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

Monday, December 8, 2014

A Hidden Influence

A Hidden Influence / oil on linen panel / 18x24

Trying to infuse more vigor into my means of expressing...

27 comments:

  1. Bonjour ma chère Susan,

    Le mouvement est si bien capturé que mon regard est là à essayer de tout observer vite vite peur de manquer quelque chose ! peur que ces "dadas" galopent trop vite et que je ne puisse pas admirer chacun d'eux !... Incroyable sensation...
    Une oeuvre magnifique ma chère ! Je me rends compte que je n'ai jamais peint de cheval ! Il faudrait que je m'y mette ! Je t'avouerais que je n'ai jamais osé pensant que ce mérite revenait aux garçons tout comme peindre des voitures, des bateaux... Je dois être un peu stupide !... Un défi à relever peut-être ?...

    Gros bisous ♡

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    1. My very dear friend, Martine, you are one of the most sensitive and ethereal artists that I know. You paint what you love, just as I do. I find that my most successful paintings occur when I am in love with the subject - then every brush stroke is a magical moment. I have no doubt you are the same as I am in that respect! Thank you for your kind words of support and encouragement!

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  2. Love the movement in this painting, Susan. I have so many photos of horses jumping when I visited Kentucky last summer! I always think of your amazing paintings..and how beautifully you capture them.

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    1. That must have been a wonderful trip! I can never get enough of seeing these beautiful animals - in my eyes they are so wild and so perfect. I just adore painting them.

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  3. I stifled a grin when I read your post. I have ALWAYS seen vigor in your work - I mean ALWAYS. And I have always loved it. I am trying to figure out what you are meaning? Do you think the ballerinas are static and what about the santa giraffe?
    Your Brushwork is active, your design work has loads of movement so pleeeease let me know what you mean. You are such a brilliant artist. I can and want to learn.

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    1. Hi, Julie - I sent you my most innermost thoughts by email in trying to explain what I mean. Actually, I am always trying to attain new heights - each painting of this type represents a new challenge of trying to paint the essence of power and motion in addition to an anatomically correct representation with loose brushwork and just the right amount (or lack of) detail - and fo course, a sense of vigor! Wheww. That was a mouthful!

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  4. Looks pretty vigorous and dynamic to me, Susan .... pure Smolensky! Only you know what you have in mind.

    I love the way the horse in the foreground gives the whole thing an extra dimension ... brilliant!

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    1. Wowee! Such invigorating words - back to the easel for me after reading them! Thanks, John

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  5. I agree with Julie - your paintings always express vigor! Love this painting, Susan, especially all those details in the tack on the horse on the far right. Perfect!!
    Kathryn

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    1. Ah, Kathryn, with your being a horse expert that follows my blog, I always await your comments on my equine paintings with bated breath! Thanks so much!

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  6. I can look at your painting for ages and still find something new every time! The little details and your use of color are fascinating!

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    1. Another really nice comment - thanks so much, Judy. Words like these make me mighty happy!

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  7. Wonderful painting Susan. As was your christmas card, thank you. All the best..
    Vic.

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    1. Glad you liked it, Vic. I always have so much fun painting Santa at Christmastime. I am already thinking about next year!

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  8. There is always such a great freedom and movement in your subjects and also in your use of colors . Just wonderful !

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    1. A lovely comment, Jane - many thanks for your kind and generous thoughts.

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  9. The feel of wind and speed is so strong and masterfully painted. So very well done.
    Santa and giraffe make an interesting funny couple.. Lots of speed, too.

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    1. I think that is what I enjoy most - painting the disturbances in the universe caused by the powerful motion of the horse and rider (or giraffe and rider as the case my be).

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  10. This is wonderful-the sense of movement and the way the compositionally leads your eye across the canvas from right to left along with the horses. There is certainly no lack of vigour in this.

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    1. Thank you for saying so, Nicola. Sometimes I need a day or two after finishing a painting before I can see it correctly.

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  11. Ik bewonder steeds je werk met paarden, Susan, prachtig.
    groetjes van Simonne

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    1. I just love painting them in all their glorious magnificence! Thank you, Simonne!

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  12. Bonjour ma chère amie,

    Juste un petit coucou... Je cours beaucoup en ce moment comme beaucoup d'entre nous !
    Un grand merci pour tous tes gentils petits mots échangés tout au long de cette année 2014;
    Je te souhaite un Joyeux Noël ☃ et encore tous mes voeux pour l'année 2015 afin que tout soit compris y compris le bonheur pour toi et tous ceux que tu aimes.

    Gros bisous ❄︎ ♡ ❄︎ ♡ ❄︎

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    1. And I thank you for all the lovely comments you have made regarding my work. Someday I hope we will meet in person! I wish you a wonderful, healthy, happy and successful 2015!

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  13. Hey Buddy! The more vigor the better! Not sure how you can get more wonder in your great art but it is grand that you are always attempting to do more and better art! Great news! You are achieving your goals! Great news, no surprise here, this piece is full of vigor, excitement, beauty, wonder, and so much more! Bravo Susan!
    Happy New Year!
    Michael

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Your comments are welcome and brighten my day!