Markwardt, Sharon - Originals: As the daughter of an artist, I have always created things.  I started winning shows and selling my art while still in High School., and have worked in many media.  A major shift in my work occurred in 2005 when I began riding horses late in life.  Alone after a bad fall, I managed to climb back on, and it gave me a new sense of courage and boldness.  I moved from watercolor to oils, my color perception altered, and my subject matter was suddenly western and equine with a distinctive, colorful style.  I have recently started cross-training  in watercolors and oil, and occasionally sculpture, which makes me stronger in all areas.  I love to learn something new with each creation. Art, like horsemanship, is an emotional and spiritual journey.

Cowboy boots are a common theme in my work.  Perhaps that is because I am a fourth generation Texan, but in addition to interesting form and often wild colors, they offer a symbolic message.  They are iconic of the American West and the pioneer spirit.  To me, they represent boldness and self-sufficiency, an independence from the need for the approval of others.  The stark, minimalist backgrounds I favor refer to the unknowns and dangers that constitute life, through which we must boldly stride.  My color usage causes the same image to appear differently, more realistically, when viewed from afar:  My color motto: “Push it!”

Good composition and strong design are crucial to painting, as is good draftsmanship.  I also believe good art will have an emotional impact or resonate with the viewer.  I look for the beauty in each of my subjects, and strive to leave my viewers in an upbeat mood, ready to face the challenges of their day.