The Daily Muse by Susan Martin Spar

In Balance

2012-01-29T17:26:00.000-08:00

I was going to call this painting "Ode to David Gray" as it was his style and palette that inspired this piece. But I changed my mind and it became "In Balance" instead.

I enjoyed the challenge of rendering the muted colors and edges in this piece. The color temperature was very challenging but I think I did a pretty good job overall. Fun.

Portrait, Oil on Board

2011-09-07T17:56:00.000-07:00

"Thoughts of Spring"

Every artist has a favorite model and Amber is without a doubt, mine. She has beautiful bone structure and at the same time a certain softness about her that makes her a pleasure to draw and paint. I did this portrait from a photo that was taken some time back when Amber was pregnant with her son Joshua. It was a rainy, cold day and Amber was standing at the window on a short break. It was the perfect shot so I asked her to hold still while I adjusted the camera. I took hundreds of photos that day but this one was the best. I prefer to work from life, but often my budget or time do not make that possible. Photos can sometimes lead to a stiff or an unnatural looking portrait. This is because when you work from life, the model moves. So the work tends to be a composite of many poses which come together to lend the portrait a certain sense of life. Photos, on the other hand, don't move and this can cause the eye to focus on each portion of the photo separately making for a hard lined and fragmented painting. I think, however, that I managed to retain Amber's special qualities as well as her quiet moment of hopefulness in this portrait.

Portrait, Oil on Linen

2011-09-04T09:36:00.000-07:00

Portrait of Jenna

This small portrait was originally meant to be a two or three day study. The model was sitting for a three or four week pose and my intentions were to do a couple of different studies from different positions. For this reason, the lay in was done in paint rather than taking the time for a careful drawing. However the block in came out so well that my teacher suggested I follow through with it and make it a three week full portrait. I can see changes I'd like to make on it now, but over all it came out pretty well. I love working from life but the reality is that it's hard to do unless you have several people willing to help pay for the pose. Three to four weeks is a long time. I suppose as I improve, it will take less time.

Nude Figure Painting, Oil on Linen

2011-08-31T19:52:00.000-07:00

"Morning Thoughts"

This piece was one of the last ones done at school before the summer break. A limited palette of only a few colors was used here. I was quite happy with this piece although I think I still have a long way to go.

Male Nude

2011-08-08T18:33:00.000-07:00

This piece was done during the school year and was one of my first limited palette paintings. The model is "Hoagie", a gentleman who poses for most of the schools and ateliers in the Seattle area. While I still have a ways to go here, I felt that I was beginning to turn the corner with this piece.

Venus de Milo

2011-07-31T13:03:00.000-07:00

One of the projects we had to do at school before starting on Limited Palette, was a cast study of warm and cool light. At first glance, this appears to be a black and white painting, but if you look closer, you will see warm orangy tones in it. Done with an extremely limited palette of burnt sienna, Ultramarine Blue, Naples Yellow and flake white (no black), my job was to paint as accurately as I could, the values and the relative temperature changes I saw in the cast. The project took about a month or two and marked the end of my mostly monochromatic months at the atelier.

Still Life Study of Chinese Tea Pot and Rose Hips, 12" x 11"

2011-07-26T18:49:00.000-07:00

It's been a very busy and hectic year. While I've been a full time artist for years, sometimes working 60 hour weeks, I never dreamed that the top item on my bucket list could be more stressful than that. Attending an atelier is both an exhillerating and exhausting journey. I attend four days a week (day five I have to teach at my own studio so I have enough money to attend school the other four). Because I live so far from Seattle where Georgetown Atelier is located, I have to spend those three nights with a friend and a relative. Then I drive the three hours home late on Thursday after class.

I'm on a brief vacation now and I have quite a few pieces I'll be posting over the coming weeks to show off a bit. This small piece which is only about 11" x 12" is a small color study for a larger still life I'm still working on at school. We generally do these as they help to iron out problems which occur during the painting process before we actually get to them. Some areas didn't come out well in the photo. Another student took them at the atelier during the past two weeks and forwarded this to me so I can't account for the the faded area in the lower right hand corner. But otherwise, it's a good representation. The edges need a bit of work and you can tell it's not a finished painting in and of itself, but over all, I'm pretty happy with it. The large piece is proving to be quite a challenge. I'll post it when it's done and perhaps share some of it's development along the way.

Reclining Nude, Oil on Linen

2011-04-07T14:53:00.000-07:00

"Imaginings" Although I've been turning out a lot of studies and small pieces for school, I haven't produced anything I deemed worthy of posting. I liked this piece though. It's the last monochromatic piece I produced before heading into a limited palette and warm/cool temperature studies. It was four weeks in the making and I hope you like it. I'll be making some changes later based on suggestions by my instructor and I'll post them once I do. I have 12 weeks left until the sumnmer break and I'm feeling a lot like a horse headed home to the stable. I'll be glad when the summer comes.

Painting of Sea Cliffs, 24" x 36", Oil on Canvas

2010-10-22T17:57:00.000-07:00

"The Bluffs at Dungeness"

Well, OK. I never seem to find the time to do this anymore. But I do have a really crazy schedule. I'm attending Georgetown Atelier in Seattle three days a week, teaching all day Friday, doing homework Saturday and Sunday and Monday I run a life drawing group so I can get some more practice in. Phew.

The Blue Whole Gallery in Sequim, where I show, is having a gala auction event as a fund raiser next Saturday. I managed to squeeze this out toward the end of my summer vacation and frame it just in time. It was accepted for live auction so I'm pretty happy. The interesting thing about this piece is that it was painted using just three colors and white. A very limited palette. But it goes to show how nicely this technique lends itself to a cohesive painting with good color harmony. It's a donation and I truly hope it raises some money for the event.

Charcoal and White Chalk Nude Figure, 10" x 14" on Paper

2010-06-26T16:42:00.000-07:00

"Veronica"
nfs

We had our student show at Georgetown Atelier just a week or two ago. It was a grand success and I'm proud to say that we're getting some notice now at places like Gage Academy where Juliette Aristedies teaches and some of the finest instructors and students turn out notable work. For a brand new atelier just starting up, we already have a good number of applications for the fall. I'm happy to report that I'm planning on attending three days a week instead of just two next year. I feel that the additional time spent in life drawing can only lead to improvement.

"Veronica" was one of the pieces I turned out this year. There's a lot more going on in the half tones than appears here. I've had some difficulty in picking them up with the camera.

I've had little time to paint this year with all the time spent at school and teaching my own classes. I hope with the summer break to be able to get some easel time in.

I just attended a three day workshop led by John Clarke from the American Society of Aviation Painters. It was on perspective. Coupled with some evening lectures by Michael Grimaldi on Human Anatomy for the Artist, I feel like I have some pretty good tools for my tool box. I intend to spend some time this summer brushing up on color and doing some plein aire painting. The weather here has finally started to warm a bit. Can you believe I'm still wearing a wind breaker in the mornings when I walk? And it's flannel lined! This is the last week of classes at the atelier so I'm getting in gear for the upcoming Studio Tour. Hope you can drop by for a visit during the weekend of July 16, 17 and 18th. I'll be painting in the studio and I'd love to see you!
Click here to find out more.

Sunset Landscape Painting, ll" x 14", Oil on Board

2010-04-24T16:30:00.000-07:00

"The Way Home"

I love that time of day when the light is low and shadows are long. The violets and reds in the landscape are especially prevalent and the shadows warm. This piece was done largely from imagination. It's really one of many places I have built in my head and where I go when I need a litle peace. Hope you like it.

Currently NFS because I need to build up some images for this year's studio tour in July. Giclee prints are available in sizes to order. Email me if you're interested.

Impressionist Painting of Dogwood Flowers, 8" x 10", Oil on Canvas

2010-03-06T14:36:00.000-08:00

"Dazzle"

It's really been a long while since I have found the time to indulge in a small floral. I'm a little rusty but once things got moving, the flowers flowed off my brush. I chose these Dogwoods because I enjoy the crisp white blooms that stand out against a darker background. I put in the yellow tablecloth to brighten things up a bit. With the Seqim Arts Studio Tour coming up in July, I have to start getting things framed and some new work complted. I've targeted Saturday afternoon for that task and hope to put out some new landscapes as well before the awaited date. I'm keeping to small formats for these, but framing them with wide mats and thin gold frames. They look spiffy.

As we get closer to the date, I'll start posting work that will be exclusive to the show and also links to maps and guides for the tour. The studio tour is being held during the Sequim Lavendar Festival. It's a huge event and we have all kinds of wonderful things happening from wine tasting to Jazz in the Alley scheduled for the long weekend. Anyone interested should contact the Sequim Chamber of Commerce.

Charcoal Drawing of Male Nude, 11" x 15" on Paper

2010-03-05T14:23:00.000-08:00

"Sleep"

School has had me so busy, I've not had much easel time for pursuing my own desires. However, it did finally occur to me that I could be posting some of the academic work that I have been doing. So here's one of a charcoal drawing I completed recently. The stuff is so fragile, I lost quite a bit of the rendering in just getting it home from Seattle, however, enough remains that I was able to photograph it for you. Hope you like it. At least you know I haven't been making all this school stuff up.

Landscape Painting of Santa Ynez River and Oaks, 11" x 14", Pastel on Board

2010-02-13T16:12:00.000-08:00

"Evening on the Santa Ynez"
NFS

This winter has been flying by. Between school and teaching, I've been busy working with a committee to create a brochure and advertisements for the upcoming Fourth Annual Sequim Arts Open Studio Tour. As a result, it finally dawned on me that I had better start squeezing some time out of the easel in preparation for this event which is only five months away. Here's a little landscape I worked on last week. I have yet to scan and make prints available, but at least the original is done.

Painting of Ancient Teapot and fruit, 11" x 14", Oil on Panel

2010-01-22T14:45:00.000-08:00

"Old but not forgotten"
Currently NFS

I've been so busy since the holidays I've hardly had a day to spare. But as I just finished this piece as an entry for a show, I decided I'd better take the time to post it. This piece was definitely not a daily painting. While some parts were done partially ala prima, for the most part, it took me several long sittings to finish. Photographing Oils is always a challenge as they tend to reflect light. It's so hard to prevent this from occuring that it can take me a week or more before I can create the right lighting situation to photograph them. This is the best I was able to accomplish. Hope it works for the competition.

School continues to be a challenge and a passion. I spend two days in Seattle now and then race home to teach two classes back to back on Wednesday. Not much time left for other things. Hope you like this. Next piece is a pastel landscape.

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year

2009-12-24T11:05:00.000-08:00

It's Christmas Eve and I'm scurrying about trying to get ready to visit with friends this evening, attend church (yes - I'm Jewish but my husband is Baptist and our friends are all a mix!) and then host a small gathering tomorrow. I'd like to take this opportunity from my hectic schedule to wish all of you a very merry Christmas - Happy Chaunuka and a healthy and more prosperous New Year. As always, we hold in our hearts and prayers the many men and women who are serving our country both here and abroad. My heartfelt thanks to all of you for sharing in this journey I enbarked on some three years ago. I'm so happy to share it with you all.

Oil Painting of White Orchids and Red Tapestry, 13" x 21.5", Oil on Unstretched Canvas

2009-12-05T13:05:00.000-08:00

"Balance"
I've been meaning to do a wall hanging for some time. A recent trip to Korea gave me the nudge I needed to get started. I chose some unstretched canvas for the job and then got busy. This painting is not yet for sale as I need to add the fabric and tassels that will complete it as a wall hanging. To see how this painting was done, to www.musensbysusan.blogspot.com and follow the links.

Oil Painting of Peonies and Lace Tablecloth with fruit, 21" x 24", Oil on Panel

2009-11-28T17:38:00.000-08:00

"Peonies and Old English Lace"
This painting is available. Email me for pricing and information.

I've been working on this piece for some time but because of time constraints and an impossible schedule, I'm only getting around to publishing it today.

As you've no doubt noticed, I'm not publishing very much at all these days. School and teaching have me completely tied up and then with only four days left in the week, I'm only getting to paint what I please about one or two days a week. Hence, no time for daily painting. While I mourn the loss of visibility and, obviously sales, I'm truly flourishing in the academic environment. I just love attending Georgetown Atelier and teaching has become more exciting and rewarding for me as a result.

I'll be renaming this blog to something more appropriate soon and am considering withdrawing from DailyPainters.com unless I can find the time to publish more often. I hope, despite that, that you will opt to still receive my blog posts. I have truly loved doing business and sharing my work with all of you and hope to someday be able to give you more paintings on a regular basis. However, school is a long time committment for me and as I wish to open an atelier of my own some day, this is an opportunity I must take advantage of while I still can do so.

I still intend to publish to the blog smaller pieces for occasional sale and pastels as they become available. As I am required to produce for the Blue Whole Gallery in Sequim, I will still be posting a few times a month.

Landscape Painting of Meadow and Stream at Sunrise, Unframed Image 5" x 7"

2009-10-30T18:11:00.001-07:00

"Landscape Variation No. 2"

Here's the second variation on the landscape theme I've been playing with. This is also available with three options - framed with matt, unframed with a matt, unframed with no matt.

For those of you who have wanted to purchase a pastel but have been concerned about the piece being ruined or smeared before you could frame it, this is a good opportunity to purchase a pastel without worry. The small frame fully protects the piece under glass and it's framed size of 8" x 10" is great for hanging in small out of the way places which won't accommodate a larger piece.

Pastel Landscape of Trees and Stream, Image 5" x 7"

2009-10-28T17:24:00.000-07:00

"Variation No. 1"

I've just returned from a trip to South Korea. This trip was part of a military revisit tour offered by Korea to all veterans who fought in the Korean War. Korea generously paid all expenses (except airfare). It was wonderful to experience the profound gratitude of these energetic and productive people for the sacrifices made by our soldiers on their behalf. I could go on and on here, but that's not the point of this post.

Just prior to leaving I had started a project where I have been working on doing variations of one landscape in pastel. The point of this exercise is to push boundaries and see what I can come up with. Because my time is the studio is limited to four days, I have been seeing what I can do to reduce the time spent on the small pieces I post here. These pieces are pastel and because they are small studies I thought I would give prospective buyers some options.

You may purchase the pieces unframed with a double matt, Framed with a Matt and Unframed with no matt. The prices are listed on the drop down menu above. I hope to be doing about 50 pieces as part of this color study. If you are interested in purchasing more than one with a price break, just email me and I'll be happy to quote you a price.

While this piece is shown in a dark cherry frame, a limited number are also available in oak frames. Email me if you'd like a photo of the piece in an oak frame before purchasing.

Oil painting of roses in a Green Ginger Jar with violet shadows, Oil on Panel, 8" x 10"

2009-10-15T17:20:00.000-07:00

"Violet Shadows"

Things have been quite busy this week with school and an impending trip to Korea. I did manage, however to pop this one out and a few others this week which I'll be posting up until Saturday night.

Market Scene of Fish Dealer, Oil on Canvas, 8.25" x 9.5" Inches

2009-10-04T17:20:00.000-07:00

"Always fresh!"
Sold

A collector recently asked me to paint a piece to go with another she had purchased from me. It's been awhile since I painted scenes from my Mediterranean trip last year so I really enjoyed doing this little piece. Hope she likes it.

Sunset painting, Pastel, 20" x 26"

2009-09-27T11:49:00.000-07:00

"August's Last Blush"

I've been experimenting with pastels and watercolor recently. Clouds and sunsets have always intrigued me. I love the luminosity of watercolor and the intensity of pastels. I managed in this painting to bring both into play. I have no way of telling how this image will appear on your monitors, but the colors have subtle changes in hue and intensity. The opacity of the pastels played against the transparency of the watercolor makes for a good contrast and mimics the way in which clouds hover at different altitudes and sometimes work to mask the sun completely.

This painting when purchased is available double matted and comes with a protective sheet and it's own case to protect the image. Price is $575. Shipping is free. Email me if you are interested.

Pet Portrait of a Dachshund, 9" x 12", Oil on Canvas

2009-09-25T19:45:00.001-07:00

"Sassy"

Meet Sassy. One of my students recently lost her beloved pet to old age and asked me to paint a portrait of her. My heart aches for this lovely lady and her husband who grieve for this sweet dog who's heart was warm and who was always gentle with strangers and family alike. If pets go to heaven - and I believe they do, then God saved a special place for this good dog where the fields always smell of sweet grass and breezes carry scents of warm sunshine and fragrant flowers and there is always a loving hand to give a belly rub.

Painting of Pink Peonies in Small Bouquet, 8" x 10"

2009-09-18T15:38:00.000-07:00

"Practice Peonies"

Buy this painting on PayPal
Price: $49 USD plus $12 USD s/h
Or, send me an email

Summer's nearly over. Health issues have kept me from being in the studio this summer but as the fall approaches and things are resolving, I hope to be publishing more often. As I'm returning to atelier this fall for two days a week and I'll be teaching all day Wednesday, that leaves me four days for studio, home and social life. I promise to do my best but I'm sorry to say I'll not be able to claim daily painting status any longer as the new demands on my time will make that very difficult. I'll continue to be a part of DailyPainters.com, however, for awhile.

I've been away from paint for so long, I thought I should at least give some flowers a try and work out the rust in my painting hand.

Pastel Painting of Duck a Bush Salt Flats, 22 1/2" x 10"

2009-07-31T16:21:00.000-07:00

Mattina Tranquilla"

Price: $285 Double Matted, $20 Shipping
Washington Residents pay Sales Tax

On a recent return trip from Olympia, WA, my husband stopped the car at the Duck a Bush river so that I could take pictures of the salt flats. This area always intrigues me but unfortunately I never seem to be able to get there when the light is right. This time we were there in late morning. Not the best light but I made do. I improvised a bit on the color but I think this pretty much captures the moment. I may do an oil on this next.

The painting is not priced for sale with a frame. Framed, the painting is $350. Email me if you're interested in a photo of the piece framed.

Oil Painting of Magnolia Spray, 11" x 14", Oil on Panel

2009-07-29T18:24:00.000-07:00

"Magnolia Spray"

I've recently been introduced to Facebook. Ok...I'm a little behind there. But then, not everyone blogs either. Anyway, as a result, I hooked up with a friend from my teen camp days and she commissioned a small painting. My friend didn't want a vase in this floral, however; she requested instead only a spray. So here it is. Hope she likes it. To see how this painting was done, see a step by step demonstration with pictures and explanation at www.musensbysusan.blogspot.com.

California Seascape Painting, 24" x 20" Oil on Linen

2009-07-27T15:46:00.000-07:00

"Maestoso"

I'm plainly a romantic painter. It doesn't seem to matter what the subject is, I'll throw some emotion and drama into it. Skies are like that for me. I wanted to paint a landscape where the sky is somehow as deeply involved as the land below it. I had some old cloud reference photos from when I lived in California so I tied them into my memory of a coastline. Western Washington just doesn't have clouds like the ones I used to see in California. Well - perhaps they do, but not over the Olympic Peninsula at the northern most tip. I realize there's only one tree actually painted here. But I felt that this lone sentinel was all that was needed to be the mirror for and express what was happening in the sky.

I have no control over what happens on your individual monitors out there in cyberland, but the sky here has beautiful light with lovely tones. Despite the impending storm, the strong light coming through the clouds lends balance and overall, hope, to the dramatic scene. I chose the Italian word "Maestoso" which means, "with magestry and grandeur", for the title. It's painted in lots of beautiful glazes and looks spectacular with or without a light.

Painting Study of a Brass Pitcher, 9" x 12"

2009-07-22T17:53:00.000-07:00

The past few weeks have been filled with parties, visiting guests, summer shows, studio tours and teaching. I've hardly had time to work at actually painting anything. But here's a study of a brass pitcher I whipped out during class. I'm just finishing up a landscape and hope to get that up on the site soon. Sorry for the absence. I live with guilt these days over not getting enough done. Yipes...I still have a commission to start. Sorry Arlene!

Nude Figure Study, 9" x 12" Oil on Panel

2009-07-13T10:23:00.000-07:00

"Contrapasto"

I've been pretty busy getting ready for a three day studio tour. The Sequim Arts Third Annual Open Studio Tour takes place this year during the Lavender Festival on July 17th, 18th, and 19th. As most of you know, I have a new studio and so this was a good opportunity to show it off a bit. I have a bunch of studies that I did for school just before the summer break and I'll be showing some of them this week as a way of filling space. I can't actually get back to the easel until after the tour. Thanks for staying tuned.

Lilancs and Pears Oil Painting, 8" x 10" Oil on Canvas

2009-07-06T13:57:00.000-07:00

SOLD

Time has been pretty tight lately as I gear up for the upcoming Sequim Arts Studio Tour. I'm number 11 on this year's tour. In addition, because I'm a contributing author/editor for www.sequim-news.com which is a local online newspaper, I've been writing a series of articles on all the particpating artists - an endeavor that is very time consuming. Check them out on the "arts" page or today's article about Rudy Bauer that's on the front page! Anyway, I'm a busy girl. I stole some time to get into the studio today and here's what I came up with.

I had no difficulty in photographing this canvas. Last week I reprimed a host of them with Ganblin's Oil Primer. This great stuff fills in the interstices on the canvas and gives a nice smooth finish. That's the kind of finish I prefer and it's much easier to photograph. Hope you like it.

Yellow Roses on Gallery Wrap Canvas, 8" x 10"

2009-06-29T15:57:00.000-07:00

"LaNice's Gift"

SOLD
My Studio warming party was held this past Sunday. We had around 40 people or so - we had invited around 75. That's OK - the ones who showed were true blue and we had a ball. I turned the studio into a little night club with cozy tables and put a red gel in the theatre spot light on the ceiling. We lacked the darkness of a nightclub in that it doesn't get dark here until about 10:00 PM now, but it didn't seem to bother anyone and, in fact, we partied from about 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM and then went down with the sun.

These roses were a lovely gift of summer from a long time friend and collector. So I named the flowers after her. Here's to you LaNice. Thanks for coming to my party. It's friends like you that warm my heart and bring inspriration on days when nothing else seems to be stirring.

Here's a pic of my friend Coffee (far right) and some of his friends burning up the dance floor, er, studio.

Watercolor of Yellow Roses, 11" x 14" image, matted to 16" x 20"

2009-06-19T19:15:00.000-07:00

"Playing with Roses"
SOLD

Just got to playing the other day. Not really wanting to put out my full palette of oils, I reached for a jar of water and splashed some watercolor around. Then I thought, "Hmm, this could use some pastel". So I dug those out too. All in all just a dipsy doodle day. Here's what came of an hour of splash.

This painting come matted in a 16" x 20" matt and ready to frame.

2009-06-12T13:00:00.000-07:00

"Rayon de Soleil"

I've just finished this one. Can you tell I'm suffering from a little identity crises? I've been doing a lot of close realism in class but three years of painting in a loose impressionist manner has made a deep and lasting influence on my style. I suppose I'm searching for something between the two. These roses are a bit tighter than my usual. Hope you like them. There's so much more texture on the vase than shows here.

Nude Figure Study, 9" x 12" Oil on Panel

2009-06-11T17:53:00.000-07:00

We've been working on temperature studies in class this month. This piece, although, rough, was done on Tuesday. While not completely accurate, I'm pleased (and so was the master) with the overall temperature accuracy. Unfortunately, I got stuck at the end of the semi-circle around her and therefore had to cope with a side view. Not too interesting and static as far as poses go. I hope to make these small studies more pleasing to the eye as well as accurate as time goes by. While I've done many figure studies on this blog, only a few have been from life. The rest have come from photos which I bring up on my laptop because the lighting is more accurate that way. This is much more difficult as I'm racing against time and the hues are more elusive. Some day I hope to be able to afford models for long poses over a few days.

Sunset over Seiku, Oil on Panel, 11" x 14"

2009-05-31T18:54:00.000-07:00

Must be the week for sunsets. I did this oil sketch from a photo I had in a box of references. No time for chat tonight. Enjoy!

Sunset on the Hamma Hamma Salt Marshes, 5" x 7", Oil on Panel

2009-05-29T18:22:00.000-07:00

"Solitude"
SOLD

I've been forced to take a five hour drive home from my Tuesday Atelier class in Seattle due to the temporary closing of the Hood Canal Bridge. This usually brings me to the Hamma Hamma River and the adjacent salt marshes about sunset (we have long days here in Washington now). I haven't had my camera with me but I've pulled off the road and tried to take some mental notes that I could translate into a small study. Here's my first one. The water looks a bit greener here than in the actual painting. I guess I need some work with photoshop.

Portrait Study of a Woman, 12" x 9", Oil on Canvas

2009-05-28T18:08:00.000-07:00

My walking buddy, Jer deigned to sit for me today so I could get some practice on some of the principles I've been studying in Atelier Class. While it looks (to me) a great deal like Jer, I'm sure she has some other less flattering things to say about it. But for a 1 1/2 hr study from life, with a few short adjustments from a photo, I think I'm on the right path. The purpose was to get as close as possible to the color temperatures that I perceived. I checked myself againt a photo taken and corrected in photo shop and found I wasn't too far off. However, as far as a likeness goes, I think I need to make the face a bit longer. I'll give it some more work this week. I'd also like to try a good tonal drawing and see where I get. Hey...the model's free.

Tea Pot Painting, Oil on Linen, 14" x 18"

2009-05-24T15:37:00.000-07:00

"Crystaline Tea Pot"

Hooray! I'm finally working out some of the kinks in photographing my work with my digital camera. This never used to be an issue but lately it seems I've had a horrible time getting a good shot with it. So today I spent an hour or two figiting with the manual mode and the (OMG) user's guide. It's a good thing I have a Master's Degree. I needed it. Anyway, the research helped and I have a much better image to show for my time.

Most of you will recognize this Tea Pot as it's been the subject of many paintings. I first painted it in pastel about 10 years ago. I've shown that painting here before and you can see it below as a comparison. I've never been able to capture it quite a well as I did in that pastel, but I think I've come close here. I've been working on this piece as an entry for the Oil Painters of America Western Regional Juried Show. I've taken it as far as I think I can. Now I'll just hold my breath. It's my first attempt so I don't have high expectations, but I can dream can't I? Here's the old pastel. What do you think? Did I do a good job with the oil? The light is, of course, different. In the original pastel I used warmer artificial light and in the recent oil above, I used natural north light. Additionally, the cool green against the warm red cloth and background do make the pot appear a bit brighter and more colorful although I've done my best to play that down a bit. Groan...I'm perseverating.

Lilacs in the Light, Oil on Canvas Panel, 5" x 7"

2009-05-16T14:29:00.000-07:00

SOLD

On one of my morning walks I spotted Lilacs growing beside the Hwy. I believe this empty lot was once a front yard although the remnants of the home are no longer visible, there are lots of flowers that were once part of someone's garden.

I ran out of hardboard which is my preferred painting support and so this is on canvas panel. The pesky facets of the canvas make for difficult photographing. This is actually a lot clearer than it appears. Remember the camera is an extreme close up. Additionally, because I have to shoot in low light, the photo gets a bit of over exposure that is difficult to correct for on photoshop. All in all, however, it's not too bad a photo job. Enjoy.

Asian Jar with Pears, Oil on Panel, 11" x 14"

2009-05-14T16:23:00.000-07:00

I locked myself in the studio today. After having been tied up with classes and teaching for days, it was nice to have the studio to myself for awhile. I started this piece the other day but had to stop in the middle because of other committments. Like marriage. While I'm happy with the jug in the back, there are still things that I'm not satisfied with. I believe I'm still at a juncture in my painting and not entirely certain of where to go to next. It's sort of like being at the edge of a cliff. Taking the next step is like a leap of faith. My classes are going well enough, but the pace is slow and it will be awhile before what I'm learning translates itself to my work. I think, I'll try for a stronger sense of realism in the next substantial piece. In the meantime, you may see a small one or two. I have a couple of weeks before I go back to class. I'll be staggering for a few weeks until the end of the June session because of the Hood Canal Bridge Closing here on the peninsula. It takes an extra two hours to drive to and from Seattle so I'll be taking it easy on myself by skipping a couple of classes. School is out then from the end of June through mid September. I'll be glad for the break. Heavens! It took me five hours to come back from school on Tuesday.

Sunflower in a Mason Jar Painting, 9" x 12" Oil on Panel

2009-05-08T12:32:00.000-07:00

"Sunflowers in a Mason Jar"

I spent a few days in Albuquerque soaking up the sunshine this past week. Part of my trip included taking in the Oil Painters of America National Juried Exhibition in Santa Fe. What an incredible show. I got to see so many beautiful pieces of work. I didn't enter this year as I didn't have anything prepared to send out. But I'm busily working away on some entries for next year. I'm inspired!

Painting of Pink Orchids in a Cobalt Blue Vase, 11" x 14" Oil on Board

2009-04-26T17:24:00.000-07:00

"Orchids in a Cobalt Vase"

I've really been behind on my daily painting as a result of school. Seems I barely get home from Seattle, teach a class, and then I'm back on the road again. Here's one I squeaked out between homework assignments. Things ought to smooth out a bit once school is over.

Oil Painting of Asian Tea Pot on Woven Cloth, 8" x 10", Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas

2009-04-23T16:36:00.000-07:00

"Blue China Tea Pot"

Time for detail. I took an extra day to let things dry so I could put a bit of detail into this piece. I adore this little blue tea pot and have used it in a few other paintings. I've yet to capture it's sweet essence. I picked up this red woven scarf in Spain in October and I had a lot of fun painting it. Imagine what I could do if this was a weekly painting instead of a "daily" one?

2009-04-19T18:18:00.000-07:00

"Windswept"

I actually painted this some time ago but I just wasn't happy with it. So I spent some time with it today and gave it a polish. I lightened the sky and brightened the top of the mesa. It has more depth now and if you look closely, you can see that there's snow blowing off the top of the mesa. Now the name fits.

Soft Light on Violet Blooms, 8" x 10" Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas

2009-04-16T17:18:00.000-07:00

SOLD

I recently purchased about 50 canvases at a good price. I simply forgot when I did this that I always have a problem photographing the darn things. Seems my camera picks up every little bit of light on the weave and magnifies it. It makes getting a good photo very difficult. I'm going to start gessoing these canvases so as to smooth out the grain and get a clearer picture. But you'll just have to take my word for it that this picture is beautiful and sharp in person. There's a nice thick paint layer on it as well. The blooms jump off the canvas. All paintings are guaranteed and returns are ALWAYS at my expense. Shipping on this little gem is free. It's a gallery wrap canvas. No need to frame.

Nude Study in Graphite, 11 1/2" x 16", Graphite on Paper

2009-04-12T18:10:00.000-07:00

This drawing was the first figure study I completed in graphite as part of a six week pose in the Atelier I attend weekly in Seattle. I'm quite happy with it although I think if the paper had been just a grade smoother, I would have had an easier time with it. Although six weeks seems like a long time, we only get three hours each class with the model. With two to three classes needed for an accurate block in, that only left two classes for the rendering in graphite. It's a much different medium than I'm used to and seems to take forever.

I'm quite excited as last week we started a new pose that will go for six weeks during which we'll be working on a portrait of a costumed model in oil! Wish me luck.

Pink Rose, 5" x 7", Oil on Board

2009-04-10T16:05:00.000-07:00

Here's another little bloom I worked on today. It's of the rose family but I'm not really sure which one. Maybe someone can help me out here. This little gem is painted in glazes so it glows nicely with a little light on it. I like the way the transparent Burnt Umber background looks like wood grain. Just a happy accident. Enjoy.

"Magnolias", Oil on Board, 5" x 7"

2009-04-08T16:55:00.000-07:00

SOLD

One of the things I've been considering as I return to painting on a regular basis is what I'd like to include or change about my daily painting routine in order to keep it fresh and, above all, interesting for myself. I'm always looking for a challenge. Daily painting - or almost daily - when you're trying to actually do a finished piece, can easily lead to burn out. As I am currently studying realism in the classical form at an atelier in Seattle, I've decided to try as often as I can to include small realistic paintings. As these are quite time consuming, I won't be doing them all that oten. But the purpose is to hone my skills and not take up a lot of studio space while I do it. So these are by necessity small, post card paintings in the spirit of the original daily painting movement. I'm offering them at low prices because they're a bit different than my usual fast work and also because I just think folks need a break these days. Enjoy.

Below is the slide show I promised from the demo at Sequim Arts in Sequim WA last week.

Dogwood with Poppies, 12" x 16" Oil on Linen

2009-04-06T12:07:00.000-07:00

I'm back! I tried to think of something witty to say but the simple truth is, it's done! Well mostly. There are a few details like a sink and the outside painting and landscaping, but that doesn't affect me or my ability to paint. The office is finished, the studio is mostly done and I am back to work - officially - today. And I must say, it's good to be back. I enjoyed the absence of pressure in not having to post something nearly every day, but I missed being "in touch". Even when I don't hear from folks out there, I know I'm being seen and heard and that seems to be enough to push the isolation of the studio away for a while.

This painting was completed during a demo at the Sequim Arts meeting in March. I intended to do a small 9" x 12" painting much like the ones I usually post here but one of my students pointed out to me that folks in the back rows wouldn't be able to see a thing. So I chose a larger canvas and painted with bigger brushes. The photo doesn't do it justice as the painting is on linen and the darn stuff reflects every little bit of light in the room. It's hard to keep a sharp image and still correct for the glare. I'm working on getting a better photgraphy set up. Well, I'm running late for my class in Seattle, so I'll post the slide show of the demo on Wednesday. See you then.

New Studio Construction

2009-03-23T08:40:00.001-07:00

Phew. Almost done. For the past three weeks I've been moving, cleaning and organizing the new studio. That's involved building new furniture (vertical files, matting table, tool caddy, flower tree, model stand, computer caddy and a lightbox table). The light box already exists but it needs a special table to stand on with a glass bin and cabinet for tools. What can I say...I'm in organizing mode. I've also been painting moldings, and doors, hanging pictures and continuously washing floors. I haven't even gotten to the house yet. But I just found the guest room walls! Seriously. I hadn't seen them in four years for all the paintings, frames, boxes and supplies cramming the room. I'm so glad I took this month and a half off from work to get things done. I'm throroughly exhausted at the end of every day and there's no way a painting could come out of this craziness. But it's almost done. I'm giving a demo at the Sequim Arts meeting on Thursday and will finally get to paint. My students will be having their second lesson on Wednesday in the new studio so once my office is moved later this week or early next week, I anticipate being able to finally settle down and work in a peaceful, organized and airy space.

I kmow you've all been busy in your own lives and haven't given a thought to this blog, but still it's nice to know there are folks out there that will be happy to see my work appearing regularly again here and in there mailboxes. Here are some photos of the work in progress.

This first shot is of the old studio - soon to become my new office and packing/framing room. You can see the matting table I built at the far end of the room. It has a picture leaning against it. Things are still out of order here because the workmen have to finish the thresholds between the old and new studios and in the closet as well. The French Doors on the right lead into the new studio.

This next shot is the left side of the same room. Things will be moved around a bit when my desk gets moved in (awaiting a phone line for the modem). The still life shelves are on the near left. We moved them in there yesterday from the studio so that we could keep the space open in there. If it proves to be an inconvenience in the future, we'll just move it back.

Here's one of the vertical files I built. I made this one to fit over some flat files and thus fill the dead space above them. It holds an abundance of stuff that had been cluttering up the walls and floors of my home. The French doors to the new studio are just beyond it. It took my friend two hours to scrape the plastic and white paint from the glass on the left door yesterday! I honestly think Home Depot would be better off not putting that stuff on there. Tape works better and is easier to remove. The door on the right has a blemmish in it an has to be exchanged for a new one. You can see the threshold below the door still has to be finished.

Welcome to the new studio! Here's a full shot from inside the French Doors. The only thing missing from this shot is the model stand which still needs to be built and the Par theatre light which still needs to be hung. The work table in the center of the room is just a hollow core door on horses which can be broken down when classes are in session or open studio occurs. You can see an ironing board or two scattered about also if you look closely. I use them for still life set ups because they fold up and can be adjusted to various heights. For flooring, we finally found a great buy on Carbonized Bamboo. We got it at less than half price - about $2.74 a square foot. My cat, Boo Boo loves this room. He's in the bottom left of the picture.

Here's a close up of my painting corner. Although everything is on wheels and can be moved easily, I choose to paint in this corner because of the way the light flows in through the north facing window. The small clear story windows behind can be blocked off easily to control the light.

Moving around the room...this shot is the north west corner. There will be a light table there eventually for stained glass work.

This next pic is of my drawing board corner. I love this light filled space. A good place to plan and seek inspiration.

And lastly is my flower tree. With all the work I do in florals, I have managed to collect quite a pile of silk flowers. They were previously kept in plastic bags piled on top of furniture or under things where ever I could find space. Now they're organized in a tree that hangs from my ceiling. I can lower the tree anytime I want a few flowers, pull them from the tubes that house them and then up goes the tree - out of my way!

I hope you've enjoyed my studio tour and can see that the time spent away from the easel has not been wasted. Give me another week to finish the office and I'll be back with you, happily painting away. Take care until then.

Chaos

2009-03-02T11:15:00.000-08:00

OK. I've been whining and complainting but most of you don't have a clue. Here's what has been my temporary set up for painting. My dining room. I'v managed to teach three students in here and put out an occasional painting while the chaos continues throughout the house. This doesn't look bad, and in truth, it isn't horrible, just close and difficult because I have to keep moving things back into the old studio to keep stuff out of the way while I search for materials for each project. Here's a pic of the living room with the dining room stuff stuffed into it.

It's difficult to control the light in the dining room because I'm surrounded by french doors and a couple of skylights. Here's the old studio. I spent 9 hrs yesterday putting a matting and framing table together. The project is in the foreground covered by a tarp. It's huge, but not as large as the photo makes it appear. Nearly everything is coated with plaster dust. I've put up and taken down tarps for five months. Forget it. I'll clean it all in a couple of weeks. It's hard enough to find things without me suffocating in a plastic baggie.

This next photo is of the chaos in the back of the old studio.
See what I mean?

OK. Here's a shot of my guest room which is housing all my paintings and still life objects so they don't get smooshed by the workers. I can't let my cats in here or they'll get lost. Seriously.

Last...but definitely not least of all, is a picture taken through the new french doors into the new studio. We finish mudding today and the wall texture goes on tomorrow. Then we paint. Add the wall switches and lighting and lastly, the floor. So in about three weeks, hurray! It will be done. I hope. Five months late, but done.

But then the real work for me begins. I'll have to get things organized, pictures hung, new furniture built and installed and all my supplies organized. Then I have to CLEAN MY HOUSE!!! So - all this to say, you won't be hearing much from me for a month or so while things get organized. I'll post whenever I can clear enough space to put something out, but I anticipate being pretty busy and burried here over the next few weeks as things draw to a final chaotic end. Wish me well and I promise to write.

Dogwood and Tangerine Painting, 15.5" x 18.25", Pastel on 2 Ply Cotton Rag

2009-02-26T19:07:00.000-08:00

"Dogwood Daze"
Currently NFS

Painting is becoming more and more of a challenge with the mess around me growing daily. We're into the third day of drywall and mudding. I'm told to expect at least three more before they plaster and paint. Sigh. I purchased the materials for my matting table today and hope to sneak into the empty studio space on Sunday when the workers are gone and put the thing together.

However, I did manage to get a bit of work done yesterday and today. My husband helped me move my huge case of pastels into the dining room (the drawers tipped forward, oh no!) and after I made some order out of the mess, I started this painting. It's a mixed media, actually. The underpainting is done in watercolor and then I've worked glazes of pastel into it. I've found that this technique works best on rag. While the paper is a bear to raise a nap on, once you do, the surface allows you to get multiple lazers of pastel in thin glazes. I'm entering this one in the Northwest Pastel Society members juried competition. They've advertised that it's an "anything goes" show for pastel so I'm hoping the mixed media flies. Wish me luck.

Draped Reclining Nude Pastel Painting, 13" x 11"

2009-02-23T12:14:00.001-08:00

"Draped"

By now you probably think I've lost my mind. This is a pastel done of the same figure I've been working with. I've changed the colors quite a bit here and played around in layering and glazing some pastels. I had some 2 ply cotton rag sitting around the studio and although it's not generally used for pastels, I realy like it because it allows me to layer lightly and glaze one color over the next. Look at the cloth and the bottom of the painting, for instance. See all those lovely colors playing off each other? You really can't get that with a lot of the newer pastel papers on the market. They're very good for handling a lot of the medium, but they don't allow you to put light layers on like this. I'm beginning to see the merit of working in a series because it actually has been giving me quite a few ideas for other works I'd like to try.

Pastel Landscape of walking path, 18" x 24"

2009-02-21T17:59:00.000-08:00

"Summer Gold"

Not a new one. This piece just brought back summer for me. Won't be long.

Reclining Nude, 11" x 14", Oil on Canvas Panel

2009-02-19T18:05:00.000-08:00

This is a favorite theme of mine by now. I've done it in a couple of sizes and have been searching out color schemes. I recently purchased about 20 frames in standard sizes and this one looks great in a plein air mahogany frame. As I have a large studio tour coming up in the summer and also hopes of gaining entry into the Belvue Arts Museum Fair or Belvue Arts Fair, I'm trying to build up inventory. This is for sale, but you'll need to e-mail me if you're seriously interested.

On another topic, I've discovered something that surprised me about myself. I started as a serious realist painter in pastel and gravitated to oils a couple of years ago as a primary medium. Even when I started this blog, I was heavily into sharp realism. I've noticed that when I look back over my work and how it has evolved over the past two years, I find that I have made a foray into the arena of impressionism or expressionism. I'm still heavily representational and still interested in realist work, but something has shifted. I'm presently attending atelier with Tenaya Sims, a remarkable realist painter who studied directly under Juliette Aristedes and also teaches at Gage in Seattle. I feel very honored and awed to be under his tutelage and have to smile at the new quandry I find myself in. Tenaya seems not to be bothered by any of this indecision or vascillation and reassures me that it's all the "same" in the bones. And this I agree with, but I'm still wondering what the next few years will bring in my development. Should be fun to find out. Stay tuned.

Rose in a Glass Jar Oil Painting, 6" x 8

2009-02-18T18:51:00.000-08:00

"Ode to a Rose" or
"Rose in a Glass Jar"

Now this is different. I've argued with myself three times over whether I should post this or not. It's so different from what I've been doing, it doesn't even look like mine. But I haven't posted to DP in a few days and had started this as an exercise in color temperature. I wanted to stay close to realist on it and left my proclivities to impressionism by the wayside. I'm clearly not sure of what I think of it or even if it belongs on here. If you see it disappear in the next few days, you'll know I decided it was a bit too off in left field for me.

Yellow and Pink Roses Oil Painting on Gallery Wrap Canvas, 8" x 10"

2009-02-15T16:22:00.000-08:00

"Jeraline's Vase"

SOLD

From the macabre to the romantic. This has been a strange week. This little pink vase was a thrift shop find by a friend. I never used it because, frankly, I couldn't figure out how. It's kind of small to hold a lot of flowers or even a bud or two. But I found it worked very well as a complement to the pink and yellow roses. I love this bright little piece. Hope you do too!

Graphite Drawing of Skull on Vellum, 12" x 12"

2009-02-13T17:20:00.000-08:00

"Bob"

As part of my homework for atelier, I was supposed to practice doing head layins. I was also supposed to practice taking my layins through various stages. I reasoned that with time being what it is for me, that practicing on a skull would kill two proverbial birds with one graphite stone. So I picked "Bob" off the shelf and here's what came of a full day's work. OK. It's not a painting, but it did take me the day so it's what goes on the blog today. Tomorrow a painting. The photo doesn't do it justice as the camera picks up every flaw and the graphite is much softer in appearance on the paper. Follow the steps below from a not very good layin to a not too bad tonal drawing. I really need to impove my layins. I working on it. Sigh. Paint is so much easier.

Oh, Bob got his name from a skull in the "Dresden Files" series. Those of you who know, know.

Market Scene of Seller and Watermelon, 8" x 10", Oil on Canvas Panel

2009-02-12T17:24:00.000-08:00

"...and I have watermelon!"

The studio is still freezing and inaccessible but I cleared some of the mess away in the dining room and struggled through this painting of a fruit seller. I did this from a photograph I took a few months ago in Spain. Out of a 100 that I took in that dark market, this one was the best. I simplified things a bit but, overall, it's pretty close to the exciting color and action that was going on in that day.

Oil Painting of Lillies in Cut Glass Vase, 11" x 14", Oil on Canvas Panel

2009-02-08T16:16:00.000-08:00

"Lillies in Cut Glass"

THIS PAINTING IS ALSO AVAILABLE FRAMED FOR AN ADDITIONAL $30.00. Email me for details.

Things haven't changed much since I posted a couple of days ago. My studio is still freezing and things are difficult to get to. But today, despite it all, I put on my heavy coat, went into the freezer and pulled out a few supplies. I had a hunkering to paint lillies. Maybe I'm just praying for spring but it felt right. Hopefull somehow. When I was in Europe a few months ago, I purchased a red wool scarf that I've been wanting to use in a painting. The designs on it are quite elaborate but I felt they would detract from the simplicity of the flowers, so I didn't put them in. But the warm red tones of the scarf acted nicely to set off the cool whites and lavenders in the flowers.

I had to paint this in my dining room and despite the inconvenience and mess, it was comforting to have my husband a few feet away watching an old John Wayne movie while the cats played at my feet. The light wasn't the best for photographing this but despite that, I think the photo still conveys the overall warm feeling of the painting. Enjoy.

2009-02-06T16:07:00.000-08:00

Taking a few days from the easel here. Simply cannot work with the construction going on. My studio is 35 degrees Fahrenheit and everything is inaccessible. I have an easel in my dining room, but it's proven to be an untenable situation with no place to actually put set ups without locking the cats up for 8 hrs at a go. A huge back order of supplies arrived with no place to put it and so now even that space is unworkable. Things promise to be a bit more organized after Tuesday so hopefully, I'll be able to get some work done by then. Please stay tuned and thanks for checking in.

Charcoal Portrait of Man wearing old hat, 18" x 24", Charcoal on Paper

2009-02-01T20:55:00.001-08:00

"George"
Currently NFS

George is my painting/drawing buddy. He runs the life drawing group that I have met with every Tuesday for five years. We've sort of grown on each other. I like to think of his wife, Janet, as a friend too. One day our model failed to show and George modeled for us. We couldn't get him to take his clothes off though.

Landscape Painting of Walking Path in Morning, 5" x 7", Oil on Panel

2009-02-01T20:44:00.001-08:00

"Morning Fog"

ALSO AVAILABLE FRAMED - EMAIL ME FOR DETAILS

It was truly beautiful yesterday. It was sunny and the temperature was a warm 45 degees. The sun actually warmed my face. It almost felt like spring. So I went home, dug through all my photos and came up with one from last summer. I remember this day. The fog was just lifting and the sun was shooting through the trees onto the path. The bugs were just starting to buz and the breeze was sweet with salt air off straits. Take heart, it's just around the corner.

Figure of Asian Woman Reclining, 5" x 7", Oil on Panel

2009-01-30T17:51:00.000-08:00

"Letting Down Her Hair"

I started ploughing through my collection of photos today. I have hundreds of models I've worked with that never see the light of day. That's because they often don't catch the light or ambiance I'm after. As I take dozens of each pose just slightly different, that amounts to a lot of unused photos. I decided this pose of Julie would work pretty well. I wanted to try some ideas I had on color temperature. Overall, I like the way it came out. Some things I think warrant changing but I think that I may do a larger piece of this same pose. Any thoughts?

Figure Painting of Young Woman in Soft Light, 9" x 12" Oil on Linen Panel

2009-01-29T19:24:00.001-08:00

"Angie II"

This smaller piece was done from the same reference material as a much larger version, but here I was playing with the temperature a bit and also changed some of the colors. Not sure I'll use linen again for small pieces. While I enjoy the texture of the canvas, it tends to soften the edges on small pieces too much for my liking. While I can work around this with thicker paint and sometimes do, I didn't want hard edges except in a few places where thick paint just got in the way of flow. Paint and learn.

Antique Asian Vase and Magnolias Oil Painting, 9" x 12

2009-01-25T15:46:00.000-08:00

"Matinee"
Currently NFS

Ho hum. Another Sunday afternoon. I'm going to be focused over the next few months in turning out some work for the summer festival season. If you see something without a price but have an extreme itch to own it, send me an email and I'll let you know if I can part with it. I try to make nearly everything available for sale but this sometimes works against me and I end up with nothing available and having to scramble to get work together. I intend to be unruffled and ready by the summer season. Yeah, right.

Pastel Painting of Approaching Storm over Farmland, 11" x 14"

2009-01-23T16:02:00.000-08:00

"Storm Watch"

This painting is framed and matted to 14" x 18"
Please email me if you are interested in purchase.

Where I live, there are a lot of open fields. We're facing the Strait of Juan de Fuca with our back against the Olympic Mountains. Although the weather changes frequently, because of the mountains, we are saved from the worst of the rain that blesses the State of Washington. However, the combination of sea and mountains makes for some pretty dynamic weather effects. One of my favorites is when the sky darkens with heavy clouds and the sun is low enough to shoot underneath lighting up parts of the landscape. This happens here quite frequently and I paint it whenever I can. While not as dramatic as some I've done, I enjoyed the quiet atmosphere of this piece. There is something exciting about to happen, but the land the is waiting and watching. Nothing stirs.

Asian FLoral of Two Red Poppies, Oil on Panel, 5" x 7"

2009-01-21T18:10:00.000-08:00

"Two Poppies and a Chinese Vase"

Today was just a crummy day. I was tired after my long haul back from my Seattle based atelier class (three 1/2 hrs) the night before I had to get up early to clear the studio and set up for teaching. The class was good but I finished tired and then after lunch couldn't get myself moving again. I was just brain dead. Nothing inspired me and I seriously considered just fading into the couch with a good book. But guilt, the driving force behind my self discipline, got me moving -- trudging actually. As I set this still life up, the lamp came apart and hit me in the head, I turned too fast and knocked the newly primed board off the easel, knocked over the space heater and scared the bejesses out of my cats! I need to take a copy of this post and pin it to my studio door. One of the things I should know about myself by now is that the discipline of focus on a painting will usually chase the cobwebs and fatigue away. I felt abut two hundred percent better about half way through this little. And now I'm fully recovered - well about ninety percent. I'm going to make dinner, try not to have an accident, and then fade into the couch with a good book. Guilt be damned.

This painting is also available framed. Email me for details.

Peonies and Green Apples Oil Painting, 9" x 12", Oil on Panel

2009-01-18T17:39:00.000-08:00

"Peonies and Yellow Apples"

I recently finished a commission of peonies and had so much of the color left on my palette, I decided to do another peony painting. I just couldn't see wasting all that luscious pink paint. The apples were green originally but I liked them better as yellow. They were left over too. Not anymore...I just ate the last one.

Dogwood and Chinese Apples Oil Painting, 5" x 7"

2009-01-18T15:35:00.000-08:00

"Dogwood and Chinese Apples"
SOLD

I recently sold a small nude to a collector and framed it for her in one of these hand finished frames. It looked so good that I decided to offer them as an option on some of my other pieces. This little floral was so charming, I decided it needed its own little frame. The painting is available both with and without the frame. This frame is available for all my 5" x 7" pieces.

Oil Painting of Antique Vase with Yellow Flowers, 9" x 12" Oil on Panel

2009-01-16T18:11:00.000-08:00

SOLD

I actually painted two paintings today but decided to rework the other a bit in the morning. I was striving for just the right tone in the background here and more texture on the vase.

Peonies in Asian Vase, Oil Painting, 18" x 24"

2009-01-15T18:02:00.000-08:00

"Full Bloom"
SOLD

This is a recent commission I completed just yesterday. I really enjoyed getting my teeth into something big again. The painting was done in layers for the most part although there are some wet-in-wet worked areas. My collector loves it and that's what's most important. Hope you enjoy it too! To see how this painting was done, click here.

Figure Sketch, Charcoal on Paper, 24" x 36"

2009-01-09T18:04:00.001-08:00

"Anna Dreaming"
SOLD

What a great day. I woke up feeling totally exhausted after a very late night having worked until midnight. But despite feeling dragged out, the day went pretty well. I worked on my commission painting and really brought it to a great place. For those of you who are following my

teaching blog, the painting is really looking up. I changed quite a bit since my last post early this morning. However, I've decided to wait until I'm finished with the painting to post the rest of the lessons. Don't worry - I'm documenting every step! The reason for this decision is that I feel it is important that my customer be the first to see the finished painting. After all, it is for her. However, once she's approved the piece, I'll post the last two lessons.
So getting back to today...I got into the studio at 8:00 AM and brought the painting to it's resting place for the day and then realized that I still had shopping to do for my class next week and won't be able to do it between now and when I leave. So I cleaned up my palette, grabbed my purse and ran out the door. Three hrs later I'm back, but pooped. I just had time to dash off this figure sketch from an earlier one done in class. So my "daily" obligation is met and I can relax tonight. I won't be publishing again for a few days as I will be attending atelier in Seattle and won't return until Tuesday evening. With teaching on Wednesday and homework, my studio is disarray from the construction, it may be Thursday before I post again. Have a great week!

Peony Oil Painting, 6" x 6"

2009-01-07T17:54:00.000-08:00

"Peony"
NFS

Today started with an early rise so that I could get my wrecked studio into shape for my students who were returning after the holiday break. What a mess! After about two hours I managed to get enough stuff moved around so that folks could work. I am so done with this whole waiting thing! I can't wait until the new studio is finished. You could hide a body in the old one.

After my students left, I got busy with Day Two of my commission but didn't wrap it up until dinner time. So for my daily painting, I borrowed one of the peonies from the painting and, viola! A daily painting. OK - so it's not for sale. But I did finish it in about the time I take to do a DP, so it sort of counts. Check in with my teaching blog later tonight for more about this peony and the painting as it develops.

Reclingin Nude Watercolor, 7" x 9", matted to 10" x 12"

2009-01-05T17:16:00.000-08:00

"Watching TV"

I spent a good part of the day starting a commission for a large peony painting. Check out my teaching blog for peek at the beginning stages. Just when I had wrapped up the first session and was ready to start another small oil for this blog, I received a phone call from my good friend and walking buddy who's snow birding in CA. Chat, chat, chat...and nothing got done for the space of an hour. So I decided on a quick watercolor for a change. I could keep the lights bright and play for a bit. Hope you enjoy her as much as I did.

Internet Cafe Scene, Oil on Board, 5" x 7"

2009-01-03T17:45:00.000-08:00

"Afternoon Browser"
SOLD

I recently met a friend for an coffee break and a chat at a local cafe. A young woman who was intent on her computer while sipping her latte caught my eye. I loved the way her red wool dress and gray scarf were bundled about her. She was totally oblivious to my sneaky camera.

I used to be fascinated with airports and people watching at them until flying became such a hassle. Now I enjoy just looking at folks doing their thing at everyday places.

I did this painting as a poster study with large shapes and simple colors. These are good exercises and I enjoy the compositional problems that need to be solved on small pieces. Enjoy.

For those of you who have purchased work previously from me, I'd like to let you know that paintings are now being varnished with several gloss coats which brightens the painting and brings out the color passages.

Pen and Ink with Watercolor Painting of A Meadow and Trees, 5.5" x 7.5", Matted to 8" x 10"

2009-01-02T19:18:00.000-08:00

"Evening on the Meadow"
SOLD

I rarely paint in pen and ink anymore but it used to be something I enjoyed doing a lot. A bit like doodling but more detailed. In fact, it's so different from my usual stuff that I post here, that I decided to sign it with my maiden name.

This little watercolor is already matted to an 8" x 10" standard size and will easily fit in a picture frame.

Figure Sketch of Older Woman, 18" x 24", Pastel

2009-01-01T17:38:00.000-08:00

"Juvia"
$30.00, Available with Mat
Email me about this sketch.

Every now and again in figure drawing, I'm able to come up with a good color sketch. I particularly like the way this one came out. Juvia is an older model with interesting features. While not as shapely as many of the younger models who work for my group, Juvia is beautiful in spirit and has great character in her face. I think I managed to capture some of that in this sketch.

Best Wishes for a New Year

2008-12-31T19:11:00.000-08:00

To all my friends and collectors....Happy New Year! Stay safe, be well, live long and prosper.

2008-12-29T18:22:00.000-08:00

"Arc of Orchids"

Today was a better day sold some work and someone actually showed up to work on my studio! Hooray!! So, being in a brighter mood, I painted something to reflect my mood. It's been awhile since I painted Orchids. These colors are always a bit touchy to do. I want them bright, but not glaring. Hope I accomplished this. Enjoy! To see how this painting was done, click here.

2008-12-28T19:56:00.000-08:00

"Mixed Bunch"

SOLD - 12/29/08

Yesterday was my wedding anniversary and my husband and I spent the day in Victoria, B.C. It was a sunny 45 degrees and it felt really good to get out in the weather as it's been so cold and snowy here the past two weeks. But I only got back late today and so I didn't get into the studio until almost 3:00 PM. A late start for me.

I'm always so dismayed by how easy it is to fall out of practice. If I paint flowers every day, then I seem to have little difficulty in rendering them. But if I skip a week and paint a different subject, I find that I have to struggle to get them right. I need to spend some time during the week just practicing my brush strokes on roses. These proved to be a challenge for me today.

Figure Painting of Reclining Nude, 20" x 30" Oil on Hard Panel

2008-12-23T17:55:00.000-08:00

"Repose"
Email me to inquire about this painting.

You probably think you've seen this one before. And you have - sort of. This is a large painting of the earlier small format figure study I did. I painted it in glazes and started with a full monochromatic under painting to make sure that the skin tones will glow more as the painting ages. I wish there were some way to really show this piece off. Photos just do not do it justice. As you turn the light up or down on a dimmer, the painting takes on a brighter luminescence that emanates from within the piece. There are some corrections that I can see still need to be made, but overall, I'm happy with it. Funny how things become apparent when you take a picture. No matter how much I look over my shoulder with a mirror, putting paintings on camera always reveals new things to my eye. I won't bore you with the changes by posting the painting again. But you can always check back to my website at www.susanspar.com in a few weeks to see if you can notice any subtle differences.

I'm not sure if I'll get the time to publish over the holiday, but just in case I don't, let me take this opportunity to wish all of my collectors and friends out there a very happy Chaunukah and a very merry Christmas. Above all I wish you health and prosperity in the coming new year. I'd also like to take this opportunity to say a heart felt "thank you" to my collectors and customers who have purchased from me over the past year. Your purchases are always a compliment and so very much appreciated.

I hope to be able to provide you all with lovely new and exciting pieces as the new year progresses.

Figure Painting Reclining Nude on Red Blanket, 5" x 7", Oil on Panel

2008-12-22T17:58:00.000-08:00

"Nap on a Red Wool Blanket"

Looks like it's going to be a white Christmas. We've had a bunch of snow up here. Not quite as much as Seattle, but still more than we're used to. Doesn't look like my studio is going to get much work done on it and I can't say I blame the construction guys. I wouldn't want to work out there either.

We braved the elements to go to the Dentist today so he could declare my tooth "not healed". Sigh. Back to the antibiotics. So...as a result of that mid-day foray, I had less time in the studio. I painted this little piece and threw in the red blanket to keep her warm.

Painting of Venice Canal, 5" x 7" Oil on Board

2008-12-21T16:52:00.000-08:00

"Lost in the Rialto"

My husband and I spent a month cruising Europe. I returned with a memory chip full of shots, but my favorites were the ones I took in Venice. It snowed another three inches last night so I thought I'd try to capture a bit of the last days of summer in the studio. This is my first attempt at a canal scene of Venice. I started with a small one. I think I'll wait a bit to try a bigger one.

Floral Oil Panting, 8" x 10" Oil on Panel

2008-12-18T16:41:00.000-08:00

"Floral Study in Red"
SOLD

I'm still suffering from a tooth ache today. But I managed to tackle this little floral. Hope my pain didn't show in the work.

Nude Figure Painting, Oil on Panel 5" x 7"

2008-12-17T17:37:00.000-08:00

"Figure Study VI"

I had an old root canal redone on Monday. Today the thing got infected and my face swelled up like a football! Between the pain and the drugs, I didn't have the presence of mind to paint a large piece so I worked on this one. I like it but I'm still under the influence so who knows how I'll feel about it tomorrow.

Nude Figure Painting, Oil on Panel, 5" x 7"

2008-12-16T11:22:00.000-08:00

"Figure Study V"
SOLD

This is the fifth in a series of small format figure studies I'm doing. I really like the subtle colors and skin tones in this piece. I meet with my figure drawing group today and hope to complete something there as well. It's a lot harder in the group because I can't always get the spot I want and have to agree with eight or so other artists about the pose. I sure wish my studio were done so that I could have the models coming here more often. Things are just in too much disarray right now with the construction to have a model. You could hide a body in the old studio at this point.

White and Yellow Floral Painting, 9" x 12", Oil on Panel

2008-12-13T17:57:00.000-08:00

"A Sigh of Blooms"
SOLD

Time for another floral today. I'm needing to build up a backlog as I intend to do the festival at Bellingham this summer and will need a score or two of these and others. I'm a bit out of practice with flowers so it's good to stretch my proverbial wings a bit. Enjoy.

Sunflower Painting in a Copper vase, 9" x 12", Oil on Panel

2008-12-11T11:57:00.000-08:00

"Sunshine Ala Prima"
SOLD

Thought I would loosen up and shake out my hands for a floral today. Also, it is so dreary out this morning that I needed a little sunshine in the studio. This was a nice break from the large figure I'm working on right now.

Here's a little bit of news I thought I'd share with you. One of my dreams has been to have my very own mentor. A teacher that I could learn from for an extended period. I've wanted to study at the Gage Academy of Art in Seattle for a long time but distance, availability of classes, etc. have just made it impossible. Tenaya Sims, an alumni and teacher at Gage has started teaching small (8 students, on going, atelier style classes from his studio once a week and I was lucky enough to get in! It will mean having to travel into Seattle for two days a week (a three and a half hour drive for me). I'll stay with a relative for one night, travel to the class in the morning and after a long day, head home - with a car load of homework. I'm not sure if I can keep the pace up but I'll sure give it my best shot. I think the hardest part will be keeping sales and teaching going at the other end. Something I need to do with the economy being what it is. But, hey...when times get tough, the tough get going. Or feint. One or the other. Wish me luck!

Figure Painting of a Nude Pregnant Woman, 5" X 7", Oil on Panel

2008-12-08T18:08:00.000-08:00

"A Little Pregnant"
SOLD

I started my larger figure painting today and along with all my desk work, I just had time to do a little piece. I like the ambiance of this piece and what it says about prenancy. My cousin is expecting any moment now. I haven't seen her for months, but she was filled with twice the love and light she usually emits so I know she's a walking candle now.

I know some of you are waiting for another floral or still life, but my studio is a bit of a mess with all the construction going on. My windows are blocked by the new studio which does not yet have it's windows's cut out and so I have no North Light. So things in that department are on hold for awhile. But as soon as I can clear a space, I promise to paint one.

Oil Painting of Reclining Nude, 9 1/2" x 15" Canvas Panel

2008-12-07T16:31:00.000-08:00

"Figure Study IV"

Here's a larger study than the one I did yesterday. Although it doesn't show here, in the larger piece I'm working on, I've rearranaged the models legs. Although this little study came out well, I'm beginning to get excited over the larger piece I'm preparing. Tomorrow, I'll do another piece about this size with the new leg composition. I spent half the day preparing a panel for the new piece which will measure 20" x 30".

Oil Painting of Reclining Nude, 5" x 7" Oil on Panel

2008-12-06T17:55:00.000-08:00

"Figure Study III"
SOLD

This one was great fun! In fact, I liked it so much I've done another larger one. I'm planning to do this image in 24" x 36" or similar size format and I'm trying to work out color and lighting. This study and the one I'll post tomorrow are in warm light, but I'm also planning to try a couple in cool light. The model is Angela who posed for this piece about a year ago so I can't claim that this one is from life, though I've painted Angela enough times to feel like I have a sense of her skin tones and postures.

I've decided to post most of my paintings for sale direct through this blog and http://www.dailypainters.com/ for awhile. Things are slow on eBay and since most of my collectors come to me through DP anyway, it makes good sense to avoid the eBay fees. Except for an occasional test piece, no more bidding for awhile. If you're interested in having a larger version of this or any of my small format pieces, just e-mail me.

Nude Figure Painting, 5" x 7" Oil on Panel

2008-12-04T17:05:00.000-08:00

"Figure Study II"
Click here to bid.

This is the second nude figure study I've done in a small format. I'm really enjoying the challenge of these. But I especially like the opportunity that working in a small format provides for making changes and experimentation. Don't like the color - change it. Don't like the shape, change it. Viola! Great way to do studies for larger pieces. I've done this before, don't know why I stopped. But I'm going to paste a big reminder to myself on my wall to do several before starting a large painting. Now I just have to remember to read the darn thing.

Oil Figure of Man with Bottle of Whiskey, 7" x 5" Oil on Panel

2008-12-03T16:34:00.000-08:00

"Willie"
$45.00

Willie is a local figure here in Port Angeles. He has a few period costumes from the 1800's and during history week and other special holidays, he dresses up in costume and takes folks out on tours or gives talks on the history of Port Angeles. On his off days, he models for our group. He took his shirt off here and posed with a whiskey bottle. As I already has some paint out from earlier in the day, I put him down on a small board. If you're interested you can e-mail me.

Oil Painting of Draped Nude, 5" x 7" Oil on Board

2008-12-02T13:04:00.000-08:00

"Figure Study, Small Format I"
Click here to bid.

Sorry for the early post today. I'm on the fly today and had a bunch of stuff to do before heading to my drawing group. I decided to try a small format to get something quick done. Fun, fun, fun! I loved doing this! I learned so much from the brief exercise, I'll be doing a bunch more just for the kick. OK...I'm off to my group.

Reclining Nude Figure Sketch, 16" x 20"

2008-12-01T16:52:00.000-08:00

"At Rest"

I've been spending more time on figure sketching these days. Sales have been a little slower than usual and this has reduced some of the pressure on me so I'm taking advantage of the opportunity to explore and improve in other areas. I'd really like to work on my figures more and hope to do some more oil and pastel sketches during the winter. Here's one I particularly liked. The model was quite relaxed during this pose and consequently I was able to relax as well. It shows, I think.

Nude Figure Painting, 16" x 20" Oil on Canvas

2008-11-29T16:31:00.000-08:00

"A Study of Amber"

Amber is a beautiful girl who has modeled for our group on a few occasions. A former student of mine, she took to modeling like a duck to water. Our group is in love with her but unfortunately she is moving out of the area and some other lucky group in Oregon will win her. Amber was kind enough to sit for my friend George and I one last time. I did the initial sketch and color notes from life and then worked on the piece from photos. It's tough to get the color right in this photo but the painting really has a beautiful glow to it when you see it in person. If you're interested in seeing more of this work up close, e-mail me and I'll happily oblige. "Amber" is painted on unstretched canvas which is perfect for mounting on board or matting and framing under glass.

Portrait of a Man, Charcoal, 14" x 18"

2008-11-24T16:02:00.000-08:00

"Dennis"

Just a quick sketch today of a gentleman who poses for my group. Dennis is a loyal model who shows up rain or shine. Without models like him, we wouldn't be able to continue our little life drawing group. Models are hard to find and we can't let them know enough how much they are appreciated.

Oil Still Life Painting of Three Apples and a Pitcher, 9" x 12" Oil on Canvas

2008-11-22T17:27:00.000-08:00

"Three Apples"

I was intrigued by the shape of a pitcher when I visited a friend recently and she was kind enough to lend it to me. I wanted a simple still life (sans flowers) and really was focused on getting the texture of the pitcher along with the color of the apples down. I was happy with the apples but think I'd like to do the pitcher again in different light. I'm stuck working under artificial light until my new studio is done. They've built the new studio on to the old one but haven't yet broken through. The new structure cuts off all light entering the old studio so I'm really in the dark. Artificial light is more difficult to work with as the color appears different (to me) and it falls a bit less softly. I've put to work some of the principles I learned at my David Leffel workshop though and despite the frustration, I'm happy with this piece.

The sides of this canvas are painted so you can hang it without a frame if you please, or it's standard 9" x 12" size makes it easy to frame.