Thursday, September 27, 2018

Summer Hasn't Left Yet


“Summer Hasn’t Left Yet”         Pastel     6” x 12”        $80       © Sharon Lewis
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Since summer temperatures have persisted here even though it’s late September, I thought I’d dwell on something I enjoy about summer: visiting the ocean.  I love watching the water and listening to the rhythm of the surf ebbing and flowing. I also love painting waves. Although there are similarities across waves, each one has something distinct about it. I love the challenge of trying to convey the beauty of light hitting a wave and making it glow. I love also trying to capture all the colors in the foam…in many ways like clouds with all of their colors. 
Happy Weekend!


Thursday, September 20, 2018

Cove at Ecola

“Cove at Ecola”         Pastel             12” x 18”         $250          © Sharon Lewis
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            Ecola State Park is a beautiful area with picnic tables high on a bluff overlooking this cove. It’s also a great place to hike through tall, cool woods, or spend a couple of hours on a gorgeous beach. We were so lucky that we got beautiful, sunny, cool weather for our picnic and hike here.
            Happy Weekend!

Thursday, September 13, 2018

The View From Orcas

“The View From Orcas”      Pastel       5” x 7”       $50       © Sharon Lewis
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I remember this view so vividly. We were staying on Orcas Island, part of the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington. I painted this from a hillside overlooking the water with a wonderful view of a harbor and distant islands. During the day, there were sailboats, motor boats, kayakers, and sea planes going back and forth in this busy harbor. However, I decided to paint it without all the busyness, and instead, as it might have appeared long, long ago; as calm and peaceful with only nature in sight.
Happy Weekend!

Thursday, September 6, 2018

The Last One

“The Last One”      Pastel        5” x 7”       $50     © Sharon Lewis
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            The truth is that plein air painting intimidates me a bit. I love the outdoors but painting on location brings a lot of challenges: bugs, strong winds, blinding sun in your eyes, and curious strangers who apparently feel that you’re there to provide them with entertainment. However, I also have to admit, once I get started painting, I don’t want to stop and often don’t until the light is gone or we need to be somewhere else. This painting was the last painting in a beautiful location and is partially made up. I wanted to paint these bushes in the fading light but I didn’t like the composition in front of me so I “rearranged” the bushes into a design that worked a little better.
Happy Weekend!

Thursday, August 30, 2018

When Rocks Gossip

“When Rocks Gossip”         Pastel          11” x 14”          $150       © Sharon Lewis
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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!

Friday, August 24, 2018

Emerald Waters


“Emerald Waters”      Pastel       12” x 18”       $250     © Sharon Lewis
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I’m always fascinated by how the color of the sea changes in sometimes subtle and sometimes dramatic fashion, depending on where you are. In this area of the coast, so often the sea appeared almost an emerald green, with the sand varying between a warm peach and a cool pink. The contrast between the water and the beach was so beautiful! I also love the lighthouse just visible at the end of this strip of land.

Thursday, August 16, 2018

Fog's Coming!


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