Photos Inspire Sharon Watercolor Artist's Paintings

A stuffed bear purchased in Venice inspired Sharon resident Lynne Atwood to photograph it.

Atwood's photo became the basis for a painting she did -- and which a Mansfield bank now displays.

The watercolor artist has the latest exhibit at the  in Mansfield.

Atwood's paintings are on display during July, August and September.

As of Friday, the works, which are for sale, included "Bear in Venice," based on a stuffed bear Atwood said her son bought her as a gift while they vacationed there.

"I decided I should photograph (the bear). So, I put him on the window sill of our hotel in Venice, and it looks like he's waving to the crowd," Atwood said Friday.

"So, I call him 'Bear in Venice.'"

A Sharon resident for the past 20 years, Atwood has also displayed her work at such venues as the Lakeside Gallery at the .

"I paint constantly," Atwood said.

"I've been painting for 30 years."

Atwood said her paintings often are inspired by photographs she takes. "Bear in Venice" is one example.

She said she typically paints people and animals.

"If it's a landscape, then it's got to have something of interest in it," Atwood said.

Sharon residents may find one painting of a scene familiar.

"These are doorways in Sharon," Atwood said.

"These are just doorways I thought were charming, just walking down the street on a June day."