John Sherry

I approach each artwork with an open mind, ready to roll with the unknowns of the creative process. What might start out as a photograph or a memory is just a suggestion for what might follow on the paper. Color choices are often made intuitively rather than confined to what the eye is seeing. I strive to combine an interesting subject with strong, gestural stroke work until what was once ordinary, is reimagined into something more.

 My process is always evolving and builds upon my love of painting with pastels. Occasionally I will use watercolor or acrylics, or alcohol washes of pastel as under paintings as my starting point, but I most often just jump straight in with the sides of the pastel sticks. Leveraging the pure color of the pastel, I hope to tell a story with my stroke work and spark an emotional connection with the viewer.

 Sherry has been awarded Signature Member status with the Pastel Society of America, and the Degas Pastel Society and has won numerous awards in national and international art shows, including a Best of Show in the 2023 International Association of Pastel Societies 43rd Open Division. He has appeared in the national magazines Artist’s Magazine and Pastel Journal’s  Pastel 100 annual feature.