Artist Shirley Hoagland
Artwork
Artist Statement
The constant shift of colors, moods, energy, light and shadow of the Leelanau landscape is the muse and inspiration for most of my paintings. I have tried every medium, but gravitate toward pastels which is the closest form of pure pigment. The juxtaposition of colors and the ability to layer colors often sets up a shimmering effect and luminosity that is hard to achieve in other mediums.
It is important to me to make sure I know why I am painting something. Is it the color, gesture, mood or that point where sunlight and shadow meet that has me enchanted? What do I want to say with the work? If I experience an emotional reaction to a scene, it is my hope to recreate a feeling that captures that essence of it in my paintings.