White oak leaf with acorns (quercus Alba)

White oak leaf with acorns (quercus Alba), a photo by Art by Cheryl on Flickr.

While on our annual trip to the cottage on Catawba Is. I found these acorns with leaf attached on a morning walk on the beach. I thought the green of the acorns was so striking and had to bring some along home with me. The color quickly changed even though I kept them in the fridge. Maybe it was too cold? But I am learning to take many photos and made some color notes and sketches. This is the result. A memory of our vacation by Lake Erie.

Sunrises at the lake

("Catawba ~ early morning") 

5x7 pastel

In the summer of 2010 my husband and I vacationed at Catawba Is. on Lake Erie as we have been doing for the past several years. I like to take at least one morning during the week to go to the beach to watch the sunrise. On one of these early morning beach-walks the sky was just stunning. It seemed to get more beautiful with each passing minute. I was able to shoot many, many photos to use as references for the paintings I would do at a later time. 

This will be my project for the next couple months--learning and painting lake sunrises. This little piece is the first of that series.

Summer Sky over Gem Beach

As I prepare for 2 art shows next month and anticipate our Catawba Island vacation on Lake Erie, I've just finished painting another view of Gem Beach. This time with the focus being on the cloud formations from a photo taken from last year's trip to the Lake. Looking forward to days in the sun and water, the sound of the waves and seagulls and relaxation of the week soon to come. Hope to also do some exploring of the area for future paintings.

Sailboats and Hollyhocks ~ 18x24 pastel on sanded paper

Two years ago I went with a good friend to Lakeside Ohio on Lake Erie for the weekend. We were to meet another good friend to celebrate as we all turned "50" that year. It was June and, apparently, hollyhock season. The walk by the lake was covered in color as the hollyhocks and daylilies were in full bloom. There were sailboats sailing in the distance along with a picture perfect sky and lake. All combined in this painting to remind me of the friendship I share with these two amazing women who have been a part of my life for most of my 50 years.