(PLAINSBORO, NJ) -- Sherri Andrews describes her passion for painting as a hidden talent. But the secret is out. In less than 6 years, the Plainsboro artist has gone from a self-taught painter reluctant to submit any of her work, to an award-winning artist who has sold more than 100 pieces and is represented in the permanent collection at the Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie. Her paintings, a mix of alcohol inks, watercolors and acrylics, have been selected to hang in many juried venues, including the Ellarslie, D&R Greenway Art and West Windsor Arts Center. They also tend to sell quickly, sometimes faster than she hoped.

She was so surprised when her first painting, “Abstract Poppies,” sold that she asked her husband to buy it back. She wasn’t quite ready to let go of it. You can see “Abstract Poppies,” along with a collection of Andrews’ bright, joyful paintings, on display at the Plainsboro Public Library from August 3 – 28, 2019. The exhibition, called “Evolution,” is her first solo show. The public is invited to an opening reception on Sunday, August 4th from 2:00pm to 4:00pm.

As Andrews prepares for her show, she finds herself at a crossroads. While much of her work explodes in bold, colorful, textural and abstract representations of her own life’s story, she is starting to feel a pull toward a different kind of visual storytelling. It is one that explores the downside of our “money culture,” a topic in which she is intimately engaged and highly informed. Andrews is not only a fast-rising artist, but she is also a former and highly successful Wall Street hedge fund manager and research director with an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Which begs the question, “Can art and business coexist in one brilliant career?” Most certainly “yes,” as her work and passions continue to collide and evolve.

“Most people think that art and business have nothing in common, yet they both require creativity and an out-of-the-box approach to interpreting the human experience,” Andrews says. She attributes her rapid ascent to her ability to connect to people in a way that is relatable and universal with themes that showcase her appreciation for beauty.

Many of her paintings feature bold landscapes, colorful flowers, graceful dancers and abstract images that show movement and express joy. People are drawn in by the richness of color and variation of textures. “I like to work in layer and textures in all the paintings I do. Right now, I am working on paint and paper collages and also acrylics with crazy underlayers that involve ‘negative’ painting and scratching off the top layer,” she says.

Andrews continues to scratch more than the surface of her innate, evolving talents. “My art has evolved over time and so too have the techniques I use, and the subject matters I choose,” she explains. “I am exploring figurative art, which is a new challenge for me. I feel like my painting can give ‘life’ to a person. Sometimes I can almost see the figure looking back at me.” Andrews chronicles her creative journey in “Evolution” as she looks ahead to new challenges and opportunities to share her talents and insights with others. A portion of the proceeds from the show will be donated to the West Windsor Arts Council.

Sherri Andrews is a self-taught artist who paints in alcohol inks, watercolors and acrylics. She is the 2018 recipient of the Ben Whitmore Purchase Award from the Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie. Her work has been on display at juried venues and art fairs, including shows affiliated with the West Windsor Arts Council and the Arts Council of Princeton. She has donated pieces to Pinot to Picasso, the Arts Council of Princeton’s signature fundraiser, and her artwork was included in ArtJam, a pop-up gallery benefiting HomeFront. Andrews is also the President of the Board of Trustees of the West Windsor Arts Council and a resident of Plainsboro, New Jersey. 

The Plainsboro Public Library seeks to inspire lifelong learning, create understanding and make our community a better place through a year-round calendar of special programming and events. The library is located at 9 Van Doren Street in Plainsboro and is open to the public as a resource for research, education and collaboration. Hours are 10:00am to 8:30pm Monday through Thursday, and 10:00am to 5:00pm Friday through Sunday. 

IMAGE: "Abstract Poppies In Vase" by Sherri Andrews