Windy Day at the Beach

“Windy Day at the Beach”      Pastel         5” x 7”        $50       © Sharon Lewis
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            I’ve been traveling quite a bit lately and wish I had just a little more time to paint some of what I’ve seen. Whenever I travel, I come back inspired to experiment with new subjects, colors, and styles. After attending a conference in a busy urban setting (New York) the week before, I traveled with my family to the beach last week for a very short family vacation. I thought I would have more time to paint but since the weather was gorgeous, we all took advantage of this to spend most of each day walking the beach or surfing the waves. Given how busy we all are, and how far a part we are geographically, I feel so very fortunate that I was able to spend some time with my son and daughter. I was also lucky that I was able to sneak in some time to do this small plein air study of the beach and beautiful sky.

 

A Sky Serene and Fair

“A Sky Serene and Fair”        Pastel         9” x 12”       $100      © Sharon Lewis
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           The end of the academic year is a time when it’s easy to lose oneself  in the long work hours and stress. This spring it’s been particularly challenging as we had a tree hit the house, punching holes in my ceiling and causing it to rain inside for awhile.  Then a repair person, while pulling out wet insulation, disturbed a nest of hundreds of carpenter ants hidden within that wall.  I just had to laugh; I kept telling friends that for a while it was like being in the middle of a badly written horror film.

            At times like this, I often find it’s a struggle for me to remember what truly matters to me so I have developed a practice of repeating a simple phrase, "Be patient, be compassionate".  It reminds me to focus not on my own difficulties but on what others are experiencing. I find that this keeps me more attuned to what truly matters in the long run rather than what I want to whine about (a truly boring, fruitless practice).

            Today’s painting is a larger version of one I did while staying near this coastal area. I really found myself missing that painting when it sold a few weeks ago and so decided to do another larger, and slightly different version.

            Happy Weekend and Happy Mother's Day!

Salt Marsh at Sunset

“Salt Marsh at Sunset”       Pastel       5” x 7”      $50        © Sharon Lewis
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            While staying on the Isle of Palms, near Charleston, S.C. this past weekend I had the urge to paint the salt marshes that we drive by each time. We often get to the marshes just in time to see the sun setting the marshes aglow with light. This time of year they are still mostly brown but I painted them more the way they appear in the spring and summer. That’s one of the cool things about being an artist; I can change the season to one I prefer.

            I was amazed to find out how varied the species are that live in these salt marshes. There are fish, diamond back terrapins, marsh snails, both blue and fiddler crabs,  mussels, shrimp, as well as oysters. Then there are the birds such as the red-winged blackbird, herons, and egrets. It’s amazing to think how many different creatures are hidden in these waters!

Marsh-Mellow

“Marsh-Mellow”      9” x 12”     Pastel       $ 100        © Sharon Lewis
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            We were on our way to the coast last month, with me madly shooting out of the window at the sunset lit clouds, when I realized that beautiful colors were reflected into the small ribbons of water visible in the marsh. I just had to paint this! Sometimes, you just happen to be in the right place in the right time.

            Happy Weekend!

Looking for a Caldron of Clouds

Plein Air Clouds    Pastel     2.5" x 3.5"     $20      © Sharon Lewis

Plein Air Clouds #2     Pastel     2.5" x 3.5"     $20        © Sharon Lewis

Plein Air Clouds #3    Pastel    2.5" x 3.5"     $20     © Sharon Lewis

         I think I have never grown out of my early fascination with clouds. I remember as a child lying on my back in the grass (grass stains and dirty clothes never an issue back then) and staring at clouds seeing all sorts of animals and other cool things up in the sky. Especially during hurricane season, there were fast moving, powerful-looking storm clouds that would bubble up, like some huge caldron of clouds soon to boil over or explode….great entertainment for a child.

       Now I still walk around staring up at the sky, always on the look out for interesting clouds. The paintings above are quick studies I did at the beach over Labor Day.

       Hope your weekend is filled with glorious clouds and skies.