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

Friday, January 18, 2019

This and That

Portrait Sketch / 10x8 / oil linen panel

First portrait of the new year - done from a photo.


Untitled / 24x20 / oil canvas panel
 And a larger oil done last year. I am still struggling for a an appropriate title for this one! A close up of her face gives an indication of her demeanor and hints at a good title. I just have not discovered it yet!



The Reinert Gallery was kind enough to frame the paintings I sent to them and send me these two photos - you can see that they are safely guarded by the ferocious gallery guard dog!








My husband and I spent Christmas in Las Vegas in December as neither of our children could make it home for the holidays. It was very cold and even snowed a little bit on one frigid, windy day! But we braved the chill and drove to Red Rock Canyon, which is only about 20 miles outside of the city. It was so unique and so beautiful! Here are some photos:



 


Hope everyone is having a great beginning to this New Year and that it is proving to be filled with creativity and accomplishment!
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14 comments:

  1. Nora MacPhailJanuary 18, 2019 at 10:32 AM

    Hi Susan! Thanks for the comment over on my blog. Your portraits are lovely too! I love that girl with the hat. : ) Happy Painting. Nora

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    1. SusanJanuary 31, 2019 at 3:30 PM

      Thanks, Nora - stay warm in all that cold snowy weather you are having in Canada. I saw some photos of a frozen Niagara Falls - just spectacular!

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  2. JaneJanuary 19, 2019 at 4:32 AM

    Love your portraits and how you build them with dots freely placed here and there in perfect places ! I see 'defiance' in the big lady :-))

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    1. SusanJanuary 31, 2019 at 3:30 PM

      Thank you, Jane and I love your title suggestion! Thank you!

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  3. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comJanuary 19, 2019 at 8:17 AM

    The mouth on your portrait is fabulous. It looks like is could move at any moment. At art school they said the mouth was the hardest area to paint - and the eyes, the easiest!
    Your large woman made me grin. Feeling fat after too much food over the holidays i am sensitive to other eyes scanning my tight clothes!! I may have an expression just like that.
    Beautiful abstract shapes in the landcape pics
    And don't the frames look great?!

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    1. SusanJanuary 31, 2019 at 3:33 PM

      Thanks Julie - it was her mouth that drew me to paint her!
      Frames are so important to the finished piece. I like mine a little wider than the gallery choices but I am satisfied. I think a wider frame allows the painting to "breathe" without feeling restricted. I recently framed a little 8x10 ballerina painting and it totally transformed her - kind of magical, actually!

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  4. hmuxoJanuary 19, 2019 at 5:32 PM

    Your portrait sketch is excellent! I love her lips!! The other lady is outstanding!! She stands with an attitude!!! I have always loved your unique technique on the faces!!!! AND love your photos of Red Rock Canyon.... I need to go there!!!!!

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    1. SusanJanuary 31, 2019 at 3:35 PM

      Thank you, Hilda - I hope to see you painting and posting again soon and hope you are well recovered from your fall. This year (so far) I seem to be drawn to figurative work and portraiture.

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  5. JudyJanuary 20, 2019 at 12:07 AM

    I love the first portrait! And the large lady has an attitude to be jealous of. :) The Red Rock Canyon looks amazing, what an interesting landscape!

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    1. SusanJanuary 31, 2019 at 3:36 PM

      Many thanks for your comments, Judy - I do love portraiture and figurative work in general. I agree about the landscape - I never saw anything quite like it and the cloudy stormy day only added to the beauty!

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  6. Simonne's fantasiestudioJanuary 22, 2019 at 9:49 AM

    Dag Susan, je portret van de dame met de rode hoed is geweldig, de grote dame toont veel karakter en verdient inderdaad een mooie naam.
    Prachtige foto's, zulke landschappen hebben wij hier niet hoor !
    groetjes van Simonne

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    1. SusanJanuary 31, 2019 at 3:37 PM

      So happy you like them - and hope to see you back painting again soon. Your recent snow photos are lovely!

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  7. R's RueJanuary 26, 2019 at 4:00 AM

    Love.

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    1. SusanJanuary 31, 2019 at 3:38 PM

      So happy you love them, Regine. Manfdy thanks for stopping by and commenting!

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Your comments are welcome and brighten my day!

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