“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
Curriculum Vitae
ARTISTIC AFFILLIATIONS
Federation of Canadian Artists (FCA) -Signature member (AFCA) and past president of Calgary Chapter
Signature member International Plein Air Painters Society (IPAP) , Acclaimed Fine Art member
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
Selected Recent Juried Group Exhibitions
2024: Signature Exhibition, Federation Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2023: FCA Toronto Invitational exhibition, online; “Bloom”, Federation Gallery, Vancouver, BC; Leighton
Juried Members Show, Calgary, AB,2 FCA Calgary shows, Acclaimed Fine Art
2022: “Abstracted”, Federation Gallery, Vancouver, BC; 2 FCA Calgary shows, Acclaimed Fine Art
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 show
“Abstract” show, “Western Landscapes” & “Signature Medal Show”, Federation Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2019:“Western Landscape” show, Federation Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2018: “AFCA Signature Medal Show” & “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;
2007-2022: -“Mad About Art” and “All Things Spring” Federation of Canadian Artists, Calgary, 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
2006 -"Spillsbury Medal Show", Federation Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2005 - Society of Watercolor Artists 23nd Annual International Exhibition, Dallas, TX, USA
SELECTED AWARDS
2024: “Winter Exhibition” FCA juried show, First Place Award
2023: “Spring Into Joy’”FCA juried show, Award of Excellence
2021: “Spring Into Hope”, FCA juried show, First Place Award
2020: “Transitions” show, FCA juried show, Honourable Mention
2018: “Go Figure” Federation Gallery; third place ; ”ART-O-Rama”, FCA juried 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
2012- “All Things Spring”, FCA show Calgary, AB, Second place prize
2011- Grand Prize Winner, Canadian Brushstrokes Magazine’s Landscape Competition
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
GALLERY REPRESENTION
Leighton Art Centre, Calgary, AB; Lineham House Gallery, Okotoks, AB, Arta Gallery, Toronto, ON; The Hanging Glacier Cafe, The Lodge At Bow Lake, AB
SELECT PUBLICATIONS
Artists In The Raw by Deborah Catton, 2012;
Canadian Brushstrokes Magazine, issue #18 & 23;
“En Plein Air - One Artists’ View” by Sharon Lynn Williams, Blurb Publishing, 2011;
Best of Worldwide Artists –Mixed Media Vol. 1, Kennedy Publishing, 2010;
”Best Of Calgary" (six way finish for Best Local Artist),
Avenue Magazine, January 2008;
International Artist Magazine, Dec/Jan 2005, issue #40, and Master Painters of the World- Canada Showcase”