We recently connected with Sharon Cannon and have shared our conversation below.
Sharon , appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?
Growing up on a farm in South Dakota, picking weeds from the bean and corn fields, feeding pigs and cows, and driving tractors and jeeps before I learned in a car, I never thought that I would be in the world of art, but I am; although, it has been a long journey.
In my soul, I knew I could not live my life on a farm in South Dakota. Being an only child and my father dying when I was seventeen and my mom falling apart after his death, left me with an extreme desire to “get out” and do something that allowed me to support myself. I did not want to be dependent on anyone. As a South Dakota resident, I was able to attend the University of South Dakota for little money; this is how I started to work my way out. After a couple of years, my mom moved to Iowa so I could no longer attend South Dakota, forcing me to transfer to the University of Iowa. Here is where my journey really began.
At that time, Harrah’s casino recruited college students for summer work in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, a nice distance from Iowa. Afterall, this was the goal! I was trained to be a Keno writer and thrown into the world of casinos. Then a typical story…girl meets boy, they get married, and the girl does not go back home… getting closer to my goal!! We both wanted to finish our college education; he was from Arizona so off we went to Tucson to finish school at the University of Arizona. We both graduated and began our work careers. However, after baking and drying out in Arizona for many years, I wanted to move somewhere else…anywhere much cooler and with some humidity. However, we were no longer on the same path.
I decided to move to San Francisco and that I wanted to go into public accounting. Once again, I am on my own. One day I decided to take an art therapy class and I really loved how it made me feel. As I look back, so many years ago, that was the beginning of wanting more creativity and beauty in my life. However, the drive to be self-supported never left me. This drive never allowed me to throw caution to the wind and strike out to be an artist.
Eventually, I moved to Los Angeles where I went back to school for an MBA and was lucky enough to find employment in the design furniture world. I was still doing my accounting work; however, I was exposed to so much more of the world: creative ideas, creative people, beautiful products, wonderful colors, creative locations. For almost 30 years, I found my “home” with one company.
Twenty-seven years ago, I met a guy named Bob Barry who was a photographer, actor, musician, high-stake poker dealer, risk taker, plus plus; the total opposite of structured me!! We built a life together and I have been able to continue to grow my creative side being surrounded with creative artists in various fields.
Life is still marching, and my creative side kept calling. Through the years, I enrolled in a number of art classes as a hobby and to do something other than my work (I had turned into a major workaholic). I took drawing classes, pastel painting classes, and enjoyed it all and would get positive comments. Then I tried oil painting; I was hooked. I started to work with larger canvases and other tools than just a typical brush…it all gave me such a sense of freedom. I could choose whatever I wanted. There are almost no rules!!
Life is still marching, and I am ready to retire! I do not understand how that happens! I had more time, so I reached out to more small art classes in Los Angeles with Susan Manders and Kimberly Brooks as well as attending short courses in England and Scotland and online classes from Australia and the US. I developed my website and received positive responses for the art I posted. I keep painting.
I have the courage and tenacity to just start. Sometimes, the first step is to put a blob of paint on the canvas, often it begins with purple. After, I apply the first paint, the paint and canvas start to work together, and the work develops as I move along. Sometimes, it never comes together! I must start over. I keep painting.
I keep my creativity by getting the paints out and applying bold colors to the canvas and letting my energy and feelings do the work. I try to stay out of my head.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
After retiring, the first project was to transform my prior “office” to my “studio”. A place to paint and develop my work. Even though I have had a few shows, my goal is to have larger shows where I can display a significant amount of my work.
I like to experiment. Recently, one of my close friends, Don Saban, a master photographer and artist in Los Angeles, and I started to combine our work into one digital piece. He chooses an image of one of my paintings and one of his photos and he digitally manipulates the two into one unusual piece that is then printed on art paper. We call the series “Symbiosis.” We have a great response to these works.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Hard work and tenacity are the main traits that helped me the most. And then learning how to be flexible. There are many ways to get to Rome, and it is different for all of us. You learn what works for you and keep developing your skills. Do not be afraid to take chances, within reason. Pay attention to the opportunities and plan for the long haul.
All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
I want to continue exhibiting my work. In the past, I have been reticent in approaching galleries or significant places to exhibit my work. This year, I will be reaching out to places that I would love to have my work exhibited such as the Brand Library of Music and Art in Glendale, CA.
Contact Info:
- Website: sharoncannonstudio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharoncannonstudio
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sharoncannonstudio
- Other: email: sharon@sharoncannonstudio.com
Phone: 424-245-0016
Image Credits
All photos except the image at the restaurant: Bob Barry/Jazzography.com
