Sherri Belassen’s artistic journey began when she flew alongside her father in his small plane. It was there that she became keenly aware of shapes and color, patching and painting the landscape beneath them as they flew high above. Because the flights were often bumpy, her father advised her that focusing on the horizon would bring her a sense of balance. By using line to separate and connect spatial elements to figurative elements, she strives to evoke a feeling of spatial quality wherein the figures are connected to a space larger than themselves.

Belassen’s work is distinguished by her process of layering oil paint to achieve expressive, colorful works with both humor and depth. She describes her work as “figurative-abstract” and “multi-layered,” Belassen’s works are typically large, colorful paintings with exaggerated, or stylized, figures, and other interesting shapes on the ground that dance with smaller shapes through which the viewer can see the “history,” of the painting, the many layers leading to the final work.

In life and art, I try to stay true to myself and listen to my own voice.