Cardinal Sean O'Malley, Mike and Sharon Morley and Sylvia
Cardinal O'Malley  receiving his oil portrait  - Mike and Sharon Morley , Cardinal Sean O'Malley, and Sylvia
Portrait of Cardinal Sean O'Malley

 

Biography of Sharon A. Morley

Sharon Morley is a native New Englander who started her painting journey by painting plein air and portraits from life.  Studying with a Copley Master, for four years, Ms. Morley learned the techniques of plein air and continues to enjoy painting along the beaches and landscapes of  New England.  She also studied with Everett Raymond Kinstler, NA, at the New York School of Design workshops..  Sharon has painted plein air in many countries as she takes her paint, canvas, and sketchbook wherever she goes. Morley works in oils, pastels, watercolor, and gouache favoring oils and pastels.

Sharon's formal education was in business and has spent most of her life working in the business field as a department head while also pursuing art.  Making art is her passion and she was able to realize her dreams of being a full time artist after painting part time for many years. Her happiest times are spent out side plein air painting especially on the seacoast.

Sharon recently had the honor of presenting Cardinal Sean O’Malley, Archbishop of Boston, with an oil portrait she did of him.  A monumental experience for her and his gratitude was beyond compare. She has been commissioned to paint mayors and other personalities, but her true love is painting seascapes and landscapes and being outside.

The Dana Farber Art Collection purchased one and acquired another landscape painting.
The Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union Art Collection purchased ten seascape paintings for their offices and one seascape painting for Boston Children's Hospital.

The Nevins Library, Methuen, MA,  commissioned a portrait of the library and also used the image on their welcome brochure, media, and social media.
The Director of the Northeast Rehabilitation Center, Salem, NH purchased eight seascape paintings.

Sharon's portrait is part of the Cardinal Sean O'Malley permanent collection
Mayor Bill Manzi, former Mayor of Methuen, MA and now Town Manager of Seabrook, NH, commissioned his portrait which hangs in Seabrook, NH Town Hall.

Hampstead NH Library commissioned a portrait of Elaine David which hangs in that library.Ms. Morley has shown her work at the Massachusetts State Capital in Boston.

Sharon has had paintings accepted into juried shows at:
North Shore Arts Association Regional Juried Show “New England 24”.
Newburyport Art Association.
Pastel Painters of Maine International Juried Shows.
Grandeur Juried International Exhibit, Georgia receiving the "People's Choice" award.
Alabama Pastel Society International Juried show receiving the “President's Award of Excellence” for two paintings.
Sharon’s work has received many 1st place awards as well as people’s choice awards in local art shows for landscapes, seascapes and portraits.

Ms. Morley has taught numerous pastel workshops throughout Massachusetts sponsored by the Massachusetts Cultural Council and many oil painting workshops.
Sharon did five episodes of “Color Your World” a name she made up for her oil painting demonstrations for MCTV.

Sharon’s memberships include:
Member of Excellence and Signature member - Alabama Pastel Society.
Juried Member - Oil Painters of America
The Portrait Society of America
Newburyport Art Association
North Shore Arts Association, Associate member.
The NH Plein Air Society
Arts Institute Group of the Merrimack Valley – former scholarship chairperson for many years.

Sharon resides in Massachusetts with her husband, Mike, and their pug, Alfred.  She also loves to read, play baritone ukulele, tenor ukulele, and piano in her spare time.

Art is not something one does;
it is a life one lives...

Sharon A. Morley, APS-ME