Weeds or Wildflowers?

 August's Color Palette   5" x  7"   Pastel   ©Sheila Ashley Liston
Available $75

To some, they are weeds...to others, a closer examination reveals stunningly beautiful wildflowers!    

Sometimes we need not travel far to find a wealth of color, worthy of painting.  Located between a dental office and a bank in my town (Aurora, Ohio), is an undeveloped field of riveting yellow goldenrod contrasted against purple ironweed, with a touch of Queen Anne's lace. The setting sun, along with the distant blue treeline becomes a soothing backdrop to set the stage for a splash of color.

 Frequently, this is my classroom where I learn from God's very own color palette. I love staying here to study the sky and make color notes of how to paint the evening atmosphere. Then it's back to the studio for better light and a mosquito-free environment! 

Misty Memories

Misty Memories    4" x 7"   Pastel    ©Sheila Ashley Liston
Available $75



    

Day 7 of my personal challenge of painting 7 paintings in 7 days. These were my "warm-up" exercises before starting 30 in 30, beginning September 1, along with 1500+  artists. Like any challenge, this demands planning ahead for an interesting growth and learning experience.

On the last day of my challenge, I decided to paint simply an impression of the ocean, wherever the painting decided to lead me. It does remind me of our first trip to Maine years ago, as we walked along Marginal Way in Ogunquit. The weather report promised rain all day, so we purchased ponchos and headed out into the storm. It was a totally exhilarating experience and I would do it again in a heartbeat! With the wind and surf leaving us breathless, our umbrella's only option was to morph into a useful walking stick. The only regret was that I couldn't take art supplies into that environment!

I decided to try a different surface to paint on this time. It is a mixture of pumice and gesso on 300# watercolor paper. I did enjoy experimenting with a new method for me, as it added a significant amount of texture. I began with a watercolor sketch first, and then added layers of pastel. I guess you could say memories of that adventurous day and a new adventurous painting surface brought about this painting. I'll definitely try this surface again in a larger format.

Curtis Island Light

Curtis Island Light      4 x 7    Pastel     ©Sheila Ashley Liston
Available $75


Day 6 of my 7 paintings in 7 days takes us to Curtis Island Light on a quiet fall evening....

Curtis Island Light marks the approach to the harbor of Camden, Maine.  The lighthouse is still an active US Coast Guard aid to navigation. I didn't need to go onto the island, as I was perfectly happy viewing it from a distance that explains its purpose since 1836. 

Curtis Island protects the Camden Harbor from the ocean storms. Camden is a lovely town on Penobscot Bay. I'm seeing a harbor painting coming soon from our many photos from our visit there.

There's nothing quite like having a personal tour guide who is my nephew. Michael, who lives in Camden, Maine is an artist also. We were quite spoiled by Michael, as he lead us to the non-tourist sights in the Blue Hill Peninsula area and around Camden.

Deer Isle

Deer Isle        8.5" x  11.5 "       Pastel          ©Sheila Ashley Liston
Available $165

Day 5 of my self-challenge of 7 paintings in 7 days.

 What I used to paint from, is the reference photo below, from our vacation trip last fall. In Maine, it seems that frequently there's another lovely roadside view, just waiting to be painted, everywhere we traveled. This was on Route 15A through Deer Isle, as we drove back from our stay at Stonington. I wanted to jump out of the car with pastels and easel in hand, however this was on private property. I had to be satisfied with a "drive by" photo from my cell phone.

I enjoyed painting this scene and I plan to do another larger painting in the near future with a similar view of rocks and water.

Geneva Marsh

Geneva Marsh    5¾ x  8½     Pastel    ©Sheila Ashley Liston

Available  $95

Day 4 of my self-challenge of 7 paintings in 7 days.

Marsh areas in the Geneva State Park are interesting to me. This one in particular has enough open water area that reflected the sky and the surrounding fall colors. This park is on the shore of  Lake Erie and has a lovely Lodge where we stayed. 

This painting is on UArt 800 sanded paper. This is the beginning that I was able to accomplish in Geneva. Then  I finished the painting in the studio.

    

Portland Head Lighthouse

Portland Head Lighthouse   6 x 6    Pastel     ©Sheila Ashley Liston
SOLD


Portland Head Lighthouse....a favorite!

This is Day 3 of a self-challenge of painting 7 paintings in 7 days. There's more to follow.

My husband and I have visited this lighthouse before our trip last fall. It will always be on the itinerary for any future trips to Maine. I could spend hours there. Last fall these prolific wildflowers begged to be painted . I have painted this lighthouse focusing on the rocky cliff and the ocean waves. This time, I wanted to include those flowers. 

Late purple asters

This is the more common view that you may have seen before. I took over 50 photos that day and some will become paintings in the future. The first year that we were there, the Tall Ships were sailing by. What a sight!. 

Fishing Camp in Maine

Maine Fishing Camp   4 x 6   Pastel   ©Sheila Ashley Liston
SOLD

View from a roadside in Maine one October morning.....

We found this roadside treasure on the way back from Stonington, Maine. This was a perfect fall day for travel, although I admit that I was reluctant to leave the town of Stonington. Stonington is a picturesque old seaport on Penobscot Bay located on the southern part of Deer Isle. From the deck of our hotel, we enjoyed watching the lobster fishermen unloading their early morning catches. 

We stayed here at the Inn on the Harbor. Here we found a pleasant surprise that the owners, Dana and Jay, were from our home state of Ohio. 

  

Myrtle Beach Pier

Myrtle Beach Pier   5 x 7    Acrylic  ©Sheila Ashley Liston
SOLD 

Myrtle Beach Pier framed

Sunrises are always awesome, but especially so at the beach!

I love the sights, sounds, and the smell of the salty breeze that one finds at the beach. My mind goes to how I might paint the whole experience. With a fascination for wave forms, I find myself studying most of them.  With my cell phone camera and my husband's photography, we can come away with subject matter for a very long time.

Even though I work mostly with pastels, I do enjoy acrylics as another way of expression. Actually if the truth be known, I've never met a medium that I didn't love! However, for the sake of focus, I have narrowed it down to these two for now.

This painting is done on a gessoed board and varnished with a UV protective solution. It is framed in a warm gray moulding that resembles driftwood. There is a white linen liner that separates the painting from the frame to allow a pleasing presentation.  

Early Morning Beach Walk

Early Morning Beach Walk      8 x 10    Acrylic     ©Sheila Ashley Liston
Available $150

It's worth getting up at 6am at the beach!

I must confess I am not an early riser to say the least. We were staying at Myrtle Beach with our family. While they slept, I awoke at 5:50 am and thought that I might really be able to sneak out of the house without waking the household. That's a bit brave for me to go out alone in an unfamiliar place. Yet the sunrise was calling and I had to do it. I was rewarded with a breathtaking scene, worth every second of more sleep. One of God's light shows began to unfold before me. For me, it was a spiritual experience...a chance to be in the presence of my Creator.   

I knew that I would need to paint the experience many times. This is my interpretation in acrylic paint. It's impossible to record the whole experience in paint, but it does give me the opportunity to relive the experience. 

Have you had a similar experience?

Fields of Lavender   5 x 5   Pastel   ©Sheila Ashley Liston
Available $60 framed 

Gotta love lavender!

This painting was done from a visit to an Ohio lavender farm called Luvin Lavender in Madison, Ohio near Lake Erie. What a delight to see a lavender field with masses of glorious color! How awesome to know the owners originally planted these to attract enough bees to pollinate other crops on their property. Is has since grown to be a place of beauty in their community. They hold a Luvin Lavender and Art In The Garden Festival every year in July.  Its well worth a trip there to learn more.  You can find more information on their website:   www. luvinlavender.com or their Facebook page: Luvin Lavender Farms LLC.

"Fields of Lavender" is painted in pastel on suede board. Its a lovely surface to accept the pigment from soft pastels. This painting is framed in a gold frame with an attractive leaf design. Museum glass with UV protective covers and protects this painting for your enjoyment.