Monarch Butterfly. Watercolor on paper.

September’s featured guest artist at Gallery Eleven is Sharon Harms, one of West Virginia’s most creative art producers. Originally from Chicago, Sharon attended the Art Institute of Chicago from the age of eight through high school, followed by the American Academy of Art. She came to West Virginia in 1976 for a job as an illustrator, and became well known for her work with stained glass, especially for the beautiful doors and windows she created for the Fine Arts Gallery at Tamarack in Beckley. In 1987, Sharon and her filmmaker husband, Bill Hogan, started Image Associates LLC in Charleston. Since 2007, Sharon has focused on watercolor paintings and won awards in regional competitions, including two purchase awards by the State of West Virginia for its permanent collection.

Pink Rhododendron. Watercolor on paper.

“Painting is a way for me to interface with the world around me and to record my thoughts and feelings", says Sharon. "It helps me make sense of life and creates a pictorial diary of my journey.

Pond Life Mandala. Watercolor on paper.

Sometimes my inspiration is a cherished memory, sometimes a spontaneous response to a moment. With each painting, I try to create a unique image that preserves the fleeting and ever-changing world around us. “

Octopus Mandala. Watercolor on paper.