ART AS HEALING

“Fluid painting is marked by flow,” Sherry says. “It’s about fluid dynamics and tilting your whole world, or just the canvas in front of you, to create the new and wonderful.” 

After years of suffering from depression and mood disorder, Sherry’s creative endeavors have helped provide balance and contentment. What may seem like a messy hobby that yields artwork that is unexpectedly beautiful is primarily a part of the healing process. 

Wife of Dr. John E. Fanning MD, Regional Chair of Internal Medicine at UAB-Huntsville, Sherry lives and breathes the art of healing, whether in her studio or in serving and “loving on” family, patients, students, colleagues, friends, and neighbors. 

In recent studies published by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), art therapy has proven to help in recovering from depression or trauma. Findings include a reduction in flashbacks and nightmares. Coping with difficult experiences or managing feelings such as grief, survivor’s guilt, and shame are also benefits of art used for healing. The art created as a result acts as a catalyst for positive change. This creative process has also proven to foster connectivity in the brain which leads to healthier brain function.

“I’ve always leaned toward the creative, or what my family likes to call ‘bright and flashy.’ And I’m so grateful every time someone takes the time to enjoy my pieces. Even the broken pieces. The best part of all this... I’m still learning, still improving, and healing,” she says. 

Sherry loves to teach and talk art almost as much as she loves the creative process. She believes that anyone can be an artist. Anyone can appreciate beauty. And all of us create. 

THE SCIENCE OF CANDY

Let’s take a closer look at Candy, one of Sherry’s early and most-loved paintings. It all begins with a recipe. Some are shared, some borrowed, some created along the way. Candy was derived from a recipe original to Rick Cheadle, a self-taught mixed-media artist and pouring entrepreneur. In his book Paint Pouring Recipes and Art Journal, Rick shares more than 100 unique combinations tailored for fluid painters. 

What causes the ripples, swirls and cells in the painting? Most of the effects are due to a phenomenon known as Rayleigh–Taylor instability. This is an instability of an interface between two fluids of different densities which occurs when the lighter fluid is pushing the heavier fluid. Examples include the behavior of water suspended above oil in the gravity of Earth, mushroom clouds like those from volcanic eruptions and atmospheric nuclear explosions, and supernova explosions. Even the swirling of cream in your coffee is due to this effect!

CONTACT

Finished works are available as original canvases or high-quality prints. Custom “recipes” and sizes may be requested for an additional charge. Shipping and pick-up available. Studio visits are encouraged and scheduled in advance.