Paintings by Sha Tinsley Brock
artist spotlight
Finding Joy in the Abstract
Sha Tinsley Brock by Teressa J. Hawkins
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“Art is a mad search for individualism.” ~ Paul Gauguin
ha (Sharon) Tinsley Brock is a local Tucson artist who celebrates joy in painting her colorful abstracts and is energized by the process she uses in her creations. Born in Georgia, Brock lived in many places as the child of an Army dad. The family eventually settled in Fort Huachuca, Arizona in 1969. Brock completed her junior and senior year of high school at Buena High School in Sierra Vista. It was there that she was inspired by her art teacher, David Meeker, MA from the University of Arizona. Meeker encouraged her to develop a sense of self-expression, delving into abstract art and creative thinking outside the box. Brock started developing new visions of her school assignments. Eventually, marriage, motherhood, working and then becoming a single mom raising four kids left less time for creative endeavors. When Brock retired in 2010, her daughter bought her an oil painting art class through Pima Parks and Recreation, encouraging her to continue her passion for painting. “I have loved and created art for as long as I can remember. My father and mother had creative genes and it shows up in myself, my children and my grandchildren,” says Brock, who has worked in many mediums over the years. She continued her art journey by taking numerous art classes in Tucson, and has dabbled in watercolors, acrylics, pencil and oils. 24
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When Brock attended a workshop in 2017 facilitated by Texas artist Annie Lockhart, her love for painting in acrylic and oil on canvas was reignited. Lockhart hosts “Soulful Painting” workshops and has authored a book about assemblages and processes called Objects of Reflection: A Soulful Journey Through Assemblage. Lockhart’s process and workshop involves taking an “engaging, soulful and freeflowing approach” in one’s artwork. This approach of exploring painting is not really considered a new technique or method, but a way to tap into our creative process without any attachment, meaning or judgement to the final outcome. In general, the approach focuses on being mindful and giving oneself permission to spontaneously create. Some feel that “intuitive” painting or “process” painting emerged out of different types of simple art therapy techniques. One can expect a new world of freedom without judgment when painting from the soul. The big takeaway after Brock attended Lockhart’s workshop was a profound experience that involved creating without preconceived ideas or thoughts and developing a colorful style for herself. It was here that Brock embraced her individualism—and she has not turned back. She brings joy into her creativity using the tools learned from Lockhart. Brock’s painting process begins with spraying the canvas with water, throwing acrylic paint on it, moving the paint with her fingers and hands and continuing to play with it while wet. She then decides on what details to add, or works on defined lines. At this point, she often walks away and comes back to it the next day. The end goal is to let the painting flow more freely and not force something—to
