LAKE MARBURG, EVENING 11x14, oil

There is always something to paint in Codorus State Park, Pa.  The light was coming across the top of the background trees which I tried to capture in this early winter painting.

THE CROCHETER, 20X16, OIL

This figure crocheting in a sunny courtyard next to her potted garden seems very quiet and restful when looked at and studied.  It reminded me of things I did when my small children were napping in the Summer afternoons. 

WHITE ORCHID, 10x10, oil

The sun light was catching the ruffled edges of my white Cat. orchid and I love to paint any white object. 

GARDEN SHED, 11x14, oil

The sun light was focused on the stone garden shed.  This was painted entirely with a pallet knife.

GIRL SCOUT CAMP, 12x18, pastel

The Girl Scout Camp is a Hanover treasure and is on the outskirts of Codorus State Park. The camp was almost lost to development several years ago but the community stepped in and it was saved. This little cabin has seen many overnighters and there is a fire ring with benches on the other side of the pond.  I'm sure many memories were made here.   

SNOW DRIFTS, 11x14, oil

Several years ago I painted this scene in pastels but it went missing so I decided to paint it in oils.  The scene is out my back door after deep snow fell during the night. 

RISING SUN, 16x12 oil

 

Cordorus State Park, Pa.

CITY SCAPE FROM WEST FAIRVIEW, 9x12, oil

Yesterday (July 24th) was a beautiful 80 degree day and I painted with the Susquehanna Valley Plein Air Painters in a park across the Susquehanna from Harrisburg, Pa.

FOG OVER THE SUSQUEHANNA

An early Summer day with mist and low clouds over the Susquehanna. www.sharonbenner.com

SUNSET SNOW, 13x17, pastel

The little house in this painting was my friend's grandmother's house.  The house was near Grays Creek, a tributary of the Chesapeake Bay in Md.  www.sharonbenner.com

POTTER'S APPRENTICE, 17x13, Pastel

The Potter's new apprentice has a new look for his studio.   I loved the gesture the figure was making and of course the hair and jewelry. www.sharonbenner.com

THE ENTRY, 12x9, oil

This ornate iron entry was in New Oxford, Pa. and painted from a photo taken in early spring when the red buds were in bloom.

SUSQUEHANNA VISION, 12x13, oil

A new studio painting!  I painted a small study of this scene several years ago while plein air painting at the river's edge.  The scene was quite dramatic and I thought I'd paint it again. I usually don't  post a painting with a frame but this painting is almost square and it was hard to get the entire painting in the camera frame.  

EMERALD COVE, 11X14, OIL

This was painted en plein air at Codorus State Park, Hanover, Pa. near the sailboat ramp.  This quiet, still cove seemed to have an endless array of greens and was a challenge to separate the various temperatures and colors. 

CASCADING ORCHIDS, 17x13, watercolor

Today I experimented with watercolor, working wet into wet.

RASPBERRY BLOSSOMS, 20x16, oil

I've been working on this studio painting for several weeks.  The painting is based on a photo taken last year and the light was an important element in the composition.  I thought I'd post it even though I might make some changes after I live with it for a while.   

FORSYTHIA IN BLOOM, 9x12, oil

Painted en plein air at the Whareheim Mansion gardens in Hanover, Pa.

SPRING LIGHT EFFECTS, 11x14 oil

Early Spring in Codorus State Park was spectacular today.  The trees are just flowering and some green under brush is showing.  I picked this site with it's long shadows crossing the path and the orange/pink color in the flowering tree.

WISTERIA AND AZALEA, 9x12 oil

Hanover, Pa will be celebration its 250th birthday in June and I have been painting scenes of homes and landmarks for the Hanover Area Arts Guild exhibition.  This painting was started in Jan. during a "Demonstration Day" event at the Guild gallery and I finished it today. 

WHERE THE TROLL LIVES, 11x14, Oil

Painted from a photograph taken last summer at Codorus State Park.  This bridge crosses Black Rock Rd. near the Mary Ann Furnace Trail.  Can't wait for Spring to arrive so I can get out and paint! 

THE SHERFY BARN, Gettysburg, 16x20 oil

The Sherfy barn sits on the Gettysburg battlefield surrounded by pastures and fields.   

THE BIG BARN (revised), oil, 12x16

I've been working on this painting to increase the intensity of the evening setting sun light on the barn. I may have reached a point where the painting is overworked and has lost its freshness. Hopefully I have learned a thing or two in the struggle.

THE KLINE THEATER, GETTYSBURG, 9x12, oil

The Kline Theater is on the Gettysburg College Campus.Add caption

Entries for ACAC juried show

I'm mailing off my entries for the Adams County Arts Council, I hope at least one is excepted.

FLOWING GRASSES, oil 12x16

A windy day on the Gettysburg battlefield caused the grasses to move in waves creating beautiful soft colors.

WILD POKE BERRIES, 16x12, oil

Painted from a photo taken last summer at Codorus State Park, Pa. I have been told that the Poke berries were used to make wine "back when." The big, warm yellow and orange leaves are a nice contrast to the black/purple berries.

ANTIQUE ROSES, 12x18, watercolor

I thought I try by hand at watercolor. My loose style with oils can't be shaken so I approached the roses with my usual heavy handed use of paint. I even used some paint right from the tube and the white highlights were achieved with folded sand paper.

SUSPENDED ORCHID, 9X12, COLORED PENCIL

I'm taking a colored pencil class and this is my first attempt. It takes a long time to complete a painting with this medium.

SALTBOX COTTAGE, 11x14, oil by Sharon Benner

I have been painting Gettysburg battlefield landscapes to exhibit at Gallery 30 in Gettysburg during the 150th anniversary. The town will be celebrating all summer 2013. This little house is off Tanytown Rd. on the edge of the battlefield. I will have to ride by to find out who lived there during the battle. I will change the name then.

CEDAR RIDGE, 9x12, oil

A pallet knife painting that was done because of the back light and the overall beauty of the scene.