstract painting I am inspired greatly by painters such as Gerhard Richter. His painting style has become so “simple” yet so involved. Just watching a video of him sliding his squeegee of paint across a large painting and the transformation is amazing. I am greatly inspired and my desire to paint is all encompassing these days. Yes, I still drift back and forth from whimsical for my children’s books and characters to a recess of my mind that is total abstraction. I love the duality of it all.
Juggling Rabbit, gouche on paper by Sharon Pierce McCullough
Starting off the new year, this is the first completed abstract painting done on canvas with acrylics. Titled “Contentment” it is primarily an abstract done in oranges and reds, with a hint of blue. It is the first piece painted in my new studio.
Christmas company is gone … creativity is setting in … new inside art studio being set up so I can start painting by January 1, 2013!
Normally, I am set up in a space that is not heated during the summer months. Sometimes I even paint outdoors, but with the winter temps, I need a warm space to be creative. Michael set up a new area for me this morning where I can now paint indoors, with plenty of room and lots of warmth … well, sort of.
Getting into gear to resume painting on a large canvas I started a few months ago until it started getting too chilly outdoors. Love the red and orange theme but lots more needs to be going on. Will let you see as I progress now that my new blog is set up …
