The Magic Of Art…

Tags

art, black, black and white, black and white abstract, contemporary art, home decor, modern art, modern decor, modern decorating, smoke, ultra modern art, waves, white

A little “Black Magic” in my art…

Black Magic 306

Acrylic Painting

Sharon Cummings

 

Pathway To Zen…

Tags

buddha, buddhism, buddhist, meditation, ocean, sea, waves, yoga, zen, zen art, zen meditation, zen painting, zen prints

The Urban Dictionary describes zen as a total state of focus that incorporates a total togetherness of body and mind. Zen is a way of being. It also is a state of mind. Zen involves dropping illusion and seeing things without distortion created by your own thoughts.

I have been finding myself more and more in a zen like state lately.  The air is salty and the water is cool.  My hands search for the past through shells and rocks dredged from the earth beneath the sea.  As fossils emerge, work fades to the background. Pain and sorrow recedes with each wave.  Joy replaces all emptiness and I become one with all there is.  The path is becoming more clear…

Find Your Pathway To Zen Here

G.O.O.D. Memories…

Tags

animal, animals, aquarium, art, beach, beach house, beachy, blue, bright, coastal, coastal decor, coastal living, coastline, color, colorful, colorful animal art, Colorful Art, colors, cottage, cute fish, decor, fish, fun, happy, hippocampus, horse, kids, marine life, nautical, nursery, ocean, oceanic, primary, primary colors, red, scuba, sea, sea horse, seahorse, seahorses, snorkeling, summer, summer vacation, surf, sweet, swimming, tropical, tropical decor, tropical fish, underwater, waves

“Colorful Seahorse”

Mixed Media Art

Sharon Cummings

2014

I know today is all about 911 and that most people will be talking about that horrific event in American History.  It is burned into my memory mainly because I had a little girl in kindergarten at the time and I can recall vividly rushing to her school with all of the other panicked moms.  Hugging my Muslim friends who had removed their Hijabs out of fear of attack.  It was indeed awful.  Explaining that to a child was beyond comprehension.

So today I take you back to my kindergarten year and good memories that I hope will make you smile on this day.  I grew up the first half of my childhood on Siesta Key, FL.  We did not have an ocean view as we were not wealthy, but a very modest home on one of the side streets.  Right next door was a fish market that would smoke mullet all day.  When bored, I would wander over there and if I smiled cutely, they’d give me a sample of their fish.  It was so yummy.  But what I remember most is that they had this vertical fish tank in the corner of their store.  It was filled with tropical fish and mainly seahorses.  I was so intrigued by how they swam with such small fins.  I would watch them for hours.  One day I noticed one of the very “fat” seahorses was making jerking motions and much to my delight he was having babies!!  I squealed with so much joy that all of the customers rushed over to look in the tank with me.

I remember the proprietor asking me if I wanted a little tank of my own with some of their seahorses to care for.  I did, but then I thought about it and decided i didn’t.  It was much more satisfying to sit and watch the fish over there and besides, I wouldn’t get free seafood goodies at home. 😉

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

S.U.M.M.E.R. Blues…

Tags

art, beach, beach home, beach house, buy, canvas, clouds, coast, coastal, coastline, fl, florida, heaven, heavenly, heavenly light, landscape, light, maritime, ocean, online, paintings, prints, ray, rays, sarasota, sarasota beach, sarasota florida, sea, seascape, sharon cummings, Siesta Key Beach, sky, spirit, spiritual, summer, summer vacation, sun, sun beam, sun beams, sun rays, sunbeam, sunbeams, sunlight, sunset, swim, swimming, vacation, waves

I’ve got the Summer blues.  I am not talking about the sad kind.  I am referring to the azure skies and blue aqua tint of the ocean waves of Florida.  There is also the deeper blue gray of rain in the distance that tends to come around 5:00 pm each day.  I am in Venice right now enjoying the salty air and cooler breezes that provide the only reprieve from the stifling heat.  This morning we went out and swam in the choppy swells.  The temperature was perfect and the sun was hidden behind the clouds for a few hours.  I would apologize for my frequent absences from my blog, marketing and work in general.  But I am far from sorry.  I’ve worked hard for this and can finally live the life I’ve always envisioned.  I am spending as much time as possible at the beach this year. It’s just heavenly…

Pssst…I’ve Got a S.E.C.R.E.T.

Tags

abstract art, art, artists, artwork, blue, blue and white, blue and white paintings, blue and white prints, blue and withe art, blue art, blue paintings, blue prints, contemporary art, creativity, faabest, flow, light, light art, light prints, modern art, original art, original painting, originality, painting, pure water, secrets, sharon cummings, tips, water, water art, water paintings, water prints, wave, waves, white, white art, white paintings, white prints

The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources.
Albert Einstein 

Every few days I open an email from another artist asking me “how did you do that?”  They want to know my techniques, my materials and…if I am not too busy…some personal instruction.  I have never felt an obligation to share my secrets with others.  To me the joy and fun of creating is to explore…try unusual things….find your art. Copying may be the greatest form of flattery, but somehow I never feel flattered when I see someone attempting to duplicate my work.  It’s almost like seeing your husband with another woman.  I feel violated.  I developed my styles the hard way….by trial and error.  I have spent many years marketing myself and building a strong following.  My work is branded well and people recognize it as mine.  So if you want to know my secret…it’s this….be your own artist….find your own voice….spend some money on a variety of materials and explore what is inside you.  Be inspired by others if you must, but always be original.  Like the quote above says “hide” your sources.  Make your inspired work so much your own that it will not be identified as someone else’s. 🙂

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

The Surprise…

Tags

art, art prints, Artist, beach, beach art, beach house, beach prints, beach themed art, clouds, digital photography, faabest, heaven, heavenly, ocean, people, photographs, photography, photos, prints, sea, seaside, sharon cummings, sky, summer, sunset, sunset art, sunset photography, sunset prints, sunsets, vacation, water, waves

When I was a little girl, I was fascinated with photography.  I had my little Kodak Ektra camera and I would take quick snaps everywhere I went.  The most exciting part of the process was always going to the drug store to pick up the developed photographs.  Back then there was no one hour photo.  It took about 5 days and the anticipation would drive me crazy!  I would constantly ask my Mom if they were ready yet.  Then I would revel at the surprise shot.  The one that wasn’t anticipated.  A casual shot that turned out to be a “wow”.  Today it isn’t much different.  I still take snaps wherever I go whenever something catches my eye.  And then when I get home, the anticipation of downloading them on my computer is the same as when I was young.  The only difference is now I wait mere minutes instead of days.  Recently I had a beach getaway where I took over 300 shots and this was the “surprise”…the “wow” shot….

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Making W.A.V.E.S…

Tags

abstract, abstract art, angel, angels, blue, blue abstract, blue and green, blue art, blue green, calm, cold, contemporary, contemporary art, contrast, earth, earthy, flowing, flowing water, geometrical, god, gray, green, green abstract, green contemporary, green modern, high contrast, huge, large, light, light green, love, loving, metaphysical, modern, modern art, mountains, mural, mural size, natural, nature, ocean beach, pale green, romantic, snow, spiritual, textural, texture, tranquil, tranquility, warm, waves, white, yoga

Summer is in full swing and I am headed to the beach for a few days.  It’s already pretty hot, but for us Floridians, it is the perfect time to splash in the surf.  The water is nice and cool and the tourists have all gone home.  Enjoy my latest painting “Making Waves” while I enjoy some of my own. 🙂

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Do You DANCE?

Tags

abstract art, abstract paintings, abstract prints, abstract wall art, art, beach, beautiful, beautiful art, beautiful prints, blue, blue and white, blue and white art, blue and white paintings, blue and white prints, blue and withe art, blue art, blue paintings, blue prints, buy, buy art online, flow, light, light art, light prints, ocean, ocean art, ocean prints, online, pure water, wall, water, water art, water paintings, water prints, waves, white, white art, white paintings, white prints

 

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/water-dance-blue-and-white-art-by-sharon-cummings-sharon-cummings.html

I’ve always been a dancer, but mostly behind closed doors.  When I was young I learned how to square dance in school.  But that kind of movement never moved me.  I also taught aerobic classes for quite a few years and while it did involve some rhythmic body steps, it was not quite tripping the light fantastic.  When I paint, I always start out with some simple jumps and steps to music to loosen me up.  I listen while I work and take breaks now and again to get my body in sync with the melody that is currently playing.  And I finish with my own type of dancing.  To me art has always been a type of dance…..  

On The Rocks…

Tags

adorable, beach, bear, bears, break, children�s toy, collectible, collection, compassion, cute, furry, generosity, giving, gratitude, high tide, kid, kids, ocean, plush, rock, rocks, sea, soft, stuffed animal, Stuffed toy, sweet, teddie, teddie bear, teddy, Teddy bear, teddybear, tide, tides, toy, Toys, wave, waves, whimsical

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/on-the-rocks-teddy-bear-art-by-william-patrick-and-sharon-cummings-sharon-cummings.html

This time of year when I am busy working like one of Santa’s elves and hustling about trying to get my Holiday shopping done, it is easy to forget that so many people in our world, country, state, city and neighborhood will not be having a “merry” Christmas.  For many just getting to their next meal is a blessing.  However, every year the Universe sends me a reminder to be giving.  To show compassion and love.  There is always a homeless person I encounter each year whose eyes speak to me in a way I cannot adequately explain.  I almost feel as if it is God looking back at me saying, “I have given so much to you, will you give something back?”  I always give large bills even though they are asking only for spare change.  I also make a point to touch them by gently squeezing their hands and making eye contact.  I speak to them.  There is something so humbling in seeing their eyes light up and the sheer gratitude they exude. Some say….”oh they will just go and buy booze with that money.”  That may be true, but one thing I am very certain about is that God did not place me on this earth to judge others and to determine my generosity based on what the recipient might or might not do with my compassion.  I am simply called to be so…..

Playing With Toys…

Tags

adorable, beach, bear, bears, break, children�s toy, Christmas, christmas gift ideas, christmas gifts, collectible, collection, cute, furry, gift, gifts, Hanukkah, hanukkah gift ideas, Hanukkah gifts, high tide, holiday gifts, kid, kids, ocean, plush, rock, rocks, sea, soft, stuffed animal, Stuffed toy, sweet, teddie, teddie bear, teddy, Teddy bear, teddybear, tide, tides, toy, Toys, wave, waves, whimsical

 

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/beach-bum-teddy-bear-art-by-william-patrick-and-sharon-cummings-sharon-cummings.html

Why do we outgrow toys?  I remember fondly my stuffed animal collection from my childhood.  I had over 100!  Each one had a name and a special order on my bed.  They had to go in the right order.  O.k….I have OCD, but I do treasure the comfort I got from hugging them tightly when I was down.  There was a delight in the feel of soft fur under my hands.  And sometimes they were a friendly face to talk to when I had secrets to share.  My daughter is 17 but she still loves her fake fur babies.  She squealed with delight when I brought her a soft stuffed alpaca from a recent trip!  I hope she never loses this love for them.  There is no need….and you can recall those memories with these images if the real deal seams a little not so grown up. 😉

 

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/on-the-rocks-teddy-bear-art-by-william-patrick-and-sharon-cummings-sharon-cummings.html

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/these-are-for-you-cute-teddy-bear-art-by-william-patrick-and-sharon-cummings-sharon-cummings.html

My husband, William Patrick, and I play with toys and photography together….seems we have not outgrown them after all!