Shari Gaines Artwork

Though always creative, Shari didn't begin painting until later in life, after serving 8 years active duty in the Air Force, and after raising her family. Once her children moved out on their own, she decided it was time to take her art seriously. By investing in a few years of private instruction and by taking a drawing course, she was able to progress quickly. Those years of instruction were rigorous, learning about art history, drawing, and painting techniques.  One of the most important lessons was learning to paint from direct observation, a method that Shari employs to this day.  Influenced by the great Impressionists she works quickly to capture the essence and feeling of being in the moment. Her passion  comes through in her work. "I've been told that my paintings have an authentic feel to them; a real sense of place." She is particularly enamored with painting outdoors, en plein air, studying the effects of light as it changes across the landscape.  For times when she is not able to paint from life, she relies on her own photos, focusing on compositional elements, interesting shadow patterns, dramatic lighting, moody skies or people, fully engrossed in something. Lately Shari has been exploring the effects of sunlight on water and the shoreline along the area beaches. "I like the way the light bounces above and below the water or the way the water changes colors as the sun rises or sets. I spend as much time as I can painting on location where all of my senses become fully engaged. Even the smells and sounds play a role in the creation of a work done on location."  Shari also enjoys painting portraits or figures from live models. "There is something quite magical about a one-on-one 2 hour session with the model." 

Recent Exhibits/Awards:

"Venus's Secret Garden" was awarded Best in Show in the Mid-Summer Nights Eve" show 2024 put on by First Class Framing 
"Ode to Monet" was awarded Second Place in the Moccasin Lake Plein Air competition 2024
"Tucked in For the Night" was awarded Second Place in the Stirling Studios and Gallery, "What's Your Style Show" 2023
"Ballad in Blue was awarded a Merit Award in the Dunedin Fine Art Center Student/Member/Faculty #SMF 2023 show 
"In Need of a Little TLC" was awarded Honorable Mention in the 2023 Tarpon Springs Paint N Photo plein air event
"Morning Light" was awarded Honorable Mention in the 2021 Tarpon Springs Paint N Photo plein air Quick Draw event 
"Early Evening Light" was awarded Honorable Mention in the 2021 Tarpon Springs Paint N Photo plein air event
"Walk Along the Marina" was accepted in the 2021 NOAPS Associate Member Exhibit
"Venus's Secret Garden" was part of the February 2020 Fav15 (Favorite 15% by FASO and Fine Art Views Staff Members) Bold Brush Competition.
"Neptune's Dining Room" was awarded Second Place in the 2020 Florida Impressions show at Stirling Gallery
"The Emergent One" was awarded Honorable Mention in the 2019 Quick Draw/Tarpon Springs Paint N Photo competition
"Neptune's Hopscotch" was awarded Best of Show at the 2019 Dunedin Fine Art Center Student/Member/Faculty show
"Poetic Sea" was part of the February 2019 Fav15 (Favorite 15% by FASO and Fine Art Views Staff Members) Bold Brush Competition.
"Near and Far" and "Neptune's Hopscotch" were part of the October 2018 Fav15 (Favorite 15% by FASO and Fine Art Views Staff Members) Bold Brush Competition.
"Rita's Dream" was awarded 1st Place in the second annual Beatles Era Art Festival 2018 at the Stirling Gallery.
"Sorting Sponges" was awarded Honorable Mention in the Stirling Gallery, "Florida Impressions 2018" show.
"Coffeepot Bayou Bridge" was awarded 1st Place in the Painting category of the "New Beginnings 2017" Creative Artist Guild exhibit, January 2017
"Seated Male" was awarded Third Place in the May 2016 Society of All Artists (S.A.A) Life Drawing challenge. 
"Buds and Blooms" received a Special Recognition award in the April 2016 Botanicals division of Light, Space and Time.
"Path to the Tasting Room" received a certificate of artistic excellence "Highly Commended" award from the Society of All Artists (S.A.A.) in the April 2016 Light and Shadow challenge.
"Emergence" was part of the Fav15 (Favorite 15% by FASO and Fine Art Views Staff Members) in the February 2016 Bold Brush
"Portrait Study" received a 1st Place at the "Florida Impressions- 2016" Creative Artist Guild art show
-"Last Call" was part of the FAV15 ((Favorite 15%" by FASO and FineArtViews Staff Members) in the Bold Brush Art Competition
-"Roxburgh Fig" received a 2nd Place in the professional division of the Florida Botanical Gardens "Diggin' The Arts 2015" Quick       Draw challenge.
-"Guarding Automedon" received a 2nd Place in Oils and People's Choice Award at the Tarpon Springs Art Association Winter           Show 2014
-"Sunset and Sea Oats received a Special Recognition in the Seascapes category of Light Space & Time, 2014
-"Nala" received a Special Recognition Award in the Animals category of Light Space & Time, 2014
-"Floating Serenely" received a Special Recognition Award in the Botanicals category of Light      Space & Time, 2014
-" No More Yard Work" received a Special Merit Award in the Landscape category of Light      Space & Time, 2014
-"Little Boy Blue" Honorable Mention-Plein Air Quick Draw Challenge, Tarpon Springs Paint and    Photo 2013

Memberships:
Oil Painters of America
Portrait Society of America
Professional Association of Visual Artists (PAVA)
Dunedin Fine Art Center
Florida Plein Air
Tarpon Springs Art Association
Creative Artist Guild (CAG)
National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society (NOAPS)

Many of her paintings hang in private collections in California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Canada