Turf and Surf

 “Turf and Surf”         12” x 16”       Pastel        $200       © Sharon Lewis

Click Here to Purchase

            What a view I got from this point on the hiking path! I would have happily stayed in this coastal park for days! There was sun, cool breezes, trees with these gnarled trunks that you see on these rugged coasts, a few berries for snacks along the way, and of course these gorgeous views of the surf down below!

            Happy Weekend!

Can't Wait to See What's Around the Corner!

“Can’t Wait to See What’s Around the Corner!” 14” x 10” Pastel  $150 © Sharon Lewis

Click Here to Purchase

             I’ve always loved paths that wind through woods along the water. This one was particularly beautiful with the scent of wildflowers mixed with salt air, lush foliage with occasional berry bushes for snacks, and glimpses of an azure blue sea as you came around the corner. What a gorgeous place to hike and enjoy being outdoors on a perfect summer day!

            Happy Weekend!

Tranquility

“Tranquility”           11” x 14”          Pastel           $150           © Sharon Lewis
Click Here to Purchase  

             I don’t know about you but after all of the news this week, I’m in need of some peace and tranquility. I hope this view helps you get a little closer to this state.

            Happy Weekend!

Acadian Interlude

“Acadian Interlude”      10” x 10”       Oil       $150     © Sharon Lewis

Click Here to Purchase

             Just a little over a year ago I was standing on the rocks in Acadia National Park, enjoying the sun and breeze and watching the waves break over the rocks in hypnotic repetition. If you look closely, you’ll see others enjoying the cool breeze and perhaps smelling the salt air, and maybe even some mesmerized by the ebb and flow of the sea.

            Happy Weekend!

Serenity

“Serenity”            Pastel             11” x 14”         $150       © Sharon Lewis
Click Here to Purchase

            I am feeling anything but serene at the moment as I balance work concerns with preparations to join my son and his fiancé for their wedding this weekend. Of course, if this was several years ago, I might have distracted myself with the news or weather but this morning both are filled with conflict or news of the impending hurricane. As I study this painting however, I remember seeing a beautiful September sun, setting over a tranquil lake as we traveled back to our everyday concerns. Nature always reminds me: slow down and take a breath.

          Have a happy and serene weekend!

           

When Rocks Gossip

“When Rocks Gossip”         Pastel          11” x 14”          $150       © Sharon Lewis
Click Here to Purchase

 

Like many artists, I sometimes struggle to come up with a title for my painting. I’ve tried turning to poetry, to puns or plays on words, or even using the location name as part of or the whole title. In this case, I couldn’t get away from imagining these rocks as individuals gathering together to hear some particularly interesting bit of gossip. What do you see?

            Happy Weekend!

Fog's Coming!

“Fog’s Coming!”       Pastel       11” x 14”       $150     © Sharon Lewis
Click Here to Purchase

            I loved painting this scene from our recent trip to the west coast. The sea here was roiling and full of foam. I expected to find the fog the least interesting thing to paint but as I studied my photos, I realized that the fog actually had many beautiful colors in it especially where it thinned out and the blue sky could be seen through it. It was a lovely, cool day, and so perfect  for walking on the beach.

            Happy Weekend!

The Lake Beyond

“The Lake Beyond”        11” x 14”        $150        © Sharon Lewis  
Click Here to Purchase

           We were hiking last summer through a beautiful valley that had such wonderful patterns of light and shadow falling on velvety green hills….and for once it wasn’t raining. You don’t get such wonderful greens everywhere in the middle of summer without lots of rain.  Stopping to admire the view, I caught a glimpse far beyond of a lovely lake. There was no time to explore it but maybe next time?

            Happy Weekend!

Imagining

“Imagining”                Pastel                  11” x 14”              $150           © Sharon Lewis
Click Here to Purchase 

Imagine that instead of hearing the sounds of angry people clashing with one another, you hear instead the call of gulls, the sound of waves ebbing and flowing, the wind singing through the trees. Imagine instead of seeing in the news descriptions of conflicts between people and nations you see instead, how the sun illuminates the rocks and the ocean revealing all the beautiful colors contained within.

           Happy Almost Weekend!

   

By the Stream

“By the Stream”      Pastel        11” x 14”        $150     ©Sharon Lewis
N.F.S.

            I’ve borrowed the title for this painting from the poem, “By the Stream” by Paul Lawrence Dunbar, one of the first African-American poets to gain national recognition. The first few lines are: “By the stream I dream in calm delight, and watch as in a glass, How the clouds like crowds of snowy-hued and white-robed maidens pass, And the water into ripples breaks and sparkles as it spreads…” (Click here for the rest of the poem.). This seems to be such a wonderful way of describing this beautiful scene I saw one summer though maybe the clouds are more “golden-hued” and “lavender” robed maidens.

            Hoping a little beauty comes your way.  Happy Weekend!

Let’s Pretend It’s Spring

“Let’s Pretend It’s Spring”      Pastel        14” x 11”        $150     ©Sharon Lewis
Click Here to Purchase 

            I know it’s not spring yet but I saw some beautiful tulips at the grocery store and had to bring them home. Tulips are, in my opinion, perfect antidotes to a gloomy winter day which is exactly what it was when I painted these recently. They are one of my favorite flowers because not only do they come in a variety of colors, but the blooms open with the petals seeming to joyously embrace the light and air. As if that wasn’t enough, if you look closely, even the apparently single color tulips have a variety of different colors on their petals, and as they bloom they often reveal additional surprise colors on the inside. You couldn’t ask for a more delightful flower for an artist that loves colors!

            Hoping your weekend is colorful!

The Glory of Summer

"Shady Refuge"             11" x 14"             Pastel           $150          © Sharon Lewis
Click Here to Purchase

                    

I'm on Bailey Island, Maine, one of my favorite places to be at this time of year. While the Atlanta area has gotten warm and humid, this small island in the Casco Bay is still experiencing spring-time temperatures with cool mornings and evenings.

We are in a house that we rent each June that sits on a rocky cliff overlooking a cove as well as the beautiful Casco Bay. We fall asleep listening to the waves gently breaking and are awakened by birds singing and the excited peeps of the twenty tiny ducklings below.

I hope wherever you are, that you are enjoying a glorious summer!