STONE BRIDGE, 9x12, oil

A plein air painting of a small stone bridge that connected two pastures.  The farm was in Fairfield, Pa. 

RESTING SADDLE, 16x20, pastel

I recently painted at a farm in Gettysburg and after painting the barn and some gas tanks I spied this saddle sitting on a fence.  I initially did a quick 9x6 oil painting and from that painting I created this pastel painting in the studio. 

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. 

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

FORSYTHIA IN BLOOM, 9x12, oil

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

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 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

CEDAR RIDGE, 9x12, oil

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

SMELL THE HONEYSUCKLE, 12x16, oil

The fragrant honeysuckle grows everywhere in Pennsylvania and I have smelled this vine as I have painted en plein air at Cordorus State Park.  This was painted from a photo in my studio. 

NOVEMBER'S COLD, oil, 12x16

An early morning depiction of the Conawago Creek, Hanover, Pa.

PATHWAY

A plein air painting in March.  I choose this simple scene to get started painting out of doors again.  After painting in the studio for much of the winter, it is hard to look at the landscape and eliminate what is not needed to create harmony and say what you want to convey to the viewer.

SNOW DRIFTS, 9 x 12 Pastel

I like the way snow patterns are created when the wind blows.  Painted in 2011 from my back door.

Smoke House, Gettysburg, 9x12, Oil

Painted in August at a farm on the Battlefield in Gettysburg.  This painting along with four other plein air paintings will be exhibited at the Mechanicsburg Art Center's Susquehanna Valley Plein Air Painters show for the month of December, 2011.  18 Artcraft Rd. Mechanicsburg, Pa.