A Night Out

“A Night Out”       10 x 10     Oil    $200   © Sharon Lewis

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            I started this painting years ago in a painting class taught by the talented artist, Karen Appleton.  I apparently made a very rough start, filed it away under other photos and paintings, and then got busy again with my day job. Unfortunately, my reference photo was terrible so I did my best to research what a gold purse would look like if spotlighted. Even given the challenges, this was a lot of fun to paint.

            Happy Weekend!

 

The Outlook

“The Outlook”   10” x 10”       Pastel       $125      © Sharon Lewis

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           This was the view during a rare break in the rain the last time I was on this island. I’m heading back there next week with hope that we will get some sunshine so that I can paint and photograph this beautiful Canadian location. Can you guess where?

            Happy Weekend!

 

Just Around the Corner

“Just Around the Corner”    10” x 10”      Pastel           $125       © Sharon Lewis

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            When I painted this scene, I was thinking that better things are just around the corner…..if we can be patient, continue to think of others and wear our masks and keep our distance then eventually, we can once again experience good things….like hugs and gatherings of friends and family, like dancing and singing, like traveling by plane to distant places, and whatever you have missed this very, very long year.

            Happy Weekend!

Acadian Interlude

“Acadian Interlude”      10” x 10”       Oil       $150     © Sharon Lewis

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             Just a little over a year ago I was standing on the rocks in Acadia National Park, enjoying the sun and breeze and watching the waves break over the rocks in hypnotic repetition. If you look closely, you’ll see others enjoying the cool breeze and perhaps smelling the salt air, and maybe even some mesmerized by the ebb and flow of the sea.

            Happy Weekend!

New England Refuge

“New England Refuge”        Pastel          10” x 10”          $125           © Sharon Lewis
N.F.S.

 

            It’s been raining here almost nonstop for days and so it was a relief to focus on a painting of a perfect sunny, summer day spent up north. We had gotten a little warm while we were hiking when we luckily discovered this perfect stream hidden in the woods. We soon were wading in and cooling off in an idyllic, restful spot. The only sounds heard were that of the birds in the trees up above and the water running over the rocks, in my mind, the perfect refuge.

Seeking the Light

“Seeking the Light”        Oil            10” x 10”          $125         © Sharon Lewis
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I think that tulips should be symbols of persistence and optimism. They start as bulbs in the dark and cold ground, and in the midst of this darkness, they twist and turn up through the soil, persistently and optimistically seeking light. Maybe a lesson for us all to stay optimistic, seek the light, and add something beautiful to the world?

Happy Weekend!

Dressed to Kill

“Dressed to Kill”         Oil          10” x 10”          $125         © Sharon Lewis
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            This was a fun subject to paint and really got me thinking about both the fun and the pain associated with women’s fashion. I love the different colors and textures you find in women’s clothes and shoes and how we don’t have to wear essentially the same thing every day. I love novelty! However, I was wondering how we ever developed a trend that encouraged women to hobble in pain in incredibly high-heeled shoes just to be fashionable.

            A brief review online of the origins of high heels reminded me that they were previously worn by both men and women and were often associated with status. What I didn’t know was that they were also used by men in Persia (now Iran) to secure their feet to their stirrups so that they could ride and shoot arrows from their horses. Then apparently, the heels caught on with aristocrats such as King Louis XIV. He used them to increase his short stature (5’4”), and restricted the wearing of red heels (his favorite) only to those in his court. Over time, men’s shoes became more practical and women’s shoes went in the opposite direction. Maybe it’s time to give them back to men?

            Have a happy and comfortable weekend!

Beauty in Diversity

“Beauty in Diversity”         Pastel           10” x 10”             $125     © Sharon Lewis
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One of the many reasons I love tulips is their diversity. They change shape as the flower ages (kind of like us) and they come in a variety of beautiful and different colors (also like us). In addition, they remind us of the joys of spring bringing new life, new beginnings, and gorgeous, cheerful colors like these.

The graceful arrangement of these tulips is entirely due to the artistic skill of the very talented artist, Karen Appleton. She challenged us recently in our oils class, to paint these particular flowers using palette knives instead of brushes. The painting here was done with pastels but I will share the oil painting of these flowers with you sometime soon. All I will say now is that for me, it was really, really challenging to paint with palette knives but also a lot of fun. 

Happy Weekend!

Left Out

“Left Out”                  Oil                10” x 10”                   $125         © Sharon Lewis 
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I’ve been continuing to have fun painting with oils and have a wonderful teacher: the very talented artist, Karen Appleton. I’ve been attracted to oils for some time though still love working with the pastel medium. I signed up for a beginning oils class with Karen and we have had so much fun! It was a bit frustrating at the beginning because I’m used to working with sticks of pigment rather than brushes and just selecting the color I want from my hundreds of pastels rather than mixing colors. Progress has been slow but I love it! I’m not only lucky to have found a gifted, generous teacher but also a group of people who love art, can laugh a lot, and are supportive of one another.

            Happy Weekend!