This is a very busy month! In the studio, I am preparing works for Spring and Summer and filling sketchbooks with inspirations from the abundance of events occurring in the next couple weeks. A recent experience inspired me to revisit an old series of works. I am not certain what, exactly, will become of this effort, but I will share the story and process in a future post.

​More soon...

I return to studio tomorrow. As I review my planner, sketches, and notes, I am most impressed with a sense that 2018 will be a year with forward momentum. The world seems to be awake and in motion, and that is a good thing.

​With the Winter Olympics fast approaching, I am preparing for works that capture the beauty and power of the games and of the athletes' spirit and form. New records will be set; new heroes will emerge. Old dreams will be realized and new dreams will be born.

We are also close to incredible gains in other areas of our lives: Science, technology, philosophy, and of course art.

It might one day be described as a new renaissance or enlightenment, or perhaps as something else altogether, but 2018 definitely marks the beginning of a special time.

I look forward to sharing it with you.

​Happy New Year!

2017 ends as it began for my work, at a charming little gallery in Paris.

The space in between was filled with small works and explorations of physical, emotional, and spiritual design. My art appeared in small shops, American and European galleries and museums, charity exhibits, and experimental new media formats. It was a good year.

​The works continue to evolve. I create more with charcoal and pastel than in previous years. My affection for paper surfaces, particularly cotton and rice, endures. I experiment with other media from time to time but I always return to pencil and paper.

​My calendar for 2018 will include works exploring the themes of spirituality, life at the edges of human performance, and the sameness of man. I will also be communicating more about art, memory, and archives.

​Thank you for your attention and continued support. My life is immeasurably enriched by sharing this space with you.

Preservation on a global, local, and personal level has been a major and ongoing discussion this year. Advances in technology enable greater, more efficient methods of understanding, documenting and preserving our place in time.  Still, much art and information is lost to war, natural disasters, and the aging effects of light, air, and contaminants. And, of course, accidents occur!

If disaster strikes, do you know who to call about cleaning and restoring precious photos, documents, and works of art? What if your grandfather's painting is fading, cracking, or flaking? Do you know how to care for recently inherited heirlooms? What is the life expectancy of the photos printed with an inkjet printer? What environmental factors prematurely age your collections?

​Certified conservationists are accessible to everyone. They care just as much about your personal treasures as they do great works of the Masters. Conservationists are often found at local libraries, museums, and historical societies. Specialists can be found in professional directories; vintage clothing, for example, can best be restored by a textile conservator.

To find a conservator:
United States: http://www.conservation-us.org
​UK and Ireland: http://www.conservationregister.com

​If you have questions about proper placement, keeping, or restoration please contact me via email. sheri@sheribredeson.com 

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Endurance competitions are beautiful...and brutal. Athletes perform with exceptional, sustained physical and mental strength. We relate because we all have days that seem overwhelming; we often feel that an athlete's success is a victory for all of us.

I like drawing endurance athletes. The moments I find particularly inspiring; preparing the mind before the race, mastering transitions, and persevering when everything hurts. I especially like the instant the athlete sees the win. It can happen at any point of the race. It is most evident in the eyes. Recognition, focus, determination.

The drawing below features a triathlete preparing for his race.  It is titled "Still. Search for stillness. There you will find the strength and presence of mind to win."