Michigan artist, SHARON WILL got her start in the arts through training and working, in the commercial art field. Several years were spent in graphics, illustration, and freelancing before breaking from advertising, all the while studying painting. Beginning in oil, then followed by decades of working exclusively in pastel, she now paints in both mediums, with an emphasis on plein air painting. Landscapes, still lifes, and figures provide the needed variety, yet she is consistently drawn back to the landscape for her major inspiration.
In addition to painting, she teaches workshops in oil and pastel, as well as operating a custom framing business from her studio. Currenly Sharon's originals are available through Michigan galleries: Tvedten Fine Art in Harbor Springs and Mullaly's 128 in Elk Rapids, as well as her home/studio by appointment 586-336-9693. Prints are now made available through Fine Art America: www.fineartamerica.com/profiles/sharonwill.html
Memberships include the Great Lakes Pastel Society, Pastel Society of the West Coast, Oil Painters of America, and American Impressionist Society.
Contact Sharon at srwartist@comcast.net for any further information on her pastels and oils.
"I am committed to making impressions of my world. 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 in all seasons. 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 our best teacher, my work focuses on capturing the light in everyday situations, and learning to see the world in its simplest elements of value, shape, color and edges. My goal is never to copy nature, but be true to it, while focusing the viewer on that special light, color relationship, or mood that initially excited me. It's my hope that as I humbly attempt to capture glimpses of the beauty in the world around me, the creation as well as our Creator is honored"
PUBLICATIONS
WBRW - TV http://vimeo.com/38638484
Pratique Des Arts" Special Pastel No. 6 - October 2011
The American Artist Magazine - September 2006 "Taking Charge of Color"
A PARTIAL LIST OF AWARDS and EXHIBITS INCLUDE:
American Impressionist SocietyExhibition 2012
Recipient of the IAPS Master Circle Award 2011
Salon International 2012, 2011
Greenhouse Gallery of Fine Art, San Antonio, TX
Pastel Society of the West Coast National Exhibition - Sacramento, California
AWARD 2011, 1995, 1992, 1990, 1987
THIRD PLACE PORTRAIT/FIGURE 1988
Oil Painters of America Eastern Regional Exhibition 2009
Bold Brush On-Line Painting Competiton
FINALIST 2009
TOP FAV 15% Oct, Aug 2011
July 2010
North Carolina Invitational Paint Out 2009
Germanton Gallery, NC
IAPS International Association of Pastel Societies
BEST OF SHOW 2008
HONORABLE MENTION 2002
Paint the Parks 2008 "TOP 100"
Paint America 2007 "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 2012, 2010, 2004
HONORABLE MENTION 2002
Great Lakes Pastel Members Exhibition
HONORABLE MENTION 2007
Michigan Thumb Area Juried Art Competition - Romeo, MI
FIRST PLACE 2012, 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
"Our Town" Exhibition & Sale, Birmingham, MI
SILVER AWARD 2009
AWARDS 1997, 1994, 1988,
HONORABLE MENTIONS 1990, 1989
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
Art in the Park - Petoskey, Michigan
BEST OF SHOW 1995
Degas Pastel Society Competition - New Orleans
AWARD 1990
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:
"Plein Air Magazine" Collection
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
