Central Park

     “Central Park”       Pastel         2.5” x 3.5”       $20       © Sharon Lewis
Click Here to Purchase

          I had to travel to New York recently for a conference and I did what I love doing when here which is to walk through Central Park. It seemed everyone was eager to be outside with the beautiful spring weather.  There were families picnicking, young kids playing soccer, dogs of all sorts and sizes, and an amazingly talented a cappella group performing; everything that makes Central Park so interesting to me. I just had a few minutes to do a quick study from one of my photos. I hope to paint some larger pieces of this gorgeous oasis in the middle of this great, vibrant city.  

 

In a Far Away Glen

“In a Far Away Glen”        Pastel         9” x 12”       $100       © Sharon Lewis
Click Here to Purchase

         It’s been non-stop running around for the last several months and I think how peaceful and beautiful a place like this looks. It is the kind of place that you can hike to, spread out your picnic lunch on those golden grasses, and have a view of quiet water and majestic mountains all around. Your only visitors might be a few curious sheep. Ahhhh…..

After the Rain

“After the Rain”            Pastel            9” x 12”          $100          © Sharon Lewis
Click Here to Purchase

            I’ve been enjoying the return of my hummingbirds and the joyous sound of birds chirping. The goldfinches and other winter bird visitors are gone leaving the old standards, the titmouse, chickadee, and cardinal.

            I know it’s not even summer yet but it’s already becoming warm and humid in north Georgia. I find myself dreaming of cooler, drier places like Scotland. Today’s painting is based on photos I took from the car as we drove towards Glen Coe, Scotland. The area before you get to the glen includes a beautiful river that flows through rolling hills. It’s a less dramatic but nonetheless beautiful area.

A Sky Serene and Fair

“A Sky Serene and Fair”        Pastel         9” x 12”       $100      © Sharon Lewis
Click Here to Purchase

           The end of the academic year is a time when it’s easy to lose oneself  in the long work hours and stress. This spring it’s been particularly challenging as we had a tree hit the house, punching holes in my ceiling and causing it to rain inside for awhile.  Then a repair person, while pulling out wet insulation, disturbed a nest of hundreds of carpenter ants hidden within that wall.  I just had to laugh; I kept telling friends that for a while it was like being in the middle of a badly written horror film.

            At times like this, I often find it’s a struggle for me to remember what truly matters to me so I have developed a practice of repeating a simple phrase, "Be patient, be compassionate".  It reminds me to focus not on my own difficulties but on what others are experiencing. I find that this keeps me more attuned to what truly matters in the long run rather than what I want to whine about (a truly boring, fruitless practice).

            Today’s painting is a larger version of one I did while staying near this coastal area. I really found myself missing that painting when it sold a few weeks ago and so decided to do another larger, and slightly different version.

            Happy Weekend and Happy Mother's Day!

Happy May Day!

“Heavenly Hollyhocks”    Pastel      12” x 9”       $100      © Sharon Lewis
Click Here to Purchase
 

            Apparently, celebrating May Day is an ancient tradition, dating back to pre-Christian times and associated with the Roman goddess Flora (goddess of flowers). It is also now, in many cultures, a holiday that includes dancing, singing, and cake! I ask you, what’s not to like about a holiday like this?

            Happy May Day and Happy Weekend!

Sunny Refuge

"Sunny Refuge”         Pastel      9” x 12”       $100      © Sharon Lewis
Click Here to Purchase

                   Ahhh, it was a beautiful, sunny afternoon when we visited the Parker River Refuge on the northeast coast of Massachusetts. The refuge has sandy beaches and dunes, cranberry bogs, woods, and acres and acres of salt marsh. That day there were ducks sunning themselves near the edge of the marsh banks. With their brown and beige feathers they blended in so well with their surroundings that I almost didn’t notice them at first. You may be able to see some of them since I’ve tucked a few in amongst the reeds in the painting.

           

            I hope your weekend sees you getting outside and enjoying a beautiful, sunny afternoon. Happy Weekend!

Racing Clouds

“Racing Clouds”         Pastel      12” x 9”       $100      © Sharon Lewis
Click Here to Purchase

            April in the Atlanta area is usually beautiful with blooming trees, bushes, and flowers. It apparently also is typically one of our drier months though you’d never know it this year. It has been raining with very few exceptions virtually every day for weeks! When we get a clear, sunny day, we wander out a bit dazed, looking like pale human mushrooms seeing light for the first time.

            Fortunately, as I drive back and forth to work, I’m treated to the cheerful sight of colorful tulips, red and pink azaleas, purple irises, the wine-red and purples of the Japanese maples, the pink and white blooming dogwood trees, and the lime-green of new leaves sprouting everywhere.

            Hope you enjoy sunshine and April colors this weekend!