Thursday, January 05, 2012

Painting New Subjects

Happy 2012!

I was one of those students who fell asleep during history class. Fast forward many, many years and I now find myself fascinated with the rich history permeating my new home of Saratoga Springs, New York. Not just about horse racing, many of the town's legendary characters were involved in gambling establishments apart from the track. Everything here has a story including the diverse neighborhoods and impressive "summer homes".  Fortunately, there is no shortage of historians who've done all the work for us providing documentation about these historic mansions beginning with the year they were built, by whom and the successive ownership up to the present. So many contain a juicy and notorious history.

Fuller House, oil on canvas, 16"x20"

Unbelievably, many of these beautiful homes fell into disrepair and were slated for the wrecking ball. When the current owners rescued the Fuller House, it had no air conditioning or heat - a true summer home. The spidery tree shadows falling on the building created the eerie yet intriguing inspiration for this painting.

Carriage House, oil on canvas, 11"x14"

You should see the main house! I love the tall pines casting their shadows on this lovely back building with an interesting round window containing a star. I was informed by a local realtor that the current owners are wintering in Palm Beach. Sigh.

I won't be painting houses for long as new projects have developed and then there's the muse and that incessant calling...

I wish you all a 2012 that's more profitable, joyful, loving and filled with new opportunity.
Love, Sharon


2 comments:

Judy said...

Oh myt...I must ask......these are 'new?' How do you get these beautiful paintings done so quickly? Love all your work. Hope to see them in person very soon!

Sharon Crute said...

That's what I do Judy, slap paint on canvas all day every day! I'm so blessed to have the support of all my new friends here in my new home. Love this place! Let's get together and "do" lunch sometime next week.