Acrylic Painting

Sharon Rynehart

Sharon Rynehart is an impressionist palette knife artist recognised for her flowing, expressive captures of the sea, land and sky.

Artist Profile

Sharon Rynehart is an impressionist palette knife artist recognised for her flowing, expressive captures of the sea, land and sky. An Interior Designer and Colour Consultant by trade, she gave up her career in the industry after health issues in 2018. As a form of Physiotherapy to help regain movement on one side, she was encouraged to paint, and hasn’t put the palette knife down since.

Sharon adores the word ‘heartwork’ (apart from the slight reference to her surname) it describes her process perfectly. She uses her background in colour theory to create beautiful colour harmonies, painting emotive artworks from the heart that allow you to reflect on your own story; to finish the train of thought, to remember a time or place, and to explore and feel the emotions they instil. Artworks that are relatable, that invite you to reflect, force an exhale, evoke a sense of calm…and bring you hope.

Living on the outskirts of Canberra with views to the Brindabella ranges, and a protected nature reserve close by, Sharon is constantly inspired by trees and mountain ranges, beautiful sunsets, and cloud formations. However, the coast is her absolute passion. With the NSW South Coast not far down the road, influences emerge from the refracted light through moody clouds and ocean waters, from lush headlands and breezy shorelines, and from the scenic roads, hills and valleys she travels through to and from.

Artist Interview

What medium do you work with, and why have you chosen them?

I work wet in wet technique with acrylic impastos and flow paints. The combination of the two fuse beautifully on the canvas when applied with my palette knives – I love the unexpected harmonies and textures the sweep of the knives creates.

How does your artwork get from initial concept to exhibition stage?

I don't overthink concepts. I don't always have a vision when I begin a painting. And I don't work from photos. It's more about how I'm feeling which determines what colours I paint with at the time. My memory bank is overflowing of past holiday moments: growing up on the water on my dad's boat; coastal camping holidays; endless days at the beach as a kid; and now holidays with my own kids. When I paint, it's usually the artwork itself that then evokes one particular memory over another. So often I look at the finished artwork and say 'oh, that's that particular beach…' and a flood of emotions and more memories come rushing back. My artworks just come to life in their own way at their own pace.

Can you tell us a little more about your creative working environment/studio?

I work from a light filled little studio at home. Being a mum to 3 it's always busy, even though they're older now, so artist life revolves around school drop offs and pick ups, appointments, my ongoing weekly physio, etc. I snatch studio time when I can. When I haven't painted in a couple of days I start to get irritable and just go out to my studio and close the door, put some music or a podcast on, and the family know not to interrupt me!