(Today’s presentation is by guest artist Sharmon Davidson. See bio below.)
artist statement
My earliest memories are of being obsessed with carefully observing the world around me and marking what I saw on paper. From there, I developed a desire to use lines and colors to convey things that cannot be expressed in words. My work stems from a deep belief in the sacredness of the Earth and the underlying unity of everything in the universe. Formed from common elements born from a common source, all things are interconnected in the most complex ways, both visible and invisible. Each piece unfolds organically and intuitively through layering of transparent colors and other materials. Over time, I developed a vocabulary of symbols inspired by nature, through which I attempted to reveal this mystery as honestly and authentically as possible.
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In Tara’s garden, Antique book cover mixed media, 5 x 16 inches
In Tibetan Buddhism, Tara is the goddess of mercy and is thought to derive from pre-Buddhist animism. Her most popular form, Green Tara, is a forest goddess whose pure land is said to be lush. I imagine her garden as a very peaceful and beautiful place.
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templeantique book cover mixed media, 18 x 11 inches
To me, the earth is a sacred and sacred place, and places rich in nature are my sanctuaries. Trees are strong pillars that support the sky. A chorus of birds is the perfect accompaniment. This work is an attempt to convey that sense of awe.
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Same as above, same as belowmixed media and collage on multimedia board, 18 x 10 inches
The piece was inspired by clouds that look like giant rolling waves, reminding me of patterns common to many forms in nature, such as galactic spirals and water swirls. The phrase itself comes from ancient occult traditions and refers to the concept of the microcosm and the macrocosm. That is, smaller systems, especially the human body, are interrelated with the universe as a whole.
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door of perception, Vintage book cover mixed media, 11 x 17.5 inches
Based on a quote by William Blake that was later borrowed by Aldous Huxley, “If the doors of perception are purified, everything will appear infinitely as it is to the human eye. ” What we ultimately see depends on the lens through which we view, our own personal perspective and level of understanding.
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Analogy IVmonotype, mixed media, Rives BFK paper, 15 x 11.25 inches
inside analogy series, juxtapose different patterns in nature and draw attention to their similarities. These patterns are called fractals, and they exist in the structures of mountains and rivers, tree branches and blood vessels, and even in DNA.
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A traveler’s story: As the crow flies, Mixed media on multimedia board, 21 x 18 inches
This painting/collage depicts the beginning of a journey. Rather than telling a complete story, viewers are free to bring their own interpretations. The woman seems unprepared, but determined. There are clouds, but there is light shining through. Life is full of possibilities.
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Germination III: Flight of the Seedmixed media on multimedia board, 11 x 9 inches
Seeds are symbols that I have used in my work for many years and are one of the most important. For me, it’s about transformation and renewal. As a child, I was amazed at how beautiful living plants could emerge from seemingly dead pieces of soil. How strange and magical!
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From day to night, Monotype with mixed media on Rives BFK paper, 15 x 13 inches.
Here we draw memories of the magical time when the stars began to appear but were not yet completely dark. Parts of the sky turn dusty pink, then when you look up it turns deep blue and the moon is rising. All the colors slowly blend together and the constellations connect with the veins of the leaves. All nature is one and at this moment there is peace.
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Parting of the Heron and the Crow IImixed media monotype, 10 x 9 inches
The heron and the crow symbolize opposites forming a balanced whole. Like day and night, darkness and light, yin and yang, neither can exist without the other. This idea is expressed through the overlapping of birds and the mixture of positive/negative, which also intertwine into a single shape.
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out of the darknessantique book cover mixed media, 5 x 15 inches
It is said that everyone experiences a “dark night of the soul.” It is possible to come out of the deepest darkness into the light. I know this from my own experience.
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biography
Born and raised near Cincinnati, Ohio, Shermon Davidson is a mixed media artist from Kentucky. He uses mystical, dreamlike, nature-inspired imagery to explore beliefs in the sacredness of the Earth and the interconnectedness of everything in the universe. Her process begins with a multi-layered monotype. Layers of other media are then added. She studied visual arts extensively at the University of Kentucky and the Cincinnati Art Academy and has been exhibiting her work professionally since 1993. Her work has appeared on the covers of several books and has been featured in publications such as: Woven Tale Press Literature and Art Journal and Storytelling with collage: Layering, color and texture techniques Written by Roxanne Evans Stout. Her other jobs and activities include being a graphic designer, a stay-at-home mom, performing with a Middle Eastern dance troupe, and teaching art and special education in public schools in Kentucky. She is represented by the Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsmen Gallery in Bellaire, Kentucky, and Ascension Fine Arts Gallery in Nashville, Indiana.
