“In Sharp’s hands watercolor is freely used
and bold color fields appear to melt from the
paper…”
“Sharp’s use of oils and acrylics is bold and
emotive. The paintings have an inner glow that’s
sensual and hypnotic...”
That’s what art critics and gallery owners say about
Sharp’s work.
Chicago native, C. (Christine) Sharp moved to Seattle
in 1978 to complete her Masters Degree, teach at the
University of Washington and raise a family.
Sharp is a true Renaissance woman, having reinvented
herself several times. “My friends say I am like a
curious cat with many lives,” says Sharp. So far she’s
thrived as a nurse/family therapist, college
teacher/researcher, entrepreneur, documentary
writer/producer/director, CNN news
director/investigative reporter and now a respected fine
artist.
“While some may see my choices as random and
disconnected there are interesting links,” says Sharp.
“I started out in the health and healing arts and
sciences and gradually moved into the literary/visual
arts and sciences. I’ve never been afraid to learn
something new and seek out the best teachers to show me
the way!”
Along the way, Sharp’s picked up some of the nation’s
top awards for her writing and directing. In 1990 Sharp
won the coveted Peabody Award and the Gold Medal in the
New York Film Festival for her documentary on
unsafe/unsanitary trucking practices that aired on
MacNeil Lehrer NewsHour.
After sharing the stage with luminaries like Ted
Koppel, CNN’s Boys from Baghdad, Ken Burns and David
Lynch, Sharp was tapped by CNN to direct the new
Northwest News Desk where she investigated/directed news
coverage of all the major stories of the 90’s. From
Clinton, Gore, Dylan, Santana, and the Queen… to
Harding, Simpson, Lewinsky, Unabomber, Sharp told the
world the news of the day through her unique lens.
Following a brush with death from a misdiagnosed
genetic blood clotting disorder, Sharp put down the pen
and camera and picked up the brush. “I always loved to
draw and paint but thought I’d wait until I was in the
rocking chair to get serious about art. I’m so glad I
started a bit earlier to pursue this path. No one knows
how much time they have here!” says Sharp.
Sharp lives and paints in her treehouse studio in
Kirkland above Denny Park with her talented husband and
marketing maverick, David and two extraordinary
daughters, Tara and Erica.
Now established as an accomplished artist, Sharp is
represented by numerous art galleries and her work hangs
in private and corporate collections.
P.S. On a nice day you might catch Sharp
painting around the Kirkland waterfront or on a nice
evening playing electric blues guitar at Parklane
Gallery in Kirkland! Check out her plaque in Kirkland’s
Plaza of Champions. Visit her studio by appointment or
during the annual Kirkland Artists’ Studio Tour over Mother’s Day Weekend.