Feature Artist of the Month - November
My name is Shara Walsh and I’m the one-woman-band behind sLs Artistry. I’ve been creating art professionally full-time since 2017 but have been running sLs Artistry as a hobby since 2012.
I’ve been drawing my feelings out since I was a small child but always considered it just something I did and never an option as a career. My heart was set on training dogs professionally (despite my school career counsellor trying to convince me to go to art school) and in the fall of 2007 I moved to Salmon Arm in a little pull trailer with my dog where I attended Canada West Canine Centre for an intensive 6 week course. I gained a certificate in Kennel Management and one in Advanced Obedience and I earned the title Master Dog Trainer. I came back to Fort St. James eagero train dogs and quickly learned I do not enjoy training people which is really what the job is more about.
I spent years working in a variety of different fields (a computer/print shop, landscaping and recycling). I had been dating my significant other since we were 15 and in 2015 we got married. After our first daughter was born in 2017 I decided not to return to my job as assistant manager at the recycling depot and instead stay home to raise our girl and work on my art. It’s been an interesting adventure, to say the least. I have created 100’s of works of art from large acrylic paintings to little watercolour bookmarks. I’ve participated in and even organized and curated many gallery art shows. I’ve spent many long hours sitting at a table selling my art at fairs and markets. With the challenges of COVID I spent the last couple of years selling my art online in the form of bookmarks. Pairing my love of books with art feels very natural and like a no-brainer for me.
I’ve always enjoyed dabbling in many different art forms but my first love and go-to will always be drawing. My bookmarks are drawn by hand from start to finish. I use Tombow Dual Brush pens to add colour. They are water-based and work well on their own but I usually pair them with water which gives a great transparency to layer and shade and appears like a regular watercolour painting when it’s done. I enjoy occasionally adding in mixed media elements using pencils, inks, pastels and sometimes even sparkles.My bookmarks are 3x9” and original works of art. They’re not meant to be used as actual bookmarks (not if you want to keep them looking nice) so I started printing them as 2x6” bookmarks that you don’t mind getting a bit bent or worn out. Not all of my original bookmarks are available as prints but the most popular ones are. I enjoy making custom bookmarks of people's pets and my favourite is making them for book clubs or read-alongs.
Our little family has grown since 2017 and I sometimes find it challenging to find the time to keep creating new art, but something inside of me keeps calling me back to it. Creating art is therapeutic for me and feels like a vital part of my existence. It is a continuous learning journey. I feel like with every piece I make I grow a little bit better, I hone my craft a little bit more.
