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.