Sherrie mcgraw biography

Sherrie McGraw biography:

Sherrie McGraw was born in Wichita, Kansas and grew up in Ponca City, Oklahoma. She studied both in college and privately for five years until her passion to learn more took her far from the Southwest. At the world-famous Art Students League of New York, her early interest in becoming an artist came to fruition with instructor David A. Leffel.

In the tradition of Rembrandt, McGraw’s interest in the chiaroscuro way of seeing is evident in her work. Light is seen brilliantly illuminated against rich backgrounds, the subject painted with lush brush strokes and rich color.

Hovsep Pushman and Walter Murch have also heavily influenced McGraw. “I am sympathetic to Titian who thought at age 60 that he was just beginning to learn to paint. It takes time to develop technically and artistically before what is possible can even be understood.”

Following is a quote from a recent article on McGraw in “Art Talk”: “The art world&

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"Abstract Realism applies to painting in oil, first and foremost. The painting is “real” because you can recognize an object, but it is “abstract” because the color, paint quality, value, edges, and composition are used in very abstract ways to affect the viewer visually and carry the eye through the painting."

Sherrie McGraw

"When one is inspired to paint or draw a subject, that intense feeling seems, at times, fleeting. However, in order to paint an idea, one must hold onto that elusive vision if one hopes to bring it to fruition. Even more important than the skill and focus required to manifest a visual concept is a diligence to stay with the beauty and not slip into a mundane rendering of the subject. Depth of understanding cannot come without this desire to delve beyond casual impressions to the underlying essence of reality. The success of the attempt directly reflects how well the artist understands her subject; and in this intimate relationship, the ordinary world

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Sherrie McGraw, Artist, Teacher and Author

My interest in painting started ung. I could not stop looking at books on drawing and painting, and replications of sculptures bygd Michelangelo and Rodin. inom copied from them relentlessly. And though I was determined to be an artist, it wasn’t so much the career that held my interest, but what these Old Masters knew. This is what I really wanted—their understanding. Making line or paint seem dimensional on a flat surface seemed mysterious to my young eyes, but even now, the magic of doing this is still compelling.

Sherrie McGraw knew she wanted to be an artist already at age fyra. She inherited her creativity and entrepreneurial talents from her mother; from her father she learned to follow her passion. From both parents she learned about hard work and being broke at times. Her father had to be creative to man a living as a golfer, and when the family experienced tough financial times, her mother helped generate income b