Shari Pettis

I depict the ubiquitous shapes and structures of my daily surroundings in my paintings. I use blunt compositions and simplify select objects to the point of symbolic forms. Manmade and non-manmade objects are juxtaposed in landscapes of saturated, artificial colors. I employ contrasts of texture, varying degrees of abstraction and synthetic colors to disturb the quiet of sparse compositions. By challenging traditional notions of romantic landscapes that represent contentment by omitting all signs of human inhabitation, I aim to depict a restless romanticism that emphasizes the artifacts of my society.

© Shari Pettis