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I’ve been looking at my photos of the West coast in anticipation of my upcoming visit there and decided to paint this scene of the Oregon coast. I’ve checked the weather and while it will be in the upper 80’s and 90’s here in the Atlanta area, it will be in the low 60’s on the coast – perfect August weather as far as I’m concerned. I can’t wait!
Happy Weekend!
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It’s funny to me that I don’t really like some amusement park rides because they’re too scary but I love standing as close as I can get to huge, scary waves, especially if there are also large rocks. I’ll readily admit it’s not always safe to stand so close but I find violent surf as it crashes against the rocks, endlessly fascinating and thus I also love painting these scenes.
Happy Weekend!
“The Gift of Cherries” 10 x 8 Oil $160 © Sharon Lewis
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!
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| "View From Sister Rock" 8 x 10 Pastel $160 © Sharon Lewis Click Here to Buy |
This is a return to painting two subjects I love: the ocean and rocks. Whether you’re on the west or the east coast, the ocean always has a myriad of colors if you look closely. Interestingly, so do the large rock formations you see standing the test of time in oceans. The larger rocks also serve as landing and nesting places for sea birds and if large enough, as a haven for seals as well. There are always cool breezes here which to my mind, makes it a perfect place to hang out in the months of July and August.
Happy Weekend!
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“Meet-Cute” 8 x 10 Oil $160 © Sharon Lewis
When I was on the coast last summer, I noticed a group of teenagers surfing – mostly all males. As I was walking by trying to get as many photos of the waves as possible, I was struck by these two surfers facing each other. He seemed to be posing, and she had her arms folded, possibly because she wasn’t impressed by his pose or she was cold. She still had her wet suit on (this was really cold water) while he had pulled the top half of his off – maybe hoping to persuade her he was worth talking to? No matter what their story, I loved the juxtaposition of these two young people, the surfer behind them, against a sky of beautiful clouds.
Happy Weekend!
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“Sunny Skies At Last” 7.5 x 10 Pastel $160 © Sharon Lewis
I just got back from visiting family up north where it rained every day. I got back home just in time for it to rain every day here. In desperation I decided to paint sunny skies.
I hope wherever you are, there are sunny skies above.
Happy Weekend!
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“A Walk on the Beach” 8 x 10 Oil $160 © Sharon Lewis
I’m back from an exciting but exhausting two weeks helping my daughter and son-law as they waited to greet their second daughter. She arrived on April 11 and we are so happy to have this tiny, new member of the family!
Today’s painting was done on location when I was at the beach a few weeks ago.
Happy Weekend!
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| “Going Sledding” 8 x 10 Pastel $160 © Sharon Lewis Click Here to Buy |
This painting is loosely based on a photo of a snowfall several years ago in the Atlanta area. Given that snow is not that common here in the south, we react differently from my northern family and friends. We get out and enjoy the snow since everything shuts down at once. Everyone, including adults, grabs something that remotely resembles a sled (garbage can lids, trays, cardboard), finds a hill (plentiful here in the foothills of the Appalachians), and goes sledding.
Happy Weekend!
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“Lean on Me” 8 x 10 Oil $160 © Sharon Lewis
With all the grey, rainy weather lately, it’s a relief to be working on something colorful. Pears are fun to paint for their rounded shapes and their diverse colors. I love also how they can lean on one another helping each to stand steady, much like good friends. This week and every week, I am so grateful for the support of my friends. When things get scary, I know I can lean on them to help me stand steady.
A round of applause for good friends and Happy Weekend! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
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“Dunes Walk” 8 x 10 Oil $160 © Sharon Lewis
I’ve always been attracted to the play of light and shadow on the landscape. However, when we stopped at this National Recreation area, I thought I wouldn’t be able to find anything worth photographing, given how intense the sunlight was. Then I saw these dark shadows falling across a path, contrasting with the bright sand giving me my inspiration for this painting.
Happy Weekend!
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“The Colors of the Season” 9” x 9” Pastel $160 © Sharon Lewis
On these cold winter days, I hope you’re warmed by the company of those you love. Wishing you a Happy New Year and in the words of an Irish blessing: May love and laughter light your days and warm your hearth and home.
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“Cool Company” Pastel 8” x 10” $160 © 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!
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“Erinn’s Flowers” 8” x 10” Pastel $160 © Sharon Lewis
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Happy Weekend!
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“A Day at the Beach” 8x10 Pastel $160 © Sharon Lewis
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The more the news becomes distressing, the more I tend to escape to a place of peace and tranquility. Being by the ocean was always the place I ran to when I was young and my house was anything but peaceful. The rhythm of the waves has an almost hypnotic quality as the water comes in and goes out, always changing and yet the same.
Hope you’re able to find peace and tranquility and have a Happy Weekend!
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“Sweet Hearts” 8x10 Pastel $160 © Sharon Lewis Click Here to Purchase |
Happy Weekend and Happy Valentine’s Day!
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“Love” 8” x 10” Pastel $160 © Sharon Lewis
Both in honor of Valentine’s Day and to push back on the divisive, demeaning, and insulting messages in the news and on social media, I choose to focus on love. This painting shows two Dads, one white, one black/Hispanic, with their family of kids. I wanted to put an image out into social media that is about kindness, love, and inclusivity.
Happy Weekend and Happy Almost Valentine’s Day!
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| "Will's Favorite Color" 8” x 10” Pastel $160 © 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!
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“Autumn at Alexander” 8” x 10” Pastel $160 © Sharon Lewis Click Here to Purchase |
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!
“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!
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| “In a Dark World, Be the Light” 8” x 10” Pastel $160 Click Here to Purchase |
In my conversations with others, I keep coming back to the same thoughts: we are not alone in being concerned about those who are vulnerable, we need to derive strength from each other, and not give into despair. We need to be the ones who won’t stop caring about others, regardless of their race, religion, income, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We need to be the ones who won’t stop voicing the concerns of others whose voices may not be as loud, or as influential. We need to connect to others who are also caring, kind, inclusive, and compassionate and keep each other strong. We need to be the light for others.
Hoping you have a light-filled weekend.
