Quiet Visitor

“Quiet Visitor”        5 x 7    Oil    $105   © Sharon Lewis

                    I’m trying to get more used to plein air painting because I enjoy being outside (except in the depth of a Georgia summer) and I learn valuable art skills – like how to simplify a scene and more accurate depictions of colors, light, and shadows. It’s still hard for me to paint in public when I’m on my own as people always want to see what I’m painting. I still remember a woman coming up to me after hours of painting on the beach. I had done several paintings of the ocean earlier and was trying to make some uninteresting dunes more interesting by changing the scene. She looked at where I was looking and looked at my painting obviously puzzled. To her credit she didn’t say anything but her facial expression conveyed, “What the hell???” and maybe even a little, “Poor thing! She thinks she can paint”. Fortunately for my ego, I liked that painting and it later sold to someone else who also liked my imaginary arrangement of dunes. 

                   This painting is my backyard with a bunny I saw conveniently hiding in the grasses.

                   Happy Weekend! 

Beautiful Abundance

               

“Beautiful Abundance”        11 x 14    Oil    $300   © Sharon Lewis

                  There’s an ongoing drought in the southern part of Georgia right now and like many places prone to drought, there are currently wildfires. Perhaps this is why I was drawn to paint this abundance of water in the form of this beautiful waterfall. We found this one summer on a hike through the countryside.

                   Happy Weekend!

Rough Waters

 

“Rough Waters”      8” x 10”         Pastel        $160       © Sharon Lewis

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             My art often reflects what’s going on in my life but it often does this in funny ways. I had been thinking about the Emily Dickenson poem, ““Hope” is the thing with feathers” and was looking for reference photos for a bird. I saw these ducks that I had photographed last year in DC, and while my photos show relatively calm waters, what I’ve painted looks like ducks paddling hard against a current or in rough waters. I think this is what my friends, colleagues and students are feeling as well right now. Maybe you are too. It can sometimes feel like our hours are long, meetings are frequent, and the work is never finished. But there are also small moments of joy and laughter mixed in – a young colleague is excited about a new career opportunity, another is excited about finding a new pug Christmas decoration (and has us laughing at the possibilities), and a student shares her decision to be brave and choose a creative final project because she wants to be proud of herself. So, on this day filled with sunshine, I am grateful for these moments and for my wonderful colleagues, students, and friends. 

            Happy Weekend!

On a Summer Day

“On a Summer Day”        4” x 6”        Pastel       $96       © Sharon Lewis

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            It’s that time of year when I can finally slow down a bit and catch my breath.  I can take the time to listen to the sweet sound of birds calling to one another through the trees, the funny sounds of squirrels scolding  one another, or the stream traveling over the worn rocks below. I can see all the different lush greens of summer in the trees contrasting with the red cardinals or the blue of the titmouse, or the orangish-red of the finches. All of this makes for a wonderful summer day.

            Happy Weekend!

 

Where the Wood Drake Rests

“Where the Wood Drake Rests”       6” x 4”        Pastel       $96       © Sharon Lewis

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            One of my favorite poems that I love to read when I’m feeling tired and a bit overwhelmed is “The  Peace of Wild Things” by Wendell Perry. No matter how many times I read this poem, the imagery within always soothes me. I love the lines:

“I go and lie down where the wood drake rests in his beauty on the water, ……I come into the presence of still water. And I feel above me the day-blind stars waiting with their light.”

As Perry used his words, I have used paint, to hopefully create a refuge that within you can find peace.

            Happy Weekend! 

Quiet Reflection

“Quiet Reflection”        8” x 10”          Pastel         $75         © Sharon Lewis

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            I was drawn to paint this scene not only because I loved the red roof peeking out above the trees but also because the scene to me is all about reflection.  You have the blue sky reflecting onto this pond with its beautiful water lilies and it seems the kind of place where you might go if you were seeking peace and quiet reflection.

            Happy Weekend and hope all in the path of hurricane Ian stay safe!

Florida Palms

“Florida Palms”         5” x 7”       Pastel       $50     © Sharon Lewis

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            I’ve been trying to slowly clean up and better-organize my small art studio this summer and it’s been a voyage of discovery. I’ve found a few art supplies that I forgot I had and discovered some old paintings that were hidden behind some of my newer ones. Today’s painting is one that I discovered and I believe is based on a reference photo that my talented artist friend Karen Margulis took. We both spent our childhood in southern Florida and have fond memories of this area.

            Happy Weekend!

Crystal Wandering Water

“Crystal Wandering Water”       Pastel             9” x 12”            $100          © Sharon Lewis
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            After a week in which we’ve had more cold, dreary rain, I was longing for warmth and color and so I created my own sunny, summer day.

            Happy Weekend!