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

Friday, November 21, 2014

Some of This and Some of That

Ballerina #35 / oil on canvas / 20x16

Ballerina #36 / oil on canvas panel / 20x16

Michael Pennington / life portrait / oil on canvas panel / 14x11
Two ballerinas done and I am ready to move on to something else. During Wednesdays life session, Michael sat so still and never changed his expression for the entire 3 hour portrait session. We also had a short demonstration from a representative of Prismacolor on their product line of colored pencils, markers and pastels.
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19 comments:

  1. martine paquetNovember 21, 2014 at 3:27 PM

    Your ballerinas make me smile Susan ! They are so gracious, joyful and funny ! Do you have a real model or are they from your imagination?
    The portrait is very expressive. Great light and shadows!

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    1. SusanNovember 22, 2014 at 3:18 PM

      Thanks, so much, Martine - so glad you like them!

      Delete
  2. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comNovember 21, 2014 at 3:42 PM

    From a big grin of appreciation looking at the fun/painting /skill/creativity shown in the ballerinas, to a quieter moment of pure pleasure and admiration looking at Michael. I particularly like the eye area on the outer edge.

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    1. SusanNovember 22, 2014 at 3:18 PM

      Thanks, Julie. He had a rather unique face, lots of dark hair and lips that reminded me of Dustin Hoffman!

      Delete
  3. VoyagesetAbstraitsNovember 21, 2014 at 11:51 PM

    J'aime beaucoup ta peinture, le mouvement, les couleurs ...que du plaisir des yeux! Bravo pour ce travail !
    Merci de ton passage sur mon blog et de tes gentils commentaires! je viens te voir avec mon 3 ème blog !
    I love your painting, movement, colors ... as pleasure! Bravo for this job!
    Thank you for your passage on my blog and your nice comments! I come to you with my 3rd blog! Have a nice day- Cath.

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  4. cath carboneNovember 21, 2014 at 11:53 PM

    J'aime beaucoup ta peinture, le mouvement, les couleurs ...que du plaisir des yeux! Bravo pour ce travail !
    Merci de ton passage sur mon blog et de tes gentils commentaires! je viens te voir avec mon 3 ème blog !
    I love your painting, movement, colors ... as pleasure! Bravo for this job!
    Thank you for your passage on my blog and your nice comments! I come to you with my 3rd blog! Have a nice day- Cath.

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    1. SusanNovember 22, 2014 at 3:16 PM

      Hi, Cath - I really enjoyed your blog and reading all about General Lafayette from a French point of view. And, of course, your photos document the ship so beautifully. Thank you so much for visiting my blog and your wonderful comments!

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  5. Gatepost productionsNovember 22, 2014 at 2:03 AM

    Have you really reached ballerina #36? Time flies. Love 'em all!

    Full of admiration of the portrait ... I keep studying how you paint them, but will never be able to reach this standard

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    1. SusanNovember 22, 2014 at 3:15 PM

      Today is Ballerina #& - I can hardly believe it myself. But soon I will take a day to go through a cull out the ones I am not ni love with. It maybe time to purge the inventory!
      And yes, you will, Jon. Your first portrait ever puts me to shame.

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  6. art by Michael PerchardNovember 22, 2014 at 8:22 AM

    Hey Buddy! I so very much love your recent portraits! All so well done and definitely have the special and wonderful "Susan Smolensky Touch!" Got a bit nervous when you started the post with "Two ballerinas done and I am ready for something else!" What's up with that! I now know you meant these two were done! Not your ballerina series!!! I love your ballerinas so much! Of course your skill as a painter is so obvious in all your work I feel like it needn't be mentioned so often! But I will mention it! Your painting skills are fantastic! Also how you convey joy, movement,frivolity, happiness, color soaked surface, and so much more in your art is what keeps me coming back! So my "International Arts Festival" buddy keep on keeping on!
    Take care Susan and have the best holiday season!
    Michael Of Boston!

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    1. SusanNovember 22, 2014 at 3:14 PM

      Michael - I can never tell you how much I appreciate that you went to see my painting at the Boston International Fine Art Show. Susan Roux told me that she met you there and what a delight you and your wife are! Thank you a million million million, Michael! Today I painted yet another ballerina so - no worries - I guess this series will go on and on. These ballerinas show me endless potential! Many thanks also for your kind words :)!

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  7. martinealisonNovember 22, 2014 at 8:56 AM

    Bonjour ma chère Susan,

    Je suis comblée aujourd'hui ! 3 peintures à admirer !... Tes ballerines sont un grand bonheur ! Elles sont uniques. Elles montrent également que la grâce peut être présente aussi dans un corps autre que celui d'une personne longiligne.
    Tes ballerines sont si vivantes et ta palette généreuse... J'aime énormément.
    Le portrait de ce jeune homme est aussi incroyable. Tu sais traduire des émotions avec tes pinceaux et elles me touchent...

    Je te fais de
    Gros bisous ☼

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    1. SusanNovember 22, 2014 at 3:11 PM

      Merci, Martine - you are always so kind and generous with your thoughts and I appreciate that greatly!

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  8. Victor ErringtonNovember 22, 2014 at 9:39 AM

    All brilliant Susan, especially the portrait of Michael. Full marks. All the best Susan.
    Vic.

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    1. SusanNovember 22, 2014 at 3:10 PM

      Thank you, Vic. Although I am not happy with the way Michael's portrait photographed. It is a wee bit better than it looks!

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  9. JaneNovember 23, 2014 at 2:20 AM

    I think that what painting is all about is to provoke emotions , and yours always provoke joy and fun, just love your amazing style. The portrait of Michael is gorgeous, you build up the features in a wonderful way.

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  10. Studio at the FarmNovember 23, 2014 at 6:22 AM

    You have been so wonderfully, creatively productive!! Your dancers are superb. I love the expressions they have - the first one so utterly happy, almost grinning, and the second with an expression that asks "What about this pose?"
    I could study Michael's portrait for hours [ maybe as long as his pose] - such beauty in your colors and brush strokes.
    Gorgeous work, Susan!
    Kathryn

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  11. irinapicturesNovember 23, 2014 at 11:01 AM

    I am so glad that your creativity is bombing.
    Great colours.
    Portrait is so strong and professional.

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Your comments are welcome and brighten my day!

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