Shari Sherman

Shari Sherman

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

The Big Reveal

I don't know about you, but I have always been a big fan of the TV show, The Biggest Loser. I love watching the transformation that the contestants go through as they change their lives. One of the best, inspirational quotes I carry in my head was from former coach, Jillian Michaels...just when the workout was getting tough and grueling, she yelled out..."That is FEAR leaving your body."  I replay this simple sentence when I am working out and when I feel like quitting. 

Although I am not a huge fan of the self-created drama on the show (if you watched last night, you'll know what I'm talking about), but one of my favorite parts is the Big Reveal at the end where they show the eliminated contestant and what they look like now. WOW!

Well, here's my version of the Big Reveal from last week's Surprise Art...

a

First, this sweet angel that I made for my dear friend, Elle.  She is a fabulous writer, who has that amazing ability to sculpt words that get straight into your heart.  I credit her for teaching me how to really LOVE a POEM.  This little painting was based on a story she told our group about one of her earlier writings.  I won't divulge it here, in case she wants to share it herself elsewhere, but this is just my little way of letting her know that she will ALWAYS be loved.

Next, is my version of The Owl and The Pussycat for my recently-married friends, Lillian and Paul!  When Tim and I were married, we used the quote from this poem "hand in hand, by the edge of the sand. They danced by the light of the moon. The moon, the moon, they danced by the light of the moon." We were married near the beach and put that quote on bookmarks given out to our guests. I've always loved the tale of this unlikely couple who ran off and tied the knot. Go LOVE!! Below, I've included the poem in its entirety so you can read in full about their adventure.




The Owl and the Pussy-Cat

By Edward Lear 1812–1888 Edward Lear

I

The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea

In a beautiful pea-green boat,

They took some honey, and plenty of money,

Wrapped up in a five-pound note.

The Owl looked up to the stars above,

And sang to a small guitar,

"O lovely Pussy! O Pussy, my love,

What a beautiful Pussy you are,

You are,

You are!

What a beautiful Pussy you are!"





II

Pussy said to the Owl, "You elegant fowl!

How charmingly sweet you sing!

O let us be married! too long we have tarried:

But what shall we do for a ring?"

They sailed away, for a year and a day,

To the land where the Bong-Tree grows

And there in a wood a Piggy-wig stood

With a ring at the end of his nose,

His nose,

His nose,

With a ring at the end of his nose.





III

"Dear Pig, are you willing to sell for one shilling

Your ring?" Said the Piggy, "I will."

So they took it away, and were married next day

By the Turkey who lives on the hill.

They dined on mince, and slices of quince,

Which they ate with a runcible spoon;

And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand,

They danced by the light of the moon,

The moon,

The moon,

They danced by the light of the moon.

Source: The Random House Book of Poetry for Children (1983)


Both of these paintings were done using acrylics and paper collage on wood.  I am still enamored with adding bits of twigs too.  The FLY bird I created recently has already SOLD, so I'm going to start work on a flock of those!

Anyone else have a special way of sharing their creative gifts?  The love that was beaming back and forth through these exchanges was truly the essence of why I create.  It's amazing the impact one can have on another person by making something and giving it from the HEART! 

Lovebeams, babies, LOVEBEAMS!!
Aloha, Shari


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Thursday, April 12, 2012

Where I've been...and where I'll be


I'm not going to take too long on the computer today...because I am being drawn to the studio, much like the rest of this past week.  I feel something brewing inside of me. Change is coming. And I feel like I need to stay connected to be ready for it. 
I'll be at Art in the Park in Casselberry tomorrow eve from 5:00-8:00. If you're local, stop by, check out some art,  and say "Hi!"  You can also get your belly on as some amazing food trucks will be there as well!
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Thursday, April 5, 2012

Surprise Art!


When I was a fledgling artist, before I ever had the inkling that I could SELL my work, I used to just make stuff and give it away to friends and family. (Hmmm...did we all start like this?)
There is so much joy in just making art and giving it away!
Especially when it is a SURPRISE!

 
Gifts from the HEART!
The above are 2 paintings that are just that...
works-in-progress destined to live with some ones I know
and I am just bursting to SHARE them!!
Is it YOU?
Check out these snippets and see if you can tell what they are! 
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Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Tag Sale Booty... it's all in the walk


The forecast for today in sunny Florida is for the needle to hit 90 degrees!  Our Spring has sprung, and now we can only hope for a few more days of breezy perfectness before the grueling heat of a Florida summer sets in. 
People are into their spring cleaning full swing, and lots of neighborhoods around here are holding community sales.  Just find a spot to park and start walking!
So much goodness in a concentrated area!  Not to mention, the savings on GAS!
So Exciting!
(I'm a garage sale geek! EEP, i can't help it!)
Here's a sample of the treasures I found on this trip.

 Aren't these little chairs the cutest?
They are from a little schoolhouse in New York, where the seller's grandfather had been a teacher. Then they were passed down the generations to her son.
I love the story behind them and I knew right away they would be perfect for a wall display, as above. I think I'm going to paint one and keep the other one natural to use for photo props.

And check out these raw wood items I found.
Petit shadow boxes just longing to tell stories of their own.
My mind is racing with ideas of what to put in them! And the other piece...hmmm, I don't know if it is a tray or what, but I do know that it can be painted and/or collaged, and has a nice deep lip on it, so it can support items as well. In the middle is a gorgeous dark brown wood heart...originally a necklace, that I see dangling in the middle somehow....I'm picturing the heart in the middle of some woods...
These are perfect finds for me as I am going through quite the phase of painting on wood rather than canvas right now.

If you think yard sales are just other people's junk, THINK AGAIN!  They are great places to find inspiration AND art supplies! Schedule an artist date for yourself and spend the morning tag saling, and the afternoon creating something out of what you found. (I'd love to see what you make!)
It's a great way to get your creative juices flowing!

Aloha, Friends!
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