Pennsylvania feminist humor woman artist

February 12, 2009

2009-02-12T21:51:00.002-05:00

Going to school is truly a learning experience in many ways that I had not anticipated. My classes include information about Global Warming, photosynthesis, women's Utopias and loess. I have learned to log off the computer in the hall when done using it and to print off Enthemology's Power Points from the same computer, to save ink. There is no consistency in any of the food places. Each time you order something you will be surprised. I have learned that the crosswords in the Collegian get harder as the week progresses. I've watched the fish at the Salt Water tanks and found a few new ones that I hadn't noticed before. I've gotten to know the orange fish who is always rubbing his/her belly on the orange amoebas looking something like a cat rubbing its stomach on a rug. You can get free NY Times, Collegian and Centre Daily Times with a student id. And I have yet to meet an employee of Penn State that wasn't helpful and pleasant.

Peace Always

Sharon

February 9, 2009

2009-02-09T19:22:00.002-05:00

Photos by Sharon Lee
Penn State Salt Water Tanks
University Park, PA

If you don't mind a couple more Penn State fishes,

Peace Always

Sharon

February 8, 2009

2009-02-08T21:15:00.003-05:00

Distractions
2006
acrylic on canvas
24" x 36"

Housework

A reoccurring "to do" on my list whether I am painting, gardening or going to school

Housework, if it is done right, can kill you.
~John Skow

Peace Always

Sharon

February 7, 2009

2009-02-07T21:02:00.002-05:00

Springtails
Order: Collembola
Minute wingless insects
simple metamorphous (ametabolous)

Sorry no art just a bunch of bugs

Peace Always

Sharon

February 6, 2009

2009-02-07T00:03:00.002-05:00

Bogged down with scads of homework: papers, reading and quizzes but wanted to take a minute and share something with you all.Yesterday in my entomology class we watched Microcosmos. Fantastic movie great for kids, adults, stoners, drunks, teenagers, academics and redneck. Really..

Peace Always

Sharon

February 4, 2009

2009-02-04T23:17:00.002-05:00

Hermit of Halfmoon Valley
2006
acrylic on canvas
18" x 24"

Mid winter which seems to last forever. Come February my thoughts quite naturally turn to warmer days.

Painted mid summer 2006.

Peace Always

Sharon

February 3, 2009

2009-02-03T21:40:00.002-05:00

Today was a long day at school made more difficult by the fact that I couldn't fall asleep last night until 3ish (cramps and such). Have been thinking about adding a second major in the environment/organics /sustainable vein and training to be an organic certifier. I know it doesn't seem art like so where does that leave me as far as creating? So here's a rough plan.No art until spring break when I plan to take the book "Adventures of Sophie" with me to Tucson to finish (just have to tweak the art on the computer, everything else is laid out and ready to go. School until the end of April, 4 months of gardening, hiking and art and then back to school. Taking a full course load keeps the thinking side of the brain busy and the creative idle-it's good to swing the other way once in a while.

Whhhheeeeeeeee

Peace Always

Sharon

February 1, 2008

2009-02-01T19:29:00.003-05:00

A fabulous winter day! 40 degrees, blue skis, snow packed wonderfully for x-country skiing.

What more can be said?

Peace Always

Sharon

January 30, 2009

2009-01-30T17:30:00.002-05:00

Perhaps its a silly idea to expect the Obama's to cultivate a garden on the White House lawn. They are after all city people with much to do and I expect not too much for getting their hands full of mud and such but they do have a staff who could conceivably cultivate some of their foods on the White House lawn. Think of the fossil fuels saved by eliminating some of the constant mowing that goes on there. A campaign has been started and is building up momentum. If you think this is a good idea, follow the link and see what actions you can take to help encourage Barack and girls to take the plunge.

Peace Always

Sharon

january 27, 2009

2009-01-27T21:27:00.002-05:00

Peach Bottom Reactor, central Pennsylvania

Three weeks into school and I am still learning the locations of the bathrooms, short cuts across campus and where to purchase decent vegan food at the HUB (Hetzel Union Building-the student social center of PSU). Oh yeah and I found out that THE proposed site for nuclear waste, of which is needed immediately, meets 1 out of 6 characteristics that were determined to be ideal for Nuclear long term waste storage. Did you know that the residue from Nuclear energy needs to be stored uninterrupted for a quarter of a million years?

Good job guys choosing a safe energy alternative.

Peace Always

Sharon

January 25, 2009

2009-01-25T20:42:00.002-05:00

My daily blog is sometimes truly a challenge for me. For instance today what's to write of?-nothing creative was done. Had lunch at an Indian restaurant with a friend, read about Nuclear Energy in addition to Herland, a short story of a society of only women, did the two-day-old pile of dishes, laundry, drug in some firewood, spoke on the phone to my mother and made several cups of tea. So what's to write? Then I thought of a source of inspiration that I've mentioned before. Since I am still inspired I'll mention it again: Keith and the Girl.

KATG is a podcast created 5 days a week by a couple in Queens, New York. It is funny, touching, annoying, shocking and totally entertaining. This couple pull their resources together and make a quality show. Their guests are entertaining, many whom are comics and musicians. I've been inspired by their drive, imagination, consistency, intelligence and creativity.

Peace Always

Sharon

January 24, 2009

2009-01-24T18:48:00.002-05:00

Pulled In All Directions
1999
acrylic on Belgium linen
24" x 36"

Weird not being able to paint but going to school with heavy load of classes (I have recently learned exactly what that means), I barely have time to cook, bath, exercise and take care of necessities.

Drawings from Adventure of Sophie are done and ready to be picked up at photographer. Will post as soon as I collect enough $$$ to pick them up. Expecting to bring them with me in March during my spring break trip to Tuscan (gotta have a Spring Break if you go to classes in the winter. Anyway I did this painting a few years ago and thought I'd share it here.

Peace Always

Sharon

January 22, 2009

2009-01-22T19:48:00.003-05:00

The Toothache
2002
acrylic on wood cutting board
24" x 18"

Sorry school all day / homework all night leaves little to say on this blog. Photo is of my daughter studying (we were having a study session last night together) Painting is called Toothache but expresses how over my head I feel/am back in school.

and of course.....some more Penn State Fishes.

Peace Always
Sharon

January 20, 2009

2009-01-20T20:04:00.003-05:00

Salt Water Fishes at PSU
Impromtu Gathering in the Hall

Photos by Sharon Lee

Another day at University for me. Recommend all adults try a semester of school to meet face up and personal the next generation. Interesting bunch from noshing in class to having discussions about environmental economics and watching the inauguration in the hall of the Arts building thanks to a student who set up an impromptu screening on his laptop. Great stuff.

Peace Always

Sharon

January 19, 2009

2009-01-19T18:25:00.003-05:00

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

One of the fun things about being in school is projects. as a kid I always loved projects. While others would be dismayed I always like the challenge of a presentation. In my environmental science we need to write down all our possessions. Not an easy task. I have yet to tally the final room (root cellar) but I have found some interesting things from this project. First off I live in a relatively small house frugally. I have not moved in 22 years. Keep this in mind as you look over some of the numbers

books 293
bowls 21
plastic buckets 10
CD 425
chair 19
clothes hangers 67
clothespins 104
cooking utensils 27
curtains 63
drill bits 37
hair bands 21
kerchiefs 23
magazine 87
magnets 33
pants 44
shirts 133

lots more stuff for a total of 8281 things in my house

Gasp!

Peace Always

Sharon

January 18. 2009

2009-01-18T14:38:00.004-05:00

Photos by Sharon Lee
Ken
Broken Pipe

Homage to Ken

Many years ago I was fortunate enough to have a neighbor willing to take the time out and teach me skills that are necessary to maintain a house without the continual expense of calling in the "experts" every time a repair or improvement is necessary. This was no easy task for either him or I as my "fixing" skills were non existent and I struggled often to understand the simplicities of structure and repair, many times accompanied by tears of frustration.This past week we had a severe cold snap and as a result I had frozen pipes.

Thanks to my friend and neighbor I calmly assessed the situation, defrosted the pipes and made necessary repairs with no more stress or anguish that going to the grocery store and picking up a few things for dinner. Clearly I was able to see the problem, knew what I needed to do to solve it and even knew the necessary language to describe the part I needed.

Many thanks to you Ken, my house maintenance guru. I restored water to my home and can now flush the commode and take a bath.

Peace Always

Sharon

January 17, 2009

2009-01-17T18:24:00.002-05:00

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

I thought an extremely cold day like today could use the warmth of a painting.

Enjoy!

Peace Always

Sharon

January 16, 2009

2009-01-16T21:28:00.002-05:00

Photo by Sharon Lee

Today i had an "ah ha" vegan moment. I was talking to a friend who told me that she was burning her ex-husband's clothes. I stopped her mid sentence and asked if any of the items were wool as I wanted to use the fabric from old wool sweaters and assemble a pattern of sorts to make a wool hat, sized specifically for my large head. Although I no longer purchase any animal products at the time I thought it fine to use these sweaters as they would be wasted in the fire. My feeling was by using the wool that was to be disposed of I would be "honoring" the sheep by wearing the sweater. After all they had already suffered for it that suffering should not go to waste. It then occurred to me that wearing the remnants of suffering did not honor the animal in any way in fact it was a constant reminder of the suffering that had occurred, was only about me and left the sheep's best interest out of the scenario completely.

Peace Always

Sharon

July 15, 2009

2009-01-15T23:09:00.004-05:00

Photo by Sharon Lee

I decided some months ago to go back to school, finish on a long discarded path to a degree and hopefully hone some of my skills with the goal of enhancing opportunities to make a living off of my artwork.

Today was a typical "bad day at school", starting with a sick kid, late for 1st class because I dropped her off not wanting her to walk in the 11 degree cold. Came into class with way more noise than I wanted to taking off vest, headphones, scarf, sweatshirt, gloves, backpack, trying to sit in the back of the room so as to lessen the disruption but was escorted by a very kind grad student to the absolute front of the 300 person class where there was a seat front and center, late for second class (on extreme ends of very large Penn State campus), next class I realized I was in the wrong class and had been for the first two days of class, cold soup for lunch (Yesterday I made miso soup with tofu, seaweed and kale expressly with the purpose of bring hot soup for lunch), unexpected book purchase ($125.00). Spent the day looking especially "who did it and ran" with my out of control hair and the help from a hood and scarf. Oh yeah battery was dead in my camera which I took especially to take more photos of the Salt Water tanks.

Oh well.

Peace Always

Sharon

January 13, 2009

2009-01-13T23:07:00.003-05:00

Photo by Sharon Lee

First day at Penn State. Photo session with some salt water fishes and inspired during a women's Literature class for an idea for a title "Thought Experiments" Not sure what the painting will be.

Peace Always

Sharon

January 12, 2009

2009-01-12T14:44:00.002-05:00

Photo of Halfmoon Bogart Jackson 1998-2008
Drawing of Jackson from Adventures of Sophie by Sharon Lee

This week I began the second book of the Adventures of Sophie" series, "A Walk in the Woods". This book is based on the daily forest walk of Sophie and Jackson, Sophie as a young pup and Jackson blind, and feeble, near the end of his time on earth.

I had a much harder time coming up with a character of Jackson-I think the problem was capturing some of his enthusiasm for life which was evident when you were in his presence. After a few conversations with people who have known and loved Jackson I was able to get an image on paper that I liked and expresses his true energy.

Peace Always

Sharon

January 11, 2009

2009-01-11T16:28:00.002-05:00

Painting by Sharon Lee
Thought Bubbles
2008
acrylic on organic cotton and hemp
38" x 38"

Photos of Sophie in snow by Sharon Lee

For the past while I have been trying to add "motion" into my artwork whether be a painting or photography. My new SLR Digital camera allows for successive shooting and I have been able to capture motion-great for reference as well as interesting photos. Here are 2 I shot today in the snow with my dog, "Sophie".

Peace Always

Sharon

January 10, 2009

2009-01-10T15:56:00.003-05:00

Photos by Sharon Lee
Snow in the Mountains of Central Pennsylvania
Sophie and Petting Hand

Tried to capture some of the beauty I was seeing in my backyard. Unfortunately the sheet of ice under the 8" of snow made for unexpected slippery footing, Camera and I both took a tumble though I feel neither of us are any worse for the wear.

Peace Always

Sharon

Jauary 9, 2009

2009-01-09T17:08:00.005-05:00

Photo by Sharon Lee
Shadyside, Pittsburgh

Am acquaintance once was talking about art as having two subcategories before all others; "High" or "Low". I've always disagreed with this sort of pronouncement as I know the creativity behind the "low"art is done by the same caliber of artists as tackle the "high" arts-both groups are blessed with good and bad artists. Myself, the distinction is unclear. Having worked on a feature film, several commercials as well as paining as a "High" artist I use the same creativity skills to accomplish the task.

Peace Always

Sharon

January 8, 2009

2009-01-08T16:56:00.002-05:00

Photo by Sharon Lee
Black Moshannon, central Pennsylvania
Ice fishing

“I like these cold, gray winter days. Days like these let you savor a bad mood.”

Bill Watterson quotes (American Author of the comic strip Calvin and Hobbes, b.1958)

January 7, 2009

2009-01-07T19:27:00.002-05:00

Breaks from the easel offer opportunity to be creative in unique ways.

Cooking is one way; a bit of science, bit of art and food. A potentially inspiring source of creaivity. Today I attempted a vegan version of nacho cheese for an open faced tortilla, combined with lentil and black bean dal and salsa. Worked better than I expected-results will be repeated again.

Some time was spent creating a faux fur coat lined with cotton printed with "hippie-style" mushrooms and flowers for a miniature Pinscher friend.

Finally for the photo of the month group I belong to on Flickr I took out my new camera and shot some pictures of ice. Nothing remarkable just me getting used to my camera.

Peace Always

Sharon

January 6, 2009

2009-01-06T17:23:00.003-05:00

Jackson and Meagan
Photo by Rick Brandt

We are truly enveloped in the winter season with heavy clouds looming overhead all day spewing a delightful mix of ice pellets, snow and the kind of rain that freezes on contact. With this particular array of precipitation comes cold temperatures making my studio just on the under side of comfortable.

With this in mind i decided to head to a warmer space and write a second book in the Adventures of Sophie Series entitled, "A Walk in the Woods". The story line involves Sophie and her brother, Jackson who is based on a recently deceased canine who was blind, energetic and an over-the-top loving Vizsla. The background of the story is a walk in the woods with more writing and non-fictional info on the flora and fauna of the central Pennsylvania woods.

Peace Always

January 5, 2009

2009-01-05T19:30:00.002-05:00

Car Ride
2005
acrylic on canvas
36" x 36"

Today was the making of a painting.

If the Ups delivery person had looked in the window of my daughter's apartment, they would have seen nothing more than a black and white dog sitting guard and two women folded around each other wrapped in faux cashmere blankets, sitting in front of a lap top surrounded by 1/2 empty Chinese take-out cartons.

Today my daughter and I traveled the world researching a fantasy trip we plan to take a place that feels unique to where we live. First we open a page for the currency calculator and starting with "a" any country with a good exchange rate was further researched. Our next screening was if there was a traveler's advisory that country was 86th (sorry countries). Next was food. I am a vegan and my daughter is getting very close and can't eat gluten so we have to go somewhere that has some options. Kazakhstan was removed because of their diet of strictly meat, bread, dairy and fish. I was willing to go to a veiled country my daughter not so much and the wars in Africa make her nervous and we discarded the options to visit the entire continent. Maybe some other trip. I said no to the Bahamas because of their negative attitude towards gays as well as another country-forgot where. They had a penalty of life in prison for homosexual activity.

Most likely it will be a small vignette, part of a larger story, larger painting...but maybe not.

Peace Always
Sharon

January 4, 2008

2009-01-04T16:37:00.004-05:00

Through a series of events starting with the uncovering of an 8 mm tape from 1979, I have rediscovered an album from 1982. The album was "Utopia" an honest attempt by Todd Rundgren to market a band that was brilliant musically. listening back this week the masses missed this altogether. The band consisted of Kasim Sultan, Roger Powell, Willie Wilcox and Todd Rundgren. The songs were all potential pop hits but none never panned out more than short little blips on the music hit screen.

What I love most about music and I realized it while listening to this album was how I remember the lyrics even to songs that seemed unfamiliar.

Love music.

Love this album. Dig into the past and have fun and give this album a listen

B.T.W. the uncovered 8 mm can be seen on You Tube. The artist is .
db7247 is a professional cinematographer and has been for the past 25+ years. The videos on Youtube of Utopia, were taken standing on chairs after waiting 9 hours in the sun and rain in the summer of New York City .
1979 Central Park and 1989 Dr, Pepper, New York City

Peace Always

Sharon

January 2, 2009

2009-01-02T16:55:00.003-05:00

Photo by Rick Brandt

I'm at a standstill with my book, "Adventures of Sophie". The type has been edited and laid out (I used Pages). Not such an easy task for a luddite but I managed to muddle my way through with the help of the tutorials. The original art is being photograph and will then be processes into TIFF files which I will take, clean up and layout besides the type. All in all things seem, thus far, to go smoothly. That's leaves me with no art projects and time to think of the ridiculous. Such as Black Ice.

Why is Black Ice so terrifying?

My mother calls regularly to ask if I have seen any, my neighbor heard a newscaster talking about it with the same alarm as finding Anthrax in the Postal System. It kills, it maims.

Black Ice...fear it!

Peace Always

Sharon

January 1, 2009

2009-01-01T17:42:00.006-05:00

7 Rays
2006
acrylic on canvas
38" x 30"

Kwanzaa Day 7

Imani
(Faith)
To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.

Peace Always
Happy New Year 2009

Sharon

December 31, 2008

2008-12-31T11:43:00.002-05:00

Kwanzaa Day 6

Kuumba
(Creativity)
To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.

Happy New Year

December 30, 2008

2008-12-31T10:59:00.003-05:00

Photo by Sharon Lee
Wilkinsburg, PA

Kwanzaa Day 5

Nia
(Purpose)
To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.

December 29, 2008

2008-12-29T17:02:00.003-05:00

Photo by Sharon Lee
State College, PA

Kwanzaa Day 4

Ujamaa
(Cooperative Economics)
To build and maintain our own stores, shops and other businesses and to profit from them together

December 28, 2008

2008-12-28T10:57:00.003-05:00

Photo by SharonLee
Scotia Range, central Pennsylvania
Kwanzaa Day 3

Ujima
(Collective Work and Responsibility)

To build and maintain our community together and make our brother's and sister's problems our problems and to solve them together

December 27, 2008

2008-12-27T16:44:00.002-05:00

Internal Dialog
2004
acrylic on masonite
48" x 48"

Kwanzaa Day 2

Kujichagulia

(Self-Determination)

To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves

December 26, 2008

2008-12-26T20:59:00.002-05:00

Photo by Sharon Lee
Installation at Phipps Conservatory
Pittsburgh, PA
Dale Chilhuly, artist

Day 1 of Kwanzaa

(Unity)
To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race.

December 25, 2008

2008-12-25T15:52:00.002-05:00

There has been only one Christmas - the rest are anniversaries.

~W.J. Cameron

Peace Always

Sharon

December 24, 2008

2008-12-24T10:31:00.002-05:00

From the very day my daughter was born until she was about 13 or 14 when she asked me to stop, I read to my daughter for about an hour before she fell asleep. Although she did not grow up to be an avid reader as I was told and expected, I always felt the power of the word through her imagination and vocabulary.

During the holidays we switched our reading choices to holiday themed books. In December those books were concentrated on the holidays of Chanaka and Christmas. One of our favorite discoveries was L. Frank Baum's "The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus." "Claus" as he is known to the wood creatures was found in the woods and raised by Necile who needed someone to love. It is a charming story and I highly recommend getting copy and reading it regardless of your age.

Happy Holidays

Peace Always

Sharon

December 23, 2008

2008-12-23T21:46:00.002-05:00

The Eve before Christmas Eve.............

For the past few nights I have been waking up mid sleep with a sentence or phrase that I thought would work better in the book "Adventures of Sophie". Two night ago I woke up and having found no writing utensil or paper besides my bed I went back to sleep sure I would remember what I had thought of and how i was worded. Last night the same thing happened only this time I used the land line to cal my cell phone and leave a message. Just listened to it a few hours ago-makes total sense and I will gladly use it to replace some of the story that seemed to not flow. This is the page where Sophie leaves her house and crosses her yard to go to the neighbor's yard to visit with the dog that lives there. What I recorded was " The journey was short though not without distractions.

Peace Always

Sharon

December 22, 2008

2008-12-22T21:53:00.003-05:00

Photo of Sophie for back cover of book
By Sharon Lee

Finished the bulk of illustrations and writing of "Adventures Of Sophie". All that's left until I switch things over to the computer is to design a cover, spine, back cover and rewrite one of the pages. My goal has been to get all the hard copy stuff (illustrations and writing) done before I start school (re-entering college as an ancient student) mid-January. Next week I will take the illustrations which are black ink on vellum and have them scanned at the photo place in town.

I'm happy with the illustrations, fairly pleased with the writing and think it is a good solid book with potential for series. Used the characters from "Adventures of Sophie" in my Christmas cards this year created for friends and family. Good practice getting to know the lines of the characters as well I got to explore a bit with color of which at this point the book has none of. Will be taking the next few days off, tomorrow to clean an apartment (gotta make the fakin' bacon) and then Christmas and Christmas Eve for food prep., gift exchanging and general insanity.

Happy Chanaka
Peace Always

Sharon

December 21, 2008

2008-12-21T13:39:00.002-05:00

Todd Rundgren at the Birchmere
Arlington, Virigina
Photo by Sharon Lee

Having been an active supporter of Todd Rundgren's music for the past 31 years, the impact his work has had as important to my life as any friend or family member. There is not a time in the past 31 years that Todd's music was not playing in the background like some kind of theme music for my life.I had assumed that his fans would share my feelings about his body of work. But of course this is by no means true. Whenever I go to a live show or read a review or internet post I am over and over again hit with this reality. Thing is whether or not I like each and every bit of song that Todd creates, I still respect and appreciate the man as an artist. Some things work and some things don't but I always feel that what is made is a genuine reflection of his creativity. Even an album like "Deface the Music" which was an obligatory album made with attitude has many things of merit.

It's common for artists to be strongly criticized but good to remember that sometimes things that don't work at first morph into something amazing.

Peace Always

Sharon

December 20, 2008

2008-12-20T20:06:00.003-05:00

Adventures of Sophie
Play Date with Bella
page 7 & 8

In the wood milieu
Dwelled Sophie and Bella 'longside

In translation...

In the middle of a beautiful forest setting lived Sophie and Bella in homes that were situated next to each other.

While many men, women and children battled the crowds for some last minute shopping, I spent a good part of today working on "Adventures of Sophie". Finally finished the linquistic part which for me was the most difficult part. I created a book that has some depth in it so as it is read more things are realized both linquistically as well as visually making the read entertaining enough to last for multiple readings. When my daughter was young we read favorite books over and over. One such book was Peter Spier, "Grunt, Growl, Gobble", which sustained both our interests through perhaps 40 or so readings.

Peace Always

Sharon

December 19, 2008

2008-12-19T21:44:00.004-05:00

Photo of construction worker, Cape May, New Jersey.
From the "Construction Series"
By Sharon Lee

Spent the day snowed in doing a combination of computer stuff, shoveling, wood managing, working on book, cooking and yoga.
Very tired...not much else to say.

The idle man does not know what it is to enjoy rest.--Albert Einstein

Peace Always

Sharon

December 18, 2008

2008-12-18T19:59:00.004-05:00

Todd Rundgren
Rachel Haden and Kasim Sultan
Birchmere
Alexandria, Virigina
Photos by Sharon Lee

Yesterday my family and I took an overnight vacation and went to see Todd Rundgren a the Birchmere in Alexandria, Virginia. Living a rural area is much different in many ways than living in a city though my theory about living in different places is ultimately that you still get out of the same bed in the morning and eat the same breakfast no matter what your address is. Nonetheless we got a night in the suburbs (Alexandria, Virginia) and day in the city (Washington D.C.) and will spend the next many days back in rural PA.

Highlights of the trip

*Todd Rundgren (of course-fabulous as always with a great band: Jesse Gress (guitar), Kasim Sultan (guitar, keyboard and laptop), Prairie Prince (drums) and Rachel Hayden (bass)

*table in front of us at the Birchemere-at one end a guy playing wicked air drums and at the other end a beautiful lesbian couple comfortably sitting with the arms around each other.

*passing the George W. Bush Center for Intelligence driving into D.C.

*Sticky Fingers Bakery in D.C. all vegan!

*Pink house across the street.

*Ethiopian food somewhere in a great ethnic neighborhood on 14th (couldn't tell if it was N,S,E, or W) with no less than 25 television sets wall to wall around the perimeter of the top of the room.

*Finding my daughter's purse at the bottom of her suitcase (several hours after leaving D.C.)

Peace Always

Sharon

December 16, 2008

2008-12-16T19:06:00.002-05:00

Illustration of "Red Bear"
from Adventures with Sophie
Playdate with Bella
by Sharon Lee

Thus far this winter, my creativity has been expressed through the writing and illustrating of a children's book. It is a series called "Adventures of Sophie", the first installment named "Playdate with Bella."

The process of making a book is very different from painting and I find myself retraining my focus as I work on the various components of the book. While writing I need silent though when I paint I prefer music or podcasts. Because my house and studio tends to be cold I find myself working on this project in the inner sanctum of my bedroom where I can stretch out my legs and prop up my back comfortably and my studio where I paint sits cold, dark and dusty. Doing a book at this time is also forcing me to learn computer programs and websites that I have until now ignored. The beauty of painting is that it is a timeless activity very much the same as it was many many years ago.

Peace Always

Sharonhie
Playdate with Bella
Sharon Lee

December 14, 2008

2008-12-14T16:51:00.003-05:00

Big Gulp
2008
acrylic on organic cotton and hemp
38" x 38"

From what I have learned (and please excuse me that the information comes to me slowly) Myspace is used for several purposes: youth, music and comedian networking. It's interesting to quote the pharmaceutical industry the "off label" uses that can be construe as technology progresses and expands. It took me the better part of the day to get a simple Myspace page up and running and I expect to be making many changes in the near future.

Peace

Always

December 11, 2008

2008-12-11T17:32:00.003-05:00

Amidst the holiday hullabaloo, several groups shows, thorough winter cleaning I have managed to begin the processes of writing a Children's book. To date I have most of the drawings comprehensively drawn minus backgrounds (will make sense hopefully later when all is combined together. The most difficult part for me is sitting quietly and writing the book. Finished a few pages today.

Adventures of Sophie
by Sharon Lee
Page #20

Yip yip yip grrrrr yip yip yip grrrrr yip yip yip grrrrr yip yip yip grrrrr yip yip yip grrrrr yip yip yip grrrrr yip yip yip grrrrr yip yip yip grrrrr yip yip yip grrrrr yip yip yip grrrrr

Peace Always

Sharon

December 10, 2008

2008-12-10T17:35:00.002-05:00

Day Without Gay

Peace Always,

Sharon

December 9, 2008

2008-12-09T19:36:00.005-05:00

Photo taken by Rick Brandt at the English Embassy wall in Prague, CZ

Sandwiched between the anniversary of the death of John Lennon with a nationwide "Day Without Gay", today is, for me, a reflective one. As many do I always wonder what great songs would have J.L. written had he more of his life here on earth. Although plenty of people would argue this case, I believe most of his best work was done A.B. In much I have read the common consensus was the John was a flawed man, probably the very reason for his large appeal. If alive today in 2008 I believe he would be speaking out once again in support of civil right. Maybe even write a song.

Peace Always

Sharon

December 8, 2008

2008-12-08T20:44:00.002-05:00

The Nativity
1996
acrylic on cabinet door with plastic hula skirt
18" x 12"

Currently I have a nativity piece show in a very small local show in the nearby town of Bellefonte. 1998 I was last asked to participate with this annual show. That is when I created nativity. I have always been interested in how artists used the time after birth to portrait. Anyone who has been at a life birth will know that the moment of birth is magic. I would imagine the birth of Jesus even more so.

Peace Always

Sharon

December 6, 2008

2008-12-06T17:52:00.002-05:00

Day without Gay

In response to Prop 8, the removal of civil rights for the gay community, on December 10, 2008 the gay community will take a historic stance against hatred calling in to work "gay" donating that time for community service.

If you are unfamiliar with basically the past election passed anti gay legislation initiatives in California, Arizona Florida, and Arkansas. Whether you are LGBT or LGBT friendly support equal rights and show the world how wide the gay community's influence is in a country that professes equal rights.

Peace Always

Sharon

December 5, 2008

2008-12-05T17:18:00.002-05:00

Often I question the label "artist" I place on myself for no other reason that every minute of every day I am not sitting in front of my easel cranking out paintings. And there are many reasons for me that this is not possible. One: I have to supplement my income through freelancing, selling yoga props, cleaning apartments, making camera equipment deliveries, etc. basically anything, within reason, that will help pay my bills. Other reasons include costs of art supplies, keeping art fresh, physical challenge of sitting or standing for hours and lastly other interests. Among the interests I have also expressions of creativity are: sewing, photography, knitting, gardening and cooking.

I have been cooking since I was about 12 years old. Because my mother worked until 4:30 or 5pm it was my responsibility to get supper started. This was particularly difficult as I wanted to experiment with food preparation and presentation and my family liked things "plain and simple". I remember more than once my sister exclaiming, "Why can't you just make things regular!" Fortunately other people have come into my life who appreciate my creativity in the kitchen and are quite pleased to eat the results.

About a week before Thanksgiving my $10 food processor broke unexpectedly. I've had it for at least five years and accepted my loss with grace. There were challenges preparing the Thanksgiving meal without the processor and some recipes that simply could not be made (blender had broke a few weeks earlier and I don't own a mixer.) ***Last week I decided to make the plunge and get a replacement so I could create without restriction (other than dietary ones) for the upcoming holidays. Looking through the "Compassionate Cooks" website I was able to link to a recommended 12 cup Kitchen Aid Processor. This sold for a little over $200. I found the same machine refurbished for $139 made my purchase and a few days it arrived. What a dream! I had saved up 1/2 of a buttercup squash and some yams from Thanksgiving and immediately set to work making a squash pie. The dough attachment made a crust in minutes and once processed the squash and yam had a great consistency. Next beasts to tackle are humus, sunflower seed pate and tofu cheesecake over the next few days. And as one always feels when they have procured the right tool for the job what a joy!

Peace Always

Sharon

December 4, 2008

2008-12-04T18:06:00.002-05:00

Today was my day for Christmas shopping. Being crowd adverse the computer has been a blessing as I can shop from the comfort of my home, sipping a hot cup of organic Jasmine Silver Needle tea and listening to some fabulous music. I started out at the Itunes store hoping to find a Christmas Classic album that would set the proper mood. After listening a bit I reassessed my listening needs and settled on Todd Rundgren's double album from 1974, Todd. A wonderful collection of songs and I was glad that the cold outside encouraged people to close their windows, avoiding hearing my off key singing. *

One of the wonderful things about being a Todd fan is that you can't count on him playing at the end of the year. I once read in his wife's blog that Todd does not like Christmas and choses to tour during the holiday season. On the 17th of December Todd is playing at the Birchmere, outside of DC in northern Virginia (Alexandria) and as part of annual mini vaca for my family we plan to be there.

As I listened to the album Todd, ordering Christmas presents and looking ahead to the 17th I realized the irony that Todd was very much a part of my Christmas, the very thing he avoided for himself.

Peace Always

Sharon

December 3, 2008

2008-12-03T19:29:00.003-05:00

Photo by Sharon Lee

As a vegan, living surrounded by hunters is difficult especially during the busiest hunting season. Today I found her hanging from the back steps of my neighbor's house. A picture is worth a thousand words.

Peace Always

Sharon

December 2, 2008

2008-12-02T17:55:00.005-05:00

Photograph by Rick Brandt

Just finished reading of a wonderful organization: Combat Papermakers. Using the recycled uniformd of war veterans they craft hand-made paper which is used to create meaningful art to express their thoughts of war. I love discovering artists who create and or encourage art to be used for self expression.

For more information go to:
http://www.combatpaper.org
Combat Paper Project
18 Howard St, Burlington, VT 05401
802.316.1124

Peace Always

Sharon

December 1, 2008

2008-12-01T20:40:00.002-05:00

First off, please excuse my tangents off the subject of art. As an artist it is hard to separate life from art and as a result my blog is a combination of the two.

After 18 years I found a friend of mine through Facebook. I can't tell you what a delight it is to reconnect. My friend was very special to me and supported me through challenging times. Her motto was truly "Seize the day", in fact I could tell story after story of seizing the day and taking a trip to Bakersfield, California from Prescott, Arizona by the way of Laughlin, Nevada, going to Mexico with about $10 between us and many. many trips up the mountain to Jerome, Arizona to dance in the streets to our favorite local band, Major Lingo. My times with Lori were truly the stuff novels are made from.

Peace Always

Sharon

November 30, 2008

2008-11-30T19:52:00.002-05:00

Most often the end of the year is filled with holiday preparation and little time for non-holiday creativity. Anticipating the need for extra time, I decided not to paint for the month of December freeing several hours a day towards sewing, baking, etc.

Never the less, December is a breath away and I started a new project; writing and illustrating a children's book. The subject of the book is my dog Sophie and already I have most of the first book planned out with ideas for a second. The book is to be called, "The Adventures of Sophie". I am experimenting with combining pen and ink with photographs but are still at the illustration phase.

Peace Always

Sharon

November 29, 2008

2008-11-29T16:53:00.003-05:00

Before I start my diatribe about "Black Friday" let me openly omit that I, Sharon Lee are not by any stretch of the imagination a shopper. Having said that would someone please explain to me the attraction of shopping on Black Friday? Of course I know that stores offer "incredible" sales but as in the case of the stampede murder of a Walmart employee in New Jersey, it seems to me, an outsider, that the stores are building up shopping tension by limiting the hours of sale from ridiculous early morning hours to a few hours later.*

My mother and sister are both Black Friday shoppers. My next door neighbor is a Black Friday shopper. I have never shopped then nor see myself in the future doing so.

Perhaps shopping on this day gives shoppers the holiday jolt, signifying the beginning of a season of giving, parties and baking. Maybe suffering through grabbing arms, being smashed by shopping carts, being overheated in a mall carrying a winter coat and packages reminds people that they are alive.

Sorry guys I just don't get it. From a person who shops online

Peace Always

Sharon

November 27, 2008

2008-11-28T16:58:00.002-05:00

I live in a small rural enclave that hosts artists, musicians, dancers and writers. A good portion of this population of creative types were reared elsewhere, in most cases larger cities or its surrounding suburbs.

Yesterday I was visited by Elizabeth a fabulous artist who is part of a multi-generational family of quilters. She told me of a close neighbor, John who just published a book (Riding on the Edge: A Motorcycle Outlaw's Tale), and though I did not know he was in the process of writing a book I was in no way surprised.

Whether inspired by our surroundings or the escape from what had been our "hood" the mountains of central Pennsylvania are bursting with creativity.

Peace Always

Sharon

November 25, 2008

2008-11-25T22:04:00.003-05:00

The Waitress
acrylic on canvas board
1994

Tomorrow begins the cooking marathon for the biggest meal of the year. In honor of all those who stands elbow deep in dishes, I wish you cooking times with a minimum of stress on your legs, back and neck. Be creative and cook with good feelings.

Peace Always

Sharon

November 24, 2008

2008-11-24T13:58:00.004-05:00

Photo of Sophie in Scotia Range by Sharon Lee

Sorry but another day to grouse, cold and frustrated with my daughter's VW bug. Remember long ago when Volkswagons could be worked on? Isn't that why all the hippies of long ago had those cars and held onto them for ever? Well no more.

Tried to change the tires from street to snow only to discover that the car is too low to be jacked up without creative thinking and the wheel-tire remover tingy doesn't fit the Beetle's miniature wheel.

Currently 27 degrees here in central Pa with a big snow a'comin. After three hours of screwing around with my daughter's car in a cold garage I'M COLD!!!!!!!

Peace Always

Sharon

November 23, 2008

2008-11-23T20:32:00.002-05:00

After spending two and 1/2 hours in a cold garage replacing a headlamp bulb on my daughter's Volkswagon Beetle about all I can think of warmth and the season of summer.

"May you have warm words on a cold evening, a full moon on a dark night and a smooth road all the way to your door.”

Irish Blessing

Peace Always

Sharon

November 22, 2008

2008-11-22T16:01:00.002-05:00

Photo by Sharon Lee

Officially or not, winter is here in central Pennsylvania. As an outdoors person much of my day is spent layering clothes, going outside to either manage wood or hike, coming back inside and warming up only to start the process again in a short while. Today the temperature stayed in the upper twenties with a few scattered snow showers. Embracing, pretty and cold at the same time.

Peace Always

Sharon

November 21, 2008

2008-11-21T20:23:00.002-05:00

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

This year my daughter is hosting Thanksgiving in her first apartment. I am expected to prepare the food, this time at home but serving it 12 minutes away. Tomorrow, Meagan and I will chose a menu, taking into consideration everyone's dietary requests/restrictions. This year I had hoped to skip the bird as I am a vegan. Actually all guests had agreed to this omission though some not enthusiastic. However a few days ago my parents decided to join us for this meal and it was decided to re-include the turkey.

Peace Always

Sharon

November 20, 2008

2008-11-20T18:23:00.002-05:00

Photo by Sharon Lee

This morning I woke to a ground cover of snow. Not enough for snow play but it covered the mud and added color to the monochromatic trees.

Snow Flurries by Raymond A. Foss

There were snow flurries in the air today
early for my liking, snow flurries coming*
n small singular spirals, falling through the air
spun by their shapes, the tug of the wind
sitting in the office, watching them tumble
by my window, pause in the conversation with client
marvel for a moment at the ballet before me
forward scouts for their brethren to follow
later in the season when fall yields to winter
soon enough they will come, in legions

Peace Always

Sharon

November 19, 2008

2008-11-19T19:22:00.003-05:00

Thought Bubbles
2008
acrylic on organic cotton canvas
38" x 38"

Each time I finish a painting I bring the piece to the local photo studio, have it photographed and recorded on both tiff file and slides. I use the slides for submission for juried shows and the tiff for any computer entered shows, website, blog, as well as the basis for any printed materials of this image.

The painting "Thought Bubbles" was a series of random events, dreams or silly thoughts that I had while I was painting it (August-September 2008). Behind the disks I tried to create layers of "fabric" patterns such as a quilt or Matisse painting.

Peace Always

Sharon

November 18, 2008

2008-11-18T12:39:00.002-05:00

Vince Redhouse
Photo by Rick Brandt

As often as possible I bring my dog to my closest neighbor's house for a doggie play date, releasing some of the excess energy my Border Collie mix has in her system. These times remind me of play dates for my daughter when she was young and the play date's parent and I would gab about serious, or silly topics until the kids started to argue signifying the end of the "date".

Much the same with my dog Sophie and my neighbor's dog Bella.Today the dogs were having a good go at it and playing hard while Ben The neighbor) and I discussed Thanksgiving. I was stating that while I enjoyed the feast feeling of the holiday it seemed to be contrary in practice to the life I aspire to live. My friend reminded me that Thanksgiving was a traditional feast replicating the original Thanksgiving when Native Americans brought food to the immigrants and had a feast. I asked the question "What if it wasn't meant to be consumed at once?"

Maybe the food was to be prepared and preserved for the long winter, venison and birds to dry and salt, corn that would still be viable in February, Apples that lasts until March?

Just a thought.

Peace Always

Sharon Lee

November 16, 2008

2008-11-16T19:38:00.002-05:00

Photo by Sharon Lee

My daughter has been fortunate enough to be invited to join in a new dance company with a director who is connected and highly motivated. The choreography is interesting and complex, the costumes always seem to be the right amount of clothes and colors.

We only got to see a partial program as this was their first professional run through to see what the company is looking like three months down the road. Having a child in the arts is fabulous while a the same time frustrating and a bit scary.

Dance is beautiful and a lovely expression of emotions, politics, culture, etc. At the same time making a living in the arts, any aspect of the arts can be challenging and frustrating. I've always encouraged my daughter to follow her dream but now that she's older I don't ignore the impracticality of living life in the arts but discuss things as real as possible.

Peace Always

Sharon

November 14, 2008

2008-11-14T18:06:00.002-05:00

Tonight my intention was to go to a talk at Penn State by Urvashi Vaid, Author of Virtual Equality: The Mainstreaming of Gay and Lesbian Liberationand influential LGBT activist. Unfortunately my car's gas meter read "E" and funds are low so I had to forgo this opportunity

.Just ten days after the disappointment of the prop 8 proposal to ban gay marriages, I hoped to gain from this discourse some direction as to what to do concerning achieving civil rights for all. It is a real shame that the same election that voted in a candidate that supports civil rights would take some away. I understand that "gayness" is an uncomfortable fact of life for many people. The interpretation of religious doctrine can be slanted for or against to suit religious leaders. While I sympathize with those who for "religious reasons" do not approve, what about logic? Logically a collective body of people (the population of the United States) will only be able to focus on a few issues at a time.

With an economic crisis and the unhealthiness of our planet, and our young adults in the military in harm's way, why waste energies keeping civil rights away from anyone. It may not have been the original intention of the United States but as she matures into the most diverse country on our planet can we expect to live any other way? Whether you support the gay lifestyle it is important to always support civil rights.

Give to every human being every right that you claim for yourself. ~Robert Ingersoll

Peace Always

Sharon

November 13, 2008

2008-11-13T17:53:00.002-05:00

As my body, including my eyes age I question the impact this has and will have in the further on my artwork. Claude Monet best known for his wonderful depictions of water lilies suffered from cataracts in his later years and as a result the colors of his work changed and his work became more and more abstract.

After struggling with vision for many months I purchased my first pair of bifocals bringing focus and details back. As the year has progressed my glasses have become scratched once again taking away the sharp focus I had when they were new. Soon I will be replacing the lenses and start anew with fresh sharp focus.

Peace Always

Sharon

November 11, 2008

2008-11-11T17:33:00.002-05:00

Most of my life I have been trying to wrap myself around understanding poetry. My first book was a second edition "A Child's Garden of Verses" by Robert Louis Stevenson. Prior to my ownership both my mother and her father had scribbled with crayon and wore the pages thin.

Today thanks to the magic of podcasts I heard a simple wonderful poem entitled "November" by Thomas Hood, written in 1844

No sun - no moon!

No morn - no noon

No dawn - no dusk - no proper time of day.

No warmth, no cheerfulness, no healthful ease.

No comfortable feel in any member

No shade, no shine, no butterflies, no bee.

No fruits, no flowers, no leaves, no birds!

November!

Peace Always

Sharon

November 10, 2008

2008-11-10T19:19:00.003-05:00

I just finished and self framed the piece, "Nativity (Side View)". The frame was cut down and re-glued from a frame that was given to me years ago. The Nativity Show that this will be in is part of the Bellefonte Victorian Christmas Show and house tour.

Do you think it'll fit in???

Peace Always

Sharon Lee

November 8, 2008

2008-11-08T17:52:00.002-05:00

Although I have been vegetarian for 28 years and vegan for two, I always have accommodated the meat eaters and served turkey for Thanksgiving. This year I've decided to make a stand and omit all animal products from this tradition annual feast. I'm a decent cook and have rarely heard comments of meal dissatisfaction, yet it is a scary transition to make.

I'm actually looking forward to this meatless Thanksgiving as I do not have to handle meat as well as smell dead turkey in my house for the few days that follow. For me this Thanksgiving will truly be a cause for celebration and a meal of fellowship with family and friends.

Peace Always

Sharon

November 7, 2008

2008-11-07T17:25:00.002-05:00

Pardon Me Are You Bi-Polar?
acrylic on organic cotton canvas
38" x 38"
2008

One of the questions I get most often asked about my art work is: "What does it mean?" Usually I will give an answer but as time goes by the original meaning becomes less clear and a new meaning can be imposed on a painting. Generally I am uncomfortable in "explaining" a piece of art in that it takes a bit away from the viewer-painting relationship. My experiences are not like anyone else's and even well explained will lose a bit in the translation.

This current painting I will omit any discussion of meaning and stay focussed on how it was painted.

For those person(s) in the painting you know who you are and you know what this means.

Peace Always

Sharon

November 6, 2008

2008-11-06T19:34:00.003-05:00

I belong to a photography group (Photo of the Month) on Flicker. Each month we are "assigned" a different subject. The interpretations are vastly different and I look forward to see how each subject is portrayed.***This month the subject is "blur". The irony of "blur" is that I often have a photo that is or has a blur in it. The problem is what makes the "blur" important to the photo and how is this not just a blurred photograph.

Today during my walk in the woods I tried a variety of things: throwing leaves, following my dog, Sophie and moving the camera quickly while snapping a photo. Nothing has worked yet-this subject is much more complicated than I initially thought.

Peace Always

Sharon

November 5, 2008

2008-11-05T14:13:00.002-05:00

Last night I was hopeful and proud as well. Here is a transcript of Barack Obama's election victory speech in its entirety:

Hello, Chicago.

If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.It's the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen, by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different, that their voices could be that difference.It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled. Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been just a collection of individuals or a collection of red states and blue states.We are, and always will be, the United States of America.It's the answer that led those who've been told for so long by so many to be cynical and fearful and doubtful about what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.

It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this date in this election at this defining moment change has come to America.A little bit earlier this evening, I received an extraordinarily gracious call from Sen. McCain.Sen. McCain fought long and hard in this campaign. And he's fought even longer and harder for the country that he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine. We are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader.I congratulate him; I congratulate Gov. Palin for all that they've achieved. And I look forward to working with them to renew this nation's promise in the months ahead.I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart, and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on the train home to Delaware, the vice president-elect of the United States, Joe Biden.

And I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last 16 years the rock of our family, the love of my life, the nation's next first lady Michelle Obama.Sasha and Malia I love you both more than you can imagine. And you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the new White House.And while she's no longer with us, I know my grandmother's watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight. I know that my debt to them is beyond measure.To my sister Maya, my sister Alma, all my other brothers and sisters, thank you so much for all the support that you've given me. I am grateful to them.And to my campaign manager, David Plouffe, the unsung hero of this campaign, who built the best -- the best political campaign, I think, in the history of the United States of America.To my chief strategist David Axelrod who's been a partner with me every step of the way.To the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you've sacrificed to get it done.But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to. It belongs to you. It belongs to you.I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn't start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington. It began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston. It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give $5 and $10 and $20 to the cause.

It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation's apathy who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep.It drew strength from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on doors of perfect strangers, and from the millions of Americans who volunteered and organized and proved that more than two centuries later a government of the people, by the people, and for the people has not perished from the Earth.This is your victory.And I know you didn't do this just to win an election. And I know you didn't do it for me.You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime -- two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century.Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us.There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after the children fall asleep and wonder how they'll make the mortgage or pay their doctors' bills or save enough for their child's college education.There's new energy to harness, new jobs to be created, new schools to build, and threats to meet, alliances to repair.The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even in one term. But, America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there.

I promise you, we as a people will get there.There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as president. And we know the government can't solve every problem.But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And, above all, I will ask you to join in the work of remaking this nation, the only way it's been done in America for 221 years -- block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.What began 21 months ago in the depths of winter cannot end on this autumn night.This victory alone is not the change we seek. It is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were.It can't happen without you, without a new spirit of service, a new spirit of sacrifice.So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism, of responsibility, where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves but each other.Let us remember that, if this financial crisis taught us anything, it's that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers.In this country, we rise or fall as one nation, as one people. Let's resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long.

Let's remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House, a party founded on the values of self-reliance and individual liberty and national unity.Those are values that we all share. And while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress.As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, we are not enemies but friends. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote tonight, but I hear your voices. I need your help. And I will be your president, too.And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces, to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of the world, our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand.To those -- to those who would tear the world down: We will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security: We support you. And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright: Tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity and unyielding hope.That's the true genius of America: that America can change. Our union can be perfected. What we've already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that's on my mind tonight's about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She's a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing: Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons -- because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin.

And tonight, I think about all that she's seen throughout her century in America -- the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can't, and the people who pressed on with that American creed:

Yes we can.

At a time when women's voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot.

Yes we can.

When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs, a new sense of common purpose. Yes we can.When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved.

Yes we can.

She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that "We Shall Overcome."

Yes we can.

A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination.And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change.

Yes we can.

America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves -- if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?

This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment.This is our time, to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth, that, out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope. And where we are met with cynicism and doubts and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people:

Yes, we can

.Thank you. God bless you. And may God bless the United States of America.

November 4, 2008

2008-11-04T17:31:00.002-05:00

If you haven't already get out and VOTE!!!!!

Peace Always

Sharon

November 3, 2008

2008-11-03T17:51:00.002-05:00

The Nativity
1996
acrylic on cabinet door with plastic hula skirt
18" x 12"

Every year the holidays bring interesting open houses filled with crafts, arts, music and entertainment. Even for the non-religious, such as myself, it is a joy to participate in a celebration filled with traditions and the spirit of faith and hope. In the neighboring town of State College, PA there is an annual show of Nativity sets made from a variety of sizes, mediums and styles. There are almost 400 Nativities and with a background of Carol sing-a-long. it is a wonderful way to explore inspirational art.

Peace Always

Sharon

P.S. Don't forget to vote

November 2, 2008

2008-11-02T18:06:00.002-05:00

Yesterday a local artist called to ask if I would participate in her annual "Nativity" art show. She had ready answers to my questions, convinced me it would cost little and other well respected artists that I personally knew were also participating. She recommended I look to the dictionary for "nativity" in search of inspiration. I did so but kept coming back to the actual birth process.

Above is the sketch I made for this painting which will be relatively small (8" x 6"). I cut and assembled a mini stretcher, cut a piece of organic cotton/hemp canvas and tomorrow I will gesso and begin.

Peace Always

Sharon

November 1, 2008

2008-11-01T18:52:00.003-04:00

Feathered Pipe Ranch, Helena, Montana
Photo by Sharon Lee

By chance yesterday I discovered that a brilliant yoga instructor, Mary Dunn had passed on. I had met Mary briefly during a yoga retreat in Helena, Montana. For years I had heard what a wonderful teacher she was. Honestly I have to say her reputation did not do her actual presence justice. Mary had a beautiful mellifluous voice that forced you inside the pose giving me the stretch to hold poses longer and further than I had before.

One morning of the retreat I got the opportunity to share grub with Mary and found her to be very down-to -earth and as lovely inside as she was outside. Yesterday with tears streaming down my cheeks I read her blog written until 4 days before she passed.

The world is a better place for having Mary here though way to brief.

Peacce Always

Sharon

October 31, 2008

2008-10-31T16:46:00.003-04:00

Photo by Sharon Lee
Catwoman (movie version): Meagan Brandt

Happy Halloween

When I was a mother of a young theatrical daughter Halloween was probably one of the most important holidays of the year. Preparations were usually made well in advance and our Halloween festivities, mapped out (school costume, State College Halloween parade, haunted houses and trick-or-treating). Some years two costumes were needed as the school would decide a theme for the kids to wear or my daughter's costume was a bit too edgy for school.

These were days of great creativity for me and my daughter and every year as I worked the sewing machine I remembered my grandmother and mother making costumes for me. My grandmother was a great costume maker who designed an award winning Halloween costume every year. This year my daughter lives in her own apartment and has created her own costume with her roommates.

Peace Always

Sharon

October 30, 2008

2008-10-30T19:47:00.003-04:00

Photo by Sharon Lee
Model Meagan Brandt
Clothes by Angela Keslar

Artists are thought of as being the voice of the society they live in. Most of the art I create has a political bend yet stays away from specifics. One exception would be the painting I did in reaction to the government's failure in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. (sorry photo not available)

Last week I was listening to television coverage of the $150,000 wardrobe of Sarah Palin. There were a few things I took issue with as far as the way this was handled by Ms. Palin. The first was her statement that once this campaign was over she would go back to shopping at her favorite consignment shop in Anchorage.

I had a few questions about that but I needed to check on a few facts before I continued. As I suspected the vice president lives in Washington D.C. (the southeast corner of 34th Street and Massachusetts Avenue). Would that mean that Sarah would take Air Force One and fly to Alaska to shop there. Does she not think she will win and move to D.C.? She also stated that these were not her clothes. Are we to believe that these supposedly custom made clothes will not be hers?My own daughter is a fashionista of the serious sort. She does not have a fraction of a $150, 000 including designer shoes, purses, sweaters, dresses, etc. How exactly does one spend that much money on clothes that are needed for approximately the length of time of a long vacation?

Peace Always

Sharon

October 29, 2008

2008-10-29T14:56:00.002-04:00

Still not feeling up to speed. Hopefully will be more able to post tomorrow

Peace Always

Sharon

October 28, 2008

2008-10-28T19:09:00.002-04:00

Have a head cold. Will blog again when my mind is working. Until then it's knitting, television, phone, blowing nose and reading.

Peace Always

Sharon

October 27, 2008

2008-10-27T21:02:00.002-04:00

"Pardon Me, Are you Bi-Polar?" (working title) by Sharon Lee

Most of this week has been spent between house chores (laundry, dishes, cleaning, stacking firewood) and painting. Yesterday after painting most of the day I got into the correct groove about 1/2 hour before I stopped for the day. Today was mostly a struggle. Nothing more to report.

Peace Always

Sharon

October 26, 2008

2008-10-26T19:14:00.003-04:00

Way's Fruit Farm, Stormstown, Pennsylvania
photo by Sharon Lee

Sarah comes a Callin'

I've avoided getting political on this blog as everywhere you turn someone is praising or cursing one of the two presidential and vice presidential candidates but lo and behold Sarah Palin came to Way's Fruit Farm (a mere five minute walk from my home) to get a pumpkin with her daughter. It's unusual that she would visit such a remote area when most of the candidates and their supporters regularly stop in either State College or University Park only twenty minutes away.

I'm not sure how much a trip to Way's Fruit Farm cost Ms. Palin's supporters. I know that she was in Johnstown earlier in the day (1-1/2 hours southwest so perhaps she and daughter were passing through on their way to bigger and more populated places. Perhaps her campaign strategist thought a stop at "real America" would boost their support and perhaps it did. The day following the visit the Way's had a larger than life McCain-Palin sign.

Watching the election campaign has been interesting if nothing else. Barack Obama bowled in Altoona. Sarah Palin bought a pumpkin in Stormstown. Not sure what any of this has to do with running a troubled country.

Peace Always
Sharon

October 25, 2008

2008-10-25T18:52:00.002-04:00

My Riff with Jack

I have never understood the Jack-o-Latern. Before I go on I must interject that I have for the past 19 years secured a pumpkin for my daughter, carved out the guts, an indication of eyes, nose and mouth and lit it from within with a stubby candle. The glamour of the pumpkin lasts at most an hour when the fruit is fresh and unblemished with rot.

Only in a culture of excess would it be acceptible to nuture a rotten piece of food on the counter for a week up to several. Although perfectly edible Jack-O-lanterns are traditional not used for food-their purpose is that strickly of decor. A few months ago my only child moved into her own place prompting an reassessment of my surroundings. This year the only pumpkins that will be brought into the house will be meant for pumpkin muffins, pie or pudding.

Peace Always

Sharon

October 24, 2008

2008-10-24T19:52:00.003-04:00

Yesterday, accompanied by a friend who owns a pick-up truck we headed to Pittsburgh (2-1/2 hours southwest) to pick up my artwork from the Fein Art Gallery. Showing at this gallery was an expensive though useful experience and had the article in this issue's, Art Calendar about "vanity" galleries come out a month and a half sooner, I might have learned the same thing at a much reduced cost. Anyway onward.

As we were driving through the dark mountains away from the city to our rural community of darkness we imagined my art work in the bed of the truck, in particularly the menstruating puppet from the Menstruation Theatre, flying out of the bed and landing in a well lit (preferably) intersection (Super Sheetz, McDonalds, strip mall at a stop light). I recreated the scene in the road in front of my house to pass on the full illusion.

Peace Always

Sharon

October 22, 2008

2008-10-22T18:18:00.005-04:00

Cuff design-Angela Keslar
Hand model-Meagan Brandt
Photography by Sharon Lee

Everybody raise your hands!

I've decided to vote this presidential election according to the candidates hands. My criteria includes: looks, grace and movement. Hands down (pun intended Barack Obama has a large lead over Sen. McCain.

Here are the reason's why:

Skin Color
Barack Obama has finger skin the color of a milk chocolate Hershey bar, a beautiful smooth mellow brown color.

John McCain has hands the color of Gluten-free rice bread-whitish grey with a hardness and chalky texture

Barack Obama uses his hands in a fluid and graceful way such as a dancer uses his or her body in a performance. It is magnetizing to watch.

John McCain pumps his tightened fist in a repetitive pound not unlike the pistons of a car engine. He also counts weird with his hands while he is making a multiple layed point.

Barack Obama looks as if he has smooth manicured nails. Most likely this is done in secret as the press would be all over him for such an indulgence. I imagine Michele pushing cuticles back with an orange stick and buffing his nails to a lovely sheen behind closed doors late at night.

John McCain looks like the kind of guy that gnaws off his nails then rubs them against a rock to smooth things out.

I'd like to include Sarah Palin's hands possibly giving John the nudge he needs to make the race closer than it is but I suspect there are dried pieces of wolf, polar bear and bull shit underneath her nails which would be smelly and unsightly making including her a bad idea.

Peace Always

Sharon

October 21, 2008

2008-10-21T19:09:00.002-04:00

Internal Dialog
2004
acrylic on masonite
48" x 48"

A day full of fabulous dimentional clouds-grey and white with peaks of intense blue skies.

After a day of excilerating balloon soaring I decided to keep my feet closer to the ground. unfortunately that involved much vehicle driving running errands which left me just a short time for panting. I've started a new painting. No vision yet where it is to go. I just know what has to express through this painting for it to feel completed. (hope that makes a lick of sense).

For me painting stories on my canvases are much like writing fiction based on non-fictional characters and events. It is the best of both worlds where you can use stranger than fiction and make things work out in a manner that feels correct to the creator.

Peace Always

Sharon

October 20, 2008

2008-10-20T21:19:00.003-04:00

Photo by Sharon Lee

With a threat of snow (at least in the Northern regions of central Pennsylvania) and clear skies for a good part of the day, I decided to take out my hot air balloon for one more lift this season, cruise to Bethlehem, Pa and visit a wonderful vegan bakery, Vegan Treats. This bakery has nailed vegan baking in fact I would hold any of their baked goods, tiramisu, sticky buns, eclairs, cookies to any other bakery vegan and non vegan alike.

As I gassed up the ballon and headed home I bit into a delicious jelly donut, dripping sweet freshly made strawberry jam onto my jacket while looking at the most spectacular foliage against a blue-grey sky (perfect color for accenting the vivid reds, orange, yellows, browns, purples and greens). Life doesn't get any better than this.

Peace Always

Sharon

P.S. Just kidding I wanted to see if anyone was paying attention

October 19, 2008

2008-10-19T18:18:00.002-04:00

Because my art is based on personal experiences, issues or observations with/from friends, family and acquaintances are usually part of a painting. At times, I suppose, this can be uncomfortable for some to be publicly exposed in such a manner. I try to keep this in mind while at the same time not compromise the vision I have and what it is I want to say.

Such is the case with my latest start. Several days of metamorphosing the person who is to be exposed into a bird, toad, then alien I was inspired by an old Mexican woodcarving that I had acquired many years ago. The figure is in a position which speaks to the experience I want to share. Tomorrow I will translate the woodcarving on to paper then transfer to the canvas where I can begin to paint.

Peace Always

Sharon

October 18, 2008

2008-10-18T19:45:00.002-04:00

Photo by Sharon Lee

One blog that I subscribe to is one by Alison Bechdel. Originally from central Pennsylvania I first became aware of her work "Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic" which is largely based in Beach Creek, Pennsylvania which is down the road and over a mountain from where I live. "Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic" is a graphic novel that she both wrote and illustrated about her family of origin in all their dysfunctional glory. I'd say that this book was a page turner except for the fact that the illustrations were wonderful and worth spending extra time viewing.

Alison now has a blog which is updated just short of once a week covering any and all topics that interests here.

Fun read.

Peace Always

Sharon

October 17, 2008

2008-10-17T23:02:00.002-04:00

Blah, Blah, Blah
2007
acrylic on hemp and organic cotton
38" x 38"

Yesterday for no apparent reason I decided to write a somewhat scathing comment on another person's blog. This was unprovoked except that when I originally read the post something inside me felt it necessary to share my truth and "set things straight".

In 2007 I painted "Blah, Blah, Blah" which I felt encapsulated how I was relating to the world concerning recently switching over to a vegan lifestyle. Behind the protagonist there are two people-one reacting with their head exploding and the other not reacting (or listening) at all. This is usually the case when someone sermonizes and I expect that the blogger will received my comments in exactly that way.

Peace Always

Sharon

October 15, 2008

2008-10-15T18:44:00.003-04:00

Zen Diner
1998
acrylic on metal and mirror
6" x 6"

Down the road a bit from me in front of the "estate" of a local successful contractor is a ginormous McCain and Palin sign. It makes me laugh every time I see it in that the sheer size of the sign in front of the home of an obviously well off family says it all.

Next time you go to an art show take notice of the sizes of art works. It takes space and the means for transportation to paint large. More than once I had to rent vehicles to tote my art work somewhere and it is minor in size compared to Monet's lilies or Rothko's color panels.

Size for painting storage and transportation has kept my pieces in the past few years under 48" x 48" framed. This is the largest I can fit a piece in my Volvo on the diagonal. I also have a roof platform for slightly larger pieces but it is hell driving with a large thing overhead and the flap flap flapping of a tarp to cover it.

Peace Always

Sharon

October 14, 2008

2008-10-14T20:57:00.002-04:00

Pulled In All Directions
1999
Acrylic on Belgium linen
24" x 36"

In 1999 I painted "Pulled in All Directions" in response to feeling overwhelmed with day to day responsibilities. Most initial reactions to this painting are more literal thus leading to disgust. As usual with paintings of this time the background scene is based in the kitchen-the heart of the house and the common location of a house slave (wife).

Peace Always

Sharon

October 13, 2008

2008-10-13T17:28:00.005-04:00

Photos by Sharon Lee

What can I say more leaf photos. There's a new canvas to be stretched, yoga props to make and a garden that need to be winterized but instead I feel compelled to be outside and stare at the foliage.

Peace Always

Sharon

October 12, 2008

2008-10-12T20:28:00.006-04:00

Logo from KeithandtheGirl.com

Sorry no art talk today just wanted to pass on an audio observation.

As I have stated before one of my favorite Podcast is Keith and the Girl. A short while ago Keith and the Girl had a 74 hour continuous running podcast to raise money for themselves, Asperges and be listed in the Guinness Book of Records.

Last week Keith and Chemda (the voices, producers & writers of Keith and the Girl) went on a trip to London and Israel and have been releasing parts of the 74 hour podcast while they travel.

Today I listened to episode 825 which contained a listener call who is in the military stationed in Bagdad. He is 21 years old and it was emotionally tough to listen to the "Gunner" talk what little he was able to say about life in Bagdad. He also mentioned that the troops were cut off from information and were not able to know what presidential candidates stood for or had plans to do if they were elected. In additional absentee ballots rarely arrive in time to be counted for the vote. This was a a surprise to me as I had assumed the military had some say in sending a message to their bosses.

Guess not.

Peace Always
Sharon

October 11, 2008

2008-10-11T17:34:00.005-04:00

Photo from trip to Big Valley (Belleville Area)
central Pennsylvania. Will post more tomorrow-problems with posting photos all evening.

Peace Always
Sharon