Breezy

“Breezy”            Pastel             5” x 7”          $50              © Sharon Lewis
Click Here to Purchase

            I remember that it was my idea of a perfect summer day. The sun was shining, birds were singing, and there was a cool breeze. (Note, it was not hot and sticky with the kind of humidity found often in swamps. That would be describing a typical August or September day in the Atlanta area.) In addition, there was this interesting landscape before me of lush gold and green meadows with blue and purple mountains in the distance.

Storms in the Glen

"Storms in the Glen"           Pastel             9" x 12"            $100             © Sharon Lewis
SOLD

              It’s hard to convey the feelings I had when I recently returned to the western highlands of Scotland. I love these mountains, which are a beautiful mix of soft grasses and harsh, forbidding-looking rocks. In addition, while it was a typical hot and sunny July day back in north Georgia, here it was wonderfully cool. Unfortunately, it was also rainy which makes it a little tricky to get photos. This painting is based on photos taken while one of these storms moved through the glen.

Glen Coe (#2), Scotland

  “Glen Coe (#2), Scotland”     9” x 12”    Pastel   $100    © Sharon Lewis
Click Here to Purchase 

            Here is another in my series of paintings of mountains. I’m beginning to wonder if I’m really doing a series on mountain scenes in Scotland since I keep choosing reference photos from there to paint from. I have sooooo many photos from this area! It was such a hauntingly beautiful area I shouldn’t be surprised that I took so many photos.

            I wasn’t prepared to love Scotland as much as I did and do. After all, my not so distant ancestors are not from here; they’re from Ireland, a country I found to be everything everyone told me it would be: beautiful with very friendly people. Unfortunately, at the time I visited Ireland I did not have the nice digital camera that I have now and took very few decent photos. When we decided to visit Scotland, I expected it to be nice, maybe even pretty but since it’s not the home of my ancestors, I was not prepared to be so enthusiastically impressed by the gorgeous scenery and the especially kind people.

            Have a happy weekend!

Mountain Greens

“Mountain Greens”   2.5” x 3.5”    Pastel     $20    © Sharon Lewis
Click Here to Purchase 

           Another busy week has gone by. There’s been so much to do as I return to work at the office. There’s all of the usual beginning of the semester routines and challenges. In addition, I have to replace an old filing cabinet, one which is taller than I am and was in danger of falling on me.  This meant I had to take everything out of the old one and do something with all of the files that I have accumulated over the last decades. Yes, there was just a mountain of paper!  

          And speaking of mountains, I’ve decided to do a series of paintings featuring them. I’m also considering a series on animals but we’ll see if there’s enough time for both. I have two mountain paintings that I hope to finish this weekend and post next week. 

         Today’s painting is one I did late at night this week when I was missing painting like a cardiac patient misses fried chicken. This painting is based on photos again from the Glencoe area of Scotland. I’m not sure why this area is so appealing to me but may have something to do with the violet mountains towering above the velvety green meadows.

Stay warm and have a happy weekend!

A River Flows Through Here

“A River Flows Through Here”    9” x 12”     Pastel    $100     © Sharon Lewis
Click Here to Purchase 

             My sabbatical ended this week which means I am back at my day job now. No more the luxury of painting all day if I want. I am back to teaching, committee work, and research.  Fortunately, I have wonderful students and colleagues and an interesting day job so I really shouldn’t complain. However,  I have already been checking out my office to see if I could possibly fit an easel someplace for lunch time painting.

            Today’s painting is from the Glencoe area of Scotland, a place which I found eerie, fascinating, and beautiful.

Happy weekend!