SHARNEL FRIEDRICH

Born in the Midwest and raised in a foreign country, many experiences have influenced the way I approach art and life. As a military brat with two creative parents, art has always been a part of who I am. Growing up in England I was not only exposed to another culture, but I was able to see firsthand much of the history of art only seen in books by others. I was also afforded the opportunity to take private drawing and ceramics lessons during my time there. I spent many hours outside exploring nature and developed a love for creation from a very early age. This has been a catalyst for my work, and I incorporate it in each piece.

As an adult, art has often been put on the back burner to other life obligations. After months of prayer and reflection, I made the decision to follow my dream of being a full-time artist and went back to school and earned my BFA in Ceramics from Mars Hill University. Now my days are spent incorporating the beauty and textures of creation into works of art in hopes that they bring a sense of peace and joy to others.

So often creation is only viewed with the eye. Rarely is time taken to touch the various surfaces, to connect with the natural in a more tactile way. We watch colors, shapes, and textures transform as time alters them. It is often difficult to carve out a moment of quiet to not only visually appreciate the beauty around us but to physically feel it as well. To have the sensation of the softness of a flower petal, to feel the veins on the underside of a leaf on fingers, or bury toes in the sand as water laps at the ankle, all reveal a deeper perception than the merely visual. To hold a rock, to run a hand over the bark of a tree, or to feel the edges of a seashell are occasions missed all too often.