Welcome to VanVleck Studio on-line

7873 N. Oak Ridge Road
Morgantown, IN 46160		 (812) 597-5309
gallery@vanvleckstudio.com
Artist Statement

Sheryl VanVleck enjoys creating both two-dimensional and three-dimensional work. Her love of oil and pastel painting has lasted for over thirty years and her processes of clay sculpting have evolved over the past thirteen years. People, humor, balance, ecology and nature are all important elements in her work.

Artists statement:

"I began painting portraiture professionally in 1985. I traveled from coast to coast marketing my art work for many years and would often exhibit at an Indian "Pow Wow". I met some wonderful people, made some good friends and was often blocked in for the weekend by a thousand cars. I would be lulled to sleep at night, in my van, by the rhythm of drums and found it to be one of the most beautiful sounds in the world. Everything I painted, I painted with respect for my models and I found many subjects for my paintings. I love painting people and did so for seven years before discovering clay but I have never lost my love for two-dimensional work. I continue to paint in oil, pastel and prismacolor pencils. I work on portraits, landscapes and the occasional still life.

"While I often deal with serious subjects, such as the balance of nature, extinction and ecology, I also strive to open a dialogue with my viewer through humor. In viewing a seemingly serious still life pastel I have created, I want the viewer to be taken by surprise at finding a small toy grape playing the saxophone in the middle of sunlight streaming down on sheet music.

"I enjoy pushing clay to it's limit as I strive to deal with the issues of the frailty of life and the need to balance man's desires with his responsibilities to this earth. I feel that the sculpture of a man rising from clay, while balancing a globe, upon which sits a contemptuous gorilla might touch one viewer to contemplate man's place in the context of nature.

"I love the laugh I receive when viewers see the look on the face of a gorilla when he finds a very drunk looking giraffe has decided to settle on his shoulders. And, what a surprise I have for a client to look into a bowl and find a gorilla staring back at them. I hope they will start each day with a smile as they drink from a cup I have made with a giraffe, zebra or other animal handle.

"My art originates from my memory, research and imagination."

Sheryl is a member of the Brown County Studio Tour, Local Clay Potters Guild and Art Alliance Brown County.
Link to Artist's Resume
7873 N. Oak Ridge Road
Morgantown, IN 46160-9293
(812) 597-5309
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