Meet Artist Sherry Shipley!

Sherry is a member of my group Emotive Art on Fine Art America. She recently was tied for first place in a contest with her piece entitled Getting To Know You.  Sherry's art flows beautifully and is full of color.  Here is her winning piece: getting-to-know-you-sherry-shipley

Statement from Sherry:

Art has been a part of me all my life. I could never stop drawing as a child and in high school picked up my first paint brush. That was 1965. I have been painting ever sense.

Over the years I have explored many mediums and expanded my art skills when I attended the Art Institute of Seattle.

I depict animals in my art to create a feeling of wonderment with our connection with these creatures and a bond that only a true animal lover can feel. Animals have been depicted in art and stories since the beginning of time and our bond with them lives in legends and lore.

My art creates and reveals that bond in bold and colorful images either through letting the paint flow and working the images into it or use of lines that weaves the design around the subject to create it’s own story.

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A short bio:

Growing up in the shadow of the Cascades, the beauty of the Pacific Northwest inspired my love of nature and wildlife. Trips to the mountains have supplied a stunning and endless backdrop for my wildlife subjects which I have been painting for over 40 years.

My work has been seen in galleries from Seattle to New York. My wildlife art designs have sold on shirts and tote bags in Alaska, and many of the lower 48 states.

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If you enjoy this piece, you'll love looking through her portfolio!  It's stunning!  Here's the link:

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/getting-to-know-you-sherry-shipley.html

Thanks for visiting!  I hope you'll be back soon!

Welcome artist Audrey Keenan! Angel creator extraordinaire!

I ran across Audrey on twitter and was intrigued by her art.  I looked through her photographs on her twitter account and instantly wanted to interview her!  Her art is one of a kind as you can see: Cg8BzfxXEAAEQ56CheoiB0W4AEoXjw

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So without further adieu, here is her interview!

1.  Please tell me what led up to you beginning to create your art and why you decided to create it.

I was looking for a purpose after being diagnosed with cfs and fibromyalgia so I began praying. I spend a lot of time bedridden.

Art was something I tried in hopes of finding an interest which would enable me to work at home in my own time.  The feeling of being able to release my emotions onto canvas brought a sense of peace within that I found comforting.  Expressing my love for life and compassion for humanity meant inner freedom although I was physically limited.

2.   Please describe your creative process.

The creative process is taken with a very easy going, intuitive approach.  It's effortless, free and without much thought...I invite my angels, guides, god's loving intention and the rest is pure surrender.  I'm simply a channel as I hold the brush and paints.  It's like I'm in another state of consciousness.

There's no fear of outcomes.  What I feel can be described as divine love and joy flowing through me as the painting comes to life.

3. What would you like people to know about you as an artist?

I had no previous art experience other than a few lessons.  One day I was in severe pain and read a book entitled God Calling.  I was praying for strength to cope.  Suddenly I felt a strong urge to paint a picture in thanks to God.  Without realizing it, I painted an angel.  I was amazed and delighted.  I proceeded to do more painting on small canvases.  Eventually I looked around and counted 13 angel paintings in a short space of time.

I then heard a soft voice which I believe was God, saying,  "Now do you believe in yourself?" Then a conversation took place.  I fell to my knees overwhelmed with gratitude, love and happiness.  I was also completely drained.  My art was presented to me as a gift in my mind.

4. What do your paintings represent? Is there a universal theme behind them or does each one mean something completely different?

The paintings represent hope.  I feel we as humans want to believe in angels and guidance; comfort that in times of sadness we can sense we're not alone.  There's a universal theme that the angels are there for us.  Emotions of love, sorrow, freedom, peace and joy are transferred onto canvas.

How do you feel that situations in your life contributed to your work? Was it a process of everything in your life leading up to your art being created or individual situations causing your art to be creating as an evolutionary process over time?

Situations in my life have allowed me to feel deep empathy.  I've overcome much adversity.  The loss of 3 babies in one year at the age of 19;  aged 3 months called Tammy and 2 miscarriages brought inner turmoil and higher insight into my spiritual life.  I meditate and focus on eternal life.  Therefore I have come to realize that angels are dedicated to those who suffer.  Loss and grief is something we all inevitably will have to endure.

On reflection, I believe there were many events that led me to this calling.  Some do appear in the pictures unintentionally.  So it's therapeutic.  I cry after many of them as a surge of emotions are released.

A combination of life experiences and working in mental health allowed me to understand human suffering.  Healing is something we all need at some  point.  It can be delivered in many ways.  I have dreams where angels appear and guide me;  also messages from spirit as I paint or connect with other energies.

The art is my way of contributing to help lift hearts and to shine light into others' lives.  People often share stories with me of their own situations which can lead me to subconsciously paint an event that transpired in their past, present and possibly future.  This brings them meaning and gratefulness.

 6.  How has your art affected you?  What do you wish to achieve with your art?

We can have low self esteem for many reasons at different times in our lives.  My esteem has grown as a result of creating my art.

I would love for anyone reading this article to ask yourself to believe that trusting in a higher power can lead to the manifestation of your dreams.  My life has changed as I'm doing what I love and receiving so much support and encouragement.  It gives me the will to continue and develop as an artist.  For this I'm truly grateful.

I'm also paying tribute with my art to my lost angels.  I'm reminding others that some things are unseen and a mystery but can be felt through imagery.  That departed loved ones may be ethereal angel beings living in majestic realms at peace.  Watching over those they hold dear.

It gives me the greatest pleasure to know that my beloved family, friends and art lovers will have something of my soul within these creations.

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Where you can find Audrey:

https://twitter.com/AngelHealingArt

My colored pencil piece entitled Tree Of Healing

I created this piece years ago when I was in the process of healing from my trauma. While I was creating it, I felt like the tree above the soil; empty, alone and devoid of life. I had faith that things would get better, but I didn't know how long it would take. I reminded myself to be patient. Eventually, I began to feel like the roots of the tree. I was filled with God's love and found my purpose for living. Thus, this simple piece was born.

Tree Of Healing

I have this drawing for sale on Fine Art America and Red Bubble.  Here is the description I created for this piece as seen on both sites:

To the parched soul, God's light brings healing and oneness.  The only way to wholeness and completion is being joined with God in His heavenly light and breath.  God shines His light upon us and it is up to our own individual discretion as to whether we receive Him or not.  Reception of Him grows in us strong roots of love.

If you are unfamiliar with my story, I have it written in my book Breaking The Silence.  It is a fictional account (because names and places have been changed) of my life.  It is true and it is what I experienced.  My art reflects the stages I've been through in my journey of healing.  I hope you enjoy this simple yet heartfelt piece.

Best wishes and blessings,

Diamante

The February Lowdown!

February Lowdown 2016

Hey everyone!  It's hard to believe, but February has come to an end already!  Two months into 2016!  The time is going fast! I'd like to shout out a big thank you to the talented artists and authors who participated in my blog during the month of February! It was great having you all as guests! May the coming months and year find you happy, healthy and prosperous!  Keep in touch! Cheers!