September 25, 2008

Photograph by Sharon Lee
2001

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

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

Peace Always

Sharon

September 7, 2008

Lavender Clematis
photo by Sharon Lee

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

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

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

Peace always
Sharon

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.

July 15, 2008

7 Rays
2006
acrylic on canvas
38" x 30"

7 Rays
1. Freedom
2. Unity
3. Understanding
4. Harmony
5. Truth
6. Goodness
7. Beauty

The Seven Rays is a song written and performed by Todd Rundgren. For actual (not abridged lyrics click here)

The painting "7 Rays" is a simple a vignette of me and my daughter in bed at night-she sleeping and me trying to figure out the lyrics to 7 Rays. The cat to the left is my cat Malicia and the dog on the blanket is my dog Jackson who has passed on. Not sure the intention of the American flag on the right. To me the layers and layers of paint indicate that there was the beginning of an alternative painting underneath this one.

July 12, 2008

"I Met Andy Warhola"
1998
acrylic on linen
30" x 36"
Occasionally I get an idea for a painting from a non-important observation of human nature or something I find silly. Several years ago I had a conversation with an acquaintance, trading stories of career and family. I was very excited about having one of my paintings hung at the Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh and shared this information with her. She then told me a happenstance she had with Andy Warhol in New York on an icy night many years ago. Both Andy and my acquaintance were walking with their heads down somewhere on Fifth avenue. They smashed into each other and both landed on their asses. "You're Andy Warhol!" my acquaintance exclaimed. "And you're a bitch" Mr. Warhol retorted.

June 26, 2008

Today I can not think of a single creative thought or idea I had that would be blog worthy to share. I am waiting for some money to come in to buy 3 more sets of stretchers (from Upper Canada Stretchers) so I don't have a painting to work on. Instead I went to the woods, cleaned a bit, went food shopping, mailed some yoga props that I sold through Ebay, trimmed the out of control hedges in front of my house, planted beets and did 1-1/2 hours of yoga. Although it was not a bad day, with the exception of figuring out how to make a vegan-gluten free version of onion dip (for my daughter who was craving chips and dip), none of it was particularly creative or inspiring.

I don't usually have 100% creative free days when when they do come along it's like anything you let it absorb you while it's there and rejoice when you once again have the opportunity to create.

Tomorrow is the last day for this Ebay auction! If you like my work and want to support my endeavors please consider purchasing a painting. I have just put up the painting, "A Silver Titter Stole My Baby" on Ebay. It is a painting I'm proud for artistically as well as socially. It is acrylic paint on organic cotton and hemp canvas. Please feel free to pass the link to friends and family members and if you are so inclined feel free to purchase this painting for yourself.

June 12, 2008

When I started out as an artist I studied graphic design with the intention of going into typography. I left Pratt Institute and moved to central Pennsylvania to continue studying graphic design at Penn State. The head of the graphic design department was a memorable teacher who made me question my passion for art and whether I could truly lead a creative lifestyle. (A few years ago I read a book by Chip Kidd called The Cheese Monkeys: A Novel In Two Semesters which was about this very teacher and art program) Years went by and I tried to stifle creativity. Then about 3 or 4 years later I decided to take a basic weaving class. After the first class was over I decided to study fibers learn to spin, took more classes at Yavapai College in Prescott, Arizona studying color, fibers, weaving patterns, etc.

It wasn't until my daughter entered kindergarten that I started to paint after being encouraged by a few neighbors and friends who wanted to start an art critique group. My first paintings were graphic stylized representations of animals with different patterns: lizards, chicken heads, frogs, fish, etc. The lines were all even and basically they were flat painted patterns.

As happens I was influenced by some of the other members in the art critique group. One woman Sue Matsui would painted these fun narratives in miniature with detailed plates of food, scenes from medieval stories and little slices of life. I started to see the potential of art as a more expressive medium. Graphic Design is all about form and function and the only meaning is that you need to buy an item or idea whereas painting has no such boundaries. My first "real" piece of art was done in 1998. I used acrylic paint and painted over a small broken metal toy that had been discarded by my daughter. I titled this piece "The Housewife".

June 11, 2008

No painting started although I have a general idea of which direction I want to take. My plan is to be secretive about this painting until I'm sure it's well on it's way as I sometimes change my mind mid painting and wouldn't want to restrict that instinct because I had publicly stated my painting's intention. However I always have a creative idea or two brewing books to write , magazines to publish, photographs, videos, sewing, knitting, gardening you name it and I'll figure out a way to introduce emotion, color and pattern into that activity or thing(s).

A friend and I are going on a two-hour drive with some of his buddies to drive in a 4 x 4 park. Please don't expect me to explain the thrill of driving through mud and terrifying hills for me driving is a most un-enjoyed chore and if I could and live close to a town I would ride my bicycle and gladly give up driving. However my friend's passion is for driving in conditions and in places that appear to be undriveable and this was a birthday gift from me to him. I am planning on visually documenting as much as I can both through a video and digital still camera and an additional mounted camera. I have no experience in taking these types of photos and/or videos-but I like the challenge and really like the opportunity to combine my search for aesthetics, beauty and patterns in something that doesn't on the surface appear to be what would normally be considered to have a potential subject matter for art.

June 8,2008

FInished!!! As with any painting there are areas that please me as well as some that do not. I struggled a bit with this painting as I had no real idea of what the outcome was to be, no real sketches to start from and found it hard to paint everyday whether in the mood or not. I hope you enjoy the finished product. After a few days of letting the paint dry (Normally this does not take long as I paint with acrylic but the humidity has been outrageous so I will allow a few extra days of drying. I will take it to be photographed. After it is photographed slides and a tiff file will be made so I can post on my web site and/or enter shows. I plan to bring this to the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh annual show screening in two weeks and may not have time to have it framed for the screening-normally for this screening I would but as it often does the date has snuck up on me and I don't have enough time to follow my usual protocol.

peace always
Sharon

June 6, 2008

Photos show regular view, view when finished today's session and close-up of heart.

The day I had decided it was best to put my dog down, I had been to the vet earlier in the day and she was describing the results of Jackson's chest x-ray to me. Jackson had diabetes with many complications including blindness. I had a hard time controlling his diabetes even with his twice daily shots of insulin, careful home made food and regular blood work. Diabetes is an insidious disease and eventually his body had given all it could and it was time for him to leave this earth. The X-rays showed several areas of cancer, the retention of lots of water and an extremely large heart. When I talked with my friend later in the day about his health she stated "Jackson died of a heart that grew too large!" If you had met my dog (and I would suspect many Vizslas) you'll know exactly what I this means.

But How does this tie into todays painting session. On the upper left behind on of the clouds I painted a stylized heart. I used a diagram from a Biology course on line and played with the lines until it became the shape(s) it is now. Sometimes when I paint I will actually be consciously thinking of the symbolization I am using sometimes things just appear (such as the lemon in the upper right side).

June 5, 2008

A day or two ago I caught part of the movie Pollack with Ed Harris and Marcia Gay Harden. In one scene, Jackson Pollack has just broken through the restrictions of traditional painting and starting experimenting with dribbling, splashing, pouring, etc. In a classic New York accent Lee Krasner says something to the effect,"Ya finally done it Pollack and broken through to the other side." A total misquote but if you have seen the film you'll know which scene I am referring to. So last night in the classic Pollack style with a mood alterating atmosphere I become Pollack and broke the boundaries of painting by painting with my eyes closed not looking at either the palette of paint nor the canvas. This morning I anxiously approach my easel to see what I have done and how it translated since as I was doing this I believed it was pure genius. Fortunately paintings can always be corrected ad after a few hours of over-painting my experiment with breaking boundaries was eliminated and the painting is back on track.

June 4, 2008

Today was a full day of rain and I had a mad idea that I could paint all day and finish this painting. Well I did paint most of the day but still no end in sight. I'm usually anxious at this stage as I start to get ideas for my next painting(s) and want to get started working on something new and fresh.


I wish I had something interesting to write but mentally I am drained so we will all have to settle for a picture being worth a thousand words (or at least a hundred or so)

Peace Always

Sharon

June 3, 2008

Well I'm finally feeling that the end of this painting is near. Not everyone of my paintings I love, in fact I'm usually satisfied with only one out of three which isn't bad but as a perfectionist This painting falls into the two out of three category. I would like it to be three out of three. As far as this painting goes I am mostly unfinished with the background and some areas around the words. Today was a good painting day although once again it was fabulously beautiful outside and I had to force myself not to stray outside too often. My dog Sophie gave me until about 3pm when it was time for our walk through the woods.

I have been taking my digital camera (Cannon G9) with me as much as possible and especially on my hikes in the woods. Today I tried to capture my dog leaping through a field of ferns. I didn't capture her mid air leaps but will keep trying. Pennsylvania's Mountain Laurel-the state flower is just opening up and there were lots of pink and white just opening flowers throughout the woods.

Even though time away from the easel may not seem like time spent painting it actually is research and inspiration and I find myself revived for my next painting session.

June 1, 2008

Sorry to be such a wimp but I lost my post twice so far tonight. Here is the painting as it ended today. Will write much much more tomorrow

Peace Always

Sharon

May 31, 2008

photograph by Rick Brandt

Today was my daughter's first dance recital as a teacher and not a student. She had been taking classes a the same dance studio for most of her life and like all dancers considered the "senior-teacher" dance the pinnacle of success. Unfortunately my daughter dropped out of dance school in high school to attend a private high school that had a top tier dance program. Anyway low and behold she gets to dance in the "Senior/teacher" performance this year as she is now a part-time teacher at the very school she grew up in. I had to spend the morning getting 8 tires for my daughter's and my car, bring lunch so we could nosh and came back to town a third time (40 miles round trip) to watch her dance. Long day-no painting.

May 29, 2008

The painting sessions themselves are going much better although my time is so limited that it seems I just sit down, catch a groove and its time to move on. I think such is the life in central PA when the winter breaks and before we get the hot humid summer that causes every one to host a party, dance recital, dinner party, BBQ, etc. None the less I got some painting done. The two legs (barefoot) are god's feet. I decided to make him/her a female mostly because I liked the idea of cut-off shorts and painted toenails. One of the nails is not perfect-either chipped off or was bitten so even God appears to have a flaw.

From now on you will see two paintings one right side up and the second the view will be the direction it was left when I was done painting. Hope this isn't too confusing.

Peace always

Sharon

May 28, 2008

Today was one of those days where painting just flowed. I knew exactly which colors to put where. I recognized which parts of the painting did not work more readily and had painted for a few hours feeling only minutes had passed. Unfortunately the weather outside was also fabulous and it was impossible not to spend some of my day soaking up the rays while hiking with my dog Sophie and mowing the lawn. Around 6pm my daughter stopped by for our "Wednesday night take-out" date-(she gets Korean and I Thai). Since we live in rural Pennsylvania we have to drive to town, using precious $3.99 a gallon gas to collect our booty. On our car ride she was discussing an upcoming dance performance that she's involved with.

Although our disciplines are different there are many similarities. One time we were discussing the cycles of liking /dislike of our works. There's the initial excitement when you come up with an idea inevitably followed with the ebbs and flows of like and dislike as the dance/painting progresses. Today she told me that she usually works out issues through dance very much the same way I do. We brainstormed a potential dance to express her thoughts about being allergic to gluten but the ideas we came up with were either too obvious and dumb or appeared to be racist in nature. Discussions such as ours illuminate the similarities of all art disciplines once they are torn down a bit and analyzed.

May 27, 2008

Once again today I had a limited time to paint but I fixed some problem areas. Instead of the type about Felix the chimp (see May 18th) I replaced it with a quote from Todd Rundgren that more related to the painting.

"This is the ending of my song
It has made me blind and deaf and weak but most of all
It shows you that Im wrong
For you see its really twice this long
And if I should die tomorrow it will carry on"

May 25, 2008

I had a satisfying day of painting, gardening, hiking and yoga today.

As far as "Jackson's Trip to Heaven, I added more white to clouds on top of the pink which is giving them a more lofty look. Also added a rainbow behind the dog (who is now orange) to symbolically represent the Rainbow Bridge. The Rainbow Bridge is a poem that is THE poem for dead and dying pets. In fact on the few days before and after I put Jackson down I was sent a link to this poem, sent the poem via snail mail and had it recited to me by the fellow that was cremating my dog. My feelings at the time was "Fuck the Rainbow Bridge". I just wasn't in the mood to hear about happy kisses, clinging together in joyous reunions or looking into the trusting eyes of my faithful companion. I was upset and just wanted to hold on to that feeling. The disturbing feeling I got from the Rainbow Bridge poem reminded me of a story involving my daughter and I many years ago when she was four or five years old.

We had just arrived back in central Pennsylvania after visiting family in northern New Jersey and I decided we should get a bite to eat before heading home. I insisted on going to Eat and Park as I knew they had a salad bar where we could eat immediately and quickly move on and go home. My daughter was against going to this restaurant as she was troubled by the wait people who push their smiley cookies on kids. My daughter is one of those rare kids who did and still does not like cookies I told her that when the waitress came over after our meal to present my daughter with the smiley cookie she was to say, "Take your smiley cookie and shove it up your ass." Of course she has much better sense than I and did not say anything but "thank you" to the waitress when she was given the cookie but we both had a bad case of the giggles when it was offered.

May 19, 2008

Today's painting session felt unsatisfying and frustrating. I did not find my rhythm while painting and struggled through every color change. Yesterday I drove to Michael's and bought $150 worth of new paints, automatically making painting easier.(because you don't have the restriction of limited paint colors) To have problems with a full arsenal of paints is somewhat unusual although not unheard of. Every painting goes through a cycle of like-dislike-like. I'll like the freeness of a layer then paint over some of it to get the colors I want and feel the freeness has been lost. Sometimes the subject starts to bore me and I have been known to start over and paint an alternative painting on top of the old one. I recently completed a painting, sent it out to be photographed and painted over it when returned home because I still was not happy with the results.

One of the problems I'm having with "Jackson's Trip to Heaven" is that there is no compositional focus the focus points (first, second, third, etc.) will be managed through color. Right now there are only spots of color as I am still filling in the canvas with basic colors. Today I focused a bit on the mountain range that is below and to the left of the red dog (Jackson). I'm assuming that heaven has different ecosystems and felt sure that Jackson would have chosen his familiar mountains to surround himself.