Artist Statement & Biography Recipient for the IAPS Master Circle Award in 2011

ARTISTS STATEMENT & BIOGRAPHY

     The versatility and direct quality of pastel has inspired Sharon to work exclusively in the medium for a couple decades.  In recent years, she has returned to painting in oil, with a renewed passion for her first medium.  Today, whether in pastel or oil, the goal is always to capture the fleeting light and color from life, in everyday situations.  Landscapes, still lifes, and figures provide the needed variety, yet she is consistently drawn back to the landscape for major inspiration.    
                          
     "Much of my work today is done plein air, as I find it the most satisfying.  There's nothing more exhilarating than being outdoors working from life, whether its summer, winter, day, or night time!  I believe direct observation from life is the only way to truly capture the subtleties of color found in nature, whether its painting plein air, or the still life and figure in the studio.   Believing that nature is the best teacher, my work, as well as with teaching, focuses on capturing the light from life, and learning to see the color elements: value, hue, temperature, intensity, along with edges.  Even when the camera is needed for reference, my goal is never to copy nature, but to focus the viewer on that special light, color relationship, or mood that initially excited me.  I humbly attempt to take Gods beauty around us and put a bit of myself in it, in hopes that others can celebrate its beauty as well."



     Michigan artist, SHARON WILL got her start in the arts through training, and working, in Detroit area studios and advertising agencies.  Several years were spent doing graphics, illustration, and freelancing before breaking from the commercial art field, all the while studying painting.  She now works full time pursuing her real love, painting, as well as operating a custom framing business from her studio.  Sharon lives with her husband and daughter, along with their golden retriever, and 30 year old pet turtle.
     Memberships include the Great Lakes Pastel Society,  Oil Painters of America, and American Impressionist Society.
Contact Sharon at srwartist@comcast.net for any further information on her pastels and oils. Commissions welcome.


PUBLICATIONS
The American Artist Magazine - September 2006
"Taking Charge of Color"


A PARTIAL LIST OF AWARDS INCLUDE:

IAPS  International Association of Pastel Societies
BEST OF SHOW 2008     
HONORABLE MENTION 2002

"Our Town" Exhibition & Sale,  Birmingham, MI
SILVER AWARD 2009
AWARDS 1994, 1988, 1897,
HONORABLE MENTIONS 1990, 1989

Paint the Parks 2008
TOP 100

Paint America 2007 - Topeka, Kansas
TOP 50 MINI

Butler 71st Midyear - The Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown, OH
AWARD 2007

Hudson Valley Art Assoc. - 76th Annual Exhibition, National Arts Club, NY
AWARD 2007

Michigan Annual Fine Arts Exhibition - Mt. Clemens, MI
DIRECTORS AWARD 2005

8th Annual Exhibition of Fine Arts - Livonia, MI
HONORABLE MENTION 2005

Great Lakes Pastel National Exhibition
AWARD 2004  
HONORABLE MENTION 2002
Great Lakes Pastel Members Exhibition - Toledo Museum of Art
HONORABLE MENTION 2007

Michigan Thumb Area Juried Art Competition - Romeo, MI
FIRST PLACE 2006, 2004, 2002
HONORABLE MENTION 2003
SECOND PLACE 2001
FLORAL AWARD 2000

Sierra Pastel Society International Exhibition - Camino, CA
HONORABLE MENTION 2002

Northwest Pastel Society International Exhibition - Seattle, Washington
THE PASTEL JOURNAL AWARD 2002
BEST OF SHOW 2001

National Juried Pastel Competition - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
HONORABLE MENTION 2001

The Pastel Journal National "Pastel 100"
FINALIST 2001
MERIT AWARD 2000

National Society of New Mexico Exhibition
HONORABLE MENTION 1992

National Small Painting Exhibition - New Mexico
BEST OF SHOW/GRUMBACHER GOLD AWARD 1991
SECOND PLACE PASTEL/HONORABLE MENTION 1992
BEST OF SHOW 1993

Detroit Society of Women Painters and Sculptors
MERIT AWARD 2000

Art in the Park - Petoskey, Michigan
BEST OF SHOW 1995

Eastern Michigan International Art Competition - Port Huron, Michigan
PAINTING AWARD 2004
PURCHASE AWARD 2003
GRAPHICS AWARD 2001
MERIT AWARD 1999
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE 1993
PASTEL AWARD 1992

Degas Pastel Society Competition - New Orleans
AWARD 1990

Pastel Society of the West Coast National Exhibition - Sacramento, California
AWARD 1995, 1992, 1990
THIRD PLACE PORTRAIT/FIGURE 1988
AWARD 1987

National Exhibition for Pastels
Kansas Pastel Society - Wichita, Kansas
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AWARD OF EXCELLENCE 1986

Five State Pastel Competition
Art Center of Battle Creek, Michigan
FIRST PLACE/PURCHASE AWARD 1986

Pastel Society of America - New York, New York
AWARD 1985


PERMANENT COLLECTIONS & CLIENTS INCLUDE:

Museum of Art & History - Port Huron, MI
Pinerest Christian Hospital - Grand Rapids, MI
Holland Community Hospital - Holland, MI
Plante & Moran - Michigan
NBD Bank - Birmingham, MI
FTD
New York Graphic Society Publishers
Greeting Card Publishers: Marcel Schurman - CA