SUSAN'S . . . PLAYING AGAIN!

CLASSES, TEACHING + PAINTING   I have been so busy teaching as well as painting! Above are two abstract pastels created for demos during  two classes at Oasis / ABQ.  On the left was created at the first class in May and the  right was from this past week. The classes were learning  of representational and non-representational abstracts.  They had vases of florals for inspiration.  Now I have upcoming eight-week classes at the New Mexico Art League on the dynamics of strokes and substrates.  Fun, fun, fun!

Workshop!    Quickly approaching is my 4-days workshop on Painting the Light of New Mexico at the New Mexico Art League in Albuquerque. Will be working on sunny days with white clouds to rain clouds and sunsets. Will definitely be fun! For more information please click here. Evening + Red Glow 2 - soft pastel

  BEAUTY - Abstract 2 soft pastel on sanded paper It's been so long since I've posted, so playing catch up now.  I've been so fortunate and awarded a residency in April - more  about all of this later! - had a solo show at Harwood Art Center  in Albuquerque, and classes at Oasis / ABQ and the New Mexico  Art League .  Guess I'll start with that first, so above is one of my demos at the Art League with the class of 3 Stages of Abstraction. Was fun, to think outside of the box with abstracts.  

BRUSH STUDY 10" x 10" pastel on sanded paper I've been teaching a lot lately, which is always a challenge for makes me think . Amazing how much artists create intuitively! So now I have to think of the words to express the technique and thought process. Above, Brush Study , is a work in progress of a Southwest landscape created during a class at the New Mexico Art  League. It was executed with a alcohol wash underpainting. Still a ways to go, but progressing!

ORANGE BEAUTY 2                     2 LEAVES 6" x 6"                                        7" x 7" Thinking in two realms, yet there's is still a  commonality between these two pastels. Orange Beauty 2 is a simplified sunset with use  of bold colors. The medium is applied in an  extensive layered patterning. The representational abstract, 2 Leaves , again uses the same bold colors, yet with a different  execution. A wash is applied to the primary base  and then colors applied in a layered fashion.  Funny how I have to really focus when changing  genres.  

 Green + Orange Bushes     Blue + Orange Study             Sanded paper           Canson drawing paper    I always end up working with different techniques  and styles when teaching.  Not that I don't use  mark-making, but tend to get into a 'groove' with  using the same execution. So now I'm doing Southwest landscapes utilizing  complimentary colors and marks. Green + Orange  Bushe s is a completed and framed pastel, whereas  Blue  + Orange  Study is created on drawing paper for  an example to my upcoming class on Friday. Just so much fun!

PURPLE + YELLOW TREE 8" x 8" soft pastel on sanded paper 12" white mat, glass + black frame $275 - tax + shipping inclusive  With the new year, I'm off to a fresh start! I've been absent much on my blog, for life has thrown so many twists on the day-to-day events.  But I've missed all, so this year I'll be more present.  Above, PURPLE + YELLOW TREE is a pastel I've created for my upcoming class at the New Mexico Art League that begins this Friday, the 6th.  PURPLE + YELLOW TREE is a sample of utilizing bright complimentary colors in a scene. Below, is  an image of the 2 pastels I've created with one using  subtle complimentary colors and the same scene with bright colors and a more graphic approach.  And the scene is from the Desert Dairy Farm's oasis where I was so fortunate to have a residency in 2021+ 2022! Love that place!

CROSS OF REDEMPTION 12"h x 9"w soft pastel + gold leaf 22.5"h x 18.5" glass, mat and gilded frame $725 This Saturday, the 12th is the reception at New Mexico  Art League's Beyond Ordinary -the Still Life - from 4:30 to 6:30 pm. I will be here! The above pastel, Cross of Redemption , is one of the three within the exhibit. To read more about the show or purchase, please click here.    

A PINK DRAPE + GREEN APPLES 10" x 8" pastel 14 1/2" h x 12 1/2"w mat, glass + ornate silver frame $525 Pleased to announce that A Pink Drape + Green Apples  is the 2nd of three pastels juried into New Mexico Art League's  Beyond Ordinary _ the still life. The exhibit will up for viewing till November 26th with  an artists reception on November 12th from 4:30 - 6:30 pm.  And I will be in attendance!  Hope to see you there!!  Please click here for additional information or purchase.

  SHADOWED POSEYS 12" x 9" pastel  18" x 15" frame $550 Shadowed Poseys is one of the three pastels on exhibit at New Mexico  Art League's Beyond Ordinary - the Still Life- which opened October 25th.  The Artists Reception is on Saturday, November12th from 4:30 to 6:30 pm.  I will be there too!  Below, is the formal invitation:

  A PATH * 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" pastel 8" square mat, glass + frame Private Collector Calling for the final sign-up of the 3-days workshop, The  Expressive Landscape in Pastel ,  at the New Mexico Art League in Albuquerque. Emphasis will be on compositions, rendering, complimentary colors while capturing the movement  of clouds. The class runs Friday, June 17th thru Sunday, June 19th  from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm. More information by clicking here .  * This little pastel had gone onward to a new home quite some  time ago, however is still one of my favorites. 

THE EXPRESSIVE LANDSCAPE IN PASTEL New Mexico Art League Friday, June 17 - Sunday, June 19th; 9:30am - 3:00pm  Progression on PASTELS +AFAR 1 6"h x 24"w pastel Sold - Private Collector Happy to announce that I'll be teaching The Expressive  Landscape in Pastel  at the New Mexico Art League ! The two in-studio and one in-field workshop will  cover rendering compositions with positive / negative  shapes and emphasis on complimentary colors. Please click onto New Mexico Art League for additional information. Class size is limited.  

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.   

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. 

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.

CLOUD BURST 5 3/4"h x 3 1/2 w acrylic on wood 9"h x 6"w glass + frame Above is the acrylic painting, Cloud Burst , on a  reclaimed wood block that is on exhibit at The New  Mexico Art League's Small Works & Holiday Show . The show is up till January 5th so just a few more  days remaining. More information by clicking here .

ZOE WITH TULLE HAT    A REGAL STUDY               4" x 4"pastel                     10" x 8" pastel + gold leaf Once again I've been silent on my end. And it hasn't been  for not working. Between a commission (which I'll be posting  very soon), juried  and solo shows, collaborating on a play and  assuming the 2019 Presidency to the Pastel Society of  New Mexico. Oh, and who could forget there are holidays  coming around quickly!  Pictured here are 3 images that were juried into New Mexico  Art League's  Small Works Holiday Show . The exhibition is  from December 4, 2018 to January 5, 2019. The artists reception  is tomorrow, Saturday the 15th from 5 to 7pm.  Click here for more info at the Art league's website. CLOUD BURST   5 3/4" x 3 1/2" acrylic on wood block 

TRAVELING SKY 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" pastel skyscape 10" x 10" mat, museum glass + gold frame SOLD - PRIVATE COLLECTOR Traveling Sky was juried in as well to New Mexico Art League's Small Works Holiday Show!  The exhibit will run from December 16th to January 6, 2018. More info upcoming, but hope all in the area will attend.

FALLING RAIN 6" x 6" pastel The monsoons of the Southwest has passed but it sure was glorious!  And this little gem was juried into the Small Works Holiday Show at New Mexico Art League!