Sharon Wolpoff

It is my desire to find a way of being in this world that illuminates others. Because illumination is a concept that can reveal itself in many ways, I focus my investigation on responding to my surroundings when they are lit by natural light. Through this process I’ve discovered that light can function as both a compositional component and a metaphysical presence.

The interplay of light and shadow can ignite the most ordinary setting, revealing an inherent beauty. The creation of representational artwork provides an extraordinary opportunity to access that beauty, or life force. I believe that a well-conceived painting points to something beyond itself, communicating a vital, power-filled presence. It is my intention to create a place where that presence can be encountered, rather than a mere window through which it can be seen. This applies no matter what the subject may be.

I like to offer my paintings as thresholds through which the viewer is asked to take a leap of faith. The viewer is encouraged to slow down, and perhaps tap into an expanded awareness. A sacred space has been created between the artist and the subject, allowing something compelling about the subject’s essence to be revealed. The sacred space created between the artist and the subject is then allowed to resonate through the artwork, rewarding the viewer’s leap of faith with a place to land firmly, for heart, mind and soul.