Inspiration sometimes comes in a flash. While hiking on a plein air trip near Carmel, Sharon was transfixed by a backlit cypress tree. That is when her gold leaf series was conceived. “I was pulled in by the lattice work of the cypress trees. The negative space formed a lovely pattern against the misty cliffs on the other side of the bay. I wanted to share the mystery of the place, and adding gold leaf helped to achieve a wonderful glow.” Sharon continues to explore the ethereal quality of gold leaf in her landscapes series, The Golden Hour. Inspired by the California Impressionists, she is always exploring ways to push beyond the limits of oil paints and canvas.