Sharon Green-Coons is a senior art major who loves focusing on intricate detail in her work to enhance a new perspective for her viewers. She often uses ink and pencil as her medium to achieve such fine elements.
Green-Coons currently has an exhibit in the Brindle Gallery called “It’s the Little Things” that features 11 pieces. The exhibit is open for viewing until May 8.
She is closely connected with nature and draws inspiration from taking photos while hiking and gardening. She uses multiple photos to only capture the realistic texture of plants or insects she wants to draw and uses her creativity for everything else. Green-Coons uses color very minimally in her work, but when she does, her goal is to add a layer of emphasis on a characteristic to the subject.
Green-Coons had a career as a forest health specialist that focused on educating the public regarding the impact of insects and diseases in the forests. Being surrounded by nature, the beauty and inspiration she found through her job was heavily influenced in her putting different insects, plants and flowers as her subject in her artwork.
When Green-Coons was little, she was inspired by her uncle, who was a professional artist, and her aunt, who went to college for art. She recalls that art has always been something that would “light a fire” within her.
She stepped away from art shortly after high school, and several years ago she got back into her artistic roots by taking classes at a local art council. She then wanted to proceed with a formal education to see how far she could take this passion. Green-Coons ended up at Shippensburg and fell in love with the classes.
“Rose of Sharon” is the most special piece in the exhibit to Green-Coons because it is one of her favorite flowers. “There is a lot of love that went into this one,” Green-Coons said.
She was most pleased with the way she executed the work of art because of the difficult texture she had to accomplish from the flower.
Green-Coons has won multiple awards — The William Davis Memorial Drawing Award and placed second at the Tuscarora Wildlife Art Show in 2022 and 2023.
After graduation, Green-Coons is planning to build upon her work that she had in the senior art exhibit titled, “Into the Woods.” The three-panel masterpiece is featured in the 46th Annual Juried Student Art exhibit and will be the centerpiece of her work for the next few years.
“Into the Woods” is available to view in the Kauffman Gallery until May 8.
Visit Green-Coons’ artist website at sharonelizabeth.art
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