Sharon Wherland’s “Movement to Harmony: A Symphony of Color in the Landscape” at SAL Gallery

Join us in celebrating the remarkable solo show of paintings by League artist Sharon Wherland, on display through June at the Seattle Artist League Gallery (SALGAL). Closing reception June 15th as part of the Georgetown Art Walk. Spend a few minutes looking at these paintings, and you’ll begin to hear music.

Sharon Wherland’s show, “Movement to Harmony: A Symphony of Color in the Landscape,” is an evocative journey through land and seascapes that transcend traditional space and gravity. As Sharon describes, her work aims to pull viewers into a dynamic visual experience where the solidity of land and the lightness of sky blend into a symphony of forms and colors. Her paintings do not resolve easily into land and sky but unfold like a piece of music, with the rhythm of repeated marks and the interplay of dissonance and harmony.

The use of oil on linen, with early layers of paint that seep into the fabric like watercolor, and deliciously creamy brushstrokes floating on the surface, creates a depth that is both visually striking and sensuous. Bright palettes of split complementary colors—blue and green, yellow and orange, with white to counter the inky blue-black —add to the sense of depth and movement, while brushstrokes of varying thickness and detail enhance the feeling of floating through a vibrant, ever-changing landscape.

Two pieces in particular, Ephemeral Deluge, and And Then We Broke the Sea, on raw linen showcase Sharon’s mastery in creating ambivalent space and lively fluidity. The paint seeps into the weave of the fibers, and the pigments bloom and flow, creating a dynamic interplay of gravity and movement within the larger turning shape of a figure 8. This painting evokes the sensation of a storm where land and sea exchange places, and the horizon floats, upended yet structured in its inherent sense of rhythm.

This quiet piece titled Gossamer Growth, evokes the vertical ascent of some asian brush landscapes, with hills, meadows, and leaves flitting into clouds. So much life expressed in simple marks!

An introverted meditation titled The Reflecting Pool, is shadowed and moody but enlivened with bright sparkling reflections from a forest brook.

Here’s another small and quiet one, the sister of Gossamer Growth above. It appears to be moving with a hillside breeze, a mix of flora and fresh sprints.

There’s a constant in all of Wherland’s landscapes: you can almost hear her brushstrokes. Listen for these chirping staccato calls – the high keys in color and in music:

Sharon’s work has evolved through her daring exploration of each blank canvas, her patient and thoughtful layering, and her deep understanding of the shared space between the experiences of art and music. Her influences range from the natural world to the rhythms of music, which is evident in the organic, nearly geometric shapes that dance across her canvases. Her talent as a violinist also informs her artistic practice, as each piece reflects a symphony of intuitive structure for a fluid visual and emotional depth.

The responses to Sharon’s show have been overwhelmingly positive. Painting students have visited the exhibition numerous times. Viewers are drawn in first by the colors, then the rhythms, then spend extended time captivated by the playful brushstrokes that dive and twirl like a family of otters, and never come to rest. At times dissonant and resonating with depths of emotion, the joyful dynamic movement in her work is inescapable.

Sharon Wherland’s “Movement to Harmony” is a testament to her growth and development as an expressive artist. Her paintings parallel her talent as a violinist, with each work showcasing her skill and dedication. This show is not just an exhibition but a celebration of Sharon’s practice and her ability to create a symphony of color that resonates with her audience.

Come experience the mesmerizing landscapes of Sharon Wherland at SALGAL. Our door is open 7 days a week, or contact us for an appointment. 

Closing reception Saturday June 15th, 3:00-5:00pm at SALGAL, the Seattle Artist League Gallery. Join us!