"Paintings have a life of their own that derives from the painter's soul." Vincent Van Gogh

Thursday, February 12, 2015

Fine Art Connoisseur

Ballerina #14 / oil on linen panel / 18x24

This is one of the paintings currently in my solo show at the Roux and Cyr International Art Gallery in Portland, Maine. I decided to post it here again as my work at the gallery was noticed by Jeffrey Carlson, editor of the Fine Art Connoisseur online magazine. Jeffrey wrote an amazing piece on his response to my ballerinas and included photos of several of the paintings that are currently in the show.

Jeffrey makes lyrical statements such as "Smolensky's paintings of ballerinas offer visual harmonies in a pastel palette of robin's egg blue, mauve, and rosy pinks. Not just the observed, but the felt reality, makes its presence known." 

This little article, written by a person unknown to me but who is a force in the contemporary art world, has affected me deeply. Perhaps I am reading more into it than I have any right to, but having him reflect and write about my work in such a personal way has nudged my inner spirit just a bit and infused it with a new found sense of surety that I have never felt before. Thank you, Mr. Jeffrey Carlson - I am indebted to you.

Here is the online link: Susan Smolensky-Fine Art Connoisseur

23 comments:

  1. This is a great article, Susan and it is so beautifully written !
    Congratulations !
    Your ballerinas are so beautiful and for me, they illustrate la "joie de vivre" !

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    1. I do agree about how the article is so nicely written. It was a complete surprise to me - a welcome one! Thank you, Martine!

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  2. I always knew your work was unique and special. Now you know it too. I guess I'd like to say, "I told you so." Congratulations. Susan.

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    1. You have been so consistently supportive and insightful towards my work, Linda - I will never have the words to express how much it means to me. Thank you.

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  3. Be PROUD - you deserve the accolades, dear Susan.
    It validates all of your followers taste too. We chose well!
    Love this new and amazing ballerina!

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    1. I am tickled pink by the article, Julie - Jeffrey Carlson was certainly kind to me. So happy you like my ballerinas!

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  4. I am so glad your inner spirit is warmed. His comment is so beautiful, and so very true. Your work is sublime, Susan!!!
    Kathryn

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  5. Oh Susan! She's beautiful and how I wish I can be there to enjoy your paintings in person! Maybe someday! The colors are beautiful and his comment was wonderful!

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    1. It is motivating to me that he had insight into the large girls. It makes me very happy!

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  6. Bonjour ma chère Susan,

    Des éloges bien méritées... Ton talent est grand. La personnalité de ton travail est une écriture omniprésente, que ce soit dans tes ballerines, tes portraits, tes chevaux... Bravo l'artiste !
    Gros bisous ♡

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  7. Bonjour ma chère Susan,

    Des éloges bien méritées... Ton talent est grand. La personnalité de ton travail est une écriture omniprésente, que ce soit dans tes ballerines, tes portraits, tes chevaux... Bravo l'artiste !
    Gros bisous ♡

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    1. Merci beaucoup mon cher ami! Vous etes trop gentile!

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  8. Congratulations, Susan, he is absolutely right! What a wonderful comment.

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    1. How nice - thank you, Judy. He has motivated me for sure!

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  9. Congratulations, Susan! I am so glad and hope there will be many more articles to follow your growing success.
    It is amazing how we are all connected, your husband's relatives and Moscow and city Smolensk (here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smolensk) near Moscow, and my sketches and your reaction to them. Thank you!

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    1. It certainly IS amazing, Irina, and makes me wonder at the smallness of our gigantic world! Thank you for the link to Smolensk - what a wonder! Someday I would be thrilled to visit Moscow - and I would include St. Petersburg as well!

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  10. It often takes the observations of people unbeknown to us to reveal us just as others see us. When the comments are really complimentary it gives our spirit a boost.

    You do the same thing with your ballerinas spirit of women ... or, as Jeffery puts it: "By humanizing the women she paints in this way, Smolensky participates in liberating the dancers' identity from their forms, focusing instead on their movements."

    In this I say bravo, Susan, not only your talent but your 'message' were given recognition (once more)

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    1. I am grateful for his thought provoking words. I have put my ballerinas aside for a while - perhaps this will motivate me to address them once again. I thank you for your kind words, john.

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  11. Your work is so beautiful and unique, you deserve this and more !

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    1. Your words af support mean a great deal tome, Jane - thank you so much.

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  12. Listen my dear friend! You are not reading anything in this article except for the truth! You are one great one of a king off the chart rocking artist! I so love your work!!!! It amazes me, but it shouldn't, how your work gets better and better. I love the greens is this master piece! Keep it up! Art on!!!!!!!
    Joyful! Magical! Beautiful! Well painted! Fun! Exciting! Interesting! Sassy! Romantic! And so much more!
    Your Wishing He Could Send You Some Snow From New England Art Buddy!
    Michael BRRRRRR!

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    1. LOL - you never, ever fail to make me smile and laugh out loud, Michael - my dear internet buddy! It thrills me to my bones that you enjoy my work so much! Yes, send some of that glorious snow - I need it so badly!

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  13. What luscious colors in this one, Susan! And that composition and the model's pose are truly captivating.

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Your comments are welcome and brighten my day!