Steeplechase Once Again

And a final few tweaks added today (Tuesday March 8th) and I am calling this one done.

18x24 oil on canvas board. The top photo is the final picture and next are two close ups. 

The series of photos above show the process of this painting from the original oil sketch with  a few strokes of color through to the final piece and two close up shots to show detail. The canas was toned with burnt umber plus thalo green and the original oil sketch was done in burnt sienna with some burnt umber for the darkest darks. In the second shot, I am massing in broad areas of color using thin paint and paying close attention to areas of shadow and light. I love how the horse is leaping into the shadow. The third shot shows the background added and the 4th is the final picture. All comments are greatly welcomed and appreciated.

Bathing Beauties

I had a good time painting this little a la prima study. I am not sure of the crop or the composition, but it makes me happy. Its 12x 16 oil on canvas panel.

Ponies in the Snow

Ponies in the Snow - oil on canvas 12x16

Trying to loosen up today with big thick juicy paint and bold color.

Memories of a Childhood Winter - Going Sledding

A small oil on canvas - 11x14 titled Going Sledding. This painting is no longer available for purchase.

Reno and the Sierra Nevada's

I just got back from a short stay in Reno, NV. I was suprised at how little snow was capping the Sierra Nevada's for February. Apparently there has been very little snow for the past 5 weeks. I think the mountains had at least this same amount of snow when I visited there last June. I took a few photos from the airplane window and they turned out well even though the flight was very turbulent and at times, heart stopping. I thought they would be blurry and out of focus but was nicely surprised. I kept thinking about how many dinosaur bones must lie undiscovered under these massive mountains. From the air I could almost see the way the Ice Age glaciers sculpted the earth.  What a beautiful, breathtaking and fascinating planet we are privileged to inhabit.

Flat Out

Only had time for a quick small study before heading out to Reno for a few days of cold crisp air and snow capped Sierra mountain beauty. This little one is 8x8 and I call it Flat Out.

The Aiken Horse

The February/March issue of The Aiken Horse magazine was published today with this ad on page 36! If you follow the link, you can flip through the pages - an amazing magazine! I am so happy to have my steeplechase painting featured in this ad. This painting is 16x20 and is one of the pieces on display this month at the Willcox Inn courtesy of The Chisholm Gallery.

Portrait Study Alla Prima

A few refinements and the final portrait

A quick alla prima portrait study 12x12

Aiken Standard Article February 4, 2011

The walls of The Willcox are beaming with equestrian pride this month, as the Chisholm Gallery,
a leading international dealer of sporting art, has brought an exhibition of more than 20 artists from
all over the world. Paintings, drawings, sculptures, needlepoint collections, vintage photographs, pearls, botanical water colors, lithographs, caricatures and more are on display and sale throughout the hotel for the rest of the month. Chisholm Gallery owner Jeanne Chisholm said, in her business, she strives for a
mix of fine art from new and established artists in a variety of media and subject matter. One of Chisholm’s favorite exhibits in the gallery is that of Susan Smolensky, an artist who depicts Steeplechase horses and scenes. “She has captured a dynamism that nobody else has,” said Chisholm of Smolensky. “The elevation, the angle at which she depicts the steeplechase horses jumping – she really makes you feel like you’re right there with her, right there in the moment of the jump or landing.” Many thanks to Ashleey Williamson, Aiken Standard writer.