Sharon McDonell is an oil painter whose work explores memory, place and transformation, through the natural landscape. Drawing on a life-long relationship with the forests & rural landscapes of Eastern Ontario, she works from her own extensive photographic archive, translating trees, rocks, weather & vegetation into increasingly atmospheric and interpretive paintings. Her practice has evolved from representational realism toward a more immersive language of colour, structure and texture.
Sharon's roots run deep in Glengarry County, where she grew up on her family’s ancestral farm. After beginning her studies in painting and sculpture at Queen’s University, she pivoted and earned her BA in Film Studies, which led to a long career as a Costumer in the Canadian film industry, where she has worked for over 30 years on everything from small independent films to big budget blockbusters.
The 'contract' nature of film work has provided the opportunity to keep her painting practice alive between projects.
Inspiration
Sharon's work pays tribute to elements of nature all around us... Exposing beauty in that which is often unnoticed: majestic or broken trees, moss-covered rocks, rolling fields and changing weather conditions.
One of the perks of working in Vancouver occasionally.
Sitting on the 'Giant's Boot ', at 'Giant's Causeway' - Northern Ireland's Unesco Heritage Site... just a 'stones throw' away from Dunluce Castle.
'Road to Dunluce' in progress - a painting inspired by my trip to the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland.
Adventures in plein-air painting...
Right out of university, I painted my very first 'plein air' painting. I selected a 4'x5' canvas. Rookie mistake.
Every day, I would carry the gigantic canvas from the house to the line fence at the far end of the barnyard, where I set up to paint. I would lift it over my head, climb over a barbed-wire fence, through a cow pasture riddled with thistles, nettles & the occasional cow pie to where I was set up, and then return to the house to get the rest of my supples. Once I was all set up, I'd paint for a few hours - 'till I couldn't stand the bugs anymore. Then I'd do it all in reverse.
One evening, I decided to wedge my oil paints case under one to the boulders for safe-keeping overnight - saving me a trip to the house. Next day I returned with the giant canvas overhead to find squished tubes of oil paint scattered along my path. The heifers had discovered my stash of paints and 'went to town'. After discovering the carnage, I carried my canvas back home one last time and didn't touch it again for several years.
Even still, this is one of my favourite paintings - especially for sentimental reasons.
The painting sold at the 'Opus 4' group show held at 'The Abbey for the Arts', in Glen Nevis, Ont. It even made the front page of the Glengarry News.
This was the finished painting from my disastrous first attempt at plain-air-painting.
Federation of Canadian Artists
In 2019, Sharon became an Exhibiting Member of the FCA - a milestone that gave her the push to establish a proper studio and devote more time to her practice.
https://artists.ca/
Click on the badge to learn more about 'Exhibiting Member Status'.
Affiliations / Memberships
Ottawa Arts Council Member
Federation of Canadian Artists
FCA Toronto Chapter
CARFAC Member
Your Arts Council Member (Cornwall)
Juried Exhibitions
2023 - 'Limitless' Juried Exhibition, FCA National & Online, Vancouver, BC
2023 - Cline House Gallery Annual Juried Exhibition,(Cornwall, ON)
2021 - FCA Toronto - First Juried Exhibition, Art of Emotions Gallery, Toronto
2010 - C.R.A.G. Annual Juried Exhibition, Cornwall Regional Art Gallery, Cornwall, ON
2008 - C.R.A.G. Annual Juried Exhibition, Cornwall Regional Art Gallery, Cornwall, ON
2004 - C.R.A.G. Annual Juried Exhibition, Cornwall Regional Art Gallery, Cornwall, ON
1993 - C.R.A.G. Annual Juried Exhibition, Cornwall Regional Art Gallery, Cornwall, ON
1991 - C.R.A.G. Annual Juried Exhibition, Cornwall Regional Art Gallery, Cornwall, ON
Newfoundland Painting Trip
Painting trip turned photo expedition.
I intended to paint plein-air every day of my Newfoundland trip, but the wind had no mercy. Out of necessity, the trip quickly turned into a photo expedition instead where I took thousands of photos.
Newfoundland is a magical place. I hiked into a forest near Rocky Harbour one day and was immediately overwhelmed by the lushness and serenity... every inch drenched in moss. It was the most peaceful, place I've ever been.
Trying my hand at 'plein air painting' on Newfoundland in 2014.
An odorous souvenir (moose antler) I found washed up on the rocks on the West coast.
Newfoundland is such a special place.