“My goal and ambition is to bring beauty and peace into people’s homes through my art, and to offer the life-giving joy of creation to my art students.”
About Sharon
Hello, I'm Sharon Lynn Williams, a passionate artist dedicated to my craft. For over 35 years, I've explored various artistic mediums and subjects, constantly seeking inspiration to feel my creativity. I'm incredibly proud to have achieved signature status in respected organizations like the Federation of Canadian Artists (AFCA) and the International Plein Air Painters (IPAP). My artwork is deeply rooted in my love for the natural landscape, which is enriched by my extensive knowledge of color theory and design. Through my work, I aim to convey the profound sense of joy and liberation that I find in the act of painting.
Painting 'en plein air' has been a dedicated pursuit of mine for many years, allowing me to create artwork outdoors and capture the spontaneity of the moment. It is in these experiences that I forge a deep connection with my surroundings, capturing the true essence of the landscape—the interplay of light, the ever-changing atmosphere, and the vivid colors. While I no longer aim to replicate what I see, I let my imagination guide me in expressing the landscape as I feel it. I aim to encapsulate the entire sensory experience—the gentle breeze, the earthy scents, and the sounds of nature. These moments shape my artistic process, infusing my work with a unique personal touch.
Drawing from my rich real-life experiences, I have been able to cultivate a more creative approach in my studio. Acrylic paint has become my preferred medium due to its rapid drying properties and its ability to accommodate bold shifts in artistic direction. The resulting aesthetic that I have developed centres around a limited selection of intriguing shapes, confident brushwork, innovative and nuanced color schemes, deliberate patterns and mark making, and striking contrasts in light and shadow.
Beyond my own my artistic pursuits, I have dedicated a significant portion of my life to teaching art to individuals at all skill levels and in every medium. It brings me great joy to assist fellow painters in discovering their own creative potential. This journey of artistic growth can be both challenging and fulfilling, and I encourage my students to embrace it wholeheartedly. Witnessing their artistic development is an incredibly rewarding experience. I consider it an honour to be a part of their artistic journey.
Gallery Representation
Paintbrush Gallery
The Lodge At Bow Lake
Alberta, Canada
Seasonal June to September
Curriculum Vitae
ARTISTIC AFFILLIATIONS:
Federation of Canadian Artists (FCA) -Signature member (AFCA) and twice past president of Calgary Chapter
Signature member International Plein Air Painters Society (IPAP)
Acclaimed Fine Art member
Master Mentor for Mastrius online learning
EXHIBITIONS:
Recent Solo Exhibitions: 2019 -“Free To Be Me”, Framed On Fifth Gallery, Calgary, AB
2012 –“En Plein Air –Tuscany”, Gallery 109, High River, AB
2011 -“En Plein Air –Expanding Horizons”, Arts On Atlantic Gallery, Calgary, AB
-“En Plein Air –One Artists’”View, Leighton Art Centre, Calgary, AB
2010 -“Romancing The Land”, Arts On Atlantic Gallery, Calgary, Alberta
2009 -“En Plein Air iii”, Arts On Atlantic Gallery, Calgary, Alberta
2008 -“En Plein Air”, Arts On Atlantic Gallery, Calgary, Alberta
Selected Recent Juried Group Exhibitions: 2023: FCA Toronto Invitational exhibition, online; “Bloom”, Federation Gallery, Vancouver, BC; Leighton Juried Members Show, Calgary, AB; ‘Spring To Joy’, FCA Calgary juried show
2022: “Abstracted”, “Small”, “Scenes From Western Canada”, & “Annual Landscapes Show”. Federation Gallery, Vancouver, BC; “Members Show” & “Plein Air Show”, Leighton Art Show, Calgary, AB; “Spring Into Art”, FCA Calgary Chapter, Calgary, AB
2021: “Spring Into Hope”, Calgary FCA show; '“Signature Medal Show“, “Water”, “Bloom” & “AIMAE” shows, Federation Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2020: "Fall show & sale” & “Transitions”, Calgary FCA online shows
“Abstract” show, “Western Landscapes” & '“Signature Medal “ shows; Federation Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2019:“Western Landscape” show, Federation Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2018: AFCA Signature Medal Show, Federation Gallery, Vancouver, BC
“Go Figure”, Federation Gallery, Vancouver,BC; Leighton Annual Members show, Calgary, AB
2017 – “Waxing Poetic”, Canwax West, Penticton, BC
2016 – FCA Signature Medal Show, Federation Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 – Calgary Exhibition and Stampede Art Gallery, Calgary, AB;
2007-2016 – “Mad About Art” and “All Things Spring” Federation of Canadian Artists, Calgary, AB
2013 -“Cirque d'Hoffman!”, ASA show, Jubillee Auditorium, Edmonton, AB
2012 -“Landscape Show” Federation Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2011 -ASA “Artists’ Choice” show, Calgary, AB; “Prelude Show” Plein Air Rockies, Estes Park, Colorado, USA
2001, 2003, 2006, 2008 , 2009, - Calgary Stampede Western Art Auction, Calgary Stampede, Calgary, AB
2008 –"Being Human", International Juried Figurative Art Show, Leighton Art Centre, AB
-"Small is All" and "The Home Show", ASA Inter-provincial Traveling Exhibitions, Alberta
2007 –"Stepping Out", ASA show, Point of Art Gallery & Max Bell Theatre, Calgary, AB
2006 –"Spillsbury Medal Show", Federation Gallery, Vancouver, BC
-"Common Ground", ASA/MSA collaborative traveling show throughout Alberta and Manitoba
2005 – "Memory and Identity"& “Reflections”, ASA traveling shows throughout Alberta
- Society of Watercolor Artists 23nd Annual International Exhibition, Dallas, TX, USA
RECENT AWARDS: 2023: “Spring To Joy”, FCA juried show, Award of Excellence
2021: “Spring Into Hope”, FCA juried show. First Place Prize
2020 –“Transitions” show, FCA juried show, Honourable Mention
2018 – “Go Figure” Federation Gallery; third place ;”ART-O-Rama”, FCA Calgary show; third place
2017 –Thea Haubrich Award of Excellence for Best In Show, Canwax West, Pentiction BC
2016 –“All About Spring”, FCA juried show; Honourable Mention
2014 –“Absolutely Art”, FCA juried Show. Third Prize award
2013 –“Mad About Art”, Second Prize and viewers choice award, FCA juried show Calgary
–“All Things Spring”, FCA juried show Calgary, Honorable Mention
2012 – “All Things Spring”, FCA show Calgary, AB, Second place prize
2011 – Grand Prize Winner, Canadian Brushstrokes Magazine’s Landscape Competition
-Third place,” Mad About Art”, FCA, Calgary, AB
2010 – Finalist, Richeson 75 International Art Competition of Small Works
2008 – six way finish for Best Local Artist by readership poll, Avenue Magazine, January 2008
2006 –"Award of Excellence", Spillsbury Medal Show, Federation Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2005 –Third Place Award, "Juried Members Show", Leighton Centre, Alberta
2003 -awarded Signature status in the Federation Of Canadian Artists (AFCA)
-“Mixed Messages”, Federation Gallery, Vancouver, “People’s Choice Award”
2002- Society of Watercolor Artists 21st Int’l Exhibition, Hurst, TX, USA, “Founder’s Award” (2nd prize)
PUBLIC COLLECTIONS: Alberta Energy and Utilities Board, Calgary, AB
North American Baptist Conference, Chicago, Illinois Muttart Public Art Gallery, Calgary, Alberta
Pancanadian Petroleum Ltd., Calgary, Alberta Rockyview General Hospital, Calgary, Alberta
Spartan Controls, Calgary, Alberta Canadian Development Corporation, Calgary, AB
SELECT PUBLICATIONS: --Artists In The Raw by Deborah Catton, 2012; Canadian Brushstrokes Magazine, issue #23, May/June 2011; “En Plein Air - One Artists’ View” by Sharon Lynn Williams, Blurb Publishing, 2011; Best of Worldwide Artists –Mixed Media Vol. 1, Kennedy Publishing, 2010; Canadian Brushstrokes Magazine, issue #18, Mar/Apr 2010; ”Best Of Calgary" (six way finish for Best Local Artist), Avenue Magazine, January 2008; Art Avenue Magazine, Mar/Apr 2007; Eleventh Transmission e-magazine, "Featured Artist", October 2006; International Artist Magazine, Dec/Jan 2005, issue #40, “Master Painters of the World- Canada Showcase”