Emerald Waves

“Emerald Waves”         5” x 7”        Acrylic       $140       © Sharon Lewis
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                 Recently, I’ve been  painting with acrylics – a medium I haven’t used in a very long time. I find it interesting how each medium has its own quirks that the artist has to keep in mind. When I paint with pastels, the color and value don’t change once placed on a surface. With acrylics, I have to keep remembering that the colors dry slightly darker than when I first put them on canvas. Also, with pastels, since they are a dry medium (They are pigment held together with a binder and formed into sticks that look a little like chalk.), I can easily brush off or change an area in minutes. With acrylics, I have to get out my paints, medium, my brushes, palette knife, my palette, and then I can adjust an area….maybe. In spite of the challenges, it’s been a lot of fun painting with acrylics.

            This is a scene I found fascinating. Just a few miles away from this beach it was a pretty warm summer day. When we wound down from the hills to this beach however, there was a really cold wind coming from this beautiful, emerald and indigo sea.

            Happy Weekend!

Greening Up

  “Greening Up”    7” x 5”        Pastel       $140       © Sharon Lewis

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          It’s officially summer now although we’ve had plenty of heat and humidity for a while in the Atlanta region. I’m already longing for the cool breezes coming off northern waters but also rejoicing in the long days of light that summer brings. Summer usually gives me the luxury of time – time to get the many household chores done that I’ve been ignoring, time to meet and catch up with friends and family, and time to be creative. I can finally take creative risks and if I fail, I have time to try again. 

            Hope you’re enjoying the start of your summer. Happy Weekend!

 

Southwest Sunshine

“Southwest Sunshine      8” x 10”    Pastel    $75    © Sharon Lewis

              I’m packing my art supplies in preparation for attending the International Association of Pastel Societies, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. For a few days, I will take classes and a workshop so that I can continue to grow as an artist. I always find learning new methods and painting new subjects both exciting and humbling since this process always involves for me, having to accept that at least initially, my skill will not match my aspirations. I will be able to see where I want to be in terms of skill but need to accept that it will take time and practice to get there. Becoming a better painter is an endless series of lessons in patience and optimism. Now if I can just manage not to buy all the cool art supplies they’ll have on display!

            Happy Weekend!

 

Firebird

“Firebird”          9” x 9”        Pastel       $240       © Sharon Lewis

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            I rarely work from other people’s photos but this shot that my daughter took is exactly the kind of scene I love. When I finished painting this, I stepped back and thought immediately of a firebird. The firebird is often described as a  bird glowing with red, orange, and yellow light and has several different myths associated with it. I like the Suzanne Massie retelling of the legend, that has a young, talented artisan turned into a firebird by a sorcerer because she chose to remain true to her values. She sheds her beautiful feathers over her village where the magical feathers show their colors to those who love beauty and who seek to make beauty for others. 

            Happy Weekend!