“I get hundreds of piece of art to have to match to the repertoire and other considerations…. thank you for doing this and for all the beautiful art you sent me. You’re very talented.” -Gayle Lang, Manager, Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra
“I can see why they awarded it; beautiful work! I love the palette and texture…Thanks for sharing….” – Dr. Lisa Ciresi, PhD, Professor of Art History, USCB
“… Artist Sheila Grabarsky creates nature scenes through gestural abstracts driven by intuition and flowing paintwork….the artists were tasked with creating visual responses inspired by poetry. Sheila delved into the idea that in our fast-paced modern world, there is no formula to measure unceasing progress.She transformed and expressed this thought by relying on instinct when selecting colors. Following the cues of her brush, she intuitively chose the shades her eye favored for each stroke of paint…” – UGallery.com
“…. Sheila Grabarsky’s widely recognized ‘Garden’ paintings transcend the literal depiction of her chosen subject matter. They engage viewers on an emotional level, provide a personal connection to nature and provoke a visceral response.” – Lori Austin, Lorin Austin Gallery, Sebastopol, CA
”I think that this is a very interesting image both in color and in surface. The complement of those strong reds and greens is really great.” – Kyle C. Coleman, Fine Arts Manager, Lake City , SC ArtFields Collective
From collector, “Your paintings are just so colorful and always unique. They just bring me joy…I want to put something cheery in my kitchen.” It means the world to me! “
“….The appeal of [the] work is the burst of color and then the titles that pull it all together. I think viewers really relate to the color first and have the emotional reference and reaction and then the titles bring it home… Grabarsky’s work looks amazing hung in combinations. … they really work in multiples. It’s hard to translate the textures of the work, but once seen in person, it has a lot of impact.” – Linda Kiley, ArtWorks Gallery, Cedar City, Utah
“….Grabarsky incorporates bold gesture and rhythm in a way that is reminiscent of Krasner. However, Grabarsky’s work also incorporates a riotous use of color akin to Matisse and the Fauves, creating joyful compositions with an air of natural spontaneity.”, LonelyOceanArt.com
“….they are so cool, your work is edgy and NOW” – Cathy Kline, Cathy Kline Gallery, Parkland, MO
“In Sheila’s statement she mentions how happy she is to be able to express herself in this way, and while she is anything but a child, she claims to still be that child inside. This happiness and satisfaction is so apparent in this work. Her paintings are bold, free and expressive. Bedhead, as to her other paintings in the show give us space to wander around and wonder. We might wonder if they are a place or if those organic shapes are plant matter or are they colors from her personal dreamland. Where ever they come from or what they are, they are just pure and unadulterated fun and a joy to experience.” – Royce Deans, founder of artists table online.com
“Sheila Grabarsky is an award winning, abstract painter known for her bold and expressive gestural paintings. A juxtaposition of contrasting colors, loose brushwork and spontaneity characterize her work. Grabarsky achieves a medley of sumptuous, tactile surfaces by applying layers upon layers of fresh paint and other dimensional elements that add reflection, depth and texture. The artist’s work engages viewers on an emotional level, providing a personal connection to nature, provoking a visceral response. Inspired by abstract masters, the essence of beauty and potency of the human spirit are key factors in her art….A departure from other more realistic painters, Sheila seems to cut loose and create work that feels happy.” – Linda Kiley, Arts Works Gallery, Cedar City, Utah
“Her website “Gallery” is a beautiful and vibrant display of this New Jersey abstract painter’s passion for lush, physically tactile surfaces of thick gestural brushwork and multiple layers of spontaneous, contrasting color forms…Lightness and joy emanate from these paintings, from her crisp color combinations and lyrical line movements…you can easily imagine her drawing with a heavily loaded brush through the composition, to her own animated musical rhythm, what marks her signature style.” – Richard Malinsky, Arts Editor, Woven Tale Press
“Sheila Grabarsky of Waretown, New Jersey has a rich painterly signature style which is elaborated in her work “Orange Segment” done in acrylic. The predominant orange area sets the platform, hosting a rich interplay of smaller shapes and color in a celebratory manner. In “We Need Bees” this elaborate shaping and marking is fully orchestrated with an awesome visual sound with cymbals.” – Laurence Bradshaw, curator, Professor Emeritus of Art and Art History
Exerpted from article by Janet Purcell of the Trenton Times: “The Douglas H. Palmer Award for Excellence for Best in Show Overall was conferred on Shelia Grabarsky for her acrylic on canvas abstract, “Orange Segment.” This daring, highly textured white background painting supports orange shapes accented in black and shot with blue and red. Stand back and enjoy the energy it exudes.”
Stephen Quiller, artist and author of 7 books on watermedia about Orange Segment (awarded in 7th online international exhibition at ISAP-International, April, 2016): “This is a predominantly high key painting with a strong, rhythmic geometric motif. A painterly use of the acrylic medium.”
“Perspective is completely obscured in Sheila Grabarsky’s Meadow Romp; as feminine colors weave floral forms in and out, we wonder; is this what is left after a frisky time? …. Sheila Grabarsky’s paintings are … abstracted, but in a manner perhaps more recognizable as feminine, with brushes of pinks and purples, resembling flowers and meadows. Still, in “Some Birds Don’t Fly,”’ and “Meadow Romp,” viewers can seek out figures and even narratives with her expressive brushstrokes, and the curious addition of a yarn in the form of a comic text box.” – Sally Deskins, founder of Les Femmes Folles Anthology of Women Artists
“Bursting with color and bold forms, Sheila Grabarsky’s abstract paintings virtually swirl and dance on the canvas.” – Carolyn Edlund. ArtsyShark.com founder
“Grabarsky is known for her bold and expressive gestural abstract paintings. A juxtaposition of contrasting colors, loose brushwork and spontaneity characterize her work….Grabarsky’s prolific work is supported by her energetic and enthusiastic nature. The desire to express herself influences and inspires her painting. Grabarsky’s bio/cv reflects her prolific energy and commitment.. .” – Mary Cantone, William Ris Gallery, Gallery Director
In the artists’s words:
“I see abstraction everywhere – in nature, in architecture, in my mind’s eye. Look at a window – study each individual pane and you just might see an infinite number of exciting compositions of line, color, dimension, perspective and form, as I do.”
And rave reviews from Renee Phillips, Manhattan Arts International:
“Robust color juxtapositions, confident and spontaneous brushwork, and symphonic compositions characterize her works of art. Although we can may occasionally catch a glimpse of a recognizable form from nature, Grabarsky’s paintings are primarily nonobjective expressions that originate from deeply below the surface… Grabarsky’s dazzling panoply of expansive chromatic and tonal scales are playful and compelling. Her sumptuous tactile surfaces provide a beautiful terrain for visual exploration.”
Writes author Cat Dixon (catdix.com): “…Les Femmes Folles…delivers powerful poetry and inspiring art from some of the finest women producing creative work. …every page vibrates with intensity and vulnerability. Make no mistake: these women are proud, strong and fierce…. When these different artists are combined in one collection, the result is passionate and memorable.”
“Robust color juxtapositions, confident and spontaneous brushwork, and symphonic compositions characterize her works of art. Although we may occasionally catch a glimpse of a recognizable form from nature, Grabarsky’s paintings are primarily nonobjective expressions that originate from deeply below the surface… Grabarsky’s dazzling panoply of expansive chromatic and tonal scales are playful and compelling. Her sumptuous tactile surfaces provide a beautiful terrain for visual exploration.” – Renee Phillips, Manhattan Arts International
“Her artwork is made very confidently and with a great feel for strong colours and its nuances, and balanced composition. She has her own unique way of abstract expression; her paintings are very energetic and joyful.” – Nadia Ross, juror/artist
“Sheila Grabarsky, of Waretown, NJ has strong color tonality and painterly effects in her acrylic painting Fantasy Garden 13. With the ambitious development of the flower-like areas she achieves an outstanding voluptuous artwork. - Laurence Bradshaw, curator, Professor Emeritus of Art and Art History, University of
“Sheila’s paintings may call to mind flowers or interior scenes. Their swirling organic forms embrace the viewer in a world of movement.” – James Kent, gallerist/artist
“…. there are, by the manner of energetic and spontaneous workmanship, layers upon layers of interaction of color and form. The motion of energy reveals the nature of these individual layers; as one alights, the rest follow. These works are as a flock of birds, as one form or group of forms seem to guide the direction of the surface. The trail of following forms seems infinite.” - Marjorie Kaye, Director / Caladan Gallery