Meet Sharon Hardy: Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sharon Hardy and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sharon, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Making art and growing as an artist is a risk taking act. To me, risk is where you find the next technique or series. It’s where the excitement lies. I have done a few different careers in my life up to now. I ran an art gallery back in the 80’s. I worked in healthcare for many years as Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Diabetes Educator. It was a huge risk for me to go back to school in my 30’s while raising a family. To this day, I can’t believe I made it through organic chemistry! In terms of creativity, I like to take risk because I want to continue to grow and learn as an artist. I think it’s easy to get stuck in a series if the work is popular and selling. I like series’ to have a beginning, a middle and an end. Sometimes there are too many directions and ideas. It’s risky to take one idea and run with it. Sometimes a piece just isn’t working out and you have to walk away. It’s all part of the journey. I recently started drawing again after being away from it for a long time. It feels good, but if I end up showing the work it will feel very risky. I truly believe that the bigger the risk the bigger the reward.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I started out my career running an art gallery and then switched to healthcare where I worked for many years as a RD and Diabetes Educator. I put my own creative endeavors aside as I was busy raising a family and working. I always dabbled in ceramics and would periodically take ceramic classes at night. About 15 years ago I got back into ceramics and started exploring sculpture. I took a few workshops at Anderson Ranch Arts Center in Colorado. At Anderson Ranch I really got excited and, I have to say, addicted to clay. I’ve been through a few sculpture series and have been able to show and sell my work. I’m so grateful to be able to explore my passion.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
DTLA is such an energetic and culturally dynamic place! I really do love the area. There is so much packed into DTLA. I would recommend going to the Last Bookstore, walking down Broadway to check out some of the historic theaters like the Orpheum and the Ace Theater. Of course, there’s MOCA, The Broad and Disney Hall up on Bunker Hill. I love Grand park in the summer when the Dance series is going. Also, if you get the chance, CicLAvia is a great way to see some of the neighborhoods around DTLA. Some of my favorite places to eat in DTLA are Bar Ama, Grand Central Market, Perch, Dune, and Sonora Town. Another favorite is hiking in Griffith Park and getting Thai at Jitlada. I’d also take a drive down Sunset all the way to Malibu and take a hike up at Leo Carrillo State park. The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’ve met so many encouraging people in my art journey. I’d like to shoutout to MaryLinda Moss. She’s the owner of Source art consultants in LA and she’s been very encouraging. Another person is Jeannie Denholm of SCAPE gallery in CdM. Also, there’s the Los Angeles Art Association and Gallery 825 an awesome non-profit in LA that helps emerging and mid-career artists by providing show opportunities and critique groups.

Website: www.sharonhardyceramics.com

Instagram: sharon_hardy_ceramics