November 13, 2008

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 10, 2008

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 7, 2008

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 2, 2008

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

October 27, 2008

"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 21, 2008

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 19, 2008

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 15, 2008

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 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 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

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 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 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 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

August 31, 2008

Besides getting ready for the show at the Fein Art Gallery in Pittsburgh, I have two pieces (framed and ready to go) for the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art Biennial, and a small solo show at a local coffee shop, Websters on Aaron in State College during the month of December. The space at Websters is fairly small and I'm planning on making at least a couple of paintings site specific (one of the line at the coffee counter and something reflective of life in State College, PA). I also would like to show some of my photographs, most of which are nature photographs taken either at the local state game lands or in one of my backyard's gardens. My plan is to have 10-15 photos double matted at the frame show and then find simple pre-made frames that will suit the photographs. Because the space is small I also would like to paint a few "tiny" photographs. The photo at top is the size and simplicity of the statement the paintings that I see myself doing for this show. Today I had some editing experience as I selected music for the background of "The Making of the Wall" DVD that I am showing at the Fein Art Gallery. There were about 100 options in the library music I was looking through. At first it seemed slightly overwhelming and then I began to get a feel for what was needed and I choose pieces that felt right to the scenes the music will serve.

August 24, 2008

My daughter moved into her first apartment yesterday. As she was getting ready in the morning we had several cell phone conversations including one about clothes. Now if you know me I am not the one who would tell anyone how to dress especially not my daughter who can tell you which designer's cut of clothes is best suited for her body type. I wear only comfortable clothes usual of the work-paint-garden variety and I assumed that in this scenario (moving) I could actually offer some clothes advice. I talked her out of wearing flip flops because of concern I had over stubbed toes which would deeply affect her recent pedicure. Finally she showed up at my house from her dad's and she looks like she is about to play doubles at a very upscale country club. Beautifully tanned legs, small white shorts, silver sneakers, white tank top and a summer weight light grey almost white Juicy zippered hoodie.

So in honor of my daughter who has a wicked sense of style for all occasions I started a new circle on the painting I am working on. No title yet, just the laying in of lines.

August 23, 2008

Today, my daughter at Penn State moved into her own apartment. Taking the advice of my chiropractor I hired 4 young men who with my friend, my daughter and I moved her massive mountain of clothes from one place to another with a fair amount of ease. She now lives 12 minutes away now and I get to avoid the angst of other parents packing their children away to school.

After I got home and did some yoga prop and art business I decided it would be relaxing to paint a bit even though it was late and I most likely would not get a chance to hike in the woods, do yoga, wash the pile of dishes in the sink or clean the downstairs floors which are in a sorry state.

I added two more circles to my painting. One is "Fall From Grace" and the other is yet to be named. "Fall From Grace" along "Before the Fall" are a vegan statement using the story of Adam and Eve and their diet before and after their hankering for apples caused a ruckus. Blame it on Eve she was the one collecting their food.