Nature’s cadence and complex beauty: Artist Sheila Marie uses oil paints to dance within nature’s beauty, expressing parts of the beautiful Colorado Rocky Mountains. PHOTOS COURTESY OF SHEILA MARIE[/caption]

“The earth has music for those who listen,” said Shakespeare, George Santayana, or Reginald Holmes. Whoever said it is still up for debate. Nonetheless, there has been no greater truth for many artists.

Sheila Marie owned a stained glass studio for many years, where she taught, designed, and created art commissions for custom home builders. “Later, I became involved with a start-up baby product company where I worked for 25 years, shares Marie.”

As Director of Operations, Marie “built relationships with manufacturers, developed processes for operations, designed fabrics, developed, designed and patented baby products.” All of these experiences seemed to have fueled Marie’s artistic skills, but the most powerful inspiration came from nature.

Marie confesses, “I love being outdoors! I see paintings everywhere. Most of my time behind the easel occurs on the spot. To truly see correct colors, one must paint from life. Working on a painting from life, you draw in the sounds, smells, the air.”

She continues, “This will undoubtedly transfer to your work and is an unforgettable experience. After many years of working from life, you can work from photos and intuitively know all the necessary alterations to make.”

Marie states the closest description of her work would be impressionistic realism. She has worked with “luscious, juicy oil paints” for nearly a decade, sharing, “I’m drawn to the rhythm and the complex beauty that nature bestows upon us.”

“I love carving out the design, uniting the brilliant and nuanced colors. Drawing and painting from life is critical in my observation and growth as an artist. Each brush stroke brings the work to a place that the viewer can feel, reflects reality, and is clearly a painting.”

Regardless of who said it, nature does provide the music necessary for all sorts of inspiration, from making decisions to creating art. All one needs to do is listen.

Sheila Marie’s art is displayed at The Old Gallery in Allenspark. You can find her art at https://www.sheilamariestudio.com/ or you can give her a call at 303-519-8853.

Sign up as an artist or sponsor for The Mountain-Ear’s Studio Tour September 22-24, 2023, at www.themtnear.com/peak-to-peak-studio-tour-2023/.