Conversations with the Inspiring Sheridan Furrer

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sheridan Furrer.

Sheridan, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I have been doing art since I was able to smear stuff on-to things, but my style really hit around 15, which was well-timed with hormones ‘n junk, I guess. I was initially really inspired by the big-wig of the Surrealist painters, Salvador Dali- his surreal spindly/writhe/lithe forms have always left an imprint on me; that, and the fact I was born on the day he died solidified him as one of my main artistic muses, ha. The English painter Francis Bacon has my art-heart as an adult, however, and David Lynch’s artworks (which are heavily inspired by Bacon) are a close second. As for the ladies- German Expressionist Käthe Kollwitz would be my number one, as I’m completely in awe of the raw emotion she captured in her work. I’m also getting into Carolee Schneemann, whose best known for her performance art (google Interior Scroll) pertaining to the female body, gender, and sexuality, while confronting and embracing societal taboos.

I’m born and raised in Colorado and have been flitting around the Denver art scene since 2008, showing in galleries across the front range and even a little bit beyond. I’ve done the usual grind of live painting at shows, festivals, and even managed a few murals around the city. My main “bread and butter” as an artist has been commission work in various forms. I’ve been in school for the last six years getting my Bachelor’s degree at Metropolitan State University of Denver, majoring in Art with a double minor in Human Services & Psychology and actually graduate this semester! After a brief interlude (perhaps a year or so) to have a life/be human again, I plan on getting my Masters of Counseling with an Art Therapy focus somewhere out east, so my days in Denver do have an expiration date. Way down the line, I’d like to combine my intrinsic artistic drive with my passion for mental health and eventually have my own private practice, which would integrate a variety of “alternative” therapies (art, music, horticulture, movement, animal, etc.) alongside more traditional modes of therapy. My belief is that everyone has a mode of expression, and it is of key therapeutic benefit to have a wide range of such expression/activity available to aid people in healing themselves.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The best advice I could give to anyone starting out is NOT to give in to the perceived pressure imposed by social media and the “scene” (Denver or otherwise). I feel that so many artists, especially ones that are just starting out, think that they immediately need to have a “brand/image/style/whatever”…and then get so caught up in keeping it up on social media that they don’t actually get around to making and developing their art/artistic style. I absolutely fell into that trap and yeah, it’s hard not to- a quick hit of dopamine for every like you get, a sense of self-worth determined by followers and being tagged. But you also waste SO MUCH time being caught up on these intangible things; and if you think about it, the amount of time you spend scrolling/posting/lurking/etc. is time that you could have put your phone down and worked on your art form.

On that note too, know that everyone starts somewhere and anything takes time and dedication. That’s another trap of social media- these people look successful and put together, but you never know what’s going on behind the scenes or the journey they’ve been on to get to where you see them now- I know it’s cheesy, but it’s true ya’ll. Each person is unique, and know that you are on your own journey too, going at your own p a c e. As long as you make the time for your art (time is the biggest thing honestly), you’ll get to where you want to be.

My journey as an artist has been a prime example of this: I started out strong coming out of high school (so we’re talking late 2000’s), had my own studio space right off 7th & Sante Fe and was showing fairly consistently on the Sante Fe Art Walk & other galleries around Denver. Then real life happened, I had to get some jobs to pay the rent, started getting into the dating scene and just you know, living life that young-adult Denverite life; and honestly, art took a back seat to experiencing and exploring who I was and building my life as an adult. At times I felt very badly for this, especially when I was giving in to that “perceived pressure” for social media/peers, and allowed myself to feel like I was failing as an artist because I didn’t have (or didn’t make) the time for it in my life. But now I see it differently- I was gaining experience and building a stable foundation for myself and when I was ready, the artwork would come. And it has, I’m now at a place in my life where I am stable, secure, and can afford the time to make the art that has been building inside of me! I’m able to express the experiences of the last decade that have been processing in the back of my mind on simmer and can explore who I am creatively (and as a whole) now, compared to who I was when I was last able to make art with abandon, which was as that angsty hormone-ridden teen with zero responsibilities.

One of my favorite authors is Richard Matheson, and one of my favorite books is his short-story anthology I Am Legend (yes, you are correct to think of Will Smith and yes, the book is better). In it there is a story called “Mad House”, and from it a particular quote that has stuck with me through the years as I’ve struggled to juggle my time between art, bills, job(s), relationships, bodily requirements, school, debauchery, etc. It reads:

“God help all us poor wretches who would create and find that we must lose our hearts for it because we cannot afford to spend our time at it.”

I think that is something that every creative, passionate person feels at some point (if not fairly consistently) in their existence, especially in our modern world where we absolutely have more demands and pulls at our attention that take us away from the time we need to sit with what our soul yearns for. It’s hard, man. And while that quote seems bleak (and the story is, for sure), it also motivates, I think- it’s a reminder of what we can’t let happen in our lives.

We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I am primarily a painter, specializing in oil and mixed media pieces… the mixed media element ranges from collage to found materials/objects (such as nail polish, nails, mirror shards, and human hair/teeth), and then more “traditional” mediums of acrylic, spray paint, pastels, ink, etc. So essentially whatever I’m moved to use/have available, I’ll use it! One thing I like to do as well is “art drop”- that is, leave art places around the city and then post a teaser of where the piece might be on Instagram. While I haven’t had anyone @ me that they’ve found a particular piece, I’d like to think that various humans have found and cherished my art-droppings… but I also like the idea that they become literal trash because impermanence and letting go is an important part of art as well.

Anywho, I primarily utilize primary colors as the palate in my paintings and combining abstract/expressionistic backgrounds with Dali-esque/surreal humanoid figures and of course, various mixed media elements. While I’ve been in school however, my focus has moved to really exploring the potential of oil paint, particularly with various glazing techniques. Currently, my thesis work is focusing on the imagery of pieta and Our Lady of Sorrows and using this classical imagery to express modern issues facing us today, such as violence in the middle east, immigration, corporations ravaging our environment, and the threat of nuclear war as an ultimate end. That brings up something else I’m most known for – making work that does not shy away from violence/gore, dark/macabre, and overall “heavy” themes, yet expressed/painted in such a way that they’re beautiful and command attention in a room – that’s the comment I’ve gotten most in a gallery setting actually, that my pieces have a presence and confront the viewer, yet draw them in.

On the note of expressing “dark” content/imagery/art… art is self-expression, and that includes all sides of your “self”. You will gain so much more as an artist if you go to those dark corners of your mind and let them out if anything only for your own release. No one has to see it, you can destroy it or burn it or do whatever you like with it, but art absolutely does not have to be palpable or “pretty”- it is self-expression, and whatever form that takes is valid as a work of art. As an artist, I think you will gain so much more being honest with yourself and your struggles and using your art-form to not just face it but work through and process – and that can be very hard gritty bloody work. But it’s true, honest expression and that to me is the most human, and therefore a successful, work of art.

Do you have any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general? What has worked well for you?
I’ll be the first to admit that socializing in loud, crowded settings is absolutely not my forte, though that’s usually what we think of as the prime time to get in with the “in” crowd. It’s not! I would stress knowing your limitations and playing to your strengths, so for example – I suck at being social in said loud, crowded gallery openings (I’ve literally had panic attacks at shows and had to leave cause it was all too intense), but I DO know I’m good where it’s quieter and with one-on-one interactions. So, in such a situation I’ll assess/identity the artists/gallery reps that I’d want to talk to and then be sure I’m grabbing their cards/any information I can over the course of the evening. Also, I’ll keep my radar up so that if one such people cross my path where I’m more comfortable (quieter back room or out in the alley getting some “fresh air” aka smoking) I’ll be sure to strike up a conversation and exchange some info, and hopefully the conversation can continue at a less-loud/crowded later date. And if no one crosses my path and I need to bounce for my sanity’s sake, I absolutely hit the ‘ol social media and am sure to follow-up with the artists business cards and maybe reach out via email to gallery people/space.

Basically, do what you can to the best of your ability and there is absolutely no shame in knowing your limits and needed to tap out. You’re not wasting an opportunity because you need space/quiet/away from people. Heck, it’s better to pop in and out than force yourself to stay in a situation and end up having a breakdown because that’s never a good look and now you’ve actually probably done some damage as far as networking/your “image” goes. Trust me.

This goes back to what I’ve been saying about not giving into perceived “image” or “pressure” to be an immediately successful artist – you need to take the time to learn who you are, develop your style, experience the scene and how you personally navigate it. And know that it’s all a process, always in flux. But the key point is that you are being honest with yourself and use it to your strengths. This isn’t to say don’t push yourself, pushing yourself is absolutely how you grow! But you don’t have to push yourself into being something you aren’t, nor into situations where you feel defeated before even going in.

Also, on the networking thing, support your fellow artists and community. While I’m not denying that it exists, there should never be an “us and them” between artists- we’re in the struggle together, and we should be as supportive and communicative as we’re able. The art scene can be (and is) extremely cliquey, but it doesn’t have to be. While stepping your toe into whatever community/scene, build up your own supportive network of art-minded friends that can be a source of strength, motivation and yeah, support for when you’re feeling low. Help each other out with leads to shows, gigs, commissions, etc. cause too, you never know who will “make it” and when a favor can be called in- and also, people remember kindness and support. Legit.

Contact Info:

• Address: 3525 Walnut St. Unit #19 Denver, CO 80205
• Email: sheridan.furrer@gmail.com
• Instagram: @sfurrer_art
• Facebook: facebook.com/sfurrerart
• Twitter: @sfurrer_art

Image Credit:
Birdseed Collective

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