About
Intuitive. Organic. Expressive. Abstract Paintings | Chicago Artist Shar Coulson | Chicago Artist
STATEMENT
In my artistic process, I view each painting as a poetic expression inspired by the space between wind and water, flora and fauna. As I navigate this free-flowing journey, I seek to merge the abstract with the familiar, creating a sense of mystery within the definitive.
My paintings' nearly recognizable organic forms hint at animals, figures, and plant-like references. The shapes serve as a bridge between the abstract and the familiar, inviting viewers to interpret and connect on a personal level, thereby becoming an integral part of the artistic experience.
In my current work, I focus on finding the flow state between fragility and fortitude. Each painting starts with web-like drips and intricate patterns that gracefully lay the groundwork for what lies ahead. The fragility of the drips and patterns offsets the grit of the dominant strokes. This juxtaposition of elements creates a harmonious balance between vulnerability and strength. The results reflect my deep connection to nature while revealing the fluidity and tenacity it takes to flourish. It's a harmonious dance of art imitating life and life reflecting art.
BIO
Shar Coulson’s paintings explore the idea of perception versus reality. Each exploration reflects her heightened ability to see recognizable organic forms hinting at animals, figures, and plant-like references in otherwise abstract patterns. The lush paint application plays with solid contrast and a spectrum of tonal shifts, resulting in a harmonious balance of expressive energy and lush tranquility. She was formally trained in classical figurative realism, yet finds her passion runs most profound in the world of abstraction. A successful designer and executive creative director career also deeply informed her sensibility. Shar exhibits both nationally and internationally. She lives and works in the Near West Side Market District of Chicago, Illinois, USA.
CV
Born in 1955.
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2024 Solo Exhibition; Nüart Gallery, Santa Monica, CA
2024 Modern Traditions — 2 person show; Peterson Contemporary Art, Bend, OR
2023 T R A C E S — Solo Exhibition; Nüart Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
2023 Fragments of Nature — 3 person show; Gallery 1871, Chicago, IL.
2022 Rhythmic Reflections — Solo Exhibition; Foster/White Gallery, Seattle, WA
2022 Fall Exhibition — 2 person show; Peterson Contemporary Art, Bend, OR
2022 Foraging; Beach Museum of Art, Manhattan, KS
2022 Door County Plein Air Competition, Door County, WI
2022 Expressive Exuberance; Evanston Art Center, Evanston, IL
2022 Unearthing Layers — 2 person show; Nüart Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
2021 Elements: Fire; Foster/White, Seattle, WA
2020 Door County Plein Air Competition, Door County, WI
2020 Reflection; Water Street Gallery, Douglas, MI
2020 The Hardy Gallery 58th Annual Juried Exhibit, Ephraim, WI
2020 Between the Known and Unknown — 2 person show; Nüart Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
2019 Abstractions Group Exhibition 2019; Nüart Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
2019 Paint Grand Traverse Plein Air Competition, Traverse City, MI
2019 Door County Plein Air Competition, Door County, WI
2018 Featured work by Shar Coulson; James May Gallery, Algoma, WI
2018 Perception Vs. Reality; A | Proof Gallery, Washington, DC
2018 Patterns of Nature; Bridgeport Art Center, Chicago, IL
2018 Surfaces; The Hardy Gallery, Ephraim, WI
2018 Door County Plein Air Competition, Door County, WI
2018 Abstractions 2018; Nüart Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
2018 Fragmented; ArtSpace 8, Chicago, IL
2018 6th Annual Competition; Bridgeport Art Center, Chicago, IL
2018 Radical Invention; Chicago Art Source, Chicago, IL
2017 Solo Exhibition: Organic Expressionism; Cultivate, Evanston, IL
2017 Vitality; Water Street Gallery, Douglas, MI
2017 Continuity; Water Street Gallery, Douglas, MI
2017 The Essence of Organic Abstraction; A | Proof Gallery, Washington, DC
2017 New Horizons; Chicago Art Source, Chicago, IL
2016 FaunaFloraFigure — Solo Exhibition; The Union League Club, Chicago, IL
2016 Summer Soltices; Artspace 8, Chicago, IL
2016 Cedarburg Plein Air Competition, Cedarburg, WI
2016 Chess; Water Street Gallery, Douglas, MI
2016 Agape; Artspace 8, Chicago, IL
2015 Artspace 8 Gallery Group Show, Chicago, IL
2012 Centered States; South Haven Center for the Arts, South Haven, MI
2012 Cedarburg Plein Air Competition, Cedarburg, WI
2011 Reassembled Group Show; South Shore Arts, Munster, IN
2011 Compilation Group Exhibition; The Art Center, Highland Park, IL
2010 Sevres. Beyond Blue; Brickton Arts Center Group Show, Chicago, IL
2010 Improbability; Chicago, IL
2009 Kunst10daagse: Art Unites; Bergen, The Netherlands
2004 Two Schools of Thought; Felter School, Chicago, IL
2002 Group Figurative Show; Aron Packer Gallery, Chicago, IL
2001 Tradition and Innovation; The Three Arts Club, Chicago, IL
SELECTED AWARDS
2020 Brush and Palette Award ViewPoint 52, Cincinnati, OH
2020 Award of Excellence Door County Plein Air Event, Door County, WI
2020 2nd Place Abstract/Experimental Art Award International Art Magazine
2020 2nd Place Award The Hardy Gallery 58th Annual Juried Exhibit, Ephraim, WI
2019 Award of Recognition Paint Grand Traverse, Traverse City, MI
2019 Quick Draw Honorable Mention Paint Grand Traverse, Traverse City, MI
2018 Peoples Choice Award The Hardy Gallery, Ephraim, WI
2018 Judges Choice Award Door County Plein Air Event, Door County, WI
2018 "Best of Show" 6th Annual Art Competition
Bridgeport Art Center, Chicago, IL
2017 1st Place Quick Paint and 2nd Place Main Event
Paint the Town - Plein Air Competition, Northbrook, IL
EDUCATION
School of Representational Art, Chicago, IL
ADDITIONAL STUDIES: American Academy of Art, Chicago, IL & Koh-Varilla Guild, Chicago, IL
INDEPENDENT STUDY: Judy Pfaff, George Sotos & Patrick Betaudier