Interview by Pamela Wells
Goddess artist Sharon George creates beautiful goddess art work.
Pamela Wells: Please tell us a little about your creative background and what got you interested in painting and goddess themed compositions?
Sharon George: I drew and painted avidly as a child but somehow it got lost to me. When I was 30 years old, I decided to paint again. I took a drawing class at Glendale Community College along with working full time and raising a daughter. It wasn’t easy and I also gave up trying. My instructor, Robert Weaver, pulled me aside at the end of the semester and encouraged me. He told me I had a gift and not to give up on it. Funny, but those few words saw me through some difficult times. I haven’t given up!
PW: What do you think has kept you so focused on your goal of using your gifts despite life’s challenges?
SG: Well, to be honest, I’ve not been terribly focused. I’ve done the best I could given my circumstances, remaining rational in this world while keeping my children fed and sheltered. I am now taking care of my grandchildren as I help my daughter through college. I am still trying to answer my deepest calling to paint. There is so much more I wish I had accomplished and so much I still hope to do.
In fact, when thinking about the greatest artists, I feel the difference between, say, a Pisarro and a “George” is that Pisarro never, ever, even for an instant, lost focus of his goal, which was simply to paint. He painted when there was no food in the house for his children. He painted when his father disowned him, his wife despised him and his children wondered why their father didn’t seem to care. He painted when his eyesight gave way and he could hardly see. He painted when the whole world told him he shouldn’t and that he wasn’t any good. That’s incredible courage. To most of us, to society, such behavior appears insane, irresponsibile, and it IS; but it is also the courage to fulfill your inner mission despite your circumstances in the world. It is true faith, true spirituality, a pure response to the calling of your highest self. That is so difficult to do. I believe that is the difference between those of us who attempt to be artists and those whose names are remembered for generations. The degree to which we can master ourselves, to which we can answer our own inner calling, is the degree to which our art shines a light upon the world.
PW: Could you tell us something about your painting technique?
SG: I am a digital artist almost exclusively now. I sketch with pencil on paper then scan my drawings into my computer. I work mostly with Corel Painter and Photopaint. I use Photopaint (Photoshop) for effects and manipulating the images and Painter for the brush painting. Mostly I use the airbrush tool. I work in many layers, applying effects and coats of digital paint on successive layers. In the end, it all gets flattened on the background.
PW: What projects have your worked on in the past and what are you working on now?
SG: For years I drew and painted for my own pleasure. I was able to fit some classes in at Mesa College in San Diego along with working and raising two daughters. In the late 1980s a teacher asked me to join a group of honor students learning computer art. This is back when Microsoft computers functioned by typing commands into a command line. We all opted for the Macintosh which was mouse driven. It was a blast! At that time there were limits of printing art off a Mac. We had to have slides made and the slides printed. It was very primitive. All this landed me a job as Assistant to the Creative Director at Kobey Advertising which runs the swap meet here in San Diego. I learned new software programs there and created brochures, flyers and invitations. It was all great fun. In 1997 I bought a computer, printer, scanner and with my “expertise” opened Gorgeous George Graphics. I worked for myself as a freelance graphic designer and illustrator until 2007.
My true love, however, is what I started as a child – images of women in costumes, surrounded by nature. All my free time was spent drawing and painting goddesses.
PW: Do you have a message that you wish to convey to viewers?
SG: I hope that when people see my art, they recognize the god/goddess within themselves. We are each divine as is every living being in the universe. Our destiny is to uncover and experience that divinity. Some call it god-self, greater self, Buddhahood or God. Whatever you choose to call Spirit and however you approach Spirit, the critical thing is to live Spirit. This is what I attempt to express in my art. Hopefully viewers understand this.
PW: Do you have any suggestions for women who are trying to create or discover their own life purpose? How can women follow their life purpose while balancing responsibilities like children and paying bills?
SG: It is very difficult to strike a balance creating art, when art and creativity by their very nature require obsessive, single-minded focus and a lot of time. That’s one part of the whole story. Another route is to enjoy what you’re doing whether it be your art or washing dishes for your family. I have a somewhat morose nature, and I have only been able to strike this balance intermittently in my life but I think it is a better way to live. When I use my spirituality and let my inner love guide me, the results are always better. I waste less time, have more to give and feel more fulfilled daily.
PW: What is the inspiration behind the goddess artwork you do? SG: I believe it’s very primal. It has something to do with sex and procreation and creation. It’s spiritual. I am moved by ovarian shapes and soft, round s curves, something that feels nurturing, loving and protecting. It’s difficult to put it into words, but I feel it. People comment that I never paint men. I’ve always adored men, but their bodies are hard and sharp. Women are so pleasing to see with our soft layer of fat beneath our skin and our round curves. Our nature is to nurture, to create and protect life and to me, nothing rings more loudly in my heart.
PW: Do you have any suggestions on how women can fill their lives with divine inspiration even when working? What do you do to stay divinely inspired and connected to Goddess Spirit?
SG: I breathe. I breathe consciously into my physical heart, letting go of all stress and filling up with love and gratitude. It only takes a moment but changes the (my) world. This is a technique I’ve learned in the last year from a metaphysical group my husband and I are presently attending The Heart Space at 7625 Mesa College Drive, San Diego. I’ve also been a Buddhist for the last 30 years and although I’m no longer connected to the lay organization, I find the principles I’ve learned there very helpful. I find chanting very helpful. The point is, whatever method of spiritual practice calls you, or works for you, do it! Connect daily to your higher power. Just take the time to center yourself within your divinity. It makes all the difference between a life of frustration and a life constantly broadening with ever greater, more fascinating, beautiful, and encouraging horizons. Someone said, “We all have a hole inside and it’s shaped like God.” I couldn’t agree more.
PW: Where can art collectors purchase your work? SG: I’ve been most fortunate that Dr. Doreen Virtue discovered my work online and has commissioned me to do many oracle cards for her. That has led to many other licenses of my work: Hay House, Leanin’ Tree and so on. I also sell my prints online www.fantasy-goddess-art.com. I sell at various street fairs and venues that come up. I sell prints, cards, bookmarks and plan to include journals and bags.
Fantasy Goddess Artist Sharon George
To learn more about Sharon George or to purchase prints or originals, please visit her website. You can also purchase her beautiful goddess art work at the Artmagic Publishing Gallery. To contact Sharon directly: Sharon_George@sbcglobal.net. Artwork above by Sharon George. Copyright Sharon George. Please contact Sharon for use of her imagery.
About Author and Goddess Artist Pamela Wells
Pamela Wells has been working as a fine artist, commercial illustrator and graphic web designer for over 20 years and specializes in creative work that leads to greater understanding and awareness. Her goddess art incorporates her interest in the study of transpersonal psychology, integral transformative spiritual practice and the evolution of human consciousness. She cares deeply about both men and women and also about the ecological preservation of the planet, which benefits all living things. To order a copy of Pamela’s most recent book and card set,Affirmations for the Everyday Goddess, www.ArtmagicPublishing.com.
