Greek Summers and Family Inspired Art of Sheryl Ruth

Sheryl Ruth Kolitsopoulos is a talented New York-born artist with deep ties to Greek culture. In this interview, Sheryl shares how her experiences in Greece and her family heritage influence her art, which often focuses on everyday life, nature, and light. She also opens up about her background, from studying at renowned institutions like Parsons School of Design and The Art Students League to her passion for drawing, lithography, and painting.

Sheryl Ruth Kolitsopoulos is a New York native born in Brooklyn. After attending Art And Design High School in Manhattan, she received a BFA from Parsons School Of Design in New York City. Upon graduating, Ms Kolitsopoulos enrolled at The Art Students League to further her education. She is a fine artist whose love of drawing became important in her lithographs and paintings. Museum exhibitions include The Whatcom Museum, The Attleboro Arts Museum, and The Marietta Cobb Museum of Art. Her work is in the permanent collections of The Hammond Museum, The New York Public Library, The Newark Public Library, and The Art Students League. Her art is also in private collections throughout the United States, Greece, and Taiwan. Her work has been featured in several magazine publications, including 100 Emerging Artworks Of 2024 Women’s Edition Book,100 Emerging Artworks Of 2023 Women’s Edition Book, Create Magazine, Women United Art Magazine, Artist Talk Magazine, New Visionary Magazine and Art And Color 365 Magazine. Ms Kolitsopoulos first visited Greece in 1982, forever influencing her creative journey as an artist. Being in a Greek family, she has organically immersed herself in Greek culture, allowing her to appreciate the nuances of the country’s beauty, history, tradition, and extraordinary character of its people. Ms Kolitsopoulos resides with her family in both New York and southern Greece.

Sheryl Ruth Kolitsopoulos has always found inspiration in the beauty of life and nature. Her figurative work captures the subject’s dignity and celebrates everyday life within their natural surroundings. Her landscapes and cityscapes of Greece are shaped by her conversations with the panoramic beauty of the views. Drawing is the foundation of her creative process, whether alone or alongside painting. Her greatest inspiration comes from her family and her summers in Greece, where she is deeply immersed in Greek culture and traditions.

1. Sheryl, how has your deep connection to Greek culture influenced the themes and style of your artwork?

Greece and its people are a never-ending source of inspiration. They are rich in tradition, culture, and history, with a love and respect for life and the arts. The themes of my artwork are taken from everyday life. For example, In the morning, when I sit on my balcony in Greece, this old olive tree greets me. I have drawn it many times throughout the day as the light changes with the sun’s movement. I decided to take one of these drawings and create a stone lithograph, whose properties and characteristics only enhance the drawing of the old olive tree.

My greatest inspiration comes from my family and my summer months living in Greece, being immersed in Greek culture and traditions. My work deals with the way light interacts and manipulates color, line and texture within its environment.

Sheryl Ruth Kolitsopoulos

2. How did studying at places like Parsons School of Design and The Art Students League shape your creative journey?

Parsons School of Design provided an incredible opportunity to study under such amazing artists as Jane Wilson, Yvonne Jacquette, and Harvey Quaytman. Under their tutelage, these masters pushed me to broaden my horizons as an artist and to pursue my artistic path. The Art Students League gave me a chance to not only hone my skills but to diversify my education by trying new mediums, such as printmaking, pastel, watercolor painting, and anatomy classes with master instructors Anthony Palumbo, Ellen Eagle, Timothy Clark, Tommi Ono, and Fredrick Brosen.

3. Your work is featured in both museum and private collections worldwide. How do you approach creating art for different audiences and spaces?

My work appeals to different audiences because it is ever-evolving. I push my artistic vision with each piece, always challenging myself with new visual languages and concepts.

4. You’ve exhibited in various prestigious galleries and museums. Which exhibition or show has been the most memorable for you, and why?

The exhibitions have all been quite memorable, but the one that stands out the most is the Boston Printmakers 2023 North American Biennial. I was extremely impressed by the selected artists’ high caliber of skill and experimentation. I was very proud to have been chosen to be exhibiting with them all and equally pleased to have revived The Dick Blick Material Award.

My landscapes and cityscapes of Greece are influenced by conversations between myself and the beauty of its panoramic views.

Sheryl Ruth Kolitsopoulos

5. Can you tell us how your solo exhibitions, like “Hellenistic Impressions” and “Works On Paper,” brought these themes and series to life?

My solo exhibition, “Hellenistic Impressions,” brought together snapshots and first impressions of Greek and Greek life. The “Works on Paper” solo show was, in part, an extension of “Hellenic Impressions,” along with a series of lithographs that were drawn based on an extraordinary opportunity I had to sketch and photograph the Syren Dance Company at The Alvin Ailey Dance Studios.

6. With your extensive background in printmaking and lithography, how do these techniques influence your creative process compared to painting?

Drawing influences lithography and painting. Each method is chosen based on its different characteristics and ability to enhance and challenge each specific piece of art.

Sheryl Ruth Kolitsopoulos’ art beautifully blends her Greek roots with her love for everyday moments. Her experiences and education have helped her create meaningful and visually striking pieces. As she continues to explore and grow as an artist, Sheryl’s work remains a powerful reflection of her cultural background and personal experiences. To learn more about Sheryl, click the following links to visit her profile.