Happy Mother's Day!

“Blanket Flowers”   12 x 9    Pastel    $ 216    © Sharon Lewis   

I want to celebrate my daughter this year, who welcomed her second daughter just 4 weeks ago. She’s an amazing mother of two kids under two!

I also want to celebrate my two nieces Jaci and Ali and my daughter-in-law Emily, all my friends who are mothers, and all those kind souls who mother others with kindness and support. You make the world brighter for your presence.

Happy Mother’s Day Weekend!

 

Happy Mother's Day Weekend!

“Blanket Flowers”       12” x 9”       Pastel       $100       © Sharon Lewis

             I want to celebrate all my family and friends who are mothers as well as all those kind souls who mother others with kindness and support. You make the world brighter for your presence.

            Happy Mother’s Day Weekend!

Oxford in the Fall

“Oxford in the Fall”       12” x 9”      Pastel      $100      © Sharon Lewis

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            I’ve spent many, long hours in my office lately but I feel very fortunate that I have this view of the beautiful Oxford College campus. When I first came to Emory University’s Oxford campus long ago, I was struck by the natural beauty of the quad which had quite a few huge trees with massive canopies. Unfortunately, we’ve lost some of those older trees due to storms over the years but we still have quite a few striking trees throughout the campus. There’s something wonderful, after hours of meetings and grading, to look up and see the sun set this tree ablaze with glorious colors. I’m so grateful for this view.

            Happy Weekend!

 

New Dawn Blooming

“New Dawn Blooming”    12” x 9”     Pastel        $100       © Sharon Lewis

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I borrowed today’s painting title from the poem read by the first youth poet laureate, Amanda Gorman. If you want to read the poem, The Hill We Climb” in its entirety, you can find it here. What an inspiring young woman and a wonderful poem! I loved the way she ended it with:

                                       The new dawn blooms as we free it

                                       For there is always light,

                                      if only we're brave enough to see it

                                     If only we're brave enough to be it

 

            Here’s to hope, a better future, and a Happy Weekend!

 

Banner of Crimson

 “Banner of Crimson”      12” x 9”     Pastel      $100     © Sharon Lewis
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              It was a beautiful, peaceful evening in the month of June. There was time to enjoy the cool breeze from the water, the sound of the waves lapping gently at the rocks below, the taste of a delightful wine, and the sight of tiny ducklings being shepherded by their parents to safety for the night. To top it off, there were these glorious colors playing across the sky as the sun traveled towards the horizon. This is where I’d love to be right now!

            Happy Weekend!

Down to the Sea

“Down to the Sea”          Pastel         12” x 9”       $100     © Sharon Lewis
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In a recent trip to San Francisco for a conference, we took a break one afternoon and wanting to get away from the city and hike, we discovered a gem of an island. Angel Island, in the middle of San Francisco Bay, is a state park and former army fort (Fort McDowell).  It’s beautiful there! You can walk up a hill and then hike around the island with gorgeous views of the sea, the scent of eucalyptus trees, and cool breezes from the water. I really didn’t want to leave!

Her Favorite Color

“Her Favorite Color”            Pastel            12” x 9”         $100         © Sharon Lewis
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            For some reason that no one understands, both my sister and I had a fascination with the color pink, specifically hot pink. I can remember even when we were little kids we fought over the hot pink crayon when we were coloring together.

            As we celebrated my sister’s life this past weekend, and we saw the many pictures of Meg over the years, she could be picked out easily in each photo since she was always wearing this particularly vivid color. Whenever I see hot pink, it reminds me of her and how talented she was. Meg was uniquely creative, quietly magnificent, and is missed tremendously by all who knew her.

Bring on Summer!

“Bring on Summer!”    Pastel        12” x 9”        $100       © Sharon Lewis
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            Bring on the long, lazy days full of light and the smell of fresh strawberries. Bring on the fireflies and the frogs calling to their mates through the short, starry nights. Bring on the laughter of children playing ball, climbing trees, and vying with each other to see who can make the biggest splash. Ahhhhh, bring on summer!

          Happy Weekend! 

Summer Bluffs

 “Summer Bluffs”        Pastel        12” x 9”      $100    © Sharon Lewis
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            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!

“Enduring Beauty”

“Enduring Beauty”       Pastel        12” x 9”       $100       © Sharon Lewis
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            As many of us face the new year with some trepidation, it helps me to look up and see the beauty and the light around us….whether I find it in a gorgeous sunset, in the kindness of family and friends,  or in the delight on a child’s face. All of these remind me to not lose my perspective nor my hope that what matters most will endure.

            Happy Weekend and Best Wishes for a Happy New Year!

Twilight River

“Twilight River”       Pastel       12” x 9”        $100    © Sharon Lewis
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            It was just a simple scene but I was fascinated by the ribbon of light shining on this river. As the sun set, it silhouetted the clouds and the mountain in the distance, creating this beautiful, peaceful end to the day.

            The simple beauty of this scene reminds me of a quote by the famous twentieth century American Tonalist artist, Birge Harrison. When talking about why artists turn to nature he says, “But precious beyond all other things, her exquisite and ever-varying effects – that happen because of the change from night to day and from day to night again – are spread out always before us, an endless feast of beauty for those who have minds to see and minds to appreciate.”

            Happy Weekend!

Lissome Lilac

“Lissome Lilac”          Pastel      12” x 9”       $100       © Sharon Lewis
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                  For the last few summers, once the beautiful spring weather has vanished and the heat and humidity of Georgia have arrived, we flee up north to the coast of southern Maine for a brief stay. Here, we enjoy my idea of perfect summer days: cool nights and mornings and long days filled with light. One of the first things I do is to visit the beautiful lilac bush in the back yard and cut a few branches to bring into the house. The whole time we’re there, they fill the kitchen with this sweet fragrance. One day, the light was shining perfectly on this vase and it looked to me like the lilac had struck a graceful pose. It was so much fun to paint this symbol of summer in the middle of winter.

                  Happy Weekend!

Into the Presence of Still Water

“Into the Presence of Still Water”    Pastel      12” x 9”    $100    © Sharon Lewis

                  I thought we could all use a peaceful, tranquil image at this time. I know I certainly could.

We came across this place as we ended a nice, relaxing hike. The water was perfectly still and it was cool and foggy. It could have been a very gloomy place but instead I was struck by its quiet beauty.

I wonder if I’m drawn to painting this scene when I most need peace and tranquility. It’s the kind of image that encourages me to stop and think about all of the kind, compassionate, tolerant, and wise people I know rather than focus on the people driven to harm others.

Hoping you have a happy, peaceful weekend!

Beauty Unfading

“Beauty Unfading”      Pastel          12” x 9”         $100    © Sharon Lewis
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            It was my birthday this week and I was so fortunate to receive, on my very dark and rainy birthday, gorgeous, colorful flowers from my two wonderful children. Many of the colors that I see in their flowers are in this painting of mine, which I recently rediscovered.  

You will no doubt see the flowers they sent me in a future painting.

            Hoping you have a happy, sunny weekend!

Dancing in the Sunshine

“Dancing in the Sunshine”     Pastel    12” x 9”   $100    © Sharon Lewis
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Radiance

“Radiance”      Pastel       12" x 9"            $100             © Sharon Lewis
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            Every once and awhile I want to do something really colorful and totally different from my usual landscapes. Fortunately, this was also the time that my very gifted artist friend, Karen Margulis was teaching a class about painting wildflowers which gave me the idea to do these tulips. They’re not wild but they are beautifully colorful and are a lot of fun to paint.

            Happy First Weekend in Fall!

Happy May Day!

“Heavenly Hollyhocks”    Pastel      12” x 9”       $100      © Sharon Lewis
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            Apparently, celebrating May Day is an ancient tradition, dating back to pre-Christian times and associated with the Roman goddess Flora (goddess of flowers). It is also now, in many cultures, a holiday that includes dancing, singing, and cake! I ask you, what’s not to like about a holiday like this?

            Happy May Day and 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!