You Are My Sunshine Painting

Sherry Harradence is a unique name in the world of art, whose journey started from Pembroke, Ontario. She spent her childhood years bouncing around different provinces within Canada—Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta, and British Columbia. Being exposed to diverse cultures and landscapes, her artistic senses awakened early, at merely five years old, when a simple kindergartener's smock incited dreams of becoming an artist. Artistry was embedded in her lineage. Her great aunt and grandmother, who Harradence fondly thinks of as the Martha Stewarts of their times, nurtured their creative flair by creating beautiful quilts, handcrafted cards, and notes. Thus, Sherry's artistic instincts had familial roots and were fostered from an early age. Harradence had a rigorous education in the arts, involving extensive courses at Yavapai College, where she delved into ceramics, drawing, watercolor, and oils, and mixed media for credits in art and historical theory. Owning a mono print press elevated her artistic vision, enabling her to create unique and unreproducible expressions, infusing colors to create happy spaces through her art. In her formative years, Harradence worked with a graphic arts company, enabling her to help architects and other creatives express their designs and create reproductions. Even during her non-creative work periods, her heart remained true to art, fueling a steady return to her artist's palette. The essence of Harradence’s work is a manifestation of her desire to uplift others and spread happiness. She finds profound inspiration in flowers, embracing their vibrancy and the resilient struggle they symbolize. Her creative process involves blending various media and working with recycled pieces to bring her mixed media paintings to life. Sherry's distinct technique, a fusion of various mediums, took years to develop, but her dedication led to a unique style, identifiable by its singular brush strokes or markings. Her art has a joyful appeal, often described as 'happy paintings,' making it distinctively unique. One of the most rewarding projects for Harradence was a piano painting, which took her an entire year to complete, and is a testament to her meticulous approach to layering and texture in her art. Influenced by masters like van Gogh, Matisse, Sargent, David Frost, and Emily Carr, she continues to explore modern art through online galleries and interactions with other artists.