Henderson artist showcases a world of experience

By Becky Bosshart

Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2008 | midnight

Sharon Menary keeps prices low on her art, and it's not because of the sluggish economy.

Prices are $60 to $980 on the 30 oil, acrylic and water color paintings in her show, "Life's Journey of the Traveling Artist," until Jan. 2 at the Henderson Multigenerational Center Gallery, 250 S. Green Valley Parkway.

The experience that produced the work over the past five years is priceless, she said, but she can keep the prices low, because she is constantly producing.

"I try to paint every day," she said. "The reality is, if I start painting, I will paint for an entire day, 12-plus hours, because I can't stop myself."

Menary's portfolio reflects her travels. It's full of colorful images of Mexico, Italy and Portugal. Missing in the gallery show will be images from her Asian travels. There just wasn't any room in the gallery, she said. Her exhibit includes a large world map marked with pins in the places represented in her work.

"She's had a very interesting life," said Shirley Jeane, a local artist who taught Menary water-color technique. "I think it's reflected in her paintings in the colors and the buildings she's seen while traveling. Her life itself is caught in her paintings."

Menary, 64, has lived in Henderson since 1996. Prior to becoming a full-time artist, she worked as a real estate agent for 30 years and was able to save enough money to afford a wandering artistic life.

"Some people can't just live off their art, but she finally got to the point where she would dedicate herself to it," said longtime friend and patron Candace Barao. Menary did a Tuscan mural for Barao's Sun City home. Barao also commissioned several pieces in Menary's Mediterranean style.

The exhibit includes images such as "Fishermen Mending Their Nets," which recreates a geometric scene that Menary witnessed while living in Portugal for a year. At the time, the town had a Renaissance feel. There were few paved roads, and Menary's home was surrounded by a vineyard.

"It was like stepping back 300 years," Menary said.

Starting in January, Menary will teach an eight-week adult watercolor class at the Multigenerational Center. She also has shows running concurrently at 702 Nails Spa in Henderson and in the Marketing Resource Center in the Wells Fargo Building downtown.

Becky Bosshart can be reached at 990-7748 or [email protected].