What the Beach Breezes Stirred Up

Palm Breezes. 12 x 12 oil Available here

Tropical Storm Ana was forming in the Atlantic, but things were calm in Ft. Lauderdale where we’d driven to visit our son’s family, especially his beautiful new daughter. A walk along the Ft. Lauderdale waterfront under palm trees and clear star-filled skies should have been serene. But things were stirring within me. We’d spent the afternoon at Nova Southeastern University Art Museum  at two of their exhibits:  Kahlo, Rivera and Mexican Modern Art Exhibit and Pablo Picasso: Painted Ceramics and Works on paper, 1931-71.

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The Mexican Art exhibit included a wide variety of vibrant expression, including surrealism, abstract, fantasy, and realism in a wide range of materials. The Picasso exhibit was similarly invigorating with the range of elegant, animated, and humorous drawings presented alongside the ceramics.  I felt all the works were similarly bold and direct whether they were about private or civil statements.

Seeing these paintings was like having the sea breezes reach right into the building and blow away cobwebs. I became excited to try new subjects and new materials. Since returning to my home studio I’ve been inspired to work with materials languishing in my cabinet (oil pastels, cold wax and gouache/opaque watercolor.)  I’m especially strengthened in my resolve to work on issues in my own style that I have long wanted to achieve, such as a bringing to it a more linear style with direct and simplified form and color. I was impressed by these shows how the sense of line and volume filled up the space. Finally, I’m encouraged to get more personal--to dig back into my own heritage and see what I can put into my future work. I’ll be trying new themes and subjects, maybe Celtic folktales and dreams. I may do more urban and industrial subjects (remember, I’m a Detroit “girl”.)  

 

Service Is Our Business #2. 12 x 12 Oil and Cold Wax. Available here.

And playing more!   

 

Cabana Life 7 x 5 oil Available here.

   

Art is fun when it’s about evolving and exploring  . . .that’s what's blowing in the wind!

 

If you want to be the first to know about exhibits and discounts, sign up for my NEWSLETTER email list on the home page of Sheffield Art Studio.

Thank you for reading. If you enjoy my essays, please share with your family and friends.  I’d like to hear from YOU!  Please leave comments and questions. 

My paintings are available at my studio in Cary, NC, online at Sheffield Art Studio and at my Daily Paintworks Gallery (see also clickable link above right) 

Please LIKE me at my FACEBOOK Fan Page.

Fine Art America FAA link to bottom http://1-sarah-sheffield.fineartamerica.com/

Packing Memories

We just took one of those trips where we dipped into the past and dipped into the future. A foot in both places. We traveled to Key West, Florida.  Walt has memories of traveling through the Keys as a teenager, fishing in the waters, and a boyhood friend.  This childhood friend, who he most associates with Key West, died unexpectedly just before we left for the trip; we thought and spoke of him as we drove along the highway into Key West and often during our stay. 

"Once A Refuge"  Oil Pastel Sketch

It was my first journey to this area of Florida and it was chosen as an outdoor oil painting vacation.  As the time approached for the trip, I had misgivings about the oil painting.  I had just finished a 30/30 challenge (30 paintings in 30 days) in September, had recently participated in some plein air events, and worked hard on several exhibits.  I wanted a break from my usual oil painting routine.  I packed a traveling set of watercolors.  Then I looked through my art cabinet and pulled out an old box of art materials that had belonged to my art teacher mother.  Many, many years had passed since her death. These supplies were a tangible connection between us and our love of art, and I hadn’t wanted to consume them.  But I was now ready to use the beautiful colored conte′ crayons and oil pastels, and honor the enjoyment she had with them.  So I packed them in my suitcase with some suitable paper.  Here was a gift of new possibilities from my mother just waiting to be opened.

Key West Lighthouse watercolor sketch

We packed another memory for this trip—the memory of a painting my grandfather, an accomplished architect and watercolorist, had done of the Key West lighthouse.  It was a delight for us to find the spot from which he viewed the lighthouse and sketch it ourselves.

At this time of Thanksgiving and thoughts of family, I am especially aware how grateful I am for my artistic heritage. The memories we recalled reinforced our feelings about just how enhanced are lives are even as we are saddened by losses long past and near past.  We’re indebted and appreciative in the most enthusiastic way.

"Waiting for Baby" oil

The NOW is bringing a NEW gift with unlimited possibility —a grandchild and grand-parenthood!  

(I'll tell you in the next issue if I'm a grandmother and also about what we saw in Key West, artists we met, and about six-toed cats and sandwich-eating chickens!)

If you want to be the first to know about exhibits and discounts, sign up for my NEWSLETTER email list on the home page of Sheffield Art Studio.

Thank you for reading. If you enjoy my essays, please share with your family and friends.  I’d like to hear from YOU!  Please leave comments and questions.  

My paintings are available at my studio in Cary, NC, online at Sheffield Art Studio and at my Daily Paintworks Gallery (see also clickable link above right)

Please LIKE me at my FACEBOOK Fan Page.