Sticks and Stones
An Exhibit of Newer Works by Sharron Vincent Porter at Gallery 527 in Jerome
“In this earthly place of ponderous and powerful Matter,
what lies beyond?
Are little shortcuts to the Divine contained in the spaces in-between,
or in the heavens above?
Are there portals in the landscape through which we are beckoned
to discover our true Selves?”
Jerome AZ (April 24, 2017) – Sharron Porter’s acrylic textured landscapes, which she likes to call “LANDSTRACTS”, are inspired by her move to the Southwest. Slightly abstracted with rock-like textured surfaces, the resulting paintings appear to focus on the sheer visual and tactile qualities of experience. Somehow, however, they also exude an undeniably anthropomorphic feeling: close-ups of rocks, trees, water, twigs, caves, interestingly arranged, in an emotive relationship with each other and the light in which they bathe. The rich textures, heightened colors and often the inclusion of rocks and branches, make the experience of viewing them visceral. Porter sees this intense physicality as a potential distraction from the spiritual dimension, so often seeks to portray what she describes as “routes of escape” in her compositions, little “shelterings” from this intensely physical plane. In the end, what is achieved is a vision of nature that is phenomenal, personal, and yet spiritual.
Over the years, Porter has hiked the trails around the Verde Valley and has slowly developed her research photography for paintings into a very personal statement. She found that up close, there were natural “gardens” of rocks and trees and natural debris that invited her in. She loved the feeling of being in the presence of rocky caves and arroyos, with all the natural forms and textures surrounding her. First experimenting with taking close-up shots of the landscape, she soon began abstracting her photo compositions at home on the computer, cropping them, exaggerating the colors, textures and lighting. Transferring these images to canvas, she knew she wanted the end product to be as physically exciting as the original experience. After experimenting on several paintings using different gel mediums for surface texture and dimension, she settled on pumice gel for the rocky textures she so loved. Also, having been a sculptor for much of the earlier part of her career, she began to crave even more dimension and realistic texture in her compositions. She began building up the substrate of the canvases and adding rocks and twigs and branches to the surface… Thus, her very original 3-D Relief Landstracts were born.
A former art instructor, Porter has been a member of galleries and art centers in Chicago, Pennsylvania, Florida and Sedona, and shown her work in solo and group exhibitions throughout her long career. She holds a BA in Art Education from the University of Illinois, an MA in Sculpture from Northern Illinois University, and has taken years of supplementary art and education classes and workshops in various disciplines. She is a member of Gallery 527 in Jerome, Arizona, and has recently been included in an anthology written and edited by art critic, Louise Sheldon MacDonald, entitled Sedona’s Best Artists.
Landscapes are very much alive;
Winds blow, Water flows, reflects.
Earth heaves, erodes, and brings forth fruit,
Fire crawls, sweeps, and burns.
And yet,
When one comes upon a quiet place,
All seems so still…
A garden of sensual delight, speaking to the soul.
Gallery 527 in Jerome will open Sharron’s new show on May 6th from 5 to 8pm during the monthly Jerome Art Walk event. The show will continue through June 2017.