We caught up with one of our local artists, Sharon Goodenough to find out more about her journey to full time artist. Sharon creates wonderful seascapes and captures coastal scenes in a way that makes you feel like you are about to walk into the water. We wanted to find out more about Sharon’s approach to her artwork and what inspires these wonderful scenes.
What made you decide to become a full-time artist?
The clues were all there when I considered what brought me the most happiness as a child. Being an artist is the only way I truly know how to be and knowing that before I had an idea and brought it to life on the canvas, it didn’t actually exist. For me, this feels magical
Did you study art?
“Yes, I initiated a Fine Art Access pathway prior to transitioning into a full-time mother. Subsequently, once my son started school I returned to tuition and spent a year in a painting masterclass, focusing on refining techniques, honing my artistic style and exploring key elements integral to the creation of successful art pieces. Additionally, I sought tuition from an accomplished artist at his studio on the south coast, specialising in the intricate depiction of seas and skies using oil paints as a medium.”
What is your preferred medium?
While I appreciate a variety of artistic mediums and I enjoy photography, my preference lies with oil painting. The smooth textures inherent to oils enable seamless blending for those expansive skies. Despite the lengthy nature of oil painting, I create multiple pieces simultaneously. Speeding the process up further and injecting some vibrant undertones with acrylic paint during the underpainting. I deliberately retain some of the colours in subsequent layers. The layers are part of the appeal for me too in oil painting and this aspect probably goes back to my photography days as I like to play with depth of field.
Do you have a size you like to work to?
Yes the bigger the better, although I seem to pivot around the 1m size canvas as this is most suited to the space I have to create in right now.

‘I’m always fascinated by the way light impacts the landscape and the way reflections illuminate from the water to create movement. . ‘
Sharon Goodenough
What led you to produce this style of artwork? Has it evolved through the time of creating it?
Being addicted to the sea and the elements in nature I’m looking to capture a moment in time and suspend it. I’m always fascinated by the way light impacts the landscape and the way reflections illuminate from the water to create movement. I love using different brushes especially flat brushes to glide the highlights through skies and add dappled light on the ocean. I aim to convey a feeling of drifting off into this place even for a moment. Each piece evolves as I add paint, stand back and re-evaluate.
Do you plan what you are going to paint in a day, or do you have to see how the paint takes you that day?
Yes and no, I tend to have a loose plan of what I am going to focus on and then I go with the flow. It all depends on how I feel at the time and if it’s ever feeling forced I stop and do something else, then go back with fresh energy & eyes.
Do you have a time of day that you like to paint?
Mid afternoon and into the evening seem to be my go to times as I clear the admin in the morning when I have the most clarity for mundane tasks.
When did you start painting?
My earliest memories of painting were those magic painting books for children. I was captivated by the simple act of applying water to the page, only to see vibrant colours magically appear. I must have been around 3 or 4yrs old. Around the time I was 7yrs old, we returned several times one particular holiday on the south coast where they had a resident portrait artist. I spent hours watching as this incredible artist brought the canvas to life, it was mesmerising and I was so inspired that it wasn’t long before I had my own materials and my journey continued.
What has been your proudest moment as an artist?
Can I have two?
December 2022, I was invited by Artist & Illustrator magazine to appear as a guest columnist and share my journey to becoming a full-time artist. Having read this magazine for well over a decade and admired the artists in these pages, I was absolutely blown away and didn’t actually believe it or tell anyone until it went live the following June.
Secondly, I co-authored a book last summer “Radical Self-Love: How to Ignite Your Light Through Creativity”. This collaboration of 63 visionaries sharing their tales of transformation, turning challenges into opportunities and inviting you to immerse yourself in the world of creativity became an Amazon #1 Bestseller in 4 countries across 22 categories.

‘I love using different brushes especially flat brushes to glide the highlights through skies and add dappled light on the ocean.’
Sharon Goodenough
Who has inspired you?
Visually it has to the Impressionist artists, I’m not sure we quite appreciate how radical these painters were at the time and apart from the way they captured the light and experimented with complimentary colours, I find that the way they understood how the human mind processes what it sees and automatically fills in the blanks, intriguing. When you stand back from these masterpieces it often feels as though the water is moving or the clouds are drifting. The optical effects of light and the energy in these paintings, immediately stop me in my tracks.
Rick Rubin is my main influence when it comes to having a creative mindset and allowing the work and ideas to flow through me and onto the canvas. I am a prolific reader of non-fiction and Rick Rubin’s book “The Creative Act, A Way of Being” is firmly placed on my bedside.
What do you enjoy doing outside of the studio?
Outside of the studio I love being around my family and my two cocker spaniels, traveling and discovering new places. Writing has become a huge outlet and I am currently producing the content for an online course around creativity. Long walks in nature or by the sea totally energise me. Exercising and weight training are an integral part of my week and keep the aches and pains from painting in the studio under control. During the milder months we take our boat out along the river, I am deeply grateful for this experience as it not only brings me immense joy but also serves as a huge resource of inspiration that I take back to my studio.

We are thrilled to have the opportunity to offer Sharon’s work to our customers at The Circle Gallery and look forward to bringing you new pieces as they are available.