Coastal Light

“Coastal Light”     Pastel    12” x 12”    $175    © Sharon Lewis

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            Winter appears to have returned to the Atlanta area, at least temporarily. It’s a grey, windy, somewhat cold day. Perhaps that’s why I felt that today’s painting of the early evening light falling on the shore seemed perfect for today. I know that the water is cold but I can remember the feel of the sun on my face as I photographed this scene. The whale watching boats were full (my favorite excuse to be out on a boat with the bonus that you get to observe wild life), so we were on a boat tour of the islands in the Casco Bay, off the coast of Portland, Maine. People use this boat as a bus or ferry between the islands and the mainland, so at one point, the boat was full of people with luggage, groceries, small dogs, children, and tourists like us. The islanders and tourists were easily distinguished in that one group was madly photographing everything (me) and the other were acting like they couldn’t wait to get away from the tourists.

            Happy Weekend!

Is It Summer Yet?

“Weekend Escape”     Pastel    12” x 9”     $100    © Sharon Lewis
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            Ironically, I don’t have much time to write my usual art blog post because I’ve been working on a presentation on my art and my art blog. Crazy, isn’t it?

            For some reason, maybe because we have been discussing plans for future trips, my mind has been on summer. I have been painting beaches and sailboats like this one. I know it’s a bit premature to be thinking of summer on the first day of spring but we can always dream can’t we?

            Hope wherever you are that spring has arrived or is on her way.

            Happy Weekend!

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!

Tucked Away

“Tucked Away”       Pastel         2.5” x 3.5”           $20        © Sharon Lewis
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            With all of the gray, cold days we’ve been having and all of the long hours I’ve been working lately, I’ve been thinking a lot of summer. I remember our drive into Skei, Norway last summer and how amazed I was at all of this beauty concentrated in this one area. I wonder what it would be like to live on the shore of this beautiful lake tucked into the safe shelter of the mountains surrounding you. What a gorgeous view you would have with your morning coffee!

           With hopes that the sun and warmth visit you this weekend and that spring really will arrive soon.