Although I did not start out in watercolor, I became fascinated with its luminous colors and fluidity after taking a workshop at the Dubuque Museum of Art. When I paint I am especially interested in the interplay of light and shadow. I usually use a limited palette of three colors and experiment with different combinations. When using watercolor I am charmed by the happy accident of paint mixing on paper and then blending into subtle colors.

Recently I have gone full circle and have begun using oils, along with gouache, oil pastels and acrylics, which I find to be challenging and fun.

My oils and acrylics tend to be more impressionistic with either blended or overlapping color.

My subject matter includes portraits, still lives, landscapes, local scenes and florals in which I try to capture a mood or show a different viewpoint. There is a wealth of beauty in our area, from rolling hillsides to charming Victorian architecture, a treasure trove for artists and keeps me happily supplied with subject matter. Painting feeds my soul and takes me to another place. I am in the world of the painting and my hope is to bring the viewer with me.

Arboretum Gazebo

Acrylic

Market Flower Baskets

Watercolor

Sharon has lived in Dubuque, since she was 16, having moved from Milwaukee, Wis. Sharon has a BA in Art from Clarke College and has attended numerous watercolor workshops by nationally recognized artists. She is a Signature Member of the Iowa Watercolor Society.

Her works have been exhibited at the Dubuque Museum of Art and Rocco Buda. She has also been included in group shows at the University of Dubuque, Clarke College, the Banking on the Arts Show at Dubuque Bank and Trust and the Red House Art Gallery among others. Her works are included in many private and corporate collections, such as the Wendt Center, Loras College, Medical Associates, The Dubuque Racing Association and The Roshek Building.

She has a painting featured in the International Artist's book 100 Ways to Paint Flowers and Gardens.

Sharon painted with the Tuesday Morning Group for many years and is now part of a group of artists who paint in the Art Studio at Fountain Park .