Sharon Pollak
My goal is to create art that generates positive energy and harmony with viewers. I want to paint pieces that people wish to have in their daily lives because it brings them joy and happiness. Creating takes me to my “happy place”. My hope is that the viewers will feel the same.
My art mirrors my life which is dynamic, exciting, and joyful. I love using bold colors that leap out from the canvas while my method of layering, texturing, and mark-making adds depth and emotional interest.
Primarily self-taught, I have studied with many well-respected artists in California, Florida, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. As a graduate of the University of Connecticut, I worked in the field of marketing using my artistic touch to create promotional material for several New England manufacturing companies. I have always had a passion for art and today am thoroughly immersed in my full-time painting career.
Tell us about yourself:
Fun Fact:
I do not paint with brushes, but instead prefer my hands (with gloves on, of course) clothes, various tools, and palette knives. Also, I paint standing up (no chairs for me) and that’s often 8 hours a day.
How Covid-19 has affected your life and has inspired your work?
During the pandemic, I naturally had much more time to paint. That I loved. I also found I moved more out of my head and into my heart, relying on my imagination even more. Having more time to be reflective I understand more clearly now that the only “right” path is that which speaks to me. I paint what I believe, what I love, what makes me happy.
Tell us more about your work:
I love working with people to create custom art for their homes. I’ve always had a knack for home design. Painting something specifically for someone’s home is a rewarding challenge for me.
What are your plans post-pandemic?
I love to travel and have started again to make plans to continue to see the world. My art will always be my priority and will grow as I experience more of the world.
How do you keep motivated?
I’ve always been a self-starter, so keeping motivated is not a challenge for me. I’ve always been productive and industrious, having the need to finish what I start. It’s just not my nature to give up – I see things through. I will work on a piece without stopping until I am completely happy, often after it’s been through many revisions.
Who is your most admired artist, that has had a positive influence on you?
I admire Brian Rutenberg because he observes nature and then creates landscapes that go beyond what we “see”. His use of bright colors and his layering techniques speak to me. I “hear” his truth as an artist. Building layers, yet letting the history show through like truth windows is how I add flavor and mystery to my work.
Where do you go to get inspired?
I start each new work with marks, colored shapes, and a feeling that reflects my attitude, mood, and “temperature”. The real challenge for me begins as I continue to shape the painting into existence. I do not use any visual reference – only what I can imagine and feel. The next step involves building up texture, scraping, gouging, adding, and subtracting color until I see the form that it will eventually take. Often I title my art at this early point and use that name as the direction I take to complete the work. I work with various palettes but find that my favorite colors are variations of blues and greens, which I believe is driven by my love of and spiritual connection with nature, trees, and water.
How are you exercising and keeping healthy?
I’m a very healthy eater – restricting sugar and gluten keeps me feeling great. A strong positive attitude also helps me.
An inspiration that you can pass on to others:
The most important thing is happiness – sometimes you have to work at it. Happiness and contentment are choices.
The works featured here are available for purchase directly through the Artist. The Artist makes 100% of the profit from the sale of the artwork, so this is a great time to support them while enhancing your art collection. The artist will directly pack and ship the product to you.
All works are original and signed by the artist!
For more information on these featured artworks
Email: Sharon at [email protected]
Website sharonpollak.com