Greensboro-based artist Phyllis Sharpe translates her lifelong love of nature into captivating oil paintings. Although she paints primarily in the impressionistic style, on occasion she enjoys abstracting a scene or subject, as well. Growing up on a Guilford County farm, she was surrounded by open fields, vibrant gardens, and endless skies. These memories infuse her work, alongside the tranquility she finds near water.
The loss of her beloved husband Frank in 2001 became a catalyst for Phyllis’s decision to study art. It was only then that she first picked up a paintbrush. Through her brushstrokes, she captures the essence of the natural world, aiming to evoke a sense of peace and beauty in the viewer’s imagination.
Sharpe's award-winning artwork has been exhibited in group and solo shows in a growing list of NC galleries and art spaces. She feels fortunate and even humbled to realize just how many collectors own her work.
Statement
Stepping into my studio feels like I’m entering a sanctuary, where sunlight streams through the windows illuminating my space. Here, amidst the brushes and canvases and oil paints, I find a deep sense of peace. Painting is a form of spiritual practice for me, a way to reconnect with the beauty and serenity of the natural world. Through my brushstrokes, I work to evoke a sense of tranquility and connection to nature in the viewer.
My landscapes and waterscapes capture the essence of the Earth - the vibrant turquoise of crashing waves, the sun-drenched gold of wheat fields, the calming grey-green of moss-covered rocks. These elements hold the potential to reawaken happy memories, inspire current insights, and spark dreams of future times. Perhaps my paintings will spark in others a forgotten memory of a childhood spent exploring nature or igniting a yearning for a future adventure. I feel most successful when I hear that they’ve done so.