Interview
Sharon Grimes
Sharon Grimes' contemporary abstract works leap off the wall and into the viewer's mind through the use of scintillating color and contrast, compelling texture, and skillful composition. Her works speak through abstraction to evoke timeless subjects such as the energy of life, the awe-inspiring perfection of nature, and the unimaginable expanse of our universe. Grimes creates "a feast for the eyes”, as stated by Sara Eyestone, curator of La Posada de Santa Fe and Spa.
As a young artist in her 20s, she fed her passion and inspiration through frequent gallery and museum visits in whatever city she found herself, including a year abroad.
Her art has garnered audiences in group exhibitions at institutions such as RW Norton Gallery in Shreveport, Louisiana, the Kilgore Art Festival in Kilgore, Texas, the Tyler Museum of Art, and Longview Museum of Art. Solo shows include the Longview Museum of Art, Elm Street Studio in Keller, Texas, the Texarkana Regional Arts Council and Arcadia Gallery in Tyler, Texas. She has been accepted into major expositions such as Red Dot Miami, the New York Expo, and Santa Fe Expo. Her work has recognized her the position of finalist in a 2014 Hunting Art Prize. Grimes' art lives in many private collections throughout the United States and Europe.
Grimes' work has been exhibited in Barcelona, Spain at Art Nou Millenni in 2021 before moving to Day2Day Gallery in Collioure, France.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I grew up in a small town in East Texas, USA, full of Pine trees and lakes. I always had an interest in art but didn’t start painting seriously until a mid-career burnout in my late thirties. I was one of those people that worked long hours and had little time for anything else. I owned a hair salon and the hours were grueling and clients demanding.”
What inspires you most?
“Nature is the biggest source of inspiration for me. I watch the effects of light as it moves across the landscape or from behind a cloud. The details always capture my attention - how the color changes or takes on brilliance.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“Most of my work is ethereal. The underlying message in all of my work is about bringing the viewer and myself to a place of peace and understanding. The transformational aspect of art happens in the unconscious mind, and art is a way of accessing that which is just at the edge of our conscience.”
"Sharon Grimes’ work demonstrates a quality found in spiritual artwork, ethereal atmospheres sometimes containing bold and dynamic bursts of colors. There is a dreamlike quality to her artwork. Found internationally with obvious influences of spirit, her work brings the beholder to peace."
~ Julia Ross
How would you describe your work?
“My work is best described as a mixture of hard and soft edges, under a veil that provokes mystery.”
Which artists influence your work most?
“There is no doubt that J. W. Turner was, and still is, my biggest influence. His work moves me like no other. The way he handles light is exquisite.”
What is your creative process like?
"First, I start with mark making, using charcoal. Then I apply a texture paste. I‘ve always enjoyed texture and am very tactile, so this is an important part of the process for me. Sometimes I mix the paste with paint and build the texture into the composition and other times I apply and use it for something else to respond to. It works well to start with acrylic paint on a birch panel and then move toward oil and oil pastels.
My work is highly intuitive, in that the painting itself leads me into a dialogue. There is quite a bit of back and forth, painting and scraping back, as well as applying glazes and removing some of it before the end of the piece. This results in a layered effect where the viewer can see back into the painting.”
“I have never been satisfied dealing with only the surface-level of anything. A work may begin with a surface-level concept, but I am going behind the veil of the surface to get to a deeper structure and meaning. The transformative power of art happens in the exploration of that which remains unconscious.”
What process, materials, techniques, etc., do you use to create your artwork?
“I use markers, both acrylic and oil, including charcoal. I love to use translucent paint or apply opaque paint very thinly. Sometimes I use a glazing effect and a veiling technique which are designed to create translucent layers. A brush is not something that I typically use very much. I prefer a silicone wedge or knife.”
What is your favorite artwork and why?
“My favorite artwork comes from the impressionists to the abstract expressionist. Those artists created a feeling or experience and worked outside the norms of the art world. They knew the rules and principles of art, but those things meant little to them. They were more about having an experience with the work than replicating what they have seen. The abstract expressionists didn’t wait for a gallery or an invitation, they just went out and made things happen. I believe it’s important to know the rules and societal norms, and then figure out how they might be holding you back and change that.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“I’m inclined to believe that an artist has a responsibility first and foremost to their own process. Only then can we decide what to put out into the world. Typically I stay away from political statements but not always. I am more interested in being part of the collective evolution and growth of our society. In the challenging times that we live in, it is important to look at a piece of art and, even if just for a moment, feel peace of mind. I feel a responsibility to be part of that.”
