Emerald Sea

      

“Emerald Sea”         12” x 16”        Pastel       $384         © Sharon Lewis

I’m leaving soon for a wonderful international gathering of pastel artists in Albuquerque, New Mexico, called the IAPS conference. It’s a gathering of talented artists, who teach, attend classes, and conduct workshops. There’s always an amazing exhibit of gorgeous art and it’s a great opportunity to talk with other people who are as passionate as I am about art. We joke and empathize with each other about the challenges of painting and drool together over the displays of art supplies. It appears to be the last such gathering for the foreseeable future which feels bittersweet but I’m going to enjoy every minute.

Happy Weekend!

 

Emerald Sea

“Emerald Sea”          12” x 16”          Pastel         $200         © Sharon Lewis

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            I’m back from a wonderful gathering of pastel artists in Albuquerque. I learned so much from Jeanne Rosier Smith, who is a superb artist, an excellent painter of waves and a very kind, helpful instructor. It was also wonderful to talk for days with other artists and feel totally understood as we shared our excitement and love for creating art.

            Happy Weekend!

Windswept

“Windswept”           12” x 16”        Pastel           $200       © Sharon Lewis

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            I’ve needed a respite from the non-stop scary-bad news about COVID and maybe you do too. So, look out a window or better yet, take a walk outside if possible. Notice the trees, listen for the sound of birds, even if you live in a city. Or just sit still for a moment or two, close your eyes and remember a favorite vacation scene….a relaxing, beautiful scene and take a deep breath. The scene I’ve painted is one that I find relaxing and fascinating. The beautiful mountains stand out and I never get tired of them but I also love the interesting patterns on the water created by shadows and wind. Ahhhhhh.

            Happy Weekend!

 

A Perfect Summer Day

“A Perfect Summer Day”              Pastel               12" x 16"              $200           ©Sharon Lewis
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            It really was a perfect summer day. The sun was shining, there were cool breezes, and we had this magnificent view. Who could ask for anything more?

             Happy Almost Weekend!

Storm Clouds Gathering

“Storm Clouds Gathering”           Pastel           12” x 16”          $200            © Sharon Lewis
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            Little did I know when I selected this painting to post this week, that it would be storming today in Georgia. This painting is of a place I love visiting each year called Bailey Island, ME. I can stand in the back yard there and paint quick studies of cloud formations that gather and then dissipate. Can’t wait to visit and paint there again!

            Hoping you enjoy beautiful weather and a Happy Weekend!

Everyone's Welcome Here

“Everyone’s Welcome Here”         Pastel           12” x 16”           $200          ©Sharon Lewis
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            The day we hiked up and down this rocky beach I was struck by the diverse collection of animals on or near these rocks. I haven’t painted all of them here but there were 4 or 5 different species of birds along with harbor seals and even a few members of homo sapiens, all getting along quite peaceably. It reminds me of how lucky I am to work at a college that celebrates diversity and works toward creating an inclusive community…. sort of like this one here.

            Happy Almost Weekend!

The Promise of Blue Skies

“The Promise of Blue Skies”         Pastel                12” x 16”           $200              © Sharon Lewis
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            I find rocky shores and rock formations in the water endlessly fascinating. As a child growing up near an ocean with smooth sand and interesting shells but no rocks, I wanted a little more drama! My brothers and sisters and I had to content ourselves with playing on a giant banyan tree that had fallen into the water. That banyan tree was a fort, a pirate ship, a castle…..anything exciting and dangerous.
            I saw these rocks while on the coast this summer, and took lots of photos knowing even then that I would be painting them. As I got closer to them, I was amazed to see all of the different colors that from a distance looked only dark grey and brown.
            Hoping you see blue skies and have a happy weekend!

Keeping Vigil

“Keeping Vigil”                Pastel            12" x 16"            $200           © Sharon Lewis
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            This is the third of my recent lighthouse paintings. As you can tell, I really enjoyed this beautiful area as well as the historic lighthouse. Each time I looked up as we hiked around this area I saw a different but equally interesting view. In this painting I wanted to highlight the beautiful but possibly treacherous cove (if you were a ship lost in the fog), as well as the light hitting the soft, green grasses on the hill.
            Happy Almost Weekend!

Stalwart Sentinel

“Stalwart Sentinel”      Pastel        12” x 16”       $200        © Sharon Lewis
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            For some reason I’ve always been fascinated by lighthouses. It could be because they combine my love of being close to the ocean as well as my love of history – for they always have interesting histories associated with lighthouses. I think that they’re also special because in earlier years, they were staffed by individuals watching the sea, ready to respond whenever needed. Nowadays, most are fully automated and don’t have resident lighthouse keepers.

 On the west coast of Oregon, we ran across a cool lighthouse in a beautiful area called Yaquina Head. I found out that the Yaquina Head Lighthouse is Oregon’s tallest lighthouse and it’s been an active light since August 1873.

Happy Almost Weekend!

The Passing of EDL

"Going Home"          Pastel            12" x 16"         $200        © Sharon Lewis
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This week my father passed away and I find myself seeking comfort again in one of my favorite poems (slightly modified)  by Henry Van Dyke: 

           “….Then, someone at my side says, 'There, he is gone' 

           Gone where?
           Gone from my sight. That is all.

          And, just at the moment when someone says, 'There, he is gone,'
          there are other eyes watching him coming, and other voices
          ready to take up the glad shout, 'Here he comes!'
          And that is dying...”

Beautiful Earth

“Beautiful Earth”        Pastel         12” x 16”          $200          © Sharon Lewis
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            I love how these homes are nestled into the trees lining the slopes of these mountains. A reminder of our beautiful planet on Earth Day.

            Happy Weekend!