The unifying thread of spirituality and mysticism that weaves its way through her art imbues it with a resonant timeless quality. Art as catalyst for veneration and as object of veneration is a principle element of the history of Western, Oriental, and the so-called
"Primitive" art of Africa, Oceania, etc. The great artist, Paul Gauguin, spent his life attempting to get in touch with his soul and the collective soul of mankind. He literally stated on one of his masterworks: "D'ou venons nous, que sommes nous, ou allons
nous?" (Where do we come from? What are we? Where are we going?) I believe these questions are applicable to Sharon's art.
Currently, in this time of artistic pluralism when many different, less well-established media, such as photography, textiles, and multi-media installations are generating very serious critical attention and major museum interest, the contemporary art establishment
is recognizing the great range of expressive possibilities inherent in the watercolor medium, if used creatively. Also, the potential convertibility of that medium in combination with other media, such as collage, photography, sculpture, is being tapped by artists and recognized by art critics.
Since the establishment of the American Watercolor Society in 1866, the Society of American Artists in 1878, and the birth of Symbolism in the 1880s in Europe, the evocative, sensory potential inherent in the watercolor medium has been explored by many of the most innovative artists of the 19th and early 20th century, such as Eugene Delacroix, Odilon Redon, Gustave Moreau, J.M.W. Turner, Winslow Homer, Charles Burchfield, Georgia O'Keeffe, John Marin, etc. These artists created most of their best work in this medium. Currently, utstanding, challenging contemporary watercolors are being created by such excellent artists as Jennifer Bartlett, Francesco Clemente, Eric Fischl, Janet Fish, David Hockney, Agnes Martin, Malcolm Morley, and Laurie Reid. Sharon's art is a vital part of the burst of creativity today in diverse, often overlapping media in the visual arts. --Timothy C. Keny
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"Sharon Hildebrand's commitment to extend the promise of watercolor as a medium is everywhere apparent in her work. Her painting are part of a century-long revolution in American watercolor that has transfored it into a medium of choice for innovation and experimentation." -- Nannette V. Maciejunes, Senior Curator, Columbus Museum of Art
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The artist's paintings are "vigorously executed with a technical mastery that defies rules and achieves brilliant results." Sharon's works "tantalize the eye and the mind, charming them by their subtle mixture of elegance and mystery." -- Jacqueline Hall, Art Critic, The Columbus Dispatch
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