October 7, 2008

Photos by Sharon Lee

As everyone else is doing at this time, my thoughts are turned to the economy and guesses made for what that will do for the arts. On all accounts things look depressing and I would guess artists will have to rely more and more on "outside" jobs, galleries will fail and museums will run the risk of closing because insurance costs will drive them to sell off their art collections.

This is the pessimistic view. A more optimistic view would involve the resurrection of the WPA which encouraged the arts by paying artists for their time and creativity. Click here for the index to New Deal Artists listed by state.

Only time will tell.


Peace Always

Sharon

October 6, 2008

At some point of the day I do a quick summary of what I did during the day and if it translates to something that can be written in this blog. Nothing, it seemed to me at that moment had any bit of creative relevance, in fact I was shocked that a full day could go by without any creative impulses.

At first glance a day sans art:

Drove 2 hours to deliver a piece of camera equipment (free lance job)
Take-out at Thai Restaurant
Pick up painting at Frame Shop and drop off two photographs to be framed
Walk in Woods

That's it. That is the summary of today. However, during my last activity I thought more about my day.

Drove 2 hours
This is through the most beautiful part of Pennsylvania during leaf changing season. Past several Amish communities and lots of roadside veggie and fruit stands. Color Inspiration!

Take-out at Thai Restaurant
Nothing creative.

Pick up painting at Frame Shop and drop off two photographs to be framed
Actually I spent well over an hour trying to chose mats for two photographs I was to frame. Both of these photographs are of Todd Rundgren. Playing with textured and colored mats is fun and should be tried at least once by all.

Walk in woods
what can I say "Color Inspiration!!!"
and there was that bear....


Peace Always

Sharon

P.S. The Smokey the Zombie Bear series is now avaiable for sale on Ebay, Smokey the Zombie Bear I , Smokey the Zombie Bear II, Smokey the Zombie Bear III, Smokey the Zombie Bear IV

October 5, 2008

While I wait upon the delivery of some fresh organic cotton canvas, I have been busying myself with house remodeling. You may remember that several years ago I tore my house apart, reconfigured and piece by piece have been putting things back together again.

The area in my kitchen where the pots, lids, potatoes, onions, and take out containers reside was a disaster. Someday I will have an outside pantry to hide this mess but for now everything is out for all to see. This is an issue that needed to be addressed. I have been against putting up cabinets in my kitchen as the wall is a beautiful colored slate (Arizonian I believe) This past summer I broke down and got a small 1940s cabinet with top and bottom but still was left with a pile of important yet unorganized flotsam and jetsam.

Needed was an inexpensive metal rack, large crock for the potatoes, and a bunch of metal hooks. I had the right sized drill bit but it was not a masonry one and I blew the point out fairly quickly. The masonry drill bit I had was a hair too big. Looks like tomorrow will include a trip to the hardware store

Peace Always

Sharon

P.S. The Smokey the Zombie Bear series is now avaiable for sale on Ebay, Smokey the Zombie Bear I , Smokey the Zombie Bear II, Smokey the Zombie Bear III, Smokey the Zombie Bear IV

October 4, 2008

Photo by Sharon Lee

"O hushed October morning mild,
Thy leaves have ripened to the fall;
Tomorrow's wind, if it be wild,Should waste them all.
The crows above the forest call; Tomorrow they may form and go.
O hushed October morning mild,
Begin the hours of this day slow.
Make the day seem to us less brief.
Hearts not averse to being beguiled,
Beguile us in the way you know.
Release one leaf at break of day; At noon release another leaf;
One from our trees, one far away."-

Robert Frost, October

Peace Always

Sharon

P.S. The Smokey the Zombie Bear series is now avaiable for sale on Ebay, Smokey the Zombie Bear I , Smokey the Zombie Bear II, Smokey the Zombie Bear III, Smokey the Zombie Bear IV

October 3, 2008

"My Backyard" photo by Sharon Lee

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

Day after day I write this blog with the purpose of "explaining myself" as an artist and hopefully drumming up some interest in my art work. My art site can be accessed by clicking here.

When I decided to do a blog I thought consistency would be important and decided to try to write almost every day. I find myself writing much about non art things as you can't really separate real life from creating life it all melds together into one. Something noticed in a woods with my dog-it's bound to end up a part of an artist project. My thoughts were that the best way to sleuth my art is by telling the back story.

It would help if I could get some comments from you readers. In addition I'd like to experiment a bit and see what happens if each person who reads this blog passes the address to two other people. They can be offended by my work or like it either way their input will be interesting. So sorry to give homework on a Friday but please write a comment and send to me as well as pass this blog address on to two other people. Hopefully they will be interested in carrying on this assignment and also comment and send blog link to two other people. Will keep track of this experiment and tell you what happens.

Peace Always

Sharon

P.S. The Smokey the Zombie Bear series is now avaiable for sale on Ebay, Smokey the Zombie Bear I, Smokey the Zombie Bear II, Smokey the Zombie Bear III,Smokey the Zombie Bear IV

October 2, 2008

Peace Begins with Breakfast
2005
acrylic on canvas
48" x 29"

The most depressing thing about being an artist, and I would think this would be the same in most of the arts, is the contrast between the day-to-day creating and exposing your work and yourself to the public.

If I felt there was no redeeming value of art outside of one's studio, I would simply paint those subjects that I feel inspired to paint and fill my house with canvases. Going to a show opening is stressful for an introvert like myself but I feel that I am obligated to show what I have done. I am an artist and it is an artist's job to create art to inspire whether in thought deed or action.

Peace Always

Sharon
P.S. The Smokey the Zombie Bear series is now avaiable for sale on Ebay, Smokey the Zombie Bear I, Smokey the Zombie Bear II, Smokey the Zombie Bear III,Smokey the Zombie Bear IV

October 1, 2008

In honor of three important celebrations:
Photo of Brianna by Sharon Lee
Photo of Sophie by Sharon Lee
A Silver Titter Stole My Baby
2008
acrylic on hemp and organic cotton

Today marks the celebration of three things that have much importance to me. Hopefully you will forgive me posting more personal less art today.

Happy Birthday to me niece Brianna who turns 16 today. Brianna and I share the talent for art. Her insight into her symbolism and such is remarkable and I love being able to share my love of creativity with her.

My dog, Sophie also celebrates her birthday today. Though the day was not spent as she would have planned, the doggie biscotti, peas from the garden and a long game of catch made it tolerable.*

Today is also World Vegetarian Day. I am what is considered a strict vegetarian (vegan) meaning my diet and lifestyle tries to minimize the use of animal products and their secretions. Because of the way our society is set up it is almost impossible too be a 100% vegan. Tires, medicines and most likely every bit of technology equipment use some animal product.

Peace Always

Sharon