Sherri Nordhaus - American Artist
One of my first memories is a camping trip to Yellowstone National Park with my parents, brother and beloved grandmother. We camped in a tent as we traveled from northern Ohio to Wyoming. Mostly, I remember the bears that visited the campground at all hours of the day and night. My love of nature began during that trip.
Just a few years later, I began studying at the Toledo Museum of Art taking drawing, painting and art appreciations classes. Each visit to the museum found me sitting in the Impressionism Gallery either before or after lessons, sometimes both. My love of Monet, Van Gogh and Degas grew exponentially during my youth.
Living near Boston now, I renew that joy each time I visit the Museum of Fine Arts. Recently I was able to observe and study 18th century pastelists including Degas and Millet. Both artists’ pastel work have inspired me to paint primarily in pastel. I love the bold, vibrant hues that allow me to recreate the beauty and textures of nature.
Just like my parents, Kurt and I traveled with our children. Money was tight so we mostly camped on the east coast of America. We hiked, kayaked and explored the biodiversity from the shorelines of the Atlantic to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Our children took art lessons from a local artist as they grew up. As a family our traditions revolved around nature and art. They are being passed on to the fifth generation.
I waited until my children were out of school before I renewed my art instruction. My studies began with Priti Lathia, Johannes Vloothius and I am currently studying under Lana Ballot. This past summer I participated in the IAPS Convention in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Kurt and I visited museums in Santa Fe and were able to visit Ghost Ranch, the home and inspiration of Georgia O’Keefe.
Recently Kurt and I traveled across this beautiful country visiting 24 national parks and many state parks. After many decades I returned to the place that started it all, Yellowstone! Its beauty and uniqueness reaffirmed my lifelong passion of nature. My exuberance of my childhood visit returned as I was able to re-explore the beauty and uniqueness of Yellowstone National Park. I was like a child in a candy store, so much to see and do. My creativity is over flowing and spilling on to the paper. I know what is driving my need to paint, it is the need to preserve Earth’s beauty and diversity. It is to share my love of National Parks with others whether to inspire them to visit or to allow them to visit through my eyes and art.
I want to leave the world a better place than I found it. I hope you will join me. Trails Edge Fine Art is passionate about restoring and painting our National Parks. We want to help preserve the unique ecosystems and life that dwells within each. Each year Trails Edge Fine Art donates 10% of our art sales to preserving our National Parks. We hope you will join us on our mission, whether you are enjoying our art and photography, becoming a collector, or advocating on your own for our National Parks. Together we can make a difference.
