Sharon grew up in rural Quebec. She attended university in Ottawa and obtained her medical degree and specialty in internal medicine in 1977. She then practiced medicine in Kirkland Lake, Ontario, and raised a family with her husband. She now lives in Arnprior, Ontario. Her zeal for artistic expression began in university with painting. In the 1990’sshe explored art glass. Her commissioned work can be seen in the Trinity United Church, the Monnette funeral home and private residences in Kirkland Lake, Toronto and Arnprior.

Being coerced to attend a quilting class in 1996 was a catalyst for what has become an unquenchable passion for creating fibre art. Sharon’s work is primarily landscape, both real and imagined, with a focus on mood and colour. Her work has been juried into local, national and international shows. Dr. Collins’ art can be seen in collections both private and commercial.

Sharon’s work comes from an inner and innate response to life’s daily moments playing out in her natural environment. She works with light and colour in variation to create mood, drama and impact. Sharon strives to create pieces that reflect the essence of places, real and imagined. She aspires to evoke emotional responses in the viewer with the intention that they will feel as though they are a part of these places that were experienced or imagined.

Artist Statement

My artistic expression is an integral part of my being. I have expressed myself in different mediums over the years, but my current medium of choice is textiles. Its tactile nature is appealing. The detailed steps in the process of making textile art are reflective of the many stages in our lives. We must slow down and focus on the process.

My inspirations are often external; a scene, a photograph, and sometimes a piece of fabric. Most times my work comes from internal emotional place particularly recalled imagery from hypnotic trance.

I strive to create pieces that reflect the essence of places, real and imagined. I hope to evoke an emotional response in the viewer. Some of my work is collaged commercial and hand dyed cotton fabric, but more recently I have been combining fabric paint and hand dyed silks with the cottons to fabricate my art.