"My background is in Art Education, BS from Southern Connecticut State University and Art Therapy, MS from the College of New Rochelle. I also studied ceramics, drawing, and painting at various times before and after my formal education at the Creative Arts Workshop in New Haven, CT.
I worked as an Art Therapist, mainly with a geriatric population. Since I had found doing/making art to be therapeutic for myself, this was a very satisfying profession for me.
My work is usually in clay or mixed media, and reflects my feelings about women, family, the environment , and life in general.
I have been exhibiting my work for the past twenty years in various Connecticut galleries, and at the Castle Gallery at the College of new Rochelle in New York, The Connecticut galleries include: Bennett Gallery in Fairfield, Firehouse Gallery in Milford, Gallery 53 in Meriden, Farmington Art Center in Farmington, City Lights Gallery in Bridgeport, 22 Haviland St. Gallery in Norwalk and the Westport Library among others.
I have created some of the work for this show over the last couple of years. I combined my own photos of some of my favorite people or places with recycled materials, paint, graphite, ink, and/or oil pastels. The recycled materials that presently appeal to me are shredded paper, discarded cuts of wood from places like Hope Depot, screening from my broken screen doors, and chicken wire purchased for other projects.
I often find myself fencing in images of women, or depicting places usually off limits to me, or altering photographs that I have taken to depict a slightly "off" image. I believe, from my experience in Art Therapy, that these voiceless expressions actually say a lot about who I am, and how I view the world - especially the many layers of MY world."
--Sheila Pite, 2011
There is still much that one does not know about Sheila, she is a humbled person. Her work displays this attribute she hides. When you are viewing her work you find that something stirs inside you. You don't know exactly what it is, but it makes you connect to exactly what she states. You walk away complete because you understand, a knowing comes over you that you are at peace, a sense of tranquility because you just know....what that is in our every day mundane lives you ask? It isn't there it runs deeper, soul searching, soul settling.
One understands the "voiceless expressions" that are hidden in each piece -- resonating with each of our souls, making that balance happen that sense of tranquility spoken about before. A better understanding of what is not there, the unknown becomes known, that knowing keeps you balanced...an assured feeling that you thought lost is returned. You can see this in "I Can See Clearly Now" seen below. This piece is haunting, ghost like, yet it resonates with your soul, understanding what is today for some women throughout the world.
"I Can See Clearly Now" - mixed media - by Sheila Pite
Sheila's travels through life -- acceptance, expectations - her own and others -- has given her grace and humility so many are seeking. A multi-faceted woman, Sheila's words "...especially the many layers of MY world...." peaks your curiosity to see what lies underneath, and in between.
"Mother's Garden II" - ceramic - by Sheila Pite
One can view "Mother's Garden II" in the round...the work shows how Mother nurtures, cares, and loves automatically, with instinct, cultivating their offspring. Gathering and nestling her most precious gifts around her protecting them from the world's events....as Mother Nature does with her own offspring -- rain/drink, minerals in dirt/food, trees/protection, flowers & bees/pollination (birth/rebirth), grass & plants hibernating under snow...so awe inspiring.
Sheila is September's Artist. She will have her work on display at SoBoBo from September 1st to September 30th. Visit with her at her Opening Reception on Thursday, September 8th from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm and learn more....
SoBoBo is located at 42 Naugatuck Avenue, Milford, CT. Gallery hours are Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from noon to 6:00 pm. To view Monday through Wednesday, please call 203-906-8945 for an appointment.
