Artist's Statement
I am drawn to nature and find inspiration in the patterns, shapes, and colors around me. The element of light and how it plays on subjects intrigues me, and I am compelled to try to capture it in my artwork. While hiking in a lush forest or paddling a coastal bay, all my senses awake to embrace my surroundings. By painting and drawing my memories, I can relive the magical events. As an artist, I want to share those experiences with others through the unpredictability of water and paint as they blend into surprises in front of me.
One of my fans said, "Sharon captures the essence of nature." This is my focus as I use a variety of techniques to render the spirit of my encounters into two-dimensional paintings. I may layer colors to give my paintings the soft, luxurious feel of pastels, add raised textures in acrylic works, or paint loosely with lots of water depending on the subject matter. Recently, I have been using more than one medium in a painting to capture my subject matter. I may use paint, inks, collage, colored pencils, marbling, and a variety of substrates for my artwork, whether it is representational or abstract. Certain media and techniques allow me to better represent my emotions and intent while painting.
My artistic efforts went back into painting after a rewarding teaching career, now specializing in watercolor and acrylic works. I sell original paintings, fine art prints, and note cards, besides creating commissioned artwork.
I'm thrilled my paintings are winning awards; however, what is most important to me is connecting with others through my art. The world is there to interpret and explore. Of course, I want to create!
Biography
Sharon Hansen has been involved with artistic endeavors her entire life, from taking classes at the Portland Art Museum as a youth, being awarded Artist of the Year at Wilson High in Portland, painting and creating pottery in college, and selling work at Portland’s Saturday Market as a teenager. Now an award-winning artist, Sharon's paintings can be viewed at art shows, in galleries, and during juried exhibitions in the Northwest. Her art is shown in local businesses and in private collections in the US and internationally.
Sharon has been selected four times for solo art exhibitions, as well as being featured at nonprofit benefits in Oregon. During spring 2024, Sharon had work displayed in the juried Watercolor Society of Oregon Experimental Water Media Exhibition, in the Water Media juried show at the Gallery of Oregon Society of Artists, and in a solo art exhibit of 18 paintings at The Ackerly in Hillsboro, OR.
She is a juried member of the Watercolor Society of Oregon, the Oregon Society of Artists (OSA), NW Watercolor Society, and Keizer Art Association. For 7 years, she was on the Board of Directors of OSA and on the board of Wild about Watercolor Guild for 3 years. Her BA is from University of Puget Sound, WA, and her MS is from Portland State University. Sharon taught with Department of Defense Schools in Germany, Beaverton School District, and was on faculties at Pacific University and PSU. She teaches private art lessons in Portland