pastel

I think you all know that I love color. I mean I really, really love color. I love all kinds of color, whether it is bright colors, earth tone colors, or pastel colors. I am particularly drawn to the way that Sheryl Brown uses the pastel colors in her abstract fine art masterpieces. There is a real healing effect that Ms. Brown's art has on the soul. Oh, she is not alone in this talent, but her gift with the use of color has touched my soul and I'm sure that it will touch yours, as well. Come, let's take a peek into the world of Sheryl Brown, in her own words...

When did you first decide that you wanted to be an artist?
When I was in grade 2, age 7, I remember having drawn some flames with a simple pencil sketch (and did I color them? I'm not sure..!), and thinking it came out so lifelike that "I must be an artist..!" I've always been in love with color.

What was your first art creation?
One of my earliest memories of decorating with paint was taking the pot of leftover paint in the garage and using a stick to apply it to my tricycle. I had to have been age 5 or younger then. I was already a color collector - I would pick the colored glass out of the stucco on the house. I also scratched my name into the TV. LOL!

When I was about 6, I took it upon myself to add some color to a story book I had, using some new water color paints I had just received.

My first oil painting (done in high school) is very simplistic and resides somewhere in the garage. My first oil painting of note was painted right after high school. It's called, "Two Lonesome Trees," and was painted from a calendar picture of a snowy sunrise. It's available on my website. Click Here to view the painting.

My first piece of art to be professionally, digitally scanned, and reproduced as a giclee reproduction, was in 2008 and is named "Cloud Dance," a 16x20" acrylic on canvas. I now have 77 images available, ranging in size from 4x4 to 24x36, on paper or canvas.

What was your first memorable art piece?
In grade 1, I seem to recall there was a particular kitchen drawer reserved for my art and writing papers that came home from school.

In my early high school years, three different teachers in three different years, used my art. In one case it was for a school newsletter and in the other two cases, a poster.

Please describe "A Day in the Life of Sheryl Brown, Artist Extraordinaire."
My process is greatly facilitated by a block of time with no appointments, better a whole day, with lots of natural light, usually when I'm at home. I wouldn't mind if this worked out daily, but it can be some days in a row, or days separated by weeks. I randomly sit down with paints and start playing around. Sometimes, I squeeze paint directly from the tube to the canvas. Sometimes, I paint with fine lines, dabbing the paint straight from the tube onto my paintbrush.

Sometimes a few specific colors draw my attention. For example, a previous painting presents itself with a new twist, or I just have an idea. Very often, the idea I start with is just a catalyst, and what I end up with is far down another path than I started. A few times, my intention materialized close to how I imagined it. (Eg, "Cloud Dance," "Chakra Dance," "Chakra Mountain," "Ring of Light") I am truly very random abstract, but ironically, I am at my most concrete when I have a paintbrush and tubes of paint in my hands. I often finish an 8x10" or several in a sitting. Some of the larger ones will spread out over months.

The last couple of years I have participated in several of our local art walks, where businesses offer to host an artist for the evening.

I did respond to one online contest a year or so ago. The prize was a trip to NYC with use of art studios and some media connections.

What do you do with your art?
My own art is plastered all over my walls. Every now and then, I take a new batch of paintings to my professional giclee print maker to have them professionally digitally scanned, ready to be reproduced as Fine Art Giclees, either on Fine Art paper, or on canvas. I have added notecard sized format to the collection, which makes it very affordable. My Fine Art Giclee reproductions are easy to order from my website online, or folks can email or call me if they need some direction.

What are your plans in the future?
I am getting very serious about getting my art into more formats, like silk scarves, T-shirts, gift bags and tissue paper.. the sky's the limit..!

My current project is to finalize the touch-ups and naming of about 50 new paintings in order to get them ready for scanning.. I'm being a bit slowed down by the winter sun's short course ;D

One of these days I will be able to build a customized art studio and gallery..!

In Ms. Brown's own words, from her Facebook, "[I have] been painting since age 6 when [I] received [my] first set of paints for being brave at the eye doctor's - I well remember this!! The black and white illustrations in one of my story books needed a little... well, color! And I've been at it ever since, but especially in the last 10 years or so."
Connecting with Sheryl Brown.
Artist Website :	www.SherylBrownArt.com
Blog :	www.sherylbrownart.com/blog/
FB Page :	facebook.com/SherylBrownArt
FB Page :	facebook.com/ChangeArtistCoaching
FB Profile :	facebook.com/SherylBrown
Twitter :	twitter.com/SunraySheryl
LinkedIn :	linkedin.com/profile/view?id=23002925

Are you an artist who would like to be featured? Contact me!

Until next time.
hugs,
Deborah
P.S. Have you hugged 5 times today?

Deborah E

Deborah E is a smooth and sultry summer night on Bourbon Street… Classy with a dash of sass… Proof that the jazz greats have not been sacrificed to processed pop. ladyD.info. For more information, including other blogs, visit her main site at deborah.info.

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Ms. Brigitte, in her own words, is inspired by what she sees and experiences in her world, as well as her experience on the internet. But, she, herself is inspiring, in her growth beyond her comfort zone, as she puts it, and her desire to move forward in spite of any obstacles in her life.

She brings happiness to those who have commissioned her to create portraits of their beloved pets, and she brings encouragement to those of us who are beneficiaries of her inspiration.

When did you first decide that you wanted to be an artist?
I don't want to call myself "an artist." There was no actual moment that I made that decision. I paint and draw as a hobby, and for a few years now, I have been accepting commissions and payment enough to cover my expenses for the used materials. Most commissions are animal portraits that I do in pastel. I feel honored that people like my animal portraits and want me to draw their beloved pets to remember them. I get that happy feeling when someone says, "It is really like I remember him. You've captured his essence so well" when I deliver the finished piece. It makes me glad that I can use my talent to make others happy. I wish that one day I could make my living with the drawings and paintings, but I have to be realistic.

What was your first art creation?
I have been drawing since I was a kid and I loved creating things, like hand puppets, stuffed animals or simple jewelry. I even got excited when I was gift-wrapping matchboxes. What?! "Gift-wrapping matchboxes?" I know, it had absolutely no purpose, but I liked wrapping matchboxes (and other small things) in colorful paper and decorating it like it was going to be a luxurious gift.

When I got older I turned my creative mind to cross-stitching. I made sooo many of them. A few big pieces are hanging on the wall at my parents-in-law.

After this, I got ill. I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and I couldn't do the cross-stitch anymore. My hands were not able to do it. I kept all the materials, patterns, and designs. Sometimes I peek into that box and wish I could work for hours again on a beautiful cross-stitch design.

After the cross-stitching, I turned back to drawing. And drawing led to painting (watercolor). That's what I am still doing now.

What was your first memorable art piece?
I can remember a drawing I made from my left hand, in graphite. I was really proud of it. I was about 12 when I drew it. If I were to see it now, I would see what is wrong with the drawing (wrong proportions i.e.). I don't know what happened to it or where it is now… should ask my mother.

Please describe "A Day in the Life of Ms. Brigitte, Artist Extraordinaire."
I have a job, so I have to get up, get dressed, take a quick breakfast and go to work. Only in the evenings and in the weekends do I have time – but first the usual household things need to be done – and after that, I have time to create. Since my health is not optimal (the bad auto immune system that caused my RA also led to Sjögren's Syndrome and celiacs disease), I do have time in the evenings/weekends, but I am not always in the mood. Mostly I am too tired – and then nothing creative comes out of my hands.

There are several projects on my desk: a portrait in pastel; a watercolor piece; some illustrations or digital work. There is always a project I am in the mood to work on. Sometimes I see fun online contests and want to participate, but I never get anything finished in time. So I stopped fooling myself and I am just happy with my projects.

What do you do with your art?
The pieces I create on commission are leaving my place as soon as they are finished. I always make a digital copy for my archive and portfolio. The other pieces stay here. I have donated some art for auctions to raise money for good causes. At the moment, one is open to raise money for a cat shelter!

I only have an online gallery (www.atelierbrigitte.nl). I designed and built that site myself. I share smaller projects and "Work-in-Progress" pieces on my blog: atelierbrigitte.blogspot.com.

She brings happiness to those who have commissioned her to create portraits of their beloved pets, and she brings encouragement to those of us who are beneficiaries of her inspiration.

What are your plans in the future?
I don't really have "big" plans for the future. I just "go with the flow." I really enjoy what I am doing and because of all the things I see on the internet and the people I meet on the internet. This inspires me to try new things.

A year ago I would not have believed it if I was told that I would be going to a zoo and sketching animals. But this year, I went with some fellow artists and I did it! And I loved it – getting out of my comfort zone. I tried my first animal portrait in watercolor! Not a great success, but it was another step out of my comfort zone.

In Ms. Brigitte's own words, from her blog, "Drawing, painting, creating - it has become a passion that gave me the strength to go on and it gives me a feeling I still can mean and achieve something in life. I hope you enjoy my blog and I would love if you'd leave me a comment."
Connecting with Ms. Brigitte.
Artist Website :	atelierbrigitte.nl
Blog :	atelierbrigitte.blogspot.com
FB Page :	facebook.com/atelier.brigitte