I took a Plein Air painting workshop this weekend with Michelle Chrisman. Plein Air painting is painting outside directly from nature. This was a new experience for me and I truly loved it. We first painted at Los Poblanos Ranch and on the second day we went far north in Corrales and painted the Rio Grande. As you can see I improved by the second day and can't wait to get outside and try this again. The fall weather was beautiful and I learned invaluable lessons of cropping my image, simplifying the landscape, finding shapes, and creating a pattern of dark values.
Oil on Deep Edge Stretched Canvas, suitable for hanging without frame
6"x6"
$54.00
This is my first attempt using the glazing technique. A monochrome painting (grisaille) was completed using payne's gray and then multiple layers of tint were added to complete the final painting.
I'm starting something new. ATC's are meant to be traded only. They are small works of art measuring 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" (the size of a baseball card), and can be of any media. They are portable and fun to do as a respite from more serious works. I have begun this endeavor with watercolors of dead artists. I plan to do a small series.
This is my first of a series I have been thinking about for a long time. My desire is to pay tribute to women around the world. While we enjoy hard fought freedom here in the United States, there unfortunately remains much of the world where women are oppressed. Of the two sexes, women are the most evolved (in my opinon) for they not only have a high intellectual ability, they also are able to fully embrace the emotional capacity of the human spirit. It has always boggled my mind how women historically ended up in a subservient role only because they had less physical power. Someday (long after I am gone) women will no longer be regarded as "less than." I think they are "more than" and I will paint them from all corners of the earth.
This is the first of a Koi Pond series I intend to do. I will paint in each of my mediums exploring realism, abstraction, and whimsy. I will also experiment with mixed media and collage. The possibilities are endless but I intend to complete about 8 paintings...maybe more.
I went out of town this week but took along my watercolors. In the evenings I did something I do not normally do - I painted whimsy! Normally I do not paint out of my head but below you will see what was in there. Enjoy. Susan
Once the bluebird of happiness flew in, her worries disappeared.
Watercolor on Arches paper 5"X7" SOLD
She was really rather bookish but with a cupcake on her head she became the office darling.
Watercolor on Arches paper, framed 5"X7" SOLD If you wish to purchase this painting please contact me directly atartistsusanfinch@comcast.net
She thought the flower in her hair would hide that she was feeling blue.
I have painted several dogs, the kindest beings on earth. All of these works were commissioned by the owners. If you would like a custom painting of your four legged friend please contact me directly atartistsusanfinch @comcast.net
After my experimentation with watercolor pseudo woodblocks I transitioned to using gouache (opaque watercolor)as a means to create more refined images.
In Japanese design I particularly like the flat planes of color, the beautiful designs found on kimonos, and the simplicity of the overall composition. Last year I started painting Japanese watercolors using a pseudo woodblock technique. First I drew my image on watercolor paper. I then masked the entire piece of paper using frisket leaving only the lines exposed. I followed this by painting the entire page with black acrylic. I then removed the frisket and was left with a rough image, often a surprise. Applying the watercolor and some detailed design followed.
I have been painting for 24 years but prior to 2007 it was an enjoyable hobby. Fortunately, I am now able to focus on painting and enjoy it daily. For the last couple of years I have been working in watercolor but have recently started working in oils again after a 17 year hiatus. Prior to the watercolor I was faithfully entrenched in soft pastels. Now I prefer to work in all mediums freely and enjoy the privilege of having time to create whenever I like. You know the constant voice in your head that goes over what you need to get done, what didn't go well, and what you need to do tomorrow. When I paint that voice turns off and I enter a world of pure enjoyment.
I paint in oil, watercolor, gouache (opaque watercolor), and soft pastel. I like flat planes and rich colors. I paint almost everyday with my goal of completing at least one painting a week. I once had an art teacher who said "painting is a jealous mistress." I didn't understand it at the time but now I know that painting calls to you, it nags you, it wants all of your attention. But this is a good thing because there is nothing more enjoyable to do.