View From Sister Rock

"View From Sister Rock"      8 x 10     Pastel      $160     © Sharon Lewis
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             This is a return to painting two subjects I love: the ocean and rocks. Whether you’re on the west or the east coast, the ocean always has a myriad of colors if you look closely. Interestingly, so do the large rock formations you see standing the test of time in oceans. The larger rocks also serve as landing and nesting places for sea birds and if large enough, as a haven for seals as well. There are always cool breezes here which to my mind, makes it a perfect place to hang out in the months of July and August.

            Happy Weekend!

 

Do They Ever Stop Eating?

“Do They Ever Stop Eating?”    6 x 8.5     Pastel    $144     © Sharon Lewis

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             I received a new pastel surface to try out (Canson MiTeintes - Velvet) at an arts conference this summer and I’ve been eager to paint on it. This surface is velvety soft (thus its name), holds lots of layers of pastel, and comes in different colors which I love. This painting was done on a warm tan color which is a great color to start with when you’re painting lots of greens. My only issue with the paper is it’s a little hard to blend colors; the benefit is trying to blend on this surface doesn’t destroy your fingers like blending on a sanded surface does.

        This painting is based on the green hills of Scotland where the sheep are everywhere and always seem to be eating.

            Happy Weekend!

 

Summer Snacks

 “Summer Snacks”       11 x 14     Pastel    $300     © Sharon Lewis

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             I wish I knew why I love painting pears so much. Sometimes I think it’s because, like clouds, I can see a multitude of beautiful colors in them. Maybe it’s because pears come in such different shapes and sizes – much like people. It could be because I enjoy painting rounded but slightly irregular shapes – again like people. Whatever the reason, I really enjoyed painting these three pears.

            Happy Weekend!

 

Summer Sky

 

“Summer Sky”  2.5 x 3.5    Pastel    $26    © Sharon Lewis

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             I’ve been away visiting family for a while but I had a little break to work on this summer sky. Skies with beautiful clouds remain one of my favorite subjects to paint.

            Happy Weekend!

Sunflowers

 

“Sunflowers”    12 x 612    Pastel    $300    © Sharon Lewis
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I’ve been busy working on several paintings at the same time. This is one I started in a workshop at my arts conference last week and came home and worked on a bit.

Happy Weekend!

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!

 

Sunny Skies At Last

“Sunny Skies At Last”   7.5 x 10     Pastel    $160    © Sharon Lewis

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             I just got back from visiting family up north where it rained every day. I got back home just in time for it to rain every day here. In desperation I decided to paint sunny skies.

            I hope wherever you are, there are sunny skies above.

            Happy Weekend!

 

Where I Want To Be In August

“Where I Want To Be In August”  5 x 7     Pastel    $105    © Sharon Lewis

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I started this painting on location on the coast of Maine and then forgot it was in my studio until now. I wasn’t happy with it because I found it to be a bit boring. So, I worked on the sky to make the clouds more interesting and added some of the sailboats that were out that day.

Happy Week!

 

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!

 

Signs of Spring

“Somebunny Loves You”    Pastel    8x8      $70 ©Sharon Lewis

      I'm reposting one of my favorite paintings today because I'm at my daughter's house eagerly awaiting the birth of her second child, my third granddaughter. Keep your fingers crossed that all goes well.

      Happy Weekend!

 

Going Sledding

“Going Sledding”      8 x 10     Pastel    $160    © Sharon Lewis
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            This painting is loosely based on a photo of a snowfall several years ago in the Atlanta area. Given that snow is not that common here in the south, we react differently from my northern family and friends.  We get out and enjoy the snow since everything shuts down at once. Everyone, including adults, grabs something that remotely resembles a sled (garbage can lids, trays, cardboard), finds a hill (plentiful here in the foothills of the Appalachians), and goes sledding. 

Happy Weekend!

 

Last Impression

   “Last Impression”    7 x 5     Pastel    $105    © Sharon Lewis

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                       Last summer I was fortunate to stay at a lovely rental house on the coast of Maine. The house had beautiful views of the ocean from the deck and Reid State Park nearby. Reid State Park was essentially two beaches enabling long walks with gorgeous sea, sand, and skies everywhere you looked. I really didn’t want to leave this place. 

            This was the very last painting I did. I needed to pack up all my art supplies which was going to take a while so I didn’t have much time. The view down these rocks was partially obscured by shrubbery but with the magic of art, I whisked that away and painted the glimpses I could see. It was a little more impressionistic than my usual paintings but it was one of my favorite ones of the trip.

            Happy Weekend!

Pink Mums

“Pink Mums”    14 x 11     Pastel    $260    © Sharon Lewis
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I find that if I want to continue to grow as an artist, it’s a good idea to take a class or workshop from time to time. It’s not that easy to try another artist’s method when I’m used to my own, but I’ve discovered that I often end up adopting at least one idea or technique from the  array presented,  I often gain a different perspective or learn an alternative approach to painting, and I always meet some wonderful kindred souls in these classes.

I started this painting in a class taught by Margaret Dyer, an amazing figure painter.

Happy Weekend!

 

Finding the Light

  “Finding the Light”        14 x 11     Pastel    $300    © Sharon Lewis
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                      I ran across an older social media post where I referenced Amanda Gorman’s poem, The Hill We Climb, and thinking of those in Minneapolis, I want to share these words: 

We will rise from the golden hills of the West.

We will rise from the windswept Northeast where our forefathers first realized revolution.

We will rise from the lake-rimmed cities of the Midwestern states.

We will rise from the sun-baked South…

We will rebuild, reconcile, and recover.

And every known nook of our nation and every corner called our country, our people diverse and beautiful, will emerge battered and beautiful.

When day comes, we step out of the shade aflame and unafraid.

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.

I have great admiration for all the people out in the bitter, Minnesotan cold, helping their immigrant neighbors.

Happy Weekend!

 

The Colors of the Season - Happy New Year!

“The Colors of the Season”        9” x 9”         Pastel         $160      © Sharon Lewis

On these cold winter days, I hope you’re warmed by the company of those you love. Wishing you a Happy New Year and in the words of an Irish blessing: May love and laughter light your days and warm your hearth and home.

 

"Cool Company" - Merry Christmas!

“Cool Company”    Pastel      8” x 10”    $160     © Sharon Lewis

            I hope wherever you are, there are blue skies, the laughter of children, and the warmth of family and friends.

To all my family and friends that celebrate Christmas, Merry Christmas and as always, Happy Weekend!

 

All That Glitters is not Gold

“All That Glitters is not Gold”     9 x 12     Pastel    $ 216    © Sharon Lewis

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            I love the glitter and bright colors of Christmas! As I gaze out my studio window upon bare and brown trees, I’m rejoicing in the colors of this holiday, especially the primary colors: red, blue, and yellow (gold). So, of course I had to do a painting of ornaments arranged in the primary color triad.

            Whatever holiday you celebrate, I hope you’re finding some warm, bright colors in this season of cold.

            Happy Weekend!

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

“The Accent Tree”     5x7    Pastel      $105      © Sharon Lewis

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I hope that wherever you are this Thanksgiving, that you are gathered with love to celebrate this holiday of gratitude.

May you feel the warmth of all those who love you today, and always.

            Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Autumn Bounty

“Autumn Bounty”       9” x 12”          Pastel         $216      © Sharon Lewis

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          I spent a wonderful October weekend in the North Georgia mountains several years ago. After hiking we found a great open-air market selling a variety of local produce including pumpkins of all shapes and sizes. The owners were happy to sell us their produce but were a little puzzled by me photographing it. This painting is based on that beautiful fall day and the bounty of autumn. 

            Happy Halloween and Happy Weekend!

 

Sky Meadows II

“Sky Meadows II”     5 x 7     Pastel    $ 105     © Sharon Lewis

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            Today is a beautiful fall day – sunny, breezy, and cool. I would love to have days like this for weeks! Instead, I see the weather forecast is for the low 80’s next week. In spite of the unseasonably warm weather, the leaves are changing signaling fall is here. Last year around this time, I was in this lovely park in Virginia, hiking with my kids. The leaves were not quite this colorful, but I used a little artistic license to adorn them with rich autumn colors.

            Happy Weekend!