Autumn at Alexander

“Autumn at Alexander”       8” x 10”         Pastel        $160       © Sharon Lewis

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              Before I left for Thanksgiving, I went for a 5 mile walk at Panola Mountain State Park – one of my favorite places to walk. Even when I’m feeling a little stressed with the long hours of work this time of year, walking here always calms me. The sunsets in the fall and winter tend to be gorgeous, with the sun reflecting a warm, golden light on the water. By the time I finish my walk, I feel renewed, a little more optimistic about the work ahead, and very grateful that I can enjoy this beautiful place.

            Happy Weekend!

 

Clouds of Dance

  “Clouds of Dance”         8.5” x 10.5”         Pastel        $160       © Sharon Lewis

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            This is the last of my “clouds in the country” series of paintings though I wouldn’t be surprised if I come back to this subject from time to time. What I’m drawn to when I look at my reference photos for this painting, is that I can see across a greater expanse of sky and land. This is Georgia farmland and it’s been cleared of many of the taller, older trees. So, while I dearly love the tall trees forming a canopy in my backyard (except when we have tropical storms), I appreciate being able to see a greater swathe of sky with these lush, fertile, fields. 

            Happy Weekend!

 

Week's End

  “Week’s End”     8” x 10”         Pastel        $160       © Sharon Lewis 

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           Given the past week we’ve had here in the metro-Atlanta area, with loss of power, fallen trees, and then a toxic plume of chlorine gas thanks to a fire at a chemical company, I’m all for dwelling on a peaceful scene, with calm but beautiful clouds.

            Hope you all are doing well and Happy Weekend!

 

After the Storm

“After the Storm”   7” x 9”         Pastel        $126      © Sharon Lewis 

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             I’ve been in love with the skies and meadows I’ve found in rural landscapes even if I prefer to always live within pizza delivery limits. However, there’s something so relaxing about looking at green meadows, sometimes with cattle grazing and those beautiful skies!

            Happy Weekend!

 

Clouds in the Country

  “Clouds in the Country”       8” x 10”         Pastel        $160       © Sharon Lewis

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             The first day of Autumn is hours away but with the temperatures anything but fall-like, I’m reminded of summer.  That’s when I often see clouds like these rising up from behind the trees. I can’t wait for cooler temperatures but I will miss these beautiful clouds.

            Happy Weekend!

 

What a Difference a Name Makes

  “What a Difference a Name Makes”     5” x 7”    Pastel    $105    © Sharon Lewis

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              I’ve been thinking lately how important names are. For example, ally vs. enemy, friend vs. foe, victim vs. aggressor, endangered plant vs. weed. For example, if I tell you I’ve painted weeds, you might wonder why. If I tell you I’ve painted an endangered plant species, you might value what I’ve created a little more. I wish sometimes that we did a little less judging and a little more appreciating. I’d love if we appreciated all plants as valuable living things and all individuals as valuable human beings.

            Happy Weekend! 

 

Happy New Year!

“Mom, Always One Step Ahead”         12” x 12”      Pastel         $175       © Sharon Lewis

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

            May this new year bring you good health, the warmth of family and friends, and abundant happiness!

            Happy New Year!

 

The Warmth of Autumn

“The Warmth of Autumn”    9” x 12”    Pastel     $100    © Sharon Lewis

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As the days get noticeably shorter, I find myself appreciating all the more, the warmth of the fall colors still visible out my window. I incorporated many of the colors that I see in my backyard in this painting. Although I know this won’t last much longer, it is enough for now to be able to still enjoy the rich, vibrant colors of fall on this grey November day.

Happy Weekend!

 

Autumn Glen

“Autumn Glen”       5” x 9”     Pastel     $75      © Sharon Lewis

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For someone who loves a riot of color in the landscape. I’m in heaven during the fall and spring. Lately, I’ve been noticing so many trees that have taken on the stunning, vibrant cloak of fall. It makes my drive to and from work a visual delight and possibly hazardous as it’s hard for me not to focus on the beautiful scarlet, orange, and sunny yellow foliage. I love all these colors but I wonder if they are all the more precious because I know they are so briefly present. 

Happy Weekend!

 

Winter Warmth

 “Winter Warmth”         8” x 10”       Pastel       $75       © Sharon Lewis

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            Walking in the winter can bring its own special beauty and warmth. Although  by late November, the deciduous trees have lost their orange, red, and gold leaves, they leave behind soft mauves and violets. And those winter skies! When the air is clear, the humidity low, and the timing just right, you may see a glorious sunset sky!

            Happy Weekend!

 

A Lucky Hiker’s View

  “A Lucky Hiker’s View”           12” x 12”       Pastel       $175       © Sharon Lewis

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             Every weekend it’s not raining, I try to make time to get outside and walk at Panola Mountain State Park. My route takes me past the South River which I have to admit, on many days, is not the most picturesque river. It’s almost a shallow stream in drier times. However, after many days of rain and with sunny, blue skies overhead, it can present the lucky hiker with this idyllic, beautiful scene.

 

            Happy Weekend!

The Hush Before Night Falls

“The Hush Before Night Falls”      8” x 10”       Pastel       $75       © Sharon Lewis

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            That time after sunset and before night creeps in is a lovely time. It becomes increasingly quiet as the light fades from the sky. I love the peacefulness of this time though I also love the bird or two who sings out when the others have given up their concerts and loud parties. Eventually, even they become quiet and you hear only the hush before night falls.

            Happy Weekend!

 

Merry Christmas!

“Mom, Always One Step Ahead”    12” x 12”      Pastel       $175      © 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!

Still Light

  “Still Light”         5” x 7”          Pastel         $50     © Sharon Lewis

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That quiet time at the end of the day when the bird calls diminish or they call “See you later, it’s been fun!” …when the sun inches closer to the horizon, off to brighten someone else’s day, when the water and the wind still after playing madly all afternoon. That’s what I’m trying to capture here….the quiet, the stillness of near-night, almost darkness but still light.

            Happy Weekend!

Mom, Always One Step Ahead

“Mom, Always One Step Ahead” 12” x 12”      Pastel         $175       © 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!

 

Where the Cows Roam

“Where the Cows Roam”        9” x 9”          Pastel         $100      © Sharon Lewis

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            We’ve had more rain and grey skies this week, leaving me longing for a glimpse of blue skies and sun. So, of course I manufactured the sky I was hoping to see this week and for a brief period of time, I was in this landscape, remembering the smell of freshly cut grass, the sounds of birds, and the distant lowing of cows.

            Hope your skies are sunny. Happy Weekend!

The Softness of Spring

 “The Softness of Spring”   7” x 5”    Pastel   $50    © Sharon Lewis

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I’ve been watching the progression of blooming trees and shrubs on my walks through my neighborhood. After working long hours, intensely focused on a screen, it’s wonderful to get outside, take deep breaths of fresh air (even if it’s loaded with pollen this time of year), get some exercise, and enjoy the sight of all the soft, fuzzy colors of spring.    

Happy Weekend!

In the Midst of Quiet Splendor

“In the Midst of Quiet Splendor”   7” x 5”  Pastel   $50 © Sharon Lewis

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I love being in the woods! I’ve sought refuge in the shade of trees, in their branches, in their beauty, since I was a child. I’ve never seen woods as dark or scary….maybe those are my primate genes speaking to me, to come swing, hang out, play, hide, or just linger, smelling the fragrance of the earth beneath and the limbs above.

I painted this scene on location, standing in the midst of trees, listening to the birds calling and the wind blowing through the fall-painted leaves, and reveling in the quiet splendor of it all.

Happy Weekend!

That Shining Moment

That Shining Moment           6” x 9”     Pastel           $ 65    © Sharon Lewis

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I’ve painted this scene many times in many seasons. It’s a scene from Panola Park outside of Atlanta and has wonderful walking, running, and bike trails. There are also trails leading through the woods here where you can hear frogs mating in early spring or see hawks soaring above searching for prey. If you’re quiet you may even catch an occasional bunny munching her dinner alongside the trail.

The reference photo for this painting was taken after hiking on a cold fall day. We were facing the opposite direction watching the sun set over another large pond when I turned around and saw this perfect scene…that shining moment when the setting sun illuminates the trees and sets them all aglow.

Happy Weekend!

 

Solace Sunset

“Solace Sunset  ”       6.5” x 9.5”      Pastel           $65       © Sharon Lewis

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            We were coming back from a wonderful relaxing weekend at the beach and I knew it would be the last trip we’d be taking for many months. I was feeling a little sorry for myself, thinking of all of the work I was coming back to when I happened to look out the window just in time to see this beautiful sunset reflecting onto the water. It was the perfect solace, a kind of gift to store in my memory for months to come.

            Happy Weekend!