 |
|
When I cannot think of a title for
one of my paintings, I often read poetry for inspiration. Each time I do this, I not only find an
interesting painting title but I am also reminded of the tremendous skill
exhibited by poets. I paint images with pigment but they also paint images, I
think more skillfully than I at times, with their choice of just the right words.
The title for this painting comes from the poem, “A Spell BeforeWinter” by Howard Nemerov.
Happy Winter and
Happy New Year!
|
Friday, December 29, 2017
Glimmering in the Sleep of Things
Thursday, December 21, 2017
All That Glitters is not Gold
 |
|
|
It was Shakespeare who wrote “All
That Glitters is not Gold” (The Merchant of Venice) cautioning us not to treat
everything that glitters as if it was valuable. However, I think that the
glittery, colorful, shiny ornaments that we hang on Christmas trees may be valuable
in reminding us in these days of short days and long nights that the light and
warmth will return.
Happy Holidays!
Thursday, December 14, 2017
Winter Workout
 |
|
This painting is based on a photo
from a friend of mine (thanks Ken) of a local Atlanta park after our snowfall
last week. Since we don’t see snow all that often in the south, we tend to go a
little crazy when we do. The good part of the craziness is that so many
workplaces close, that parents can actually have as much fun playing in the
snow as their kids can.
Happy Weekend!
|
Thursday, December 7, 2017
Color and Contrast
 |
|
It’s a
gloomy, cold, and grey day so I’m feeling lucky that I’m an artist. While outside,
the bright, warm, colors of fall are rapidly disappearing to be replaced by
cool greys, inside, I can play with the wonderful contrast between the blues of
the ocean and the warm colors of these coastal rocks in Bar Harbor. There’s
also the cool greens of the trees contrasting with warmer greens and also those
same warm rocks. Some days it really pays to be an artist!
Happy
Weekend!
|
Thursday, November 30, 2017
Friday, November 24, 2017
Thankful for Vegetarians
 |
|
Every summer we see these turkeys
traverse the backyard of this house we rent in Maine. Normally, they seem intent
on looking for food and spend most of their time looking at the ground.
However, one year, a group came through and they all jumped on this wooden
fence and just gazed at the sea. Apparently, even turkeys can be moved by
beauty.
By
the way, I’m not trying to make any non-vegetarians out there feel guilty. I have
to admit, I also had a few bites of turkey yesterday….and even some bacon for
breakfast!
Hope
you enjoyed a happy Thanksgiving.
Happy
Weekend!
|
Thursday, November 16, 2017
When the Frost is on the Pumpkin
 |
|
|
I
borrowed this painting’s title from a poem by James Whitcomb Riley called, When the Frost is on the Punkin. If you can get past the dialect he writes in,
he paints pictures with words of beautiful fall mornings. For example:
They’s
something kindo’ harty-like about the atmusfere
When
the heat of summer’s over and the coolin’ fall is here—
Of
course we miss the flowers, and the blossums on the trees,
And
the mumble of the hummin’-birds and buzzin’ of the bees;
But
the air’s so appetizin’; and the landscape through the haze
Of
a crisp and sunny morning of the airly autumn days
Is
a pictur’ that no painter has the colorin’ to mock—
When
the frost is on the punkin and the fodder’s in the shock.
Happy Weekend!
Thursday, November 9, 2017
When Life Gives You Lemons
 |
|
|
When
life gives you lemons, otherwise known as days of rain, I think of more
pleasing arrangements of water, namely waves….and the peaceful, soothing sounds
of the beach.
Happy Almost Weekend!
Thursday, November 2, 2017
When Apples Party
 |
|
|
I wanted to try a slightly different composition for this
apple painting. When I finished, I couldn’t help thinking of those parties where
too many people gather in one small room….maybe because that’s where the life
of the party is holding court….or maybe it’s where you and everyone else has
migrated to in order to escape the guy in the other room telling the terrible
jokes…..or maybe it’s just a really good party and everyone showed up. Whatever
the explanation, I think these apples are having a great time!
Happy Almost Weekend!
Thursday, October 26, 2017
Imagining
 |
|
“Imagining”
Pastel
11” x 14” $150 © Sharon Lewis Click Here to Purchase |
Imagine
that instead of hearing the sounds of angry people clashing with one another, you
hear instead the call of gulls, the sound of waves ebbing and flowing, the wind
singing through the trees. Imagine instead of seeing in the news descriptions
of conflicts between people and nations you see instead, how the sun
illuminates the rocks and the ocean revealing all the beautiful colors
contained within.
Happy Almost Weekend!
Thursday, October 19, 2017
The Pleasing Peony
 |
|
Some
fun facts about peonies: The name apparently comes from Paeon, a
student of the Greek god of medicine and healing, Asclepius. Zeus saved Paeon
from Asclepius (who had become jealous) by turning the student into the peony flower.
Long ago, the Chinese used certain varieties of the peony to flavor food and in
the Middle Ages, Europeans grew them for medicine and drank an infusion of the
petals. The peony petals also have been used in teas in China and the root has
been used in traditional medicine by Korea, China, and Japan. Finally, the peony is the state flower of Indiana.
I
just think peonies look beautiful and smell heavenly.
|
Thursday, October 12, 2017
Autumn Heralds
 |
|
“Autumn Heralds” Pastel 8” x 10” $75
© Sharon Lewis Click Here to Purchase |
We’ve been having swamp-like
weather in the Atlanta area…very warm temperatures and air so humid it feels
like you’re breathing soup. So, as I find myself longing for cooler, drier, if
no less sunny, days, I’ve been looking for signs of fall. I’ve noticed that a
few of the trees have started to change color, some have leaves already falling,
and apples of all different colors and sizes are in the markets. These three apples
proclaim to me that maybe, just maybe, fall is here.
Hoping you’re enjoying the best of fall weather!
Friday, October 6, 2017
Mellow Fruitfulness
 |
|
“Mellow Fruitfulness” Pastel 8.5”
x 11” $90 © Sharon Lewis Click Here to Purchase |
I’ve
borrowed my title from a poem by John Keats, called
“To Autumn.” I painted these apples just hanging out together, basking in the
warm sunlight with the bright colors of autumn on their surface as well as in the background.
If you’re interested in reading the full
poem by Keats, click here.
Happy
Weekend!
Thursday, September 28, 2017
Summer Bluffs
 |
|
|
We’ve had
summer weather all week so maybe that explains why I’ve been drawn to painting
a place that can be sunny but is often cool even in the summer. I love Maine in
the summer!
Here’s
hoping that Maine sends us some cool temps this weekend!
Friday, September 22, 2017
Subtle Finale
 |
|
The end of
summer is here and in the Atlanta area we are looking at temperatures possibly
in the 90’s, not exactly the cool, crisp days I look forward to every year.
What I will miss about summer however is the less hurried pace of my life, more
opportunities to paint interesting lands, and the long, wonderful days of
light.
Happy End
of Summer!
|
Friday, September 15, 2017
Blue Skies Return
 |
|
|
The blue
skies have returned and the sun is slowly drying up the muddy, saturated ground.
There are signs everywhere that strong tropical storm winds moved through here
and left the trees with some drastic haircuts. Family members, friends, and
neighbors are reaching out to check on one another. Those who lost little are
reaching out to share with those who lost so much. It’s a good time to remember
our shared humanity and to be grateful for kindness and generosity.
Wishing you
a Happy Weekend!
Friday, September 8, 2017
Return of Blue Skies
 |
|
For all of
my family and friends in the path of Hurricane Irma, my thoughts are with you
and here’s hoping that blue skies return soon.
|
Thursday, August 31, 2017
Fading Light
 |
|
|
We had the ideal view for someone
who loves to paint rocks and water as much as I do. As the sun approached the
horizon, it bathed these huge rocks in a warm orange glow, especially the one
closer to us. The sea gulls were gathering as if for a huge sunset party along
this small stream.
Happy
Weekend!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)