Happy New Year!

“Mom, Always One Step Ahead”         12” x 12”      Pastel         $175       © Sharon Lewis

              I hope wherever you are, there are blue skies, the laughter of children, and the warmth of family and friends.

            May this new year bring you good health, the warmth of family and friends, and abundant happiness!

            Happy New Year!

 

So I Don't Forget

“So I Don’t Forget”            11” x 14”          Pastel         $175         © Sharon Lewis

            This past weekend I was attending my daughter’s wedding and thus, not producing my weekly painting. So, I offer this work, painted at this time last year, of a lovely beach with a young woman taking a selfie so she doesn’t forget? Or so she can make her friends envious?

Whatever the reason, I wouldn’t mind being on this beach again, enjoying the sun, the water, and that beautiful blue sky.

            Happy Labor Day Weekend!

 

The View From The Top

  “The View from the Top”      12” x 12”       Pastel       $175       © Sharon Lewis

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            I was drawn to this beautiful hillside after hiking in this area. Sitting in this large stone chair, one can relax with a spectacular view of the sea. The southern coast of Oregon has dramatic cliffs such as this one as well as interesting rock formations where seals congregate. I never tire of Oregon’s gorgeous scenery and ocean views!

            Happy Weekend!

A Lucky Hiker’s View

  “A Lucky Hiker’s View”           12” x 12”       Pastel       $175       © Sharon Lewis

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             Every weekend it’s not raining, I try to make time to get outside and walk at Panola Mountain State Park. My route takes me past the South River which I have to admit, on many days, is not the most picturesque river. It’s almost a shallow stream in drier times. However, after many days of rain and with sunny, blue skies overhead, it can present the lucky hiker with this idyllic, beautiful scene.

 

            Happy Weekend!

Dreaming of Summer on a Winter's Day

“Dreaming of Summer on a Winter’s Day”   11” x 14”     Pastel    $175    © Sharon Lewis

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             It sometimes takes me almost as long to figure out what to paint as it does to actually paint a landscape. This weekend, when it was grey and dreary, I was drawn to paint this scene because of the light, the warmth, and all the people trying to enjoy the last rays of sunshine before sunset.  I loved the contrast between the bands of bluish-purple shadows and the golden, sun-lit parts of the beach. It was also fun to paint the people in their various poses and locations; some swimming in the water, some former sunbathers now in shadow, and the various people in conversation or silent admiration of the view.

            Happy Weekend!

 

Merry Christmas!

“Mom, Always One Step Ahead”    12” x 12”      Pastel       $175      © 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!

Safe Landing

“Safe Landing”        11” x 14”      Pastel       $175      © Sharon Lewis

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Several years ago, I was able to get away to the mountains in the fall. You never know when exactly the trees will hit their peak of color or if you’ll have missed it all together. But that year, we caught nature’s Autumn exhibition in all it’s glory. It was beautiful! I was also lucky enough to catch these ducks landing in the lake to rest, eat, and enjoy the show like the rest of us.

Happy Weekend!

Mom, Always One Step Ahead

“Mom, Always One Step Ahead” 12” x 12”      Pastel         $175       © 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!

 

Remember Summer?

“Remember Summer?”      12” x 12”          Pastel         $175      © Sharon Lewis

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             It’s been grey and rainy this week, already reminding me that our glorious fall weather is coming to an end. So lately, I find myself drawn to images of summer or spring, when color returns to our landscape.  The reference photos for this painting come from a summer hike in the Swiss mountains, where I spotted these beautiful wild flowers amongst the rocks.

            Happy Weekend!

Sailing Away

“Sailing Away”        11” x 14”       Pastel        $175     © Sharon Lewis

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            I enjoy my job but I have to admit, every fall, when faced with the barrage of meeting invites and organizational details, I want to be far away. I picture sailing away on a beautiful summer day like this, with blue skies overhead and cool breezes….and no meetings, no schedules, and the only thing to think about is what time the sun sets.

            Happy Weekend!

 

Pretty in Pink

“Pretty in Pink”    12” x 10”       Pastel        $175     © Sharon Lewis

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            I love these hydrangeas. Not only are these colorful flowers beautiful, they grow in my garden and were originally given to me decades ago by my mother-in-law, when I gave birth to my daughter. What’s also amazing is that they’ve survived drought, torrential rains, my inept care, and the deer who love to nibble on some of the leaves in the spring. I’m grateful for their beauty and also because they remind me of the kindness of a woman who was an important part of my life long ago.

            Happy Weekend!

As Evening Draws Close

 “As Evening Draws Close”        11” x 14”       Pastel        $175     © Sharon Lewis

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            Sometimes, as the evening draws close, and the light begins to fade, the sun may gift you with one last, spectacular show of light. It’s usually brief but if you’re attentive, you may be presented with one last dazzling display of light and color that sets the land aglow.

            Happy Weekend!

 

Pacific Swirl

  “Pacific Swirl”      12” x 12”       Pastel        $175     © Sharon Lewis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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            Sometimes the beauty of a place just takes my breath away. We had parked by the side of the road and hiked over a hill not sure what to expect on the other side when we saw this beautiful view. The water swirled with an almost jade green amidst a darker turquoise. Sometimes it seems Mother nature is the best artist of us all.

            Happy Weekend!

Like a Mother’s Kiss

 “Like a Mother’s Kiss”       12” x 12”       Pastel        $175     © Sharon Lewis

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            When I’m on the beach, I’m fascinated by waves.  As anyone who’s spent any time by the ocean, you know that sometimes waves are huge, scary and dramatic, reminding you of the force of the sea.  But then there are those times when the surf is gentle, with a relaxing, peaceful, ebb and flow, and if you’re lucky, you catch the sun perfectly brushing the tops of the waves like a mother’s kiss. 

            Happy Weekend!

Mom, Always One Step Ahead

 

  “Mom, Always One Step Ahead”         12” x 12”      Pastel         $175       © Sharon Lewis

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             We don’t often get snow in the Atlanta area but in early December of 2017, we got a surprise snow fall and we all, kids and adults, went crazy over it. This is the fun of a snow fall in the south; it’s unusual enough that we take the time to fully appreciate it.

            This painting is based on a wonderful photo taken by my good friend, Ken Carter in a local park. The photo features a beautiful blue sky, glistening snow, and if you looked really carefully, this mother and child out enjoying an unexpected day in the park.

            Merry Christmas and Happy Weekend!

    

You Are The Light

“You Are The Light”          12” x 12”          Pastel           $175        © Sharon Lewis
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Remembering John Lewis………

"You are a light. You are the light. Never let anyone—any person or any force—dampen, dim or diminish your light. Study the path of others to make your way easier and more abundant."

"Freedom is not a state; it is an act. It is not some enchanted garden perched high on a distant plateau where we can finally sit down and rest. Freedom is the continuous action we all must take, and each generation must do its part to create an even more fair, more just society.”

“Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month, or a year; it is the struggle of a lifetime. Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble.” — John Lewis

I Can Fly!

“I Can Fly!”      12” x 12”       Pastel          $175        © Sharon Lewis

            I am always drawn to paint beautiful days at the beach, and now, especially so in the middle of what feels like incessant grey skies and rain this winter. 

It was one of those gorgeous days, with a mild breeze and a blue sky decorated with wisps of thin clouds with fog starting to roll in a bit over the more distant hillside. I was taking photos of the beach and trying to catch some of the waves coming in. It was only later that I realized that I’d caught this young boy facing the surf with outstretched arms in absolute joy and delight.
            Happy Weekend!

In the Wee, Small Hours of the Morning

“In the Wee, Small Hours of the Morning”    Pastel     12” x 12”     $175     © Sharon Lewis
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            Dawn comes early in Maine, at least in the summertime. I was lucky one morning to wake up early enough to capture the beauty of that time right before sunrise, when the sky is various shades of peach, and purple, and pink, and it’s oh so very quiet and peaceful.

            Apologies to David Mann and Bob Hilliard for borrowing the title of their song (which I love) for this painting.

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!