“Ocean 36” is part of a series of small affordable artworks. I have found that people often buy them as gifts or that they buy them as an entry-level piece and often come back to me later to commission a larger piece.
Where did the inspiration come from for this piece?
Much of my inspiration comes from the sea. As a child, I was never happier than when walking on a sandy beach collecting shells and tiny jewelled pieces of glass worn smooth by the sea. I loved to swim and watch the light bouncing off the moving surface of the water and listen to the surge of the waves. This fascination with the sea and its many moods continues to this day and is reflected in much of my work. Ocean 36 is a forceful curling wave-inspired on a rare wild but sunny day in the normally calm Caribbean. The colours are bright and sunlit with white fluffy foam and when I look at it I can still hear the powerful crash of the waves on the sandy beach.
What is the creative process when creating your textured abstract art?
I build up the image in many layers starting with the 3D textures which are a feature in most of my pieces. I originally trained and worked for many years as a fashion designer and much of my work included textures such as embroidery, beads and appliqué. Little wonder then when I started to paint full time I was drawn to textures and achieving surface effects. I then add many layers of fluid paint built up over many days to give depth and movement to the painting. Then the final process is to add highlights with the many iridescent and metallic mediums I use. I love to use these as they look different in varying light sources add movement to the finished piece.
How long would this work have taken you?
Typically a piece will take 3 – 4 weeks depending on the size. Because I work in so many layers it is necessary to allow quite a lot of drying time between them.
View Sharon’s full gallery.
