Where the Wood Drake Rests

“Where the Wood Drake Rests”       6” x 4”        Pastel       $96       © Sharon Lewis

            One of my favorite poems that I love to read when I’m feeling tired and a bit overwhelmed is “The  Peace of Wild Things” by Wendell Perry. No matter how many times I read this poem, the imagery within always soothes me. I love the lines:

“I go and lie down where the wood drake rests in his beauty on the water, ……I come into the presence of still water. And I feel above me the day-blind stars waiting with their light.”

As Perry used his words, I have used paint, to hopefully create a refuge that within you can find peace.

            Happy Weekend! 

Peaceful in Blue

  “Peaceful in Blue”               2.5” x 3.5”        Pastel       $35        © Sharon Lewis

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Right now, I would love to be relaxing at the beach. When I’m at the beach, I seem to slow down and focus on the natural environment. Unfortunately, it’s that busy time of the academic year for faculty and students and we’re all focused on getting through mountains of work. Spring is when I want time to slow down a bit so that I can slow down as well and enjoy this beautiful season.  I’m grateful for trips to the beach and in spite of all the work, for this lovely time of year. 

Happy Weekend!

 

Over the Hill

  “Over the Hill”           4” x 6”        Pastel       $96       © Sharon Lewis

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This is another painting I did while at the beach last month. I’ve been painting a little with acrylics, a medium I haven’t used in a while and have been having so much fun as well as being a little frustrated. Each medium I’ve used has some wonderful aspects to it and some challenging aspects. I love how with so few tubes of acrylic paint, I can make a large variety of colors but it’s challenging to figure out which brush and what kind of brush stroke would best convey the image I want to create. However, I feel so fortunate to be able to do this kind of fun, challenging work!

Happy Weekend!

 

Sky Racers

  “Sky Racers”          5” x 7”        Pastel       $105        © Sharon Lewis

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             I have friends who are fond of clear, blue skies but not me. Give me a sunny, blue sky with some clouds and I’m much happier. Clouds are so interesting and although I know that people who study them closely have discerned patterns and even cloud categories, I find then endlessly variable in their shapes, sizes, and even the colors reflected within them. The clouds I saw this day at the beach, seemed to be in a race across the sky.

            Happy Weekend!

 

Happy Easter!

“Somebunny Loves You”   8” x 8”        Pastel       $70        © Sharon Lewis

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             Spring has definitely arrived in the Atlanta area and everywhere I look, there are flowering shrubs and trees and lots of little bunnies. I know that many people suffer from allergies this time of year and I have to say I’m not immune. However, in spite of some allergy symptoms, I can’t help but be grateful for the longer days of light filled with the colors and fragrance of spring. This time of year, I’m surrounded by reminders to celebrate the new life all around us and that new beginnings are always possible.

            Happy Weekend and to all my friends and family who celebrate Easter, Happy Easter!

 

Beach Brunch

“Beach Brunch”       8” x 11”        Pastel       $260        © Sharon Lewis
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            My recent trip to the beach reminded me of one of my favorite birds, called a sanderling. They’re in constant motion, running back and forth trying to capture the sand crabs and other invertebrates that they like to eat without getting washed out to sea by a wave.  They’re much cuter than the gulls, a lot less noisy, and they won’t steal your picnic lunch. What’s not to like?

            Happy Weekend! 

Low Country Dunes

  “Low Country Dunes”               2.5” x 3.5”        Pastel       $25        © Sharon Lewis

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             I was at the beach recently and was struck by how beautiful the colors are in the dunes. There’s the warm greens and yellows of the grasses contrasting with the creamy yellow or peach of the sand and the pale blues, turquoise, and pink in the shadows. Protecting beaches against erosion, the dunes also provide us with a gorgeous array of colors to enjoy.  

            Happy Weekend!

 

All To Ourselves,

“All To Ourselves”           2.5” x 3.5”        Pastel       SOLD        © Sharon Lewis

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            One of the benefits of going to the beach early in the season, before the water has warmed up enough, is that you just might have the beach to yourself. While I really enjoy being around people, there’s something about walking a beach without the crowds that allows me to be more focused on the smell of the sea air, the sounds of the gulls and that hypnotizing rhythm of the waves. Ah, my happy place!

            Happy Weekend!

 

What a Difference a Name Makes

  “What a Difference a Name Makes”     5” x 7”    Pastel    $105    © Sharon Lewis

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              I’ve been thinking lately how important names are. For example, ally vs. enemy, friend vs. foe, victim vs. aggressor, endangered plant vs. weed. For example, if I tell you I’ve painted weeds, you might wonder why. If I tell you I’ve painted an endangered plant species, you might value what I’ve created a little more. I wish sometimes that we did a little less judging and a little more appreciating. I’d love if we appreciated all plants as valuable living things and all individuals as valuable human beings.

            Happy Weekend! 

 

From Above

“From Above”             5” x 7”           Pastel         $105          © Sharon Lewis

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It’s always hard to come home from an enjoyable vacation but sometimes you get a treat at the very end. Flying back from the scenic views, great hiking, and cool weather of the west coast back into the hot, sultry weather of Atlanta in July is never easy. However, on that evening, as we descended to Hartsfield-Jackson International airport, Atlanta treated us to a spectacular sunset, with the lights of the city below – a great welcome home!

Happy Weekend!

 

Aerial Chase

“Aerial Chase”        8” x 12”       Pastel        $288       © Sharon Lewis
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            Looking at clouds never gets old. Ever since I was a child, clouds have excited my imagination. I could see so many things in the sky above. Now, they also inspire awe and delight as they put on their daily show of color and beauty. I have friends who will comment approvingly, “Look at that! Not a cloud in the sky!” I will respond sadly, “Yes, not a cloud in the sky” as I search desperately for clouds in the distance preparing to present me with aerial shows of gorgeous color and forms that could be people or dogs – there’s always at least one dog to be seen in clouds. In this painting, I see maybe a happy dog smiling in the middle or maybe a parent cloud running after that smaller cloud on the left, who couldn’t resist chasing after that ball of light in the sky. What do you see?

            Happy Weekend!

Watery Life

“Watery Life”             8” x 10”       Pastel      $240    © Sharon Lewis
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             The torrential rain we’ve had in recent weeks, with all the subsequent floods, has reminded me once again of the tremendous value of preserving wetlands. While walking through the park I visit every weekend, I noticed that the wetlands there now contained tons of happy, watery life. I could hear the cheerful chorusing of hundreds of frogs called spring peepers – a joyful sign that spring is coming soon. 

           Happy Weekend!

In the Still of the Morning

“In the Still of the Morning”        8” x 10”       Pastel      $240    © Sharon Lewis

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                       Sunrises remind me that the long, dark nights of winter are always followed by the light and warmth of the morning and all the promise of a new day. 

                       Happy Weekend!
 

To the Beach

“To the Beach”     10” x 14”           Pastel            $420     © Sharon Lewis

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            There are a lot of factors that influence what I paint but sometimes it’s as simple as I’m repeatedly drawn to a particular image. I’ve been focused on creating larger paintings lately and also on painting skies – particularly blue skies since we haven’t seen much of those during a week of rainy days. This was a scene that caught my eye when I was out west. I was by the shore, and saw all the gorgeous greenery covering this sandy cliff and the rather steep path winding down to a small beach below.  With the blue skies above and that beautiful turquoise sea below I had to paint this scene. When I look at this, I can still hear the call of gulls and the smell of salt in the cool breeze.

            Happy Weekend!

 

Bridging the Divide

 “Bridging the Divide”     12” x 18”           Pastel            $430      © Sharon Lewis

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             I love how beautifully clouds can sweep across the sky out west. I especially love how these dramatic dark and light clouds met in the middle….much the way I wish members of different ideological groups would. I wish we would listen to each other’s concerns and hopes and see the possibility of meeting in the middle.

            Happy Weekend!

 

Beach Promenade

“Beach Promenade”   11” x 14”           Pastel            $300      © Sharon Lewis

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            I’m looking at lead gray skies with cold rain in the forecast so I wouldn’t mind being on a beach like this right now. I can feel the warm sun on my face and see the billowing clouds ahead and a sparkling turquoise sea on my right. Ahhhh, this is the way to celebrate January!

            Happy Weekend!

 

Bright Beginning

  “Bright Beginning”       11” x 14”           Pastel            $300      © Sharon Lewis

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            This is my first painting of the new year and not surprisingly, I chose one of my favorite painting subjects: a sky full of beautiful color and light. I wanted to convey my overall optimistic feelings about the new year in spite of some of the sad and terrible things happening in the world. May this new year bring peace, sufficient food, and safe shelter to those who need it the most.  

            Happy Weekend and Happy New Year!