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

Monday, October 13, 2014

Reno Portrait Society and Quaking Aspens


Russ / Oil on prepared artboard, 20x16

Work in progress

Russ was quite taken with his portrait and I received an email from his wife Toni a few days after I painted this. She has taken it home to give it a trial run before deciding whether or not to purchase it for him.

In the meantime, my husband and I drove up to the Lake Tahoe area hoping to see the aspen trees in their full Fall glory. We were not disappointed:







Even though the days are still warm, our nights are quite chilly now - definitely time to bring forth warm sweaters and jackets! I just love this time of year
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27 comments:

  1. martinealisonOctober 13, 2014 at 6:49 PM

    Bonjour ma chère Susan,
    Ce portrait est un pur bonheur ! J'aime beaucoup et je suis certaine que son épouse fut conquise. Je pense que ton superbe travail ne retournera pas chez toi ! Chaque étape a son importance dans ta peinture... la vie excelle à la fin avec des multitudes touches de couleurs subtiles.
    Je viens de faire un voyage merveilleux au travers de tes superbes photos. Je me suis empressée aussi d'aller regarder sur une carte où était situé exactement le lac de Tahoé. Wouahou! c'est loin de chez moi !... Ce lac est immense. Il équivaut presque celui de notre lac Léman qui se trouve à moins de 2h de route de chez moi. Le lac Léman ou lac de Genève couvre 581,3 km2 et le lac Tahoé, j'ai lu 503 km2.
    Le lac Léman mesure 73 km de long, 14 km de large et a une profondeur de 309 mètres tandis que le lac de Tahoé mesure 35 km de long, 19 km de large et sa profondeur est de 495mètres.
    J'aime beaucoup les couleurs du feuillage des arbres... Un écrin de tons extraordinaires. En ce qui me concerne je n'aime pas la saison de l'automne. Elle me rend nostalgique. Cependant je dois reconnaître qu'elle nous offre un tableau infini de couleurs et de lumière.
    Merci pour ce joli billet artistique et la belle connaissance de lieu près du lac.
    Gros bisous à toi.

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    1. SusanOctober 30, 2014 at 5:15 PM

      My dear Martine, thank you for your comment. Lake Tahoe is indeed a jewel of the west the lake is so large and so incredibly beautiful. It is only a 30 minute drive from my home. I am so lucky to live near such an awe inspiring natural wonder. The lake basin was formed by a geologic fault about 3 million years ago and is the second deepest lake in the United States. It is drained by only one river - and that is the Truckee River which is only a short distance from my home. The peaks surrounding the lake are about 10,00 feet high ( about 3000 meters) and are magnificent. When the aspens turn primrose, the landscape is a riot of golden quaking leaves! I love this time of year!

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  2. art by Michael PerchardOctober 13, 2014 at 6:58 PM

    Hello Susan! How cool it is to be the first to comment! I so love the portrait of Russ! I think the painting is so dramatic! It certainly adds credence to choosing a painting portrait over a photo! No camera could ever ever do the magic you perform with paint! A very successful likeness of the model but to me even more important is it is a grand work of art! Bravo my so very talented and very care active art buddy! I so love the glorious yellow Aspens! Loving this time of year is certainly the way to go! Colors screaming for attention! Bravo on the portrait! You and your unique wonderful art rock!
    EnJoy the fall Susan!
    Michael

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    1. SusanOctober 30, 2014 at 5:17 PM

      What a wonderful comment, Michael. I am always so challenged to capture a likeness and a bit more with each portrait. I will keep trying and trying - and I thank you for your encouragement, dear friend.

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  3. Linda RothOctober 13, 2014 at 7:32 PM

    Wonderful portrait and glorious aspens!

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    1. SusanOctober 30, 2014 at 5:17 PM

      Those aspens are magic - they refresh my spirit!

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  4. Sandra BusbyOctober 14, 2014 at 4:43 AM

    This is a fabulous portrait - as always!! I'm not surprised she'd like to buy it. What a lovely idea for him! I like this time of year too. My favourite! :0)

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    1. SusanOctober 30, 2014 at 5:18 PM

      Thanks, Sandra. A sale is always a delight - and a sale of a portrait painted from life is especially sweet!

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  5. JaneOctober 14, 2014 at 9:33 AM

    You got a great likeness with Ross , and he couldn't be anything but thrilled , really beautiful ! And what to say about the autumn colors ....spectacular !

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    1. SusanOctober 30, 2014 at 5:19 PM

      Thank you, Jane. I am thrilled that he likes it and am enjoying these final days of fall weather. A winter storm is coming our way on Halloween - perhaps some snow!

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  6. irinapicturesOctober 14, 2014 at 12:17 PM

    Glad to see you. She will buy the portrait, I am sure, you caught the individuality so precisely. We had strong winds these past days, so the golden of the trees is almost gone, so good to see the autumn beauty here.

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    1. SusanOctober 30, 2014 at 5:20 PM

      Thank you, Irina. I have enjoyed these golden days. And I am looking forward to a snowy winter!

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  7. hmuxoOctober 14, 2014 at 4:40 PM

    The likeness is dead-on, Susan! The painting of Ross is outstanding and SO painterly! I'm sure they will purchase the portrait! as far as the Aspens...I've never seen anything so beautiful like these trees! thanks for sharing these beautiful photos with us!!!

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    1. SusanOctober 30, 2014 at 5:20 PM

      Hi, Hilda - thank you for your enthusiasm about this portrait. I am please with it as well - for a change!

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  8. Studio at the FarmOctober 15, 2014 at 7:12 AM

    It is a very strong, striking painting, Susan! And I think you have made your subject more handsome :)
    The aspens looks glorious! Thank you so much for posting these photos.
    Kathryn

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    1. SusanOctober 30, 2014 at 5:22 PM

      Ah ha! Perhaps a was channeling Sargent! I read that he subtly improved upon the looks of his models as well. Truly, I only intended to capture a likeness!

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  9. Fernando Santos (Chana)October 16, 2014 at 12:37 AM

    Excelente trabalho....
    Cumprimentos

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  10. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comOctober 16, 2014 at 3:57 PM

    It is interesting that you did not use the background color that was there. Was his complexion too ruddy for it to work?
    I think the relaxed position of his jowl into the neck is fabulous. For me that would have been the hardest area. You ROCK!
    The aspens are simply beautiful and a reminder that our cottonwoods will be turning golden soon.

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    1. SusanOctober 30, 2014 at 5:24 PM

      I did not like the color of the drape with him. I kept mixing a pink color that just did not work. I do feel I made a good decision in making the change. What do you think?

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  11. Diana Moses BotkinOctober 22, 2014 at 8:36 PM

    What a wonderful portrait. Wow.

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  12. Simonne's fantasiestudioOctober 23, 2014 at 1:52 AM

    Hey Susan, het is een heel goed portret vind ik !!
    Je foto's zijn ook mooi om te zien, prachtige kleuren....
    groetjes van Simonne

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  13. Fernando Santos (Chana)October 27, 2014 at 5:15 PM

    Excelente trabalho....
    Cumprimentos

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  14. Nora MacPhailNovember 2, 2014 at 5:16 AM

    Gorgeous work Susan! I enjoyed catching up with your blog this morning!
    Happy Painting,
    Nora

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    1. SusanNovember 4, 2014 at 4:58 PM

      Many thanks for stopping by and commenting, Nora!

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Your comments are welcome and brighten my day!

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