    
 |
 From the Benicia (CA) Herald, December 28, 2005: The Berkeley-based artist currently featured in Benicia begins her artistic process by soaking Japanese paper in water and wadding it into a ball. After straightening the paper, artist Sheila Sondik brushes on Japanese sumi ink, which settles into the cracks. After repeating this process several times, some with watercolors, she mounts the piece on a new sheet of paper and paints with watercolors and gouache. Benicia Public Library patrons can view the results of this method through January 10 at the Marilyn Citron O'Rourke Gallery, where Sondik, 56, is displaying her pieces. This is her second library show. It follows a show last year at the Napa library. "I love libraries," said Sondik, who is originally from Hartford, Conn. "I'm a big reader, and I use them all the time." The married mother of two was chosen for the O'Rourke gallery through an annual selection process. She holds a bachelor's degree in painting from the California College of Arts and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Harvard University. She has been selected for group and solo exhibitions all over the state. Susan Curran, selection committee chair for the O'Rourke Gallery, said the committee reviews approximately 30 artists to fill eight slots each year. Members rank each from 1 to 5 and the applicants with the highest scores are invited to show their works. Curran said, "Her (Sondik's) technique is interesting, and her combination of Eastern and Western art is really striking." Sondik calls her work contemplative, quiet and deep. She does not find her inspiration in urban areas, or even in dramatic landscapes. On her frequent hiking trips to Berkeley's Tilden Park, she finds the right combination of overlapping forms and light that makes a scene suitable to be painted. "I don't usually get artistically energized by cities," Sondik said. "I much prefer the non-straight lines of nature." When she has chosen a scene, Sondik captures it either with a photo or sketch. The inspiration for her artwork comes from these images. The artist said she quickly grew to admire eastern artwork in school and through several workshops she attended. She uses elements from these workshops and her educational experience to develop her trademark technique. When people see her pieces, which include lazy creeks and lush trees, Sondik said she would like them to experience a calmer, more tranquil place. A customer once told the artist that her work gave her hope. "I thought, 'That's it,'" Sondik said. "I don't need anything more than that."
|