Sharon Henderson

Sterling Peonies: framed contemporary oil painting of pink & white flowers

2024

"In the series “This is a real place!” I was fascinated by how the underside of the pier at Saint Simons Island, GA was like a readymade collage. The way the pilings and rails divide and frame the spaces between them looks artificially imposed on the scene until you notice the way the waves bounce off the pilings and the railings cast shadows on the water. In some iterations, I chose to simplify the structures of the pier and lighten the values so that it would emphasize the detail in the water. Likewise, I omitted a family of starlings and their droppings in favor of highlighting the geometry of the architecture and the colors and patterns of the water. Making paintings in a series allows me to investigate the results of making different decisions about an image. How I crop or stylize it, the manner in which I apply the paint, what gets included or excluded all add shades of meaning to each piece. Additionally, depictions of the same subject in different weather, seasons, times of day, and tides allows me a deeper understanding. I notice more relationships, colors, and details every time I paint the subject. Every painting is a pile of decisions. Playing with removing more and more details to see what is truly important sometimes improves the painting. The fewer elements you include in an image, the more each one means, and the more important it is to get each thing perfect. At times I like to paint every single detail I can find in a scene, and other times I feel like the unadorned components are sufficient to hold each other in a satisfying composition. I often add simplified shapes to my paintings to highlight the presence of absence or to heighten the importance of each area by creating stark visual contrasts. ⁠The physicality of the paint also plays a role. I used highly textured, thickly applied paint to construct the solid structural elements, and luminous layers of thinly glazed paint for the delicate linework and subtle blending of the water." - Brooke Lanier...

"In the series “This is a real place!” I was fascinated by how the underside of the pier at Saint Simons Island, GA was like a readymade collage. The way the pilings and rails divide and frame the spaces between them looks artificially imposed on the scene until you notice the way the waves bounce off the pilings and the railings cast shadows on the water. In some iterations, I chose to simplify the structures of the pier and lighten the values so that it would emphasize the detail in the water. Likewise, I omitted a family of starlings and their droppings in favor of highlighting the geometry of the architecture and the colors and patterns of the water. Making paintings in a series allows me to investigate the results of making different decisions about an image. How I crop or stylize it, the manner in which I apply the paint, what gets included or excluded all add shades of meaning to each piece. Additionally, depictions of the same subject in different weather, seasons, times of day, and tides allows me a deeper understanding. I notice more relationships, colors, and details every time I paint the subject. Every painting is a pile of decisions. Playing with removing more and more details to see what is truly important sometimes improves the painting. The fewer elements you include in an image, the more each one means, and the more important it is to get each thing perfect. At times I like to paint every single detail I can find in a scene, and other times I feel like the unadorned components are sufficient to hold each other in a satisfying composition. I often add simplified shapes to my paintings to highlight the presence of absence or to heighten the importance of each area by creating stark visual contrasts. ⁠The physicality of the paint also plays a role. I used highly textured, thickly applied paint to construct the solid structural elements, and luminous layers of thinly glazed paint for the delicate linework and subtle blending of the water." - Brooke Lanier...

This is an original sill life interior painting of fruit (apples) with a geometric fractured composition. The artist made the painting one section at a time. When working on one section, the artist would block off the rest of the composition so the objects and background needed to be placed again. By building the composition this way, the background and table appear at different levels and the shapes don't quite align. These imperfections convey a sense of passing time. In each section, the tone of the light changes, and the shadows switch directions. The apples and geometric shapes were chosen as much for metaphorical value as for aesthetics. A seemingly simple arrangement in a familiar painting genre contains a depth of observation, artistic choices, and interpretation. This painting is signed and dated on the back. Includes all hanging hardware and ready to install; no need for additional framing. Mat...

This is an original still life interior painting of fruit (apples) with a geometric fractured composition. The artist made the painting one section at a time. When working on one section, the artist would block off the rest of the composition so the objects and background needed to be placed again. By building the composition this way, the background and table appear at different levels and the shapes don't quite align. These imperfections convey a sense of passing time. In each section, the tone of the light changes, and the shadows switch directions. The apples and geometric shapes were chosen as much for metaphorical value as for aesthetics. A seemingly simple arrangement in a familiar painting genre contains a depth of observation, artistic choices, and interpretation. This painting is signed and dated on the back. Includes all hanging hardware and ready to install; no need for additional framing. Mat...

"Shady Day, Sag Harbor" is a contemporary impressionist oil painting of a summer day in Sag Harbor town, painted en plein air. Marc Dalessio was born in 1972 in Los Angeles, Califor...

An oil painting of a agave blossoms silhouetted against a hazy sky, clouds and blossoms backlit by the sun. Far below, the ocean reflecting white clouds and sun glare. The agave plan...

A celebration of charm and cultural richness, Joie de Vivre by Ginny Williams brings together objects of beauty and a striking European Goldfinch, perched with poise and personality. Painted in oil on a 16 x 16-inch panel, this still life exudes warmth, elegance, and a touch of whimsy. The bird’s vivid red face, golden wing bars, and black markings are hallmarks of the beloved goldfinch—often associated with vitality, joy, and spiritual endurance in European art history. With its palette of soft neutrals, classic chinoiserie blue-and-white ceramics, and a bold red, white, and blue fan motif, Joie de Vivre feels both traditional and refreshingly modern. The title, meaning “joy of living,” perfectly encapsulates the mood: uplifting, timeless, and thoughtfully composed. Ideal for collectors of symbolic still life, bird lovers, or designers seeking a small yet story-rich piece, this original painting adds layers of narrative and charm to any space. Offered by Huff Harrington, Joie de Vivre is a radiant moment of visual poetry. We were immediately drawn to the thoughtfully painted work, the clever titles and the rich, deep hues. And when we got to know the artist, we were equally charmed by her delightful wit, her sensibilities as an artist, her depth of knowledge and her modesty. This one’s got it all and we are honored to represent her. GC Williams has a BA in art history and began her artistic career as a self-taught artist. She subsequently studied at several classical ateliers including 4 years at the Academy of Realist Art, Boston. Influenced heavily by her studies of and love for the art of the northern European Renaissance, she creates still life paintings that employ chiaroscuro and symbolism to point beyond themselves to more enduring truths. Just as the still life masters of long ago used everyday objects to convey timeless messages pertinent to the culture of the day, Williams’ works often have underlying symbolism in the placement and combination of objects she chooses to paint. With tight renderings and playfulness she attempts to draw the viewer beyond an initial appreciation of a pretty picture into a deeper engagement and understanding of the language of the still life. Ginny Williams painting European Goldfinch art red and yellow bird painting...

Brad Davis's "Autumn Sycamore" (2023) is a compelling oil on panel painting that measures 10 x 7.5 inches unframed.