High Plains Spring

During my summer travels, I was able to study a herd of buffalo near my cabin.  I really enjoyed watching these massive beasts graze the mountain meadows...they were still shedding their winter coats.  This painting was done with brush and palette knives, size 18x22.  Available for purchase.

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Mountain Lake Fishing

Fly fishing gets a bit more challenging when the calm morning mists burn off and the slightest breeze starts to nick the water surface....but, gosh, it is still really a great place to just be alive.  This painting is 18x22, lots of surface action in the paint, primarily palette knife work.  Currently drying in the studio.  Available for purchase.

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Blue Moon Rising

I saw many elk this summer in Colorado...very up close and personal...they were huge!...well, ok, at least much larger than me...and majestic, elegant creatures.  It was amazing to watch them move thru the meadows...and around town, and across the street...They are big enough to go damn near anywhere they want...traffic just stops, and you wait...works for me.  This painting is drying in my studio, 48x36x1.5 gallery canvas.  Available for purchase.

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Ella

This is Ella, the precious pup whose human is my friend, Gail....Both were at the studio not long ago and Ella was waiting so patiently...well, maybe not, but I painted her quickly.  I love that she has one crystal blue and one golden brown eye...she must possess special powers!  Not for sale.
Yes, I do pet commissions!

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Prairie King

The kings of the prairie are one of my favorite subject matters...seeing herds of these majestic beasts is a real treat.  I was recently able to photograph the herd near Evergreen, CO, on a beautiful summer day...lots of great reference material.  This painting is 30 x 24 x 2.5 on extra deep gallery canvas, currently drying in the studio...heavily painted, mostly with palette knives.  I hope you can feel the grasses in the meadow... available for purchase.

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Napping Buddies

I love dogs....they are the only creatures on earth who love us more than themselves...they exist solely to bring joy to our lives.  I firmly believe there are no bad dogs, only bad people.  These two are living the good life, with good people, no doubt....just napping the day away.  Oil on gallery canvas, 12x24x2.5, available for purchase...commissions inquiries for your pet portraits welcome.

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Lily Pads

A recent visit to the Dallas Arboretum inspired this painting of the lily pads blooming in one of the water features.  The sun was dancing on the water, and the flowers lifted their heads to enjoy the day.  This painting is thick w/ paint, done with brush and large palette knives. 22x28, oil on canvas.  Currently displayed at The Dutch Art Gallery in Dallas, TX, it is available for purchase.

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On the Prowl

This bear is on the prowl for lunch...maybe headed to the stream for a little fishing??? (my bears like to fish!) 20x20, oil on canvas, very heavy paint application w/ palette knives.  Available for purchase.

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Good Day Fishing

I've been doing a series of bears fishing...they are usually more successful at this than me.  I like the movement of the water and attempting to catch the moment.  This painting is 12x24.

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Mother and Child

The most amazing thing happened while at the ER with my mother this week (yes, she is fine) ....I was on my way to the studio last Wednesday morning when a doctor phoned and said Mom needed to go to the hospital for tests and that we should come to the ER.  So I diverted to Mom's, picked her up, and headed to the hospital....against her wishes....she was very unhappy that I was going in my painting clothes!  Gasp.  They were clean, but had (you guessed it) spots of paint all over.  Nevermind.  We were admitted and shortly a Dr. Nelson came and administered to Mom.  Then, he looked up and said, "Oh, you must be an artist...Do you happen to know Hans and Pam Massar?"    

me: "Yes, I do, they are my gallery representatives here in Dallas, great people.  Do you go to their gallery?"

him: " yes, frequently...in fact, my wife and I bought the most wonderful painting there recently...let me show you, I keep a photo on my phone!!! We really love this painting, it just lights up our home.  I am embarrassed that I can't remember the artist's name, but we love the painting."

As he looks thru his phone, a lightbulb goes off in my head...

me:  "Do you happen to live near Hans and Pam?"

Him:  "Yes."  He finds the photo and is showing it to the other drs and staff.

me:  "I think I can help you out....that artist is Sharon Hodges and she looks exactly like me!"

hahaha!  You can imagine the rest.  What a total joy to meet someone who has purchased a painting and really loves it.  This was a major piece for me...it is 44x44....and all because I wore my painting clothes to the ER.  :))  Life is good.
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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.

Grabbing Lunch, 30x30, oil

Grabbing lunch is pretty easy if you are a bear and the streams are full of salmon moving upstream to spawning grounds.  It's a little tougher if you are an artist trying to render said scene full of transparent splashing water, wet fur, slimy fish, etc.  What was I thinking?  Gallery canvas 30x30x1.5
To purchase, contact me:  sharon@sharonhodgesfineart.com or text 214-505-2126

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

Playtime, 14x18, oil

Watching the retrievers at the dog park almost allows me to forget how hot it is in Texas this summer.  This one would chase this ball until your arm fell off from throwing it.  The sun was throwing nice reflections in the dark water.  Oil on gallery canvas, 14x18x1.5

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.

Rhia 1 /Rhia with Yellow Chair

Top:  Rhia 1, 24x30, oil on panel

Bottom:  Rhia with Yellow Chair, 28 x 22, oil on panel

OK, so I am taking a life drawing class....I hated figure drawing in college...maybe because it was at 8 in the morning?  Whatever, but I have never liked figure drawing, all the while totally believing that it is a necessary foundation for any artist.  Ok, so I thought I would force myself to pay for the class and endure it.  Lo and behold, I really love this class.  Go figure (pun not intended).  The next step is unavoidable for me, and that is putting those drawings to canvas and adding paint.  What is a painting anyway but drawing with a brush, and then 'pushing' it with color?  So, here we go...it is a learning curve, to be sure, and there is much to learn.  I know, for example, that I have taken liberties with the hands and feet in these two paintings of Rhia...and, frankly, also in the thighs...she is very thin...I never aspired to be a realist, but I would like to get the gesture and the feeling commuted from my eyes/hand to the paper or canvas...so we will see how that goes.  Feel free to comment positive or negative, I am open to all opinions.  Thanks for looking!

If you have interest in purchasing these or other works, please contact me.