Sharon Dunlap

Your work is deeply inspired by nature and architecture – can you describe how you translate these observations into abstract compositions?

Having grown up in Florida, I spent a lot of time at the beach and always found it to be very calm and beautiful. These times provided much of the inspiration for compositions based on the sea and the atmosphere. The changing conditions caused by the weather also added to the various themes used in many of my paintings.

Sharon Dunlap | Underwater Fury | 2024

Color plays a central role in your paintings. How do you approach color selection and blending directly on the canvas?

Blue is the central element of many of my paintings. I then select another cool color and at least one warm color to form the rest of the color scheme. Occasionally I break away from blue as the main color and use the color wheel to develop a different approach. Most of my color blending is done directly on the canvas rather than on a palette. This way I can observe the impact of the blending on the overall composition.

Many of your works evoke movement and atmosphere. What techniques do you use to create this sense of flow and energy?

I like to keep the acrylics open on the canvas as it is essential to successfully blend colors. Spritzing with water and using a damp towel helps to soften the edges and is instrumental to creating a sense of motion.

Sharon Dunlap | Downdraft | 2023

Can you walk us through your creative process from the initial idea to the finished painting?

I begin by selecting a color scheme. At this point I may or may not have a specific composition in mind, so I simply start applying paint to the canvas. I build up layers, saving areas that I like, and blending over others. Frequently, I step back from the easel, observing the work from a distance looking for balance and cohesiveness. This also helps me see the flow that is developing on the canvas. This process continues as the theme gradually emerges. When I get to the point where there are no longer any adjustments needed, I know that the painting is finished.

Sharon Dunlap | Awakening | 2024

Do you begin with a clear vision, or does the composition evolve organically as you work?

The majority of my paintings are a reaction to the paint as I apply it to the canvas. However, there are some that begin from a specific design or composition though even these will change as the painting process continues.

Sharon Dunlap | Above and Below | 2024

Your paintings often feel immersive, almost like landscapes or environments. Are you aiming to recreate specific places or emotional states?

I try to capture the feeling of an area rather than recreating a specific location. In many of my paintings, I imagine how it might feel to be in a specific situation or location and capture that emotion on the canvas.

Sharon Dunlap | A New Dawn | 2024

What advice would you give to emerging artists who are exploring abstract painting?

You must paint from the heart and paint what fulfills your artistic needs. While abstract painting may not be for everyone, you must always be true to yourself.