Sharlena Wood is a Toronto-based, professional visual artist whose practice involves painting, drawing and experimental mixed media. Her work is primarily informed by trees, nature, and re-interpreting and re-imagining outdoor environments and the natural world we live in, incorporating vibrant colours, expressive mark-making and unique materials into her works.
Sharlena has exhibited in solo and group shows with works in several private collections across Canada and internationally. She has also created extraordinary collaborative artworks collected by over 40 non-profit organizations and private companies including GlaxoSmithKline, Canadian Water Network, Invictus Games, Heenan Blaikie LLP, Cassells Brock & Blackwell LLP, and Celebrity Cruises.
Outside of her art practice, Sharlena offers artist talks, art material lectures, and art classes & workshops both privately and with art organizations established across Ontario, Canada.
“Painting and drawing are empowering forms of meditation and spiritual exploration for me. I express my feelings about what I see, allowing my curiosity to guide me through the exciting combinations of various media that inspire me. Drawing en plein air is one of my favorite experiences, and I cherish the sketches that capture these invaluable moments. Charcoal is a staple in my work, but I confidently work with all types of media. My past series have focused on trees, animals, and elements of nature, themes I will continue to champion as powerful symbols of hope and a deep appreciation for Mother Earth and her preservation.”
personal Development
Japan Residency, Karuizawa Mokuhanga School in 2024
Arts & Letters Club member in 2023
CARFAC Member since 2019
Marketing Communications in Community Arts Development, Humber College; Oakville, ON in 2008
2005-present Visual Artist, Freelance.
2015-2017 Gallery / Framing Assistant, Still Images, Toronto, ON
2012-2013 Graphic Design Assistant, Tri-Art Mfg.
2010-2012 Art Education Program Administrator, Tri-Art Mfg.
2008-2010 Marketing Assistant, Currys Artist Materials Ltd
2004-2008 Studio Administrator, Currys Art School
2002-2004 Customer Service, Currys Artist Materials Ltd
1999-2002 Assistant Manager, Wallacks Art & Drafting Supplies, Ottawa, ON
Awards, Grants, Nominations
2022 Juror for Clark Centre for the Arts
2015 Buckhorn Fine Art Festival • Pastel, Charcoal & Ink
2013 Winner of ‘Art Battle 76 Kingston, ON
2012 Nominated Finalist for the (UK) Erotic Art Awards
2010 Grant Recipient for MAC ‘Diversity Through Art’ Project
2009 Nominated Emerging Artist, MAC, Martys Awards
Press & PUBLICATIONS
2024 Jared Craig Music Sheets
2018 Tauchid, Rheni. “Acrylic Painting Mediums and Methods: A Contemporary Guide to Materials, Techniques, and Applications”. Monacelli Press 2018. p.82-83, 225, 227-229
2017 'The Island' - Visual Art's Mississauga Winter 2018 Program
2014 Co-author MacKenzie, Bob. “Spirit Quest”. Dark Matter Press
2014 ‘Wise Guardian’, donor cards, David Suzuki Foundation
2013 Abi Conners, “Art Battle Kingston” interview, MUSE Magazine
2013 ‘Serendipity’ in tourism brochure, Gorongosa National Park
2012 Lezley Davidson, Featured artist
2011 Modern Fuel Artist Playing Cards, Kingston ON
2010 Lisa Orgler Empty Easel Online Art Magazine. Jan 27
2009 Commission works in real estate brochure, Remax Canada
2009 Tauchid, Rheni. “The New Acrylics Essential Sourcebook: Materials, Techniques, and Contemporary Applications for Today's Artist”. Watson Guptill 2009. p.128-129, 135
Shared Palette & Live Painting Events
2023 Definity Insurance Company
2022 Dynamic Earth vernissage, Kidner Gallery
2018 Triple P Parenting Fundraiser
2017 Azamara Cruises, Caribbean
2017 100 Women in Finance ‘Invictus Games’ Gala
2017 Gypsum Technologies
2017 Economical Insurance CEO Welcoming Party
2016 Clanmore Montessori Christmas Party
2016 Acclaim Health 'Party with a Purpose’ Gala
2016 New Beginnings Anniversary Gala
2015 Toronto Wildlife Centre Fundraiser
2015 Beginnings
2015 Kylemore Communities
2015 Ryerson, Science Departments
2015 Celebrity Cruises, President’s Century Cruise, Asia
2015 Canadian Water Network, Convention Centre
2014 Regina Garden Retirement Home
2014 IncentiveWorks Trade Show, MTCC
2013 Private Holiday Party, Sole Power Productions
2013 Eden Place Retirement Home Holiday PartyB
2012 Harbinger Ideas Corporate Event
2012 Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP
2011 Natural Food Co-Op 35th Anniversary
2011 Keaton Millar ‘Make A Difference’ Fundraiser
2010 Motionball Cloud 9 Fundraiser
2010 Heenan Blaikie LLP
2010 Toronto Wildlife Centre Fundraiser
2009 The Linden Fund Fundraiser
2009 Blazing Design Anniversary
2009 GlaxoSmithKline
2009 Darling Home for Kids Fundraiser
2009 Celebrate Courage Fundraiser
2009 Showmakers Corporate Event
2009 Visual Arts Mississauga
2008 Basman Smith LLP
2008 CHIC Event, Palais Royale
2008 Royal St. George’s College
2008 Sotheby’s Promotional Event
2008 Plant a Row Grow a Row Fundraiser
2008 CHIP Charity Fundraiser
2008 Toronto Wildlife Center Fundraiser
2007 Toronto Wildlife Center Fundraiser
Exhibitions
2024 Featured work ‘Synchronicity’, Epstein Cole LLP, Toronto
2024 Loft Gallery Inc, Annual Square Foot Show, Thornbury
2024 Instructors Show, Visual Arts Mississauga, Mississauga
2024 World Art Day, Visual Arts Mississauga, Mississauga
2023 Instructors Show, Visual Arts Mississauga, Mississauga
2023 Grateful Spirit Group Show, Arts & Letters, Toronto
2023 Boundless Light Group Show, Arts & Letters, Toronto
2022 Merry Mini Holiday Show, Clinehouse Gallery, Cornwall
2022 Dynamic Earth Group Show, Kidner Gallery, Toronto
2020 Alumni Group Show, Visual Arts Mississauga, Mississauga
2019 Featured Artist, Gallery 121, Belleville
2019 Rendevous with Line & Colour, Luc Sculpture, Toronto
2015 Group Exhibition, In the Round, Graven Feather, Toronto
2014 Pancakes & Booze Art Show, Adelaide Hall, Toronto
2013 Charcoal Trees, The Artel, Kingston
2013 Skelington Park Summer Soltice, Kingston
2013 The Sketchbook Project, NYC
2012 The X and O Show, LoverMagazine, Toronto
2011 One by One Show, BAA Gallery, Belleville
2010 Sneak Peek Show, The Gladstone Artbar, Toronto
2009 Cityscapes, Steam Whistle Brewing, Toronto
2009 Go Figure Show, Propeller Gallery, Toronto
2009 Dr.Sketchys Retrospective, The Gladstone, Toronto
Lectures, Presentations, Workshops
2024 Instructor/Host, The Lodge on Amherst Island
2024 Instructor, Loyalist College, Belleville
2024 Instructor, Visual Arts Mississauga, Mississauga
2024 Instructor, Clinehouse Studios, Cornwall
2024 Demo, Clarkson Art Group, Mississauga
2023 Instructor, Barrie Art Club, Barrie
2023 Instructor/Host, The Lodge on Amherst Island
2023 Instructor, Clinehouse Studios, Cornwall
2023 Instructor, Visual Arts Mississauga, Mississauga
2023 The East Central Ontario Art Association, Zoom ArtShare
2022 Instructor/Host, Lush Earth Oasis Retreat
2022 Instructor/Host, The Lodge on Amherst Island
2022 Instructor, Clinehouse Studios, Cornwall
2022 Instructor, Visual Arts Mississauga, Zoom
2021 Lecture/Demo, Clarkson Art Group, Mississauga
2020 Instructor, Visual Arts Mississauga, Mississauga
2020 Instructor, Luc Sculpture School, Toronto
2020 Instructor, Cedar Ridge, Scarborough
2019 Instructor/Host, The Lodge on Amherst Island
2019 Instructor, OBO Studios, Cornwall
2019 Instructor, Barrie Art Club, Barrie
2019 Instructor, Loyalist College, Belleville
2019 Instructor, Visual Arts Mississauga, Mississauga
2019 Instructor, Japanese Paper Place, Toronto
2019 Instructor, Luc Sculpture School, Toronto
2019 Educator/Presenter, DVAC, Toronto
2019 Presenter, Visual Arts Mississauga, Mississauga
2018 Instructor, OBO Studios, Cornwall
2018 Instructor, The Lodge on Amherst Island
2018 Instructor, Barrie Art Club, Barrie
2018 Instructor, East End Arts, Toronto
2018 Instructor, Loyalist College, Belleville
2018 Instructor, Visual Arts Mississauga, Mississauga
2018 Instructor, Japanese Paper Place, Toronto
2018 Instructor, Luc Sculpture School, Toronto
2017 Instructor, Visual Arts Mississauga, Mississauga
2017 Instructor, Luc Sculpture School, Toronto
2017 Instructor, Kanata Art Group, Ottawa
2017 Instructor, Cobourg Art Group, Cobourg
2016 Instructor, Visual Arts Mississauga, Mississauga
2016 Instructor, Loyalist College, Belleville
2016 Lecture/Demo, Japanese Paper Place, Toronto
2016 Lecture/Demo, Don Valley/Forest Hill Art Group, Toronto
2015 Instructor, Craftsy Sympoz Inc. Denver
2014 Instructor, Craftsy Sympoz Inc. Denver
2014 Instructor, Wallack’s Art & Drafting, Kingston
2014 Instructor, Loyalist College, Belleville
2013 Educator/Presenter, NAMTA, Minneapolis
2012 Educator/Presenter, NNAMTA, Orlando
2011 Instructor, Loyalist College, Belleville
2011 Instructor, Rideau Lakes Artist Association, Westport
2011 Lecture, Queens University, Kingston
2011 Lecture, National Art Teachers Association, Seattle
2011 Educator/Presenter, NAMTA, Phoenix
2011 Instructor, Wallack’s Art & Drafting, Ottawa
2010 Instructor, Loyalist College, Belleville
2010 Instructor, Visual Arts Mississauga, Mississauga
2010 Guest Artist Instructor, West Credit HS, Mississauga
2010 Educator/Presenter, Art for All Canada, Toronto
2010 Educator, Learning & Product Expo:Art!, Pasadena
2010 Educator/Presenter, NAMTA, Indianapolis
2010 Educator/Presenter, NYSATA, Rochester
2009 Instructor, Toronto Watercolour Society, Toronto
2009 Instructor, Visual Arts Mississauga, Mississauga
2009 Educator/Presenter, Art for All Canada, Toronto
2009 Educator, Learning & Product Expo:Art!, Pasadena
2007 Instructor, Port Credit Art School, Mississauga
2006 Instructor, Currys Art School, Mississauga
2005 Instructor, Currys Art School, Mississauga