2009 Featured Artist - Sheila Hansberger
Led by an early interest in drawing, Sheila Hansberger studied art in high school and college which fostered her career in art. For several years she worked as a free-lance commercial artist producing work to enhance client’s brochures and advertising campaigns. Her close relationship with printing firms led to a position as an in-house graphic artist and darkroom photographer for a printing enterprise in 1974.
Although proficient in many mediums, in-depth studies in watercolor changed her focus by 1978. Instruction came from nationally recognized artists such as Robert E. Wood, Rex Brandt and Millard Sheets. As an art instructor herself, she has led classes and workshops since 1980.
The source for most of her creations comes from elaborate sketches and occasionally from her own photographs. "Photographs alone won’t tell me everything I need to know, so I work from the actual subject when possible.” This is especially true of her still life paintings which were featured in an article in American Artist Magazine in 1995, where her work was described as intimate “small slices of life”. In addition to still life, she is also well known for her figurative and floral paintings. Most of her works are “high key” creations easily recognized by her liberal use of “negative painting” technique.
Her abilities and knowledge of various art media keep her in demand as a juror for art shows. Her own works have garnered many awards and she has had work accepted to a variety of prestigious exhibits including the American Watercolor Society, New York and Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Watermedia Exhibit.
Having her work represented in national juried competitions has earned her signature status in two organizations, the National Watercolor Society, and also Watercolor West where she served four years as president and was honored with life membership. She is currently serving on the Board of Directors for the National Watercolor Society.
Ms. Hansberger’s paintings are part of private and public collections including: Redlands Community Hospital, the National Orange Show, Community Bank, Mt. San Jacinto College and the San Bernardino County Museum. She frequently displays in group exhibits and one-woman gallery shows in her native state of California and across the nation.
In addition to newspaper articles about her watercolors, other publications include: Inland Empire Magazine, January 1995; American Artist Magazine, June 1995; and Rockport Publisher’s book, The Best of Watercolor: Painting Composition, 1997.
