“A Day in the Life” with Calgary painter, Sharon Lynn Williams

Sharon Lynn Williams is one of Calgary, Alberta’s most exciting and prolific visual artists. Drawing on over 35 years of experience as a creator, teacher, and mentor, Sharon has forged a unique and recognizable style in both plein-aire landscape and mixed media, a personal language she uses to celebrate the divine.

Written by Evan Williams – son and actor

Besides painting, my other passion is gardening.
Sharon Lynn Williams
My tent display at Art In The Garden last summer
Sharon Lynn Williams
Me in my studio, getting ready for an upcoming show
I give great credit to all my fantastic plein air friends who travel with me all over the place, in my growth as a plein air painter. That knowledge of painting on the land has informed all of my studio work, where I am free to abstract the landscape. This is a group of us at the Elizabeth Parker Hut at Lake O’Hara, where we painted every September for over 7 years.
Me in my booth display at last summer’s tent show In Rosebud, AB
One of hundreds of photos of my painting outside ‘en plein air’
One of the master painters I have studied with, Brian Atyeo
Sharon Lynn Williams
Painting plein air in the winter takes a certain amount of spunk!
Sharon Lynn Williams
One of many awards I have received for my art

Which ‘hood are you in?

I have lived in Oakridge, on the south side of Glenmore Reservoir, for the last 30 years. I just love our close proximity to the Weaselhead Environmental Area and South Glenmore Park, which has inspired many of my paintings. We can cross country ski out our back door in winter and have easy access to the city bike path system, which is remarkable.

What do you do?

I am a full-time painter, spending hours exploring new ways of working in my studio and while painting outdoors -a favourite pursuit. I am fluent in all of the art media and as a lifelong learner, have studied with many of the great artists in North America. I also spend a lot of time teaching other artists. I have an artist mentorship group called 4C Artists Network and am a Master Artist for Masterius (formerly Levelling Up). I also teach for various art groups in Alberta and BC. I used to be a pharmacist in a former life and I am a proud mama of 4 wonderful adult children and grandma of one rambunctious grandson.

What are you currently working on?

I am currently working on a series of abstracted landscape paintings based on the woods beside the pathway at South Glenmore Park down into the Weaselhead, which I walk several times a week all year round. It is fascinating to watch the forest change with the seasons, and my walks inspire many paintings. I am a member of Acclaimed Fine Art and we have shows in the spring and fall at the Crescent Heights Community Centre -I am just getting ready for the spring show at this moment, which happens on April 2 & 3.

Where can we find your work?

Linnehan House Gallery in Okotoks, The Leighton Art Centre southwest of Calgary, often at the Federation Gallery on Granville Island. Online at my website, Instagram and Facebook.

You can also find and purchase my work (and paintings from other amazing Calgary Local artists) at ArtMatch Calgary Online Gallery.

 

 

About Demian Vernieri 628 Articles
Demian is an Argentinian retired musician, avid gamer and editor for the Montréal Guardian, Toronto Guardian, Calgary Guardian and Vancouver Guardian websites.