Sharon Phelps, or “Shabbi” as she is more commonly known, describes her artistic career -
"40 years ago I bought my first bag of terracotta clay, on opening that bag the smell of the earth and the texture of its contents put me on a path that would never end. From a simple ashtray to my sculptured forms of today the journey has been quite colorful with the ups and downs of life, hardships and happiness. Clay and further down the track, paint, has always made life's journey softer. Some one once told me; "art is the easiest way of running away without leaving home", it is so true. My work with clay is hand sculptured and coloured with nature's elements of copper, salt, seaweed and oxides giving a never to be repeated finish of natural beauty. The art works are strongly influenced by my surroundings; whether it's a lonely beach walk taking in the ocean's work on reef and rock formations or the bush with its amazing rock forms. Each piece is unique and has been exhibited in galleries and business houses. I have had a few breaks which has given my work a fresh look with it's own identity as a one off." She currently lives in the Chittering Valley with her husband Peter and a menagerie of birds, chooks and horses. |