 |
| Shonnard Family / oil on canvas panel / 16 x 20 |
 |
| Untitled as of yet / 24 x 18 / oil on linen panel |
Wishing everyone a very joyful, creative and fulfilling 2015!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Ending the Year with a Challenge!
What better way than to spent the last day of 2014 painting portraits from life at the Reno Portrait Society - and what a challenging experience it was! We had 3 models - yes, three! - all posing together as a family portrait. This is the first time I have done a portrait of more than one person in a three hour sitting. Whew - it was so intense that at the end of the session I felt like I had run a marathon at top speed! I did not finish but this is what I achieved in the time allotted. I am pleased with all three likenesses and also feel that I was able to catch in paint something more than just images. Dad, Mr. William Shonnard is on the left with 17 year old son Warren in the foreground and beautiful, sweet Genelle with her floppy gray hat in the back.
Still in progress on my easel as 2014 draws to a close is a white polo pony - happy with it so far!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Happy New Year Susan!... Your offerings on this last day of 2014 continue to be filled with life... vitality... and most importantly... pure honesty!
ReplyDeleteI love the polo piece... much in the spirit of your Santa menagerie of mounts!
Good Painting in 2015!
Warmest regards,
Bruce
Many thanks, Bruce. I hope to challenge myself more and more in the new year. It seems to be one of the things that helps to keep my work fresh and energetic. I appreciate your kind words! And good painting to you as well in 2015!
DeleteHappy New Year Susan! I love your group portrait, the personalities come across beautifully! Great work in progress too!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Celia - these Wednesday morning life sessions have been invaluable to me.
DeleteOkay Buddy! You certainly did capture great images and always more!!! Your beautiful style is certainly all yours! Three portraits in one! First look all I could think of was Norman Rockwell!! One of the most emotional and sacred of your great works! Bravissimo Susan! Of course love the start of the polo pony! Full of vim and vigor! Happiest New Year Susan! (This art blog thing is such a joy!)
ReplyDeleteYour East Coast Art Blogging Buddy!
Michael
Your comments always thrill me, Michael! The reference to Norman Rockwell I believe may be because of the expressions taken on by the models - they made for such a compelling trio! Many thanks, Michael - and the happiest New Year of painting to you!
DeleteHappy New Year, Susan! What a great way to end 2014 and to start 2015!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Judy - yes, I felt that this gigantic challenge was a fitting way to end my painting year!
DeleteInspiring paintings as always Susan! Wonderful! Happy New Year to you! :0)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sandra! 2014 was a great and exciting year - here is to an even better 2015!
DeleteI would stop right there with that white polo pony. That degree of finish is just enough to make it a painting--and his white coat and the elusive background really expresses the speed of the beautiful animal and the game. Triple portraits are very difficult, but with you at the brush this one came out great. How nice to have a place that offers such opportunity.
ReplyDeleteI like your thoughts about the polo pony, Linda, and as yet, have not gone back to it. I seen undecided as to that background. I must have had something in mind but lost it as I look at the painting now. It may take me a while to decide upon my next step with this piece. Triple portraits are difficult - I found my mind ping ponging from one model to the next as I paint all over the canvas. It was a workout for the brain as well as the paint brush!
DeleteIn AWE!
ReplyDeleteEveryone above says it all.
All the best for 2015. I look forward to continuing the pleasure of seeing your work.
I am so very fortunate to have these life sessions to attend - the challenges they present are something I look forward to each week! Thanks, Julie - and I so look forward to viewing your work in 2015 as well!
DeleteThe 3-in-1 portrait is a huge challenge, and you handled it beautifully! I always love your works with horses, and the polo pony is so ALIVE.
ReplyDeleteSusan, I wish you a very happy and [continuing] creative New Year!!!
Kathryn
If truth be known, the triple portrait made me shake in my boots. It was interesting to note that only 2 or 3 other artists attempted all three portraits. Many did one, some did two but I felt that I could not let such a unique opportunity go by without giving all three a try! Thanks for your kind wishes and all your encouraging words this past year. Dear Kathryn, I wish you a super special New Year!
DeleteA great family portrait ! Wishing you a wonderful 2015 !
ReplyDeleteInterestingly, I did not see much genetic likeness between the family members - their facial structures and skin tones were all unique - making for an even greater challenge! Glad you like this start, Jane - and all the best to you in 2015!
DeletePrachtige werken Susan, dit is een mooie start van het nieuwe jaar, ik wens je nog veel succes.
ReplyDeletegroetjes van Simonne
Many thanks, Simonne. The challenge of this spurns me on into 2015!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteBonjour ma chère Susan,
ReplyDeleteJe viens à nouveau te présenter tous mes voeux de santé, de bonheur, de joie, de créativité... pour 2015.
Tu as été extrêmement courageuse, tu as terminé l'année 2014 en toute beauté avec ce sublime trio...
Je reste toujours très admirative aussi lorsque je contemple tes équidés !... Ma prochaine peinture va t'étonnée et je te la dois !!...
Je te fais plein de bisous,
Oh, Martine! I can't wait to see your surprise painting! I am certain it will be a delightful way to begin 2015!
DeleteMerveilleuses peintures!
ReplyDeleteBonne et heureuse année 2015, beaucoup de bonheur et joie !
Merci de tes passages sur mes pages, à bientôt!
Gros bisous- Cath
Your are welcome, Cath - your work is always a joy to behold and a feast for my eyes!
DeleteI can't imagine painting at that speed, Susan. What a great painting.
ReplyDeleteI've been watching a competition on TV for Best Portrait Painter of 2014 ... it quite exhausted me.
I haven't tried animals yet, but I'm trying to make up for all the lost years and learn to paint at 100mph. The Polo pony is a delight.
Hi, John, I can hardly describe the process as I seem to get myself so intently focused and I am generally not a rapid painter. I can't even begin to describe how the triple portrait emerged - it was as if I knew in my artists brain that I only had so much time and better make the most of it!
Delete