Here's Looking at You

Hmmm...wolf in the woods, I would hope that I see him and that it is a mutual respect thing.  This is a small sketch in anticipation of a larger painting. 5x7, oil on panel $150.  Please contact me if interested in purchase.

No Escape, 22x28, oil

Another bear out for a quick meal...still experimenting w/ techniques to render the water.

Untitled, 10x20, Sold

Bears.....I am painting a series of bears, mostly fishing for salmon.  If you have ever had the good fortune to see this, it is really a staggering experience.  Thankfully, the bears are more interested in the salmon than the people, and the salmon are plentiful, and that is a very good thing.  I want to show the force of the water, the power of the bears, and the determination of these salmon...some of whom lose their uphill battle to the bears, but many more manage to return to their original nesting grounds to spawn and die...quite a life cycle.  This is not a great photograph, but this painting sold and this was the only photo I have.

Sunflowers, 30x24, oil

More sunflowers.  They are such happy flowers. The challenge of clear glass vases is always fun to paint.  30x24x2.5 gallery canvas

Late Summer, 11x14, oil

Late summer field of sunflowers, painted from last year's trip to Provence.  This just brings back good memories of some beautiful lazy days in a lovely area.

Friends, 30x24, oil

I am particularly partial to labrador retrievers, as my canine companion is a much loved chocolate lab.  These three are ready to hunt, just waiting for the command to 'retrieve' their quarry.  Anyone who has hunted with a well trained dog appreciates the excitement and joy that the dog brings to the job...it is really beautiful to watch!  My dog hunts nothing more than the newspaper and she is always so thrilled with her accomplishment!!!!!...and so am I, bless her heart!  30x24x2.5 gallery canvas

Naptime, 14x18, oil

Dogs have a way of flopping down and making themselves totally comfortable...that deep, shoulder slumping sigh before they fall fast asleep always makes me jealous of their pure contentment.  That is what I am trying to capture in this snoozing canine.

Establishing Dominance, 16x20, oil

Yikes, these rival wolves have issues...don't we all?  I am enjoying painting animals, and thought I should post a few of these efforts.  Trying to render fur in all its different forms is challenging. I still want to paint loosely and will always take some liberties with color...16x20x1.5, oil on gallery canvas.

For more information, email me:  sharon@sharonhodgesfineart.com.

Basket Weaver, 24x24x2

Another of the native American series...a woman weaving baskets, this being a study for a larger piece that will show some of her baskets all around her...I think the forms will be interesting in the strong light.  My favorite thing about these paintings is the costuming, if you will...the opportunity to work with the colors and textures of decoration and draping of the clothing...not that it has to be luxurious, but just the layers and variety of fabrics and colors and the excuse to pile on the paint and smash it around...this will get expensive as these canvases get expansive, but I think the larger scale will be yield looser drawing...I am trying to get farther and farther away from the canvas with the brushwork...to the point of adding extensions to my large brushes... (can you say stick this brush into a 3-4 foot bamboo cutting?  Now that, friends, will get you away from the canvas!)

See my website for better views of this and other work. Thanks for looking at my art!  Best, Sharon

Woman with Red Scarf, 30x24

I am back to painting the native American series, and I like this one...she is strong, and proud, and handsome. I plan to post this on my website and activate the zoom feature, so that you can better see the brushwork.  There is alot of paint on this canvas.  I am especially enjoying the textural opportunities presented by the rendering of the clothing and hair ornaments.  Contact me for more info.  Thanks for looking at my work.  Kind regards, Sharon

Salon Woman with Accessorie Pomeranian, 30x24, by Sharon Hodges

I woke up with different brain cells firing today....and this is what came off the easel. Who knew? Definitely more abstracted than recent work and alot of fun. I may expand this as a series of paintings 'ripped from the pages of my sketchbook'. I love how paper looks when it is ripped off of spiral bound books...especially heavy drawing paper. This is painted with oil paints and oil sticks, like giant crayons. I LOVE those. Please visit my website, and contact me if your are interested in this or other paintings.

Proud on the Prairie, by Sharon Hodges, 54x48

My goal here was to show the proud native American Indian woman rising from the prairie...ok, so I got really carried away with all the textures and the layers of paint...if you don't believe me, look at this painting on my new website and use the zoom feature. I do love lots of paint. The feathers may be my favorite part, just layers and layers of bits of color. And I love the strong features of this figure. Painting faces is always challenging , but I am pleased with this one's expressive bearing...I'm going to keep working on this series. This painting is large, it stretched to 54x48, on gallery stretchers. Please contact me if you have interest in this work, and thanks for looking!

Mother and Son

I have always been intrigued with the first Americans, the native Americans, and stories of their lives were my favorite reading subject as a child. I often chose to write my school reports about these peoples, so it may not be surprising that I have finally chosen to paint this subject. It is intimidating. I am particularly interested in native American women, who had more critical roles in daily tribal life than many of us would ever have imagined. While I am not in a position to render a great deal of scholarly information on the subject, I am enjoying painting these women...they are strong featured and often have interesting clothing and ornament. This painting is 44x44, currently mounted on gallery stretched canvas. If you have interest in this painting, please contact me. Please also visit my new website.  This painting can also be seen on page 64 of the April 2011 Western Art Collector magazine.

Liza, 18x24, NFS

My husband and I were guests of our god-daughter's family last summer at Sea Island, GA, for a wonderful beach vacation. My favorite photo from that trip is of our god-daughter, Liza, when she was playing on the beach, writing her name in the sand. As this posts, Liza will be the flower girl in my oldest niece's wedding, so we will all be together in Florida for the big event. This painting is a gift to Liza's parents. If you have interest in other paintings or commissions, please contact me.

Retrieving Dilemma, 18x24

Still painting the retriever, and she has a real dilemma here. Should she keep the wonderful stick, or drop it for that great lime green tennis ball? Tough choice. This particular dog will try to put both in her mouth and will likely succeed. She has a great heart. I hope I have captured just a hint of the brief moment of her indecision. SOLD

What Color is your Buffalo?, 24x30

Yes, I am still painting the large beasts of the western plains, albeit not in their native colors. My buffalo(s) are turquoise/ lilac, orange, etc, and it makes a good contrast to the early winter grasses, yes? I like the repetition of the hulking form, and would like to paint it larger, much, much larger...a herd, large herd of multi colored buffalo.....Thanks for viewing my work. If you are interested in purchasing this or any other painting, please do contact me.

Red-Gold Still Life, 30x24

OK, loved painting this still life.....and definitely need to paint more of them. Sometimes I think that the still life genre sounds so very boring, but honestly, I just loved doing this. I realize that the 'real' items are more 'still' than my brush work, but it is the brush work that brings it to life for me. Sold.

Chama River, 20 x 16

Thick paint, this may not dry til next year....but I like where this is going....it just feels right. It began from an old photo taken at the Chama River in New Mexico. The topography there is so wonderful...it is no wonder so many artists live and work in that area of New Mexico. I want to make more paintings in this genre...I just like the way the paint feels. If you are interested in purchasing this painting, please contact me.

Cafe Cat, 20 x 16

I am enjoying painting with lots of luscious, heavy paint.....it really is all about the paint. Something is changing in my painting. We will just see where this goes. Sold.

Trinity River Cactus, 14x11x2

This is a small work on panel, a study of cactus found along the river's edge last summer. My studio group is mounting a show at the Texas Discovery Gardens at the Texas State Fair. The show will be on display thru December 31, 2010, so if you go to the State Fair, stop by and see the show. The art show is free, and the building itself is wonderful, as are the fabulous gardens, and the Butterfly Exhibit. If you are interested in purchasing this painting, you can do so at the Texas Discover Gardens, or just contact me.