September 30, 2008

What's for dinner, dear?
2005
acrylic on canvas
24" x 30"

When the leaves start to change color and I find myself with more inside projects than out, I know the autumn holidays are upon us and with that cooking group meals is in my near future. Whether a seder, iftar, or Thanksgiving meal there is almost always a woman at the helm.

When my daughter was young and most of my days were spent making meals, this household task was often depicted in my art work. Gathered with other Moms of young child the overwhelming tasks of cleaning, cooking and laundry translated to "hopeless, endless, relentless".

In 2005 I painted "What's For Dinner, Dear?" which was a direct quote from my neighbor to his wife when he arrived home from work. The painting itself is actually a scene of me at the rolling pin making ravioli for a family holiday dinner.

Peace Always

Sharon

September 29, 2008

Since 1989 when my daughter was born every year when October rears its head I begin to think "Halloween costume". Raising a dramatic daughter raised the bar for my creativity in that elaborate costumes are needed and not just for Halloween. In our home, costumes were NOT just for Halloween. One could be Xena or Anne of Green Gables in February as easily as October. When my daughter was young this was an opportunity for me to fulfill my yearning to be creative. Her imagination was complex and together we would come up with a functional costume that looked exactly right.

Meagan has played a Mime, Harriet the Spy, Little Mermaid, Peter Rabbit and a pioneer woman. I try to add some "educational" edge to our project. When we created the "Anne of Green Gales" costumes we went to town together and looked over fabrics until we found the right material for the project just like Matthew and Ann did in the book, Anne of Green Gales.

Each year though I grouse I look forward to working with my daughter in designing the look that represents the character she's to be.

Peace Always

Sharon

September 28, 2008

A self professed long time fan of Todd Rundgren, I keep up with his career via an email group, several web sites and a podcast,"Rundgren Radio". Recently Todd himself made an audio appearance (not sure what to call an audio appearance) on Rundgren Radio with an announcement that he was having financial issues and was offering an opportunity to buy into "The Second Mortgage Club where you would be his guest for the evening, go attend his concert, have some dinner, get a shirt, a USB of his new Album, posters, etc. and watch him record a song for an upcoming album he is working on.

Years ago I would have never imagined that an artist as talented as Todd Rundgren, a guitar player's guitar player, award winning producer and one of the most technological innovators for the past 40 years would have to resort to peddling his private time to pay some bills. Please don't get me wrong I do not see any problem with Todd doing this-he has bills and they have to be paid-everyone can identify with that scenario. However the state of the world is such that artists (musicians, comics, dancers, visual artists, etc) have to continue to hustle to make a living. This is not a surprise to me as much as a renewal of disappointment that this is how important the arts are for most people.

For more information about Todd Rundgren 2nd Mortgage club click here.

Peace Always

Sharon

September 27, 2008

Because of a football game 14 miles away, there is an erie silence in my neighborhood. I have about 3 hours of this blissful silence until the game lets out and the drunks and Penn State Proud hit the streets. It's just enough time to write this blog and do a session of yoga.

Today I worked on the final canvas of "Smokey the Zombie Bear" series. Lots of humidity here in central PA. which made for very slow drying. Since I tend to work fast adding lots of layers this hampers my style a bit and I get a different feeling from mixing and layering that I normally do.

Peace Always

Sharon

September 26, 2008

Fighting off the impulse to spend the day outside gardening or hiking in the woods, I got a fair amount of painting accomplished. I decided to kill off Smokey the Zombie Bear" too much death and destruction was associated with her and I felt it necessary to end her reign of terror. In the last panel "ag deireadh" we find a Chinese family prostrating to their altar. On the altar is a photograph of a large grey haired man, a bowl of rice with incense sticks, beads, a plate and Smokey the Zombie Bear's Head.

Peace (really) Always

Sharon

September 25, 2008

Photograph by Sharon Lee
2001

As quickly as spring turns to summer here in central Pennsylvania, summer turns to fall. The day light length is considerably shortened and I struggle to do my outside tasks (gardening, hiking, laundry) leaving enough daylight to paint. As the calendar moves towards the end of the year. I will begin to rely on synthetic light and will relearn, as I do every year, how to adjust colors to be valid in pure light.

One thing about painting with man-made light is that it actually is easier to see the details of what you are painting. Yes the color may be off but the way I set up the light in my studio there are no shadows cast and I fully see the canvas. In the long daylight months I often have to move the easel from place to place to avoid glares and shadows caused by natural sunlight-come December they're will be barely enough hours of daylight to create an issue.

Peace Always

Sharon

September 24, 2008

Todd Rundgren
playing Sgt. Pepper Lonely Hearts Club Band album
Seven Springs, PA
August 2008
photo by Sharon Lee

Still I am reeling from the impact of watching "God Grew Tired of Us" a couple of days ago. (See yesterday's post) All day long I tries to visualize a painting that expresses what I saw in that film. At the same time I question the impact visual arts has on people.

I'm a big music fan-have no musical skills yet music is a large part of my everyday life. I feel music expresses emotions and is powerful in the way that no other art is. I'm not sure what it is about music that gives it it's power but I know that no mater how one feels she/he can identify that emotion within the realm of music and find a connection.

One of my favorite musicians is John Lennon. Although as a Dad, husband & friend he may not have been a success, as a musician he expressed real feelings and emotions that I can feel connected to over and over again. It is said that John believed that he could change the world through his music. Although the messages of peace in the 70s never brought the peace he envisioned in his lifetime, the sentiment of wanted peace is still valid many years later.

Peace Always

Sharon

September 23, 2008

Last evening I watched an amazing documentary titled, "God Grew Tired of Us". It is a chronicle of several of the "Lost Boys of Sudan" who escaped a civil war, walked thousands of miles barefoot and ultimately ended exported to America as part of relief efforts. Anyone who has not seem this movies owes it to themselves to see how the "other half" lives.

All day long I have been reviewing the images I saw in this film and trying to figure out what I now do with this information. As an artist I am able to express myself via visual images. In the painting "Meanwhile "Back in the Congo" I used the contrast pridefulness I had after fixing my toilet with the realities of women living in Africa who were exposed to sexual assault, destruction of everything they hold dear and murder of friends and family.

I have yet decided what images will be used to express my experiences after seeing this film. My only hope is to pass on this information and hope together we can come up with a resolution for this horrible human tragedy.

Peace Always

Sharon

September 22, 2008

The Birth of Jana
2004
acrylic on plywood
30" x 26"


"The "Birth of Jana" was painted in 2004 after assisting with the birth of a friend of a friend. This was an unexpected assist, just happened to be at the right place and the right time.

I had been present at three births previously, including the birth of my daughter. It is an amazing albeit disgusting event with weird smells, fluids and bodily discharges. Yet when the alien-looking infant appears the sense of an actual miracle occurring permeates the room.

When Jana was born, her birth mother (she was adopted by anther couple) wanted her first sounds outside the womb to be the chanting of Tibetan monks which we set up to play through a laptop. A rose was used (in a vase-not in her mouth as depicted in the painting) as a focal point during the contractions. While my arm was being squeezed in the grip of labor contractions, I decided to paint "The Birth of Jana" and as soon as I caught up on sleep I started.

This painting currently resides in Spruce Creek, Pennsylvania in a sitting room of a bed and breakfast.

Peace Always

Sharon

September 20, 2008

The Dishes Hadn't Been Done
1998
acrylic on metal tray
15" diameter

Because I am self employed, I realistically work seven days a week. Even a off day involves some amount of work for instance last Wednesday when my daughter and I took a day trip to Pittsburgh I needed to pack and ship two things through the United States Postal service and one item via UPS. I also took my camera with us in case I found something that was interesting to photograph for either my on going group of "arty" photos or something to add to my daily post.

Today I painted for most of the day. Paint time usually means something won't get done. In the case of today there were several things that were neglected: no walk in the woods with my dog, no gardening time and lastly the pile of dishes that were amassed today still remain unwashed.

I have been painting scenes from the hearth since my daughter was young and I began to paint some 14 years ago. Undone dishes have been part of my paintings including scenes from the "Housewife Series", 2000, "Pulled in All Directions", 1999, and "The Dishes Hadn't Been Done", 1998.

Peace Always

Sharon

September 19, 2008

Because most of my work is autobiographical, if something or someone comes into my life whether good or bad it will eventually make it's way into a painting or sculpture.

Two years ago I decided to make the plunge to become a vegan. After 20 years as a vegetarian I thought the transition would be a gentle one never suspecting all the new information I was to learn and how becoming a vegan ultimate opened my eyes to many more things than I anticipated.

The garden has become more important to me once I learned a bit about the food industry In addition because I live in central Pennsylvania I have access to many small produce farms at the local farmers market, fruit and veggie stands and through Penn State's weekly market. I take it upon myself to be an activist when I can.

Included in most of the past two year's works are statements, both verbal and visual about my experiences as a vegan. From my small studio in central Pennsylvania I get to pass on some information as well as entertain visually.

Peace Always

Sharon

September 18, 2008

photos by Sharon Lee
2001

Occasionally I like to challenge myself and create a theme for creating. When I made the "Menstruation Theatre" I had also fashioned a wreath made of tampons and sprayed silver as well as several drawings related to a Woman's menses. I painted a series of "housewife"-topic paintings, a series of assemblages of which "The Housewife" is one successful piece, my current series of "Smokey the Zombie Bear" and in early 2001, I photographed "The Construction Series" with locations including: State College, PA., Pittsburgh, PA., Atlantic City, N.J. and Cape May, N.J.

September 17, 2008

Today my daughter and I drove to Pittsburgh for a day's outing. Wednesdays are her only day off and she wanted to do some clothes shopping for my niece's upcoming Sweet Sixteen party. We had a full day planned starting at 9:00am and with the help of several map-quests printouts we managed to go to two upscale consignment shops, noshed at an Ethiopian restaurant (Abay), a quick purchase at Barnes and Noble for some reading materials, $38 worth a bakeries goodies at Gluuteny (a Gluten-free bakery for my daughter who has Celiac), take out at a Greek Deli and a visit to the Fein Art Gallery to see my paintings. We had a great mother-daughter day, laughed, talked, played a silly word game and listened to our ipods ("Keith and the Girl" Podcast (mine) & a variety of music including Grease", Black Eyed Peas, Annie Lenox and Nine Inch Nails.The visit to the gallery may have been the high/low of the day. Viewing the art without a crowd makes little things that are wrong stand out. Without going through the list of minor complaints I will move on the disappointment of no sales for me. The high of the day was walking past each painting with my daughter where she identified things from our lives. She hadn't seen some new pieces including "Jackson's Trip to Heaven" which she liked very much. Because of the autobiographical nature of my paintings looking at them tell stories clear as looking at a photo album. We saw "Family Album" which was done right after a trip to Disney World, she recognized a pair of pants I wore, we laughed at the painting with our deceased dog Jackson holding a sock in his mouth as it was one of his habits to pick up something from whomever just entered the house and hold it in his mouth. For a moment he was alive to us again.

September 16, 2008

I wish there were an interesting story to tell of today about painting section II of the "Smokey the Zombie Bear" series but there's not much to say. A Dad sitting around the campfire toasting marshmallows with his son, while Mom is in the distance changing baby's clothes in the well lit tent. Smokey is about to descend on Dad and son with bloody shovel.

Weird, scary, disturbing like a trashy scary movie. Smiles.

Peace Always

Sharon

September 15, 2008

Not much to write about concerning the painting "Smokey the Zombie Bear" series

Played a bit with my digital camera, my dog Sophie and sticks.

Peace Always

Sharon

September 14, 2008

I have agreed to have a one person show at a local coffee shop in State College, Pennsylvania. The space is small and I wanted to bring some smaller pieces there. I have four or five small (12" x 18") stretched canvases that were given to me some time ago and I decided to use these canvases for the next few paintings. The size is one that is challenging for me to work with. I feel somewhat constricted. My personal preference is to paint on something more symmetrical.

For two days I've been struggling with getting an image to suit the space of the canvas but seem to be stumbling a bit. Yesterday I painted "Smokey the Zombie Bear" inspired by stories my friend has been telling me of a friend of his who is preparing for when Zombies take over the world. I decided to make a series of "Smokey the Zombie Bear": a close-up, Smokey climbing into a tent, Smokey at the fire ring, and a couple others still undetermined.

It's fun to paint silly sometimes.

Peace Always

Sharon

September 13, 2008

Most often when I sit at the easel to paint I have loaded either music or podcasts on to my ipod shuffle for listening while I am painting. I have several vegan podcasts I listen to,in addition the "the Lesbian Mafia", Bill Mahr's "Real Time" (I don't have HBO) and my favorite podcast,"Keith and the Girl".

"Keith and the Girl" is a radio-type format with co-hosts Keith Malley and Chemda Khalili. The show is funny and smart. It's hard to pinpoint just one or two reasons why this podcast appeals to me. The guests are fun, Keith's and Chemda both cut the bullshit and get to the heart of the issues they bring up. Insulting, hilarious and thought provoking this podcast inspires me to express art with honesty and integrity while entertaining.

I am also inspired by the fact that they have created their project without the backing of a corporation-just two people with the same vision making things happen. "Keith and the Girl" are an example of what can happen if you truly believe in what you do and what you represent.

Peace Always

Sharon

September 12, 2008

Thought Bubbles
Sharon Lee
acrylic on organic cotton
38" x 38"

A full day of rain with very little distractions helped me over the hump to finish the painting "Thought Bubbles". Off to the frame shop next week and then to the photographer's. I'm planning to bring this piece to the one person show I am doing at Webster's Cafe in State College in the month of December.

The final painting day of a piece of art is a good day while being also being one of disappointment. It is always rewarding to finish a piece. Now is the time I get to look at it finish from a distance. For a few days I will move it to a spot over my kitchen table and glance at it all day long. It is cathartic although I truly can't explain how.

Disappointment is always there at the end because the fun of the painting the middle to end once the palette has been nailed, which is pure play is over. No struggle with getting the colors correct-they have been determined by this point. This is the time of creating that I turn on my ipod and just experience the fun of painting

Peace Always

Sharon

September 11, 2008

Photo by Rick Brandt

Peace on Earth

"Heaven on earth
We need it now
I’m sick of all of this
Hanging around
Sick of sorrow
I’m sick of the pain
I’m sick of hearing
Again and again
That there’s gonna be
Peace on earth."

U2

September 10, 2008

Photos by Sharon Lee

Even on days when I am unable to get into the painting studio, I try to incorporate creativity into my every day life. For the past year I have been toting my digital camera with me to be able to avail myself of any photo op that occurs. Walking in the woods, playing in my yard or a play-date with the neighbor dog are all opportunities to take photos and learn from the results.

Peace Always

Sharon

September 9, 2008

Photograph by Sharon Lee

Not much to say. Painted a bit but spend the majority of the day hanging out with my daughter, did a bit of garden harvesting and took a walk with my dog in the woods. I shot this photo of my dog Sophie at the beaver pond in the woods near our house. Trying to capture the moment she gets out of the water is a challenge with digital cameras as they are still slow (at least the digital cameras I can afford are).

To see more of my photograph link here to go to my Flickr page.

Sorry not much else to say....

Peace Always

Sharon

September 8, 2008

After several weeks of show preparation it's nice to have this week to stay at home and catch up on painting, gardening and the preparation for colder weather. I had two long painting sessions today and am on the home stretch of the latest painting I am working on. Today's tentative title is "Thought Bubbles" but like everything until it's done (and occasionally after) changes are bound to occur.

Behind each of the nine circles are four squares. I wanted to treat each square like a Fat Quarter (a quilting term) of four different fabric-type patterns. Finished are three with one to go. After the "Fat Quarter" section will be a painted "frame" on the outside perimeter.

Peace Always

Sharon

September 7, 2008

Lavender Clematis
photo by Sharon Lee

As I was painting today I was thinking about the contrast of my work as seen by a gallery viewer and my work as seen by me in my studio. When I paint I rarely consider the audience as for me painting is an expression of whatever is on my mind at the time. For instance I have a dream; the dream shows up in a painting soon after, I have issues with a friend or family member; that issue is somehow created visually for me to think through and work out.

When my art is in a gallery it is in a clean uncluttered space with good light. My studio is rather small (9' x 10'). All the light comes from five windows (facing West and North) and the shop light I've installed. Although I store my paintings in my studio they are stacked vertically and are covered with a dust cloth so I really only see one painting at a time.

For only brief moments do I ever view my art in its entirely. Generally this is with the initial drawing. The final few days and for a day or two when it's completed. The painting then is sent of to be recorded and framed then stored until needed.

Peace always
Sharon

September 6, 2008

Yesterday was the opening reception for my participation in a two person show at the Fein Art Gallery in Pittsburgh, PA. The Fein Art Gallery is a beautiful space in an eclectic neighborhood in the North side of Pittsburgh. I shared the space with a well known Pittsburgh artist Kathleen Zimbicki. Kathleen and I share similar color palettes. Her work has a beautiful flow and I was honored to share space with her.

This was the first of several things for me including: a non-group show in Pittsburgh and seeing 25 pieces of mine spread out side by side in one space. My relationship with my art work is mostly from only 12" away. It is exhausting to be part of a show where more of you and more of your work is needed. The opening was four hours and for the majority of that time I was being introduced to people who had come out for the expressive purpose of seeing Kathleen and my pieces. There are many introductions made at these types of events. I struggle to retain the names but more often than not do not succeed.

The "Friendly Funk" show at the Fein Art Gallery continues until mid October 15, 2008.

For more information call the Fein Art Gallery at 412-321-6816.

September 4, 2008

Last night (actually early this morning) I had a dream that two of my close friends were taking a bath together. This caused quite a disturbance for everyone involved. I wasn't sure what to do with this information-it would be weird for both of the friends to know that I had pictured them in the tub together. Instead I decided to paint a scene from this dream in one of the circles in the painting I am currently working on.

Here are two interpretations I found in an online dream dictionary:

Friend
To see your friends in your dream, signifies aspects of your personality that you have rejected, but are ready to integrate these rejected part of yourself. The relationships you have with those around you are important in learning about yourself.

Bathtubs
To see or be in a bathtub in your dream, suggests a need for self-renewal and escape from everyday problems. You need to rid yourself of the burdens that you have been carrying. Alternatively, it indicates your mood for love and pursuit of pleasure and relaxation.

Bath
To dream that you are taking a bath, signifies a cleansing of your outer and inner self and a washing away of difficult times. This dream may also be symbolic of ridding yourself of old ideas, notions, opinions, and other negativities. Your dream may be pointing toward forgiveness and letting go.

Peace Always

Sharon

September 3, 2008

Just Another Fact of Life
2005
acrylic on wood
20" x 22"


Yesterday was spent driving to Pittsburgh to deliver 25 pieces of art work for the show at the Fein Art Gallery. The space is very nice in a section of Pittsburgh that has a mix of old architecture with new restortations. Driving a 10' U Haul was a bit of a challenge on the road to Pittsburgh as there is construction most of the way so you are continually dealing with no shoulder, orange construction barrels and temporary cement walls. With day light the drive was considerably easier but once it got dark I had some issues that made the drive seem more frightening for my passenger as well as myself.

Although my mission was simply to drop off artwork I never miss a chance to explore and re-explore Pittsburgh and had a delightful day at Construction Junction (building salvage), East End Co-op (so much like the coops of the 70s), a great meal at my favorite Ethipoian restaurant (Abay) and a look see at one of the most enjoyable consigment shops Avalon. Even found a vegan cupcake at a Dozen Cupcakes in Squirrell Hill (Yummy).

Today I spend several hours making a detailed instruction/catalog for the gallery reiterating anything that important for hanging my work including thumbnails of each piece so it is easy to label for the show. Painted for about an hour today but weariness took over and I had a nice long nap in front of the fan on a hot summer day. Very relaxing. If only my brain would forgive those days that I need to take off and not beat me up too much for skipping walking in the woods and doing yoga. Too hot to garden. Did manage to make some more yoga props and wrap a yoga chair, two blocks and an eyebag to be shipped out.

Peace Always

Sharon

September 1, 2008

Rabbit (An ex friend's family says "Rabbit" on the first of each month for good luck). Sort of adopted it.

Painted a bit today although the beautiful weather outdoors was calling and calling. Started the next to last circle. It's meaning comes from: strong locally brewed beer, B & B and a dish of fresh pineapples.

You all can do the math.

Early morning tomorrow as I have to pick up a U Haul first thing, fourth set of headphones. Both the Menstruation Theater and "The Making of the Wall" have audio that has been split for two people to listen to the audio tracks simultaneously. Then off to Pittsburgh to deliver art work and accessories for the show.

Peace Always

Sharon