Mountain View

   “Mountain View”       5 x 7     Pastel    $ 105     © Sharon Lewis

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          On the way back to Boston from rural Maine, we stopped in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, a place I’ve been several times and love. On my way to walk in the woods and explore a stream and waterfall, I had a view of Mount Washington in the distance. Even from this far away, it looks impressive.  On a previous trip, we thought it would be fun to drive to the top of Mount Washington, something I don’t want to repeat anytime soon. For the passenger, the drive up gives you some magnificent views….of how far you will fall if the driver makes a small mistake and drives just a tiny bit too far to the right. It’s a sheer and very scary drop off the right side of the road as you drive up to the top and I recall having a death grip on the arm rest as if that would save me if we went off the road. 

         On that cheery note, have a Happy Weekend!

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

“Over the Hills and Through the Woods”        9” x 12”        Pastel         $216      © Sharon Lewis

             It’s Thanksgiving this week and as my students and I scatter over hills and maybe through some woods, I am feeling grateful for all my kind, loving, and thoughtful friends and family. My life is so much richer and happier for your presence! 

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 this Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Weekend!

 

One Fine Day

“One Fine Day”       8 x 10”       Pastel       $75       © Sharon Lewis

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I feel a little guilty that I, an Irish-American, love Scotland so much – especially the Highlands. The Glencoe area is one of my favorite places there; the views are gorgeous and it’s a wonderful site for hiking. Almost anywhere in the Glencoe area, you’re surrounded by violet, craggy cliffs rising above velvety green hillsides and meadows. As long as you don’t mind a little light rain (that’s why it’s so green) and cool temperatures even in July, you’ll love hiking here as much as I do.

            Happy Weekend!

 

Alpine Meadow

“Alpine Meadow”          2.5” x 3.5”          Pastel           $25          © Sharon Lewis

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            Given the hot summer temperatures we had this week, I was drawn to a scene that while still looking summery also suggested that a cool breeze might be possible. This painting describes the kind of summer day I love, with the warmth and color of summer in this beautiful meadow contrasting with the cold, icy peak above.

            Happy Weekend!

Following Care Along the Dusty Road

 “Following Care Along the Dusty Road”         9” x 12”        Pastel        $100      © Sharon Lewis

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              I borrowed this title from the poem, Journey by Edna St. Vincent Millay. She seems to be talking about noticing all the beauty around her but continuing to move forward attending to responsibilities (All my life, Following Care along the dusty road, Have I looked back at loveliness and sighed). I think about this a lot this time of year. Soon the leaves will be turning gorgeous bright colors but I and my students will need to focus on our academic responsibilities. However, I think that I will probably also be thinking like the poet when she says:

But far, oh, far as passionate eye can reach,

And long, ah, long as rapturous eye can cling,

The world is mine: blue hill, still silver lake,

Broad field, bright flower, and the long white road

A gateless garden, and an open path:
My feet to follow, and my heart to hold.

           

Happy Weekend!

Sunset in the Southwest

 “Sunset in the Southwest”             6” x 9”          Pastel         $65         © Sharon Lewis

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            I’ll be heading to the beautiful southwestern part of the country next month for a great gathering of pastel artists. This is a wonderful opportunity for pastel artists scattered across the country and around the world to come together to take classes, workshops, and to paint and socialize with one another. It’s so wonderful to be able to talk to so many other people who share my passion to create art.

            This painting comes from photos I took in New Mexico several years ago at our last conference.

            Happy Weekend!

 

Celebration

“Celebration”            6” x 12”          Pastel         $100         © Sharon Lewis 

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             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!

Brighter Skies Ahead

    “Brighter Skies Ahead”        2.5” x 3.5”        Pastel         $25        © Sharon Lewis

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            This painting was started on location and finished in the studio from memory and my imagination. I love painting skies, especially blue skies with beautiful, colorful clouds. If you add in mountains and a stream, it’s even more interesting to me. What I saw last summer was a sky that looked a little bit like this one but the landscape was uninteresting. So, I made up some distant mountains and a stream that meanders through this beautiful countryside and off into the distance. Who knows where it goes?

            Happy Weekend!

 

Over the Hills and Through the Woods

“Over the Hills and Through the Woods”        9” x 12”        Pastel         $100      © Sharon Lewis

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            It’s Thanksgiving this coming week and as my students and I scatter over hills and maybe through some woods, I am feeling so grateful for all my kind, loving, and thoughtful friends and family. My life is so much richer and happier for your presence!

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 this Thanksgiving.

Happy Weekend!

     

October Sky

“October Sky”           8” x 8”          Pastel         $70       © Sharon Lewis

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            October in the southeast is a wonderful month! The mornings are cool and the days are sunny and dry. At the moment, I can hear the stream running gently over the rocks, the breeze rustling the leaves, and the birds chirping happily in the trees. It’s a time to think about heading to the mountains for a day, or a weekend, to forget about that constant stream of emails and tasks, and instead to enjoy this beautiful season of glorious colors….and candy. We can’t forget the Halloween candy.

            Happy Weekend!

 

Windswept

“Windswept”           12” x 16”        Pastel           $200       © Sharon Lewis

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            I’ve needed a respite from the non-stop scary-bad news about COVID and maybe you do too. So, look out a window or better yet, take a walk outside if possible. Notice the trees, listen for the sound of birds, even if you live in a city. Or just sit still for a moment or two, close your eyes and remember a favorite vacation scene….a relaxing, beautiful scene and take a deep breath. The scene I’ve painted is one that I find relaxing and fascinating. The beautiful mountains stand out and I never get tired of them but I also love the interesting patterns on the water created by shadows and wind. Ahhhhhh.

            Happy Weekend!

 

The Light Ahead

“The Light Ahead”      9” x 12”       Pastel       $100     © Sharon Lewis
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          Remembering vacations to distant lands where there were emerald green hills, magnificent vistas, and  cool breezes even in August.

            Happy Weekend!

The Bright Side of Life

“The Bright Side of Life”         9” x 9”       Pastel       $100     © Sharon Lewis
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            One of my favorite songs is a Monty Python song, “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life.” The lyrics are cheerful and silly and ridiculous as Monty Python songs tend to be, but they never fail to cheer me up.

             This has been a tough time for so many people I know these last several months and so in  typical Irish-American fashion I want to find humor somewhere and Monty Python is always a great source. I also am focusing on those things that cause a feeling of awe. For me, it is the sight of a beautiful sky, reminding me that not all is sad or ugly….especially if we can still laugh and revel in the beauty of a gorgeous sky.

            Happy Weekend and to all the mothers that I know, Happy Mother’s Day!

Moving Towards the Light

“Moving Toward the Light”          5” x 7”    Pastel         $50         © Sharon Lewis
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            The Winter Solstice is upon us and I’m reminded that there are always two different ways to view this special time: as the longest night or, as I tend to see it, the special night after which, each day will gradually bring more light.  I hope wherever you are, that you are enjoying the light and warmth of family and friends.

            Happy Weekend and to my Jewish friends, Happy Hanukkah!

Sunrise over Skye

“Sunrise over Skye”            Pastel              9” x 12”          $100          © Sharon Lewis
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            One of my favorite places to visit in Scotland is the island of Skye....along with  apparently every other visitor to Scotland nowadays. Unfortunately, we couldn’t get a hotel room for the nights we were going to be there and found instead the island of Raasay. It’s a beautiful, small island just west of Skye and staying there allowed me to see the sun rise over Skye, illuminating this beautiful island’s western coast.

            Happy Weekend!

Purple Majesty

“Purple Majesty”      Pastel         12” x 12”        $175         © Sharon Lewis
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            I was recently out in Boulder, Colorado for the wedding of my daughter’s beautiful, best friend, Deirdre. I loved everything I saw of Boulder! There seem to be parks and great places to hike everywhere. On the day of the wedding, I was able to get a hike in at Chautauqua Park which has beautiful green meadows dotted with wild flowers, some marshy areas with deer grazing nearby, and this gorgeous peak to climb. I only had an hour to hike and explore but I was able to get some striking photos in spite of the intermittent rain and fog.

            Happy Weekend!

Standing the Test of Time

 “Standing the Test of Time”        Pastel         12” x 12”        $175         © Sharon Lewis
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            I love painting water and mountains and I’m always excited if I find a scene where I can paint both. There’s something that’s endlessly fascinating to me about the contrast between the rugged rocks and the lush green that flourishes in spite of the challenging environment.

            Happy Weekend!

Mountain Harbor

“Mountain Harbor”               Pastel         5” x 7”        $50          © Sharon Lewis

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            What a great location for a home! Your house nestled in the lee of these mountains and looking out over green meadows, sprinkled with yellow flowers.....not a bad location. Spring will be here before we know it!

            Happy Weekend!

Looking for Light

“Looking for Light”   Pastel        7” x 5”       $50     © Sharon Lewis
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            It’s that time of year when it feels like darkness lasts far too long and periods of light are getting shorter and shorter. I think that’s why I was drawn to paint this scene from one of my trips. I was hiking through fairly dark woods but found a gap in the trees where I could see this light-filled meadow alongside a beautiful lake.

            Hope your weekend is filled with light!

Welcome Color

"Welcome Color”             Oil                 5” x 7”             $60          © Sharon Lewis
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        Fall has come a little later than usual to the southeast. This luckily allowed us to still enjoy beautiful colors in the mountains even though we weren’t able to get away until late October. I could look out and paint these dazzling trees ablaze with fall colors; a welcome sight on a cold, wet, dreary day.

        Happy Weekend!