BIOGRAPHY  ​​​​​​​                                                                                                                                                     Sheila Marie’s interest in art began with a school crush in 5th grade,  A cute boy who drew wildlife and mountain scenes was her love interest. She thought maybe if she could draw he would notice her. Well, he didn't take notice but she did find her love of drawing and later, painting.
She married young and creating fine art went to the back burner as she raised her kids. She worked at multiple jobs that would allow her to be with her kids. Designing and fabricating stained glass for custom home builders, teaching stained glass, helping her husband build custom homes.
When the kids were older she began working with a start-up company. There was the  inventor/president, an accountant and Sheila. She started out helping with accounting and sales. As new challenges in the growing business came up she volunteered to research and figure out the solutions. She ended up running operations and manufacturing.
The first 14 years with this company, were incredibly exciting, fulfilling, boundless opportunities to grow, learn, create and be challenged every day. She is still so thankful that the president of the company believed and had so much trust in her.
An abrupt change almost 20 years ago changed her role dramatically. A role completely the opposite, sucking away the passion and joy that drove her. After several years of being very lost she found an old box of Grumbacher oils in the basement from 50 yrs. ago that she had played around with as a teen.                    She pulled those oils out, took a class at the Art League. Slowly she began to dream again, to feel the excitement, fear, joy, challenge and strength of learning and growing again.
She quit that job in 2015 and dove into the exciting journey of painting.

Artist Statement
I am happiest when I'm out in the field surrounded by nature.  Focusing on the landscape,  snow covered peaks, a turbulent river, autumn colors of the aspen, cottonwoods, willows,  and well, so much more.  This is where the life of the painting begins.

Meeting the challenge to design and simplify the complexity of so much beauty.  I work as quickly as I can to capture the effects of light on the subject. Some of these "on the spot" paintings are finished in the field..  Others may come back to the studio to be tweaked or used as studies for larger paintings.

I paint only enough for the viewer to get a clear vision of what the subject is and inviting   the viewer to participate in the painting.

I am so grateful that I have privilege to physically experience nature.  I hope to motivate and inspire the viewer to consider our actions while on this earth.  To value our role in protecting her for our children, grand-children and future generations.