2013 was a wonderful year for painting, creativity and inspiration and I hope that 2014 is even better. My artistic goals are moving forward with me into this new year - to paint more and to paint better, to work from life whenever possible, to paint without fear and with great boldness and confidence. Such lofty goals - but very worthwhile striving for.
Here is my last completed painting of 2013 - oil on linen in my favorite size 18 x 24.
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| A Moment of Perfect Equilibrium or Equine #13 / oil on linen panel / 18 x 24 |
I took several progress photos as this painting came into being and thought I would post them as a small WIP:
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| The ideas emerges and a careful oil sketch is done as the anatomy is very important in this equine position |
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| Beginning with the darks in a thin mixture of burnt umber and dioxazine purple. |
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| Working with color and beginning the background. |
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Composition fully established and background progressing.
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The final picture
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I have so much to be grateful for as 2013 comes to an end and my heart is full. I hope that all my internet friends enjoy a year filled with art that makes the soul take notice and the heart sing, I wish for good health and joyful days filed with peace and inspiration. Happy New Year everyone and many, many thanks for keeping me company on my blog and for allowing me to visit yours this past year. You have all affected me and inspired my own work. Happy New Year and happy creating!
My dear Susan,
ReplyDeleteIt has been such a deep pleasure getting to know you here, sharing your art and moments of your life. Thank you!
As for you newest painting ... WOWSERS!!!!! Fantastic!!! That horse is truly in ultimate balance. I LOVE it .... should I keep going? What a striking and powerful painting!
I wish you Peace and Joy and Creativity in 2014.
Kathryn XX
Wow, Kathryn! You really make me happy and I am so glad you like this one. He certainly has attained new heights up there among his feathered friends! I hope 2014 is nothing short of wonderful for you - happy painting!
DeleteSusan, your work takes my breath away. It simultaneously inspires and discourages. Lucky for me, I'm a stubborn son-of-a-gun who never gives up. I wouldn't miss one of your posts. Each pushes me on. I'm so glad I ran into you. Have a happy, healthy New Year. Hugs Linda
ReplyDeleteYou have made my day, Linda. I have struggled with my painting through the last few months of 2013 and your words really work to buoy my spirits. Thank you so much. I am glad I ran into you as well - you seem to have a will of iron and I love it! Happy painting in 2014 - may it be a year filled with progress and wonderful, bold art!
DeleteSuch an uplifting post. Your painting is everything you want it to be...confident and bold. I enjoyed seeing the WIP and my heart stopped a couple of times with pure pleasure and awe.
ReplyDeleteI feel lucky to have you as a blogging friend and wish you an exceptional New Year.
Your vote of confidence GIVES me confidence! Thank you, Julie - and I feel the same way - so lucky to have your cyber friendship and be able to see your incredible art. I wish you a very happy New Year!
DeleteExcelentes trabalhos sempre neste seu belo espaço....
ReplyDeleteVotos de Feliz Ano Novo....
Cumprimentos
And a very Feliz Ano Novo to you, Chana - thank you so much for visiting my blog and for showing us your gorgeous photography!
DeleteThis painting makes me smile! I love your acrobatic horses: they are so fun and interesting and joyful.
ReplyDeleteWishing you and yours blessings at Christmas and for 2014!
Thank you so much, Diana - I just visited your blog and viewed your 4 large figurative works - the are so beautiful and I am inspired! A very happy New Year to you!
DeleteThank you so much for your inspiring posts and your friendly words on my blog, Happy new year and happy painting:)
ReplyDeleteAnd a happy, healthy, artful New Year to your, Maike!
DeleteThe perfect painting to end the year, Susan! I wish you a wonderful and creative New Year! And I hope to see many more of your beautiful paintings that always make me smile!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks, Judy - I hope to work toward those goals of mine - and to make progress. I new year is a wonderful new beginning and I am eager to get started!
DeleteHappiest New Year Susan!
ReplyDeleteA wonderful work! The movement in your works always excited me. Of course the horses dancing in air are always a delight! I love the little fellow in the bottom right hand corner. Fantastic showing us the work in progress. Love to see the finished piece emerge and develop through the various stages. Thank you for your wonderful message. It is my pleasure to view your great art and humbly respond!
Your art goals for the new year are so very appropriate and inspirational! "Go on working freely and furiously and you will make progress!" Paul Gauguin
Take care buddy! Thanks for visiting my little blog Susan! Your comments always make my day!
Michael
Thank you so much for your glowing words and for the joy of your personality, Michael - you inspire me with both words and paintbrush!
DeleteWhat a fantastic painting Susan! You've created so much energy in the pose of your horse I can feel the wind created by his movements. I'm looking forward to seeing your paintings in 2014. Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind comment, Nancy - the power of your wave paintings is incredible! It seems we both like to paint powerful dynamic images!
DeleteA very Happy and Productive New Year to You Susan. Just love the dynamics and energy that bursts from your paintings
ReplyDeleteAs long as these horses keep leaping, I will keep painting! Love the fish drawing, John - and a very happy new year to you and your dynamic family!
DeleteLove your artistic goals for 2014!!! Can I steal them? :) This horse is so expressive and seems to be shouting, "HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!" I absolutely love your horses (and you know another little Alabama fan does too!!!)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Gina, and a very happy new year to you and your family! Good luck with the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge - I could never do that!
DeleteSusan, je schilderwerken met paarden zijn steeds fantastisch mooi en humoristisch. Hopelijk komen er in de toekomst nog vele van dit onderwerp.....
ReplyDeleteGelukkig Nieuwjaar !!!
groetjes,
Simonne
I keep coming back to these energetic steeds! And a very Gelukkig Nieuwjaar to you
DeleteA happy new year Susan. You are going out in a bang.
ReplyDeleteVic,
Its a good feeling - thank you, Vic, and a very happy new year to you!
DeleteBonjour ma chère Susan,
ReplyDeleteJe te souhaite des moments simples mais précieux, des éclats de rire, des yeux qui pétillent, de la tendresse beaucoup de tendresse, de l'amour, des petites et des grandes joies ...à partager avec ceux que tu aimes !
Avec la dernière peinture que tu viens d'achever, tu nous montres une tellement belle énergie avec ce superbe cheval que je te sens pleine de vitalité, de volonté et de détermination. Que cette énergie soit contagieuse et c'est là tout le mal que je souhaite à chacun de nous !...
Une nouvelle année qui commence est comme un nouveau cahier de pages blanches qui s'ouvrent... Pour toi ce sera des toiles blanches... qui très vite prendront vie.
Je serai moins présente en janvier et février puisque je me trouverai à l'Île Maurice. Je tâcherai toutefois le plus possible de visiter ton blog...
Je te fais de gros bisous.
I hope your trip is nothing short of wonderful - it sounds like the perfect way to begin the new year! Have a great time, Martine and I will look forward to your return and many new and inspiring paintings in 2014!
DeleteIt was so interesting to see the different steps, and the final result is fantastic and hilarious at the same time ! Wish you a fabulous and happy 2014 !
ReplyDeleteSo glad you enjoyed the work in progress - happy new year to you, Jane - and happy painting!
DeleteWonderful Susan! How in the world you can capture believable anatomy of horses and ballerinas with your imagination is lost on me. I'm sure you can't possibly have reference photos or life poses. This is great along with all the rest of your work.
ReplyDeleteWow! Wow! Wow! That is just amazing!
ReplyDeleteHappy Painting,
Nora
Many thanks, Nora - so glad you like it!
Deletethis is just super. Love how you included the female Cardinal :)
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