I am Sharon Boerbon Hanson, sometimes known as ShaSha (a childhood nickname). One aspect many of my endeavors share is a sense of whimsy and fun. I feel joy when I see them and want to share that feeling with others. 

Cats romp through many of my works – fantasy cats engaged in quotidian human activities. One of my works(in progress) shows a pair of cats sharing an umbrella, another shows them having a cup of tea at a Parisian café in their new red hats. Felines are my favorite creatures in real life and on canvas. Peace and serenity flood me when a cat sits on my lap, especially if it purrs. Enjoyment comes from watching kittens bounce and play. Usually, their antics bring laughter. I enjoy sharing comfort and mirth. Sharing fun and positive feelings is a prime directive for my art.  Quirky little birds, fish, and dogs also cavort across my canvases. Happy, bright colors dance on my surfaces, supporting roles for my actors.

I also create emotion-based abstracts that tell a story—either mine or the viewers. Events trigger their creation. I depict my internal state arising from my personal life or major world happenings.

So, feelings inspire both styles of art, although occasionally seeing interactions between animals, a phrase in a book, or even a flash of color spark my imagination.

Most of my paintings are labor intense—I use hundreds of layers of thin glazes to bring my ideas to life. This happens after many applications of whatever medium I’ve chosen for background surface prep. It may sound corny, but each layer is a labor of love, bringing me satisfaction and joy (although sometimes angst and agony—don’t we all have that project that dives toward the trash bin?).

That is what I do and why I do it.

I have three works in the Smithsonian Natural History Museum and one in the International Museum of Society of Decorative Painters. The Saint Paul Art Collective chose my painted birdhouse for the poster advertising their Birdhouse Charity event.

The AZ Gallery and the RPL Gallery (which I started) have featured my art. Both are in St Paul, MN.