Sheila Finch
Half Moon Bay, CA United States
The paintings of contemporary California artist Sheila Finch have been exhibited in museums and galleries throughout the United States and Europe. She has received recognition from the National Arts Appreciation Program, as well as a prestigious show... More
Artist Statement:
The paintings of contemporary California artist Sheila Finch have been exhibited in museums and galleries throughout the United States and Europe. She has received recognition from the National Arts Appreciation Program, as well as a prestigious show of work at Picasso's atelier at L’Espace Bateau Lavior in Paris.
Finch’s success in the fine arts has been documented over the years by Gold River Scene Magazine, from 1997 cover feature entitled, “Art and The Passion for Collecting,” again in the winter of 1998 cover, “Sheila Finch, An Appreciation,” and most recently in the Fall 2002 cover feature entitled, “The Art of Sheila Finch Revisited.”
Finch’s painting entitled “Strands of Gold” is featured on the first edition book cover of The Land's Wild
Music: Encounters with Barry Lopez, Peter Matthiessen, Terry Tempest Williams, & James Galvin, by Mark Tredinnick.
“I am drawn to the strength and grace of the land and sea... to the rightness. My goal is to create a visual memory of a spiritual moment in time... an enduring and timeless connection to the natural world in which we exist.
Over the years, my images have evolved into somewhat abstracted land and sky scapes, blending an expressionist style with aspects of impressionism. I begin with a visual memory, sometimes using a photo or a plein-air painting sketch as reference. My intention is to allow the painting to evolve through the build up of layers of color. As the painting progresses, I add more motion, blending, value changes, and rhythm to the brushwork. I tend to lose my sense of self, and the painting ‘tells’ me what is required in order to capture the mood. I know a painting is complete when it takes on a luminous quality of light and color... a life of its own.”
Finch's paintings are collected worldwide, and have most recently been acquired for the permanent collection of the Carnegie Foundation at Stanford, Paul Weiss in New York, and the Lucille Packard Childrens Hospital at Stanford.
Finch’s success in the fine arts has been documented over the years by Gold River Scene Magazine, from 1997 cover feature entitled, “Art and The Passion for Collecting,” again in the winter of 1998 cover, “Sheila Finch, An Appreciation,” and most recently in the Fall 2002 cover feature entitled, “The Art of Sheila Finch Revisited.”
Finch’s painting entitled “Strands of Gold” is featured on the first edition book cover of The Land's Wild
Music: Encounters with Barry Lopez, Peter Matthiessen, Terry Tempest Williams, & James Galvin, by Mark Tredinnick.
“I am drawn to the strength and grace of the land and sea... to the rightness. My goal is to create a visual memory of a spiritual moment in time... an enduring and timeless connection to the natural world in which we exist.
Over the years, my images have evolved into somewhat abstracted land and sky scapes, blending an expressionist style with aspects of impressionism. I begin with a visual memory, sometimes using a photo or a plein-air painting sketch as reference. My intention is to allow the painting to evolve through the build up of layers of color. As the painting progresses, I add more motion, blending, value changes, and rhythm to the brushwork. I tend to lose my sense of self, and the painting ‘tells’ me what is required in order to capture the mood. I know a painting is complete when it takes on a luminous quality of light and color... a life of its own.”
Finch's paintings are collected worldwide, and have most recently been acquired for the permanent collection of the Carnegie Foundation at Stanford, Paul Weiss in New York, and the Lucille Packard Childrens Hospital at Stanford.
Education:
I am primarily self-taught. I began painting as a child, studying studio painting for a year with regional artist Gene Woods. Over the years, I continue to study the Masters paintings and techniques, for application in my own work.
Awards & Distinctions:
National Arts Appreciation Program, Oil Painting
Exhibitions:
L’Espace Bateau Lavior, Paris, France
Hanson Gallery Fine Art, Sausalito, CA
Woodside Gallery, Woodside, CA
Hespe Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Martin-Harris Gallery, Jackson Hole, WY
Voshan, Palo Alto, CA
Cottage Gallery, Carmel, CA
Hanson Gallery Fine Art, Sausalito, CA
Woodside Gallery, Woodside, CA
Hespe Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Martin-Harris Gallery, Jackson Hole, WY
Voshan, Palo Alto, CA
Cottage Gallery, Carmel, CA
Artistic Influences:
I have been profoundly influenced by William Turner's paintings, along with the work of color field artist, Mark Rothko, and the American illuminism movement.
Artist Tags:
impressionism, expressionism, seascapes, landscapes, skies, clouds
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