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

September 30, 2008

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

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

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

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

Peace Always

Sharon

September 29, 2008

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

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

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

Peace Always

Sharon

September 28, 2008

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

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

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

Peace Always

Sharon