Steeplechase Racing!

Untitled / oil on canvas panel / 12 x 16

Untitled / oil on canvas / 9 x 12

A few smaller works as I am trying to create a body of paintings for the smaller works gallery!

Steeplechase

22x28 oil on linen - so gigantic for me! I am emotionally exhausted after this one. The title is pending....

Steeplechase - Untitled

Untitled as of now, this is what I have been working on the past few days. It is not finished - still needs some fine tuning but I may put it aside for a while. It is 18x24 oil on linen.

Gravitational Considerations

Oil on linen panel - 22x28. I have been doing some traveling lately and had little time to paint. Back at the easel now. As always, many thanks for stopping by my blog!

Another Ballerina Steeplechase Attempt

My ballerinas are certainly broadening their horizons and skillsets. 20x16 oil on canvas panel.

The Magic of Accelerated Motion

Painting this composition was thoroughly enjoyable as I was challenged by the extreme  foreshortening. Its so interesting trying to create from paint on a flat surface a three dimensional living breathing subject flying forward in time and space! Hope I somewhat succeeded! This is 20x16 oil on linen.

And the start of Ballerina #22 seems like there is chaos at the Quantum Jump School of Ballet!

Thank you all for visiting my blog and taking an interest in my painting endeavors.

Steeplechase

Untitled as of yet, this is another 18 x24 oil on linen panel. I love painting horses and trying to establish the correct level of connectedness between the horse and the rider while acknowledging their attempts to fleetingly defy gravity!

An Approximate Symmetry

Oil on Linen 22 x28. I might reconsider some things and tweak it tomorrow but its done for today!

Ballerinas are Taking a Break-Back to Steeplechase

 Weeks and weeks of struggle have gone by where I have wiped off untold numbers of painting attempts. This has happened to me before but perhaps not so profoundly as this time. The only way I can describe it is to say that the paint feels alien to me and I no longer have any rapport with it. I am hoping that I have emerged and can regain some confidence again. I am pleased with the painting of the steeplechase mishap above - and relieved to have experienced a sense of familiarity with my brushes, paint and canvas when painting it.  It is 20x24 oil on linen board.

This is a quick oil study done on heavy brown paper as an attempt to force myself out of my painting slump.

Through all of my struggles,  I  continued to attend life drawing whenever possible. It has really kept me going and given me the strength to survive the painting slump. The drawing above was a wonderful opportunity  at foreshortening and I had fun with the white charcoal pencil on the next two drawings of Tom.

Packing Can Wait

I will leave this for now - I see a lot more to be done but will let it rest for a while. Happy to paint today!

More Progress

Still a long way to go - but having so so much fun! 24 x 36 oil on linen.

Best of Show - Pinch Me, I Must Be Dreaming!

Women Artists of the West 41st National Exhibition - Juror of Awards: Ann Templeton.
Please go to this LINK for a list of the award winners. I am in a state of shock! Wow!

Work in Progress

I am working on a large 24 x 36 oil on linen piece. Its probably my most complex and ambitious painting to date and, I  must say, I am exicited about it so far. All the figures, the action, the snow - its really been fun to work on. Its not done yet but I thought I would post it and then update when it is done. I would love to hear your thoughts and feelings about it so far. Thanks for stopping by and for looking!
Here are a couple of close up shots as well:

The Willcox Hotel Exhibit

A few photos from the Willcox Hotel exhibit in Aiken, South Carolina. The hotel has graciously asked if I will extend the exhibit of my steeplechase paintings through the month of March which is the heart of their steeplechase season. I said, yes!

Finished?

Yes, its finished now

And a close up of the jockey.

On the Easel Tonight

I am about 85% done  - a few final tweaks here and there. I love the composition and the feeling of tension and ucertainty as to what is going to happen next. I am not sure who is in control here - the jockey, the horse or the forces of gravity.

Flat Out

Only had time for a quick small study before heading out to Reno for a few days of cold crisp air and snow capped Sierra mountain beauty. This little one is 8x8 and I call it Flat Out.

The Aiken Horse

The February/March issue of The Aiken Horse magazine was published today with this ad on page 36! If you follow the link, you can flip through the pages - an amazing magazine! I am so happy to have my steeplechase painting featured in this ad. This painting is 16x20 and is one of the pieces on display this month at the Willcox Inn courtesy of The Chisholm Gallery.

Aiken Standard Article February 4, 2011

The walls of The Willcox are beaming with equestrian pride this month, as the Chisholm Gallery,
a leading international dealer of sporting art, has brought an exhibition of more than 20 artists from
all over the world. Paintings, drawings, sculptures, needlepoint collections, vintage photographs, pearls, botanical water colors, lithographs, caricatures and more are on display and sale throughout the hotel for the rest of the month. Chisholm Gallery owner Jeanne Chisholm said, in her business, she strives for a
mix of fine art from new and established artists in a variety of media and subject matter. One of Chisholm’s favorite exhibits in the gallery is that of Susan Smolensky, an artist who depicts Steeplechase horses and scenes. “She has captured a dynamism that nobody else has,” said Chisholm of Smolensky. “The elevation, the angle at which she depicts the steeplechase horses jumping – she really makes you feel like you’re right there with her, right there in the moment of the jump or landing.” Many thanks to Ashleey Williamson, Aiken Standard writer.

Quantum Poetry Finished and Close Ups

Put the finishing flourishes on this picture today and I am happy. It took me a while to realize where I wanted to go but once I made up my mind, it all came together. I am especially pleased with the  jockey and his bold brushwork. I like how he seems to be disssolving into the atmosphere as he strains to keep his seat aboard  this soaring black beauty.You may be able to see that on the close up photos.  And an update on the Willcox Inn exhibit - the crated paintings arrived safe and sound 3 days early! I never heard of that happening before - lol! Did I tell you that I have had a case of severe separation anxiety since shipping them? I wonder if other painters feel that way - but I almost called up the shipper to tell him to ship them back to me. I was able to restrain myself but I do miss them terribly.