SUSAN'S . . . PLAYING AGAIN!

DARK BLUE NIGHT 3" x 3" acrylic on wood  1 1/2"  deep black floater frame  SOLD - Private Collector Well I must have been really partying over here, for just now  realized there is only one blog posted throughout December. What???!!!  So I am posting a sweet, petite acrylic and offering at a  special price. And by petite, this little one is only 3" square.  Please note, that this little one could be hung on the wall or set upon a tabletop or window ledge since it's in a deep-set floater frame.

Please to announce that I have two pastels included  within Randy Higbee Gallery's 10th Annual  6" Squared Exhibition  and Sale .   Opening is Saturday, December 7th from 6 to 9pm at 102 Kalmus Dr, Costa Mesa, CA 92626.  Randy's openings are grand affairs, so I encourage anyone in the vicinity to attend. Unfortunately I  can not this year but will be there in spirit and  artwork.  And there are 533 oils and 75 pastels and watercolors, so pleased I am 2 of the 75! Work may be viewed and purchased online so click on: www.DailyBrushwork.com

YELLOW SIDE VIEW  pastel on wood circle This is a small pastel drawn from life a week ago.  And I decided the last 40 minutes to paint this.  Such a stoic, beautiful model!

PURPLE + YELLOW SKETCH 14" x 11" pastel on paper Last Friday I went to life drawing. Just love the  time engrossed in observing another's  mannerisms. I'm also curious on what the model's actually thinking while posing. Are they at a far-away place, traveling to another location and time? 

PENSIVE + COLORS 14" x 11' pastel 20" x 16" mat, glass + gilded frame $395 This Saturday, November 9th from 5 to 7pm is the Artist  Reception of  True Likeness, an Exhibition of the Portrait  and Figure . And I'll be here! The show is at the New Mexico Art League and runs  through November 23rd. Amazing work in all medias. I have three pastels in the exhibit and pictured below  is the 2nd one, ATTITUDE + GOLD. Click here for more information.   

GLIDING OVER THE TOWN 6" x 6" pastel museum glass, spacers and black frame GLIDING OVER THE TOWN  is my second of the two pastels that were juried into  Randy Higbee Gallery' s   10th Annual 6" Squared Exhibition and Sale !  I was in the gallery's premiere exhibit back in 2009. Since I  lived in San Diego at that time, was travel to the gallery to  see the exhibit. So very  fortunate I'm  participating once again!

A PINK RACE 6" x 6" pastel black frame, spacer  glass I'm very pleased that A Pink Race is one of my two pastels that were juried into Randy Higbee Gallery' s 10th Annual 6" Squared Exhibition and Sale !  I was in the gallery's very first exhibit back in 2009 and since  living in San Diego at that time, was able to go in person to  see the exhibit. Wonderful range of art, so fortunate I'm  participating once again! All art will be for sale and they make great holiday gifts! So please click on this link , to see the online show if you're unable to travel to Costa Mesa, CA. 

RED HOPE 6" x 6" pastel  10" square black, white mat, glass + frame SOLD - Private Collector As I faced the evening . . . obligations  of tomorrow raced. Overwhelmed and abated breathe . . . I wondered how? So few minutes . . . so little time.  And then I counted my blessings. 

SKETCH OF A TREE pastel on paper   I was fortunate and had a short reprieve with a trip to  northern New Mexico and Colorado. Wonderful  to have a get-a-way! First day we went to the Aztec Ruins. This National Park  has one of the finest and largest Kivas I have ever visited.  A beautiful blue, sunny day! Then traveled up to Durango to see the colors of the fall  trees, with a walk through their historic downtown, before heading to Lake Vallecito. Here we spent 2 evenings in a  quaint cabin. The last day we took a day-trip to Silverton. Above is a small sketch I created sitting at the lake and below  is a picture of the fall trees and a slice of Silverton.

ATTITUDE + GOLD 10" round pastel + gold leaf on wood 13" square glass + gold frame Boy, some mornings I feel just like this . . . glum.  Actually it's funny to see the expression on someone  else, which makes me more conscience on the look.    Even with a sad expression I love this piece!  And this piece is one of the three pastels that were  juried into New Mexico Art League's  True Likeness,  and exhibition of the portrait and figure  show  which opens October 22nd. 

CLOWN KITTY (Gordon) 5" x 5" pastel on wood 6" square white frame and glass Private Collector A week ago Saturday was my time to hang on a sidewalk  at Patrician Design and paint kitties and pooches.  That was a trip! Fortunately it was a sunny, nice day with many people strolling  bye. I got to paint Tater and his Mom brought Tater along.   So I juggled treats, pet the pooch and painted away. Such a happy  dog! And I think Tater had enough treats to last him a week! I painted Clown Kitty (Gordon) before the event, so didn't  have to juggle a kitty. But Gordon really was wearing a clown  collar in the photo, so I didn't take an artistic license and create  it. Wish I would have thought of it though, for so cute!   And if you're in the market for a pet portrait, hop right down to Patrician Design in ABQ for there's one more week to this event. 

IT'S A PARTY! 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" pastel  Private Collector Nothing like sweets on one's birthday and today  is my day! But of course, as tradition calls I'll be  celebrating for a month. And actually I started my party on September 9th with a dear friend. IT"S A PARTY was sold some time ago, but just love  how joyous this little treat is, so couldn't help posting once again.

LITTLE MINNIE'S SKETCH 5" x 5" pastel on wood    I can not believe the amount of time that has passed since writing  here! So long in fact, that I almost forgot my password. Oh dear!!! The typical excuse is of being super busy, which is classical huh?  But for now, I have an upcoming fun event that I'm participating in,  is Patrician  Design 's  Sidewalk Saturdays Pet Portrait Series. I'm up  first this upcoming Saturday, the 28th and will be sketching away any  pooch, kitty, rabbit or whatever your little baby is. Bring in the critter or a photo as I create a 20-minutes sketch of the little one.   And it's ridiculously cheap - just $40! Above, is Little Minnie's Sketch, a tiny little gal that comes and visits me.  And below is the flyer from Patrician Design of the event and  3 renditions of one sweet, little pug.

Last Wednesday I went drawing at The Artist Studio  in Albuquerque. AND the model did not show up, so  this wonderful person posed rather than draw herself.  And Gina did a fantastic job! Actually she was better thank many of the other models. Below is the initial start of this 2 1/2 hour pose.

THE FLOWER AS A STILL LIFE New Mexico Art League June 4 - July 13, 2019         5 GOLDEN                             SUNS + ORANGE                   SUNS + SHADOWS          I have 3 pastels juried into New Mexico Art League' s The Flower  As  A Still Life exhibit. The show runs from June 4th to July 13th  with an artist reception on Saturday, June 22nd from 5-7pm and I  will be in attendance. Would love to meet you so please come! Please click onto New Mexico Art League for address and additional info.

MANY COLORS  pastel on paper A little late here, but this is a piece I worked on at last  week's life drawing session. Heidi is a wonderful model  and so enjoy sketching her!  Below is the vamp-in after the first hour. Been experimenting  with laying a base of 3 colors prior to the beginning of  sketching. Gives a nice under-base to build upon. And  going out of my norm'  by use of bright, strong colors. Do  tend to use a lot of light blues and turquoise.

RAVEN 1 8" x 8" pastel + gold leaf 10" x 10" white mat, glass + black frame Wonderful 3-person show I'm participating in titled  SUMMER SHOWCASE  at Patrician Design in Albuquerque. The exhibit jumpstarts on the celebration of summer! I'll be in the company of illustrator Zahra Marwan and Oil Painter Jordan Caldwell, whom I am excited to meet.  Opening reception is Friday, June 21st from 5:30 to 8:30pm  at 216 Gold Ave SW, Albuquerque, 87102. Always a fun-filled evening on Patrician Design's openings,  so do hope you can make it if you live locally.

MALE MODEL  pastel on paper Plugging away on many things, but I did happen to go to life drawing a couple of days ago.  Men are such a challenge - and with glasses to boot.  Lines, lines, lines . . .  and color everywhere!

DROPPING COLORS pastel on board June 26th and June 27th I will be teaching a pastel class at Oasis / Albuquerque on Subtle & Blazing: Pastel Skies . The 2-days, 6 hours class will illustrate the execution of light and pastel sunsets versus bright and bold sunsets.  Dropping Colors is a sample of a blazing sunset. The registration opens May 8th at 10:00 am with  additional information available at: www.oasisabq.org . Please note one needs to have created an account in order to sign in and register! 

SET OF 3 MODELS pastel sketches on paper Since last year and January was so busy for me, I'm  now reevaluating where I am at. So much has been  going on between meetings, classes and working, that  now I've stopped to assess the direction my art is going.  Do any of you experience this?  I'm wanting to push out of my safe zone and play  with varied subject matter and styles. But regardless where  I'm at, color has always been the primary key which is evident  with the above sketches created in life drawing sessions.  So even though I've been quiet over here, there has been  progress and development which I'll be sharing soon.  And now . . . I'm skipping along and searching.

WREATH  life drawing sketch on paper I've been knee deep into taxes, organizational responsibilities and of course, family. Time consuming yes, but really I'm not complaining. Just that there has been a shortage of time.  So last week I had my play time and went life drawing.  So  exhilarating and also takes me away in my mind.  The model  was so good that I got the reprieve I needed.  Above, WREATH, is my first pastel sketch on paper. And below WREATH COLORS, is created on a 10" round wood circle.  The general proportions were sketched in with pastels, then a  water wash applied and an overlay of pastel ontop. WREATH + COLORS 10" round wood base + pastels

PURPLE MODEL 14" h x 11" w pastel sketch Today I spent 1/2 day sketching. And I so enjoy the time to get lost in my thoughts! The above sketch was executed in about 2 hours.

VEILED pastel + gold leaf I'm quiet once again in my corner over here, but have been  working away. Above, VEILED, is one of my current pieces. Have been playing with figures inanimate objects wrapped  in tulle. Fascinated with the slight sheerness, as well as the  look with the fabric draping over the face and body. Need to take a better image with correct lighting, but did want to throw this out there since I've been MIA.  

MOTHER NATURE upcycled mixed media sculpture SOLD  I truly love this little lady, yet happy to see  that she's  going to a new home. Mother Nature has been sold!  This fiery little lady will be residing in Taos in a  private collection.  She was recently one of the collected art pieces within  the play, Diptych' written by Mark Dunn, performed by  Albuquerque's Kathleen Welker and produced by the Aux Dog Theatre in Albuquerque.   

RED + BLAZING 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" pastel mat, glass + black frame $150 + $15 shipping ( tax inclusive) Down, down, down . . .  Hot, hot, hot . . .  Nothing like getting sick. Fortunately all's going better.

A DREAM   4 1/2" x 4 1/2" pastel white mat, glass + black frame $150 - tax and shipping inclusive Some days are hazy . . . with pastel colors floating,  amidst my daydreams. So lost in thought . . . and cocooned within the  subtle hues. It's a day of soft travels . . . so comforting!

A SLANTED DAY 18"h x 10"w glass, burnt pallet frame   A SLANTED DAY is one of the pastels including  within the Oasis Exhibit, on view till April 26th. The view is a slice of the Taos Pueblo. The paintings range from Southwest landscapes and  skies to sunflower still lifes.  Please click here for additional information and viewing times.

TURBAN  pastel on paper Getting back to my routine - sure feels good!  (& unbelievable 1/2 the month has already gone by!)  So today I went to life drawing and struggled away for 2 hours on a full body image that was going  nowhere. Then jammed this out the last hour. 

THE SHROUD pastel & gold leaf SOLD Just received yesterday a phone call from the Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club that my painting has sold!  So thankful for the Patrons and Supporters  of art. Everyone of you enable artists to continue with this profession. 

DAWN OF PUBERTY 13"h x 12"w pastel Friday was the opening night for the 9 performances of  DIPTYCH  at the Aux Dog Theatre ! This is the world-premiere  and created specifically for the X-Space of the Aux Dog Theatre.  The storyline created by Mark Dunn, charters the life relationship of a Mother & her artistic Daughter. The  mother is represented by actor Kathleen Welker and the  daughter is portrayed through my 32 pieces of pastels and  mixed media art. Below are some scenes from this past weekend and the  public's reception has been fantastic! 

DROPPING COLORS 12"h x 11"w pastel A new year . . . with the past going out with a blaze!  Hope, support and love . . .  to each and everyone! 

A MIST + CLOUDS 14"h x 11"w pastel glass + gold frame Tomorrow is the opening reception at Oasis / Albuquerque . Above, A MIST + CLOUDS, is one of the pieces on exhibit.  Getting my tap-dancing shoes on for the event (just kidding!). But will be dressed nice.  Hope to see you there!

THE SHROUD 14"h x 11"w pastel + gold leaf Tomorrow, January 8th signifies the opening of Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club 's 122nd Annual Open Juried Exhibition. Pleased that my above  painting, The Shroud was juried in.  The show may be viewed at the National Arts Club,  15 Gramercy Park South, NY, NY, through January 25th.  The hours are Monday through Friday, 10am-5pm. Saturdays and Sundays are by appointment. 

5 GOLDEN 25"h x 18"w pastel Framing, inventorying, labeling, packing + gearing up  to deliver art. Most do not realize the process in  preparing artwork for an exhibit. So much more than  just creating a piece.  It's all a labor of love! 5 GOLDEN is one of the many pieces included within my solo show, Subtle Nuances: Pastel Paintings by  Susan E Roden, at Oasis / Albuquerque. The exhibit opens  Thursday, January 10th with an artists reception - yes,  I'll be there! - from 5 - 6:30pm.  Additional information available by clicking here .