Copyright 2026 by Sheryl Karas
A funny thing happened the same week as the show at MONCA I wrote about in my last blog post. I suddenly decided to change direction with my artwork, at least for now.
I recently retired from my full-time job. That was unexpected—my choice but a year or two earlier than I planned. But things changed there, I wasn't willing to go along with those changes, and now here I am a "free bird." It's been a bit of a shock, but little bit by little bit I realized that I'm going to be alright. So now the thought is "what am I going to do with my life?" now that I have time and I'm no longer working like crazy to "make a living."
I also don't need to please art teachers or art critics or nose-in-the-air level art galleries. I don't even have to get into museum shows (even though that has been nice). So what kind of art do I want to do? What kind of art do I want to live with? And the answer that came pretty much immediately was fun whimsical stuff that makes me smile.
If I think about it, that is the kind of art that made me want to be an artist—the art I would see in my favorite children's books. I'm not sure I can let myself get that kid-friendly today but it doesn't matter. I liked things that were bright and colorful and that made me laugh or smile. The same thing is true today! So why not go there? Life could be a bowl of cherries, right?
The original for this is the smallest painting I have ever done as an adult— 8"x8" on canvas. I like it that size. It's very accessible and I don't have to worry about where it will fit in my house. I might sell it—you can ask. Or you can get a print, framed print, or print on canvas at Fine Art America.
