Sharon Rynehart
Tell us a little bit about yourself?
I’m a self taught expressive artist, 40 something, married to my childhood sweetheart, and mum to 3 kids (well, 2 are now young adults!) I’m a strong advocate for art as therapy. I have a chronic health condition, am a carer to my darling son who has Autism, and one of my daughter’s who has Complex PTSD. Art is my release. I have an art studio at home on the outskirts of Canberra, surrounded by the Brindabella Ranges, and with the beautiful South Coast just a short drive away, both nurture my inspiration. I wander in and out of the studio most days, snatching time when I can to get lost in colour and canvas. A palette knife is my tool of choice and with it I create emotive sea/land/sky/scapes, and textured abstract botanicals. I also create with alcohol inks, which I find calming in their immersive colour and fluidity.
What is your favourite drink?
Coffee! Must have coffee. Skinny cap. No sugar. Every morning. Without fail. Funny enough, I only started drinking it when I turned 40! Now I have 2 a day, although if it’s the peak of Summer and a hot afternoon, I’ll replace it with a Diet Coke.
What inspired you to start painting?
It was actually my physio! I’ve always been creative, I studied Art at school years ago and touched on it in my tertiary studies. I used to ‘tinker paint’ occasionally but not often. I was working as an Interior Designer and Colour Consultant, when I lost use of my right side about 3 years ago, and in the recovery of using my arm again I was encouraged to pick up the paint brush. I used to post snippets of my art on my social media (what was then my interior design pages), people started enquiring and asking to buy, and then it just took off from there! I’ve now sold over 200 paintings in 2 years, have my own website, had work in a gallery, and have super lovely stockists! Mind blowing..but so thankful!
What advice would you give other artists/creatives starting out?
1. Don’t overthink it! I get asked a lot for tips and this is always my number 1. I think there’s too much pressure on artists to conform to a style, or follow ‘rules’, or have ‘perfect’ art. There’s no such thing. The process in itself is where I find the most release, and it all comes from my emotions, memories and experiences...straight from the heart. “Heartwork”. You can’t learn that. If you’re true to yourself then the finished painting will reflect that, and that’s what people will connect with.
2. Just keep creating! For all the ‘successful’ paintings there’s all those that have been ‘unsuccessful’. That’s how you learn and grow as an artist. Don’t give up.
3. Faith over Fear. Love these 3 words. A fear of getting started, fear it won’t be good enough, fear that it won’t sell, fear that you won’t measure up...so many fears. Replace it with faith. Don’t let fear hold you back. Just start. Go for it!
4. EMBRACE other artists, don’t compare your art with others. I know it’s hard to do on social media but ride your own art journey. No one else’s. I’ve met so many amazing, supportive fellow artists that are encouraging and I am so grateful to them.
5. Use good quality paints. I use mostly Derivan Matisse, Golden, and Atelier Interactive. I work "wet in wet” most of the time and you can’t do this if you use cheaper, less quality paint.
You can read more about Sharon Rynehart’s profile here.