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

Saturday, December 7, 2019

New Paintings and a Trip to Hoover Dam


Some newer work


Distinct Levels of Energy / oil on linen panel / 12 x 24


Irina / oil on linen / 18 x 14


Snow Run /  oil on canvas 18 x 14

A few weeks ago, my husband and I took a short trip to Las Vegas and had a chance to visit the Hoover Dam - what a wonder of engineering and what a unique experience . We took the tour and went down, down, down to the bottom interior level to view the actual turbine generators (17 of them) and walk through some of the original tunnels blasted out of rock with dynamite. It is an almost impossible accomplishment of engineering (built in 1930’s using slide rulers to do the math) and finished 2 years ahead of schedule. The dam has been in continuous operation and supplies hydroelectric generated power to a large part of the southwestern US, is pollution free and runs self-sufficiently using no tax money. I have suddenly become a big fan of hydroelectric power!





Looking toward Nevada and Lake Mead - the intake of the water is through these two large towers.

The outflow into the Colorado River.




The turbine generators.





16 comments:

  1. I was so impressed visiting Hoover Dam. Absolutely amazing. The three paintings are wonderful. I love Irina's expression.. And of course, snow run is full of movement and a favorite. Enjoy the rest of this week Susan.!!!

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    1. H, Hilda - the visit to the dam was unforgettable. Seeing such an incredible feat of human imagination and perseverance lifted my spirits and renewed my faith in the positive work that human beings are capable of. Thank you for your comment and for stopping by!

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  2. Bonjour ma chère Susan,

    Je m'aperçois que tu as été très impressionnée par la visite de ce barrage.
    Je suis certaine que cela doit être fascinant. n'as-tu pas eu le vertige ?
    Moi à partir du moment où je suis reliée à la terre, j'ai le vertige. Durant des années pourtant, j'ai piloté des ULM et petits avions. Aucun souci !
    Les photos que tu nous montres sont magnifiques.

    Je me suis régalée en admirant chacune des trois peintures que tu nous dévoiles.
    Celle du portrait de la jeune Irina est flamboyante comme sa chevelure.
    La toute première est pleine de vie avec ses trois visages qui semblent vouloir être chacun la "star" des trois !
    J'aime beaucoup les petites touches de violet...
    Quant à la troisième peinture avec les chevaux au galop dans la neige, j'adore le mouvement, la puissance. Tu as un talent incommensurable pour ce genre de scène. Bravo !

    Gros bisous 🌸

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    1. My dear, dear Martine - your words make me happy as it gives me great pleasure to hear that you enjoy my work. I had such a good time in painting the three little boy portraits and their mischievous efforts to all be noticed! I am awed that you saw them in much the same way that I did. Irina is subdued sitting in her pink chair but that flamboyant hair gives away her true personality! I am so happy for your kind comments! And, yes, it was a dizzying experience to stand on the top of the dam - I prefer to keep my feet on the ground!

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  3. The portraits are amazing! Love the expressions of all the faces!
    An impressive work of engineering, Hoover Dam. I am a big fan of 'clean' energy as well.

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    1. Hi, Judy - portraits are always a challenge for me and I love doing them to hopefully learn and improve my skills with each attempt. I will never forget this trip to Hoover Dam - a testament to what humans can accomplish.

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  4. Wonderful and expressive portraits, so filled with life and energy , I LOVE your style ! The world definitely needs more of this pollution free hydroelectric power !

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    1. I greatly appreciate your words, Jane - I feel that my portraits are becoming more colorful as I try to keep my brushwork loose and impressionistic. Many, many thanks!

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  5. Dag Susan, je maakte weer heel mooie werken, prachtige kleuren !
    Ik vind je foto's ook spectaculaire hoor.
    Fijn weekend en groetjes van Simonne

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    1. So nice to hear from you, Simonne - many thanks for your warm words.

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  6. Wonderful paintings... The horses are my personal favorite

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    1. I was just admiring the curvy lines of the structure in Seoul that are on your website, Ashok. So interesting! Thanks for stopping by and commenting on my work!

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  7. First...the paintings...
    Everything you paint gives me a really positive glow
    of appreciation. It goes beyond the subject matter, Susan, it is all about my response to "how well you paint."
    And that is why I love ALL of these.
    I first saw the Hoover Dam and was gobsmacked/thrilled. Then I saw the new suspension bridge and that thrilled me too. Certainly a fav place to take visitors from England.
    Enjoy a wonderful holiday season.

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    1. My heart is jumping for joy in reading your words, Julie - I could not ask for more. Thank you so much.

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  8. So many delightful things to see and enjoy, Susan! Those little boys remind me of my teaching days. Lots of energy and mischievous facial expressions. I truly love that! And, red-headed Irina is such a beauty. Love her hair in all its redness and curls. My husband and I went to Hoover Dam several years ago and I felt such admiration for all those that planned and executed the construction. Amazing, indeed!!

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    1. Mischievous indeed! Thanks for your lovely comment, Carol!

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Your comments are welcome and brighten my day!