The Gift of Cherries

“The Gift of Cherries”    10 x 8     Oil    $160     © Sharon Lewis

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            I enjoy painting cherries because of the many shades of red you find in them, they taste amazing, and as I discovered recently, they’re also really healthy. They are a great source of vitamin C and polyphenols (plant compounds that protect us from developing cancer, heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and neurodegenerative diseases). In a 2018 review of the effects of cherries, researchers found that cherries reduced exercise-induced muscle soreness, blood pressure, arthritis, and improved sleep, among other things. Scientists concluded that eating sweet or tart cherries decrease or prevent oxidative stress and inflammation and thus improve our health. Who knew this really pretty fruit could do all this?

            Happy Weekend!

 

Sweet Hearts

“Sweet Hearts”          8x10        Pastel          $160        © Sharon Lewis

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             I’ve been thinking a lot about love lately – not only because of Valentine’s Day but also because of all that’s been going on in our country. I think this is a time to think of love as a choice that we can make – to love the stranger, the immigrant, the hungry, the unhoused, the one who is different from us. I struggle every day to not react with anger, hostility, or despair to the negative messages calling out to Americans to be the worst versions of ourselves. I think instead, I will focus on messages like these: Our strength is in our diversity and unity; Our superpower is our compassion; We choose kindness, inclusion, and equity, always; Service to others strengthens our community and our hearts. How about it? Think about showing up as the best version of yourself – the loving, kind, compassionate version of you.

            Happy Weekend and Happy Valentine’s Day!

Harmony

   “Harmony”        8” x 10”       Pastel       $75       © Sharon Lewis
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            Although I’m primarily a landscape painter, I also love painting fruit. I love the rich, saturated colors in some fruits as well as the fun of modeling round, smooth objects so that you perceive a three-dimensional object on a two-dimensional surface. It’s the magic of creating this illusion that I never get tired of.

            Happy Weekend!

 

Food of the Gods

“Food of the Gods”           8” x 10”      Pastel        $75         © Sharon Lewis

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            When contemplating what title to give this painting, I couldn’t help but think of Greek myths involving apples. In particular, I thought of Paris taking on the foolhardy task of choosing the most beautiful goddess and handing a special apple to Aphrodite, the goddess of love, beauty, and fertility. The apple he handed her promised immortality and anyone who ate it would never be hungry, thirsty, or ill. Then there’s the Celtic mythology that associates three apples (symbols of immortality, power, and prosperity) with the very important god, Lugh. So, whatever apples make you think of, I hope you enjoy these very cheerful and colorful apples.

            Happy Weekend!

 

Sweet Hearts

   “Sweet Hearts”          8” x 10”      Pastel        $75      © Sharon Lewis

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Whenever we get close to celebrating Valentine’s Day, I have this urge to paint food. I especially love painting cupcakes because I have a great excuse to buy them; it always helps to paint from life (or at least that’s my excuse). I also love to paint them because the ones I love to eat are colorful and have all these interesting textures to capture.

Hope you had a sweet Valentine’s Day and have a Happy Weekend!

 

Looking Out

“Looking Out”      9” x 8”          Pastel         $70     © Sharon Lewis

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             I’m normally a landscape artist but I have to admit I love painting still lifes on occasion. Sometimes it’s simply because I love painting with warm colors like these on a cold, grey, winter day.

What many non-artists don’t realize is that the challenges for still-life artists begin before they even start painting, with the choice of objects and how they will be arranged and lighted. I have tremendous respect for these artists, having watched some of the best ones, arranging and rearranging a set-up until it almost magically comes together in a beautiful design.

Happy Weekend!

 

Art Research With Sprinkles

“Art Research With Sprinkles”          8” x 8”          Pastel         $70        © Sharon Lewis

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Given the recent holiday where sweets are often exchanged, I was drawn to painting this cupcake. This is one of a few cupcakes I bought at a bakery with the idea of using them for paintings. All I can say is that it’s fortunate that I took so many photos of these subjects because for some reason, they didn’t last long.

Hope your Valentine’s Day was sweet and that you have a Happy Weekend!

 

Yummm…..Tasty Art!

"Sweet Treats"          8” x 8”         Pastel         $70        © Sharon Lewis
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           I was in San Francisco a couple of weeks ago, walking down the street when this amazing window of beautifully colored cupcakes caught my eye. I didn't have my camera at the time but found time to go back later. I wanted to both sample the wares and take some pictures of this amazing store window. I think the staff thought I was a little crazy when I asked them if I could take photos of their window display so that I could paint their colorful cupcakes. However, it’s San Francisco so the staff just shrugged and said “Sure”.  They have about 30 or more different favors of cupcakes and I can tell you the cupcakes at CAKO are both beautiful and absolutely delicious!