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Trying on Something New

Writer's picture: sharonkingstonsharonkingston

I rarely experiment with surfaces.  I’ve found a canvas I love and stretch most of my pieces myself using purchased stretcher bars (I’m not that much of a purist that I create those by hand too!).  This prep process is fine for larger pieces.  Over the past year I’ve experimented with gessobord as a surface for smaller works liking the 3/4″ profile in depth and expecting that I’d like the smoothness.  The fact that you can purchase it cradled affording me a back frame to hold onto when I paint and making the work ready to hang were also pluses.  However, I find myself struggling with the board–something to do with absorption and drying–and only 1/4 of these paintings actually make it to completion.  Not a good ratio considering the fact that they’re $15 a pop.  So, onto another surface experiment I go for my smaller works.

The above painting (not complete but shown here for example only) was created on a 14 x 18″ clear gesso linen panel.  The raw linen peaks through in places and because it’s fabric and not board, the absorption I need with my process is happening again.  I like the idea of presenting the work as a framed piece with a matte sans glass or acrylic.  And, since I’ve loved maple frames forever, finding a way to finish my work with a maple frame is important to me.  Although the finished pieces measures in at 21 3/4 x 17 3/4–maybe not small for some folks–I think this might be my new format for smaller works–for the time being.


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    studio/gallery

    open  Thurs - Sat 4 - 7 pm
    and by appointment

    please call / text

    360-739-2474 or

    email sharonkingston@me.com

    ALL SALES FINAL.

    NO REFUNDS or EXCHANGES ON ORIGINAL PAINTINGS  and FRAMES.

      SHARON KINGSTON STUDIO

      203 PROSPECT ST

      Bellingham WA  98225

      my studio gallery is now  OPEN
      Thurs - Sat 4 to 7 pm
      First Fridays 4 - 9 pm
      and by appointment

      please send me a text with the
      day and time you'd like to come by.
      360-739-2474

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      Sharon Kingston is a Bellingham WA (Washington) based artist.  As an oil painter she uses the properties of her medium to create paintings that respond to both the atmosphere of her surroundings and poetry. This method of looking inward and outward and, in the moments of painting, finding her way on the canvas is her approach to creating paintings infused with poetry and the memory of landscape. The atmospheric element of her work is a testament to her desire to create spaces that are undefined, contemplative and allow room to reflect and accept uncertainty. Poetry, by nature open ended, is used both in the conceptualization of the work and as a part of the studio practice. The words of Rainer Rilke have informed Sharon’s work for many years, but she also turns to contemporary poetry when it resonates with her life. She uses layers of transparent color, reveals forms by concealing and unearthing pentimenti and suggests elements of landscape in her process.

      People describe her paintings as ethereal, atmospheric, contemplative, PNW inspired, and filled with light and mood.  She has a storefront art studio in downtown Bellingham and welcomes you view her paintings in person.

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