SUSAN'S . . . PLAYING AGAIN!

GLOW 11"h x 14"w pastel black with gold trim frame sold -   private collector Night fell fast. The lower half of a thick strand of dark clouds turned blazing-red from the sun as it dropped to the horizon. And the night glowed.

2 Lotus Buds 11"h x 14"w pastel This little scene is on exhibit at the Van Vleck House & Gardens  of Montclair, New Jersey for the Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club   Members' Show.  Humbled and a honor to be a juried member of this 124th year organization!  

  AS THE BLUE SETTLES  pastel This sweet small thing has been downtown at Patrician Design . They wanted an image for a mailer so I just revisited it.  Forgot how much I liked it! Simple + subtle.

 PASSING RED 12" x 12" pastel Sold - private Collector So very proud that Passing Red and four other pastels went onto  a Collector. Always feel so blessed whenever that happens!

 Desert Pastel 5" x 5" pastel on wood panel Above, Desert Pastel , is the first piece of art and only pastel that I created while at the Farm. It was Saturday, February 13th at 6 am, with the chilled winds moving  with alarming speed throughout the sky.   The afternoon of the day prior, I drove up to the  Desert Dairy Farm  with my sculpture strapped onto the  front and back seats. Curiosity and anticipation of  what was in store for me with this residency. Anna Stump, co-founder of the Desert Dairy Farm gave me a grand tour of the facilities and grounds.  Below is a front view of the barn, where I spent much time during the day.

 A DRAMATIC MORNING 6" x 6" pastel Sold - Private Collector So very fortunate for sales during the holiday season and pictured  is one of them!  I am every so grateful for art patrons and each sale, which helps in  keeping the artist alive. And touching to know that it will hang in  someone's home to cherish.  Many thanks!

 STACKED + FLOWING 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" pastel on sanded paper 8" square white mat and black frame $155 - shipping + tax inclusive I've been off with a busy life  . . . who would believe during a pandemic? In the time I've been MIA, I  conducted a pastel class for Oasis/ABQ. That truly was an experience! I love teaching yet it was so difficult with keeping a 6' distance and wearing a mask for the duration of the class. I was actually abled to cover more material yet sure did a lot of talking! Exhausted when all was done.  So pictured above, Stacked + Flowing  is one example for the class on paste l washes. I feel there is a lot of movement capturing the flight of clouds.

A GENTLE ROLL  12" x 12" pastel Sold - Private Collector I've noticed that my art has become very reflective of today's pandemic crisis.  First, I was focusing on mountaintop ridges with the viewer looking off into the sky. Gave such an isolated feel.  I realized this after reflecting on my imagery.  Well now I've progressed onward to water scenes. Felt the visual  movement was hypnotic and lulling . . .  Peaceful.

PINK SWAG 5" x 5" pastel glass + brown frame NFS I've truly been enjoying the rainstorms that have been  passing through. Standing afar, yet almost can feel  the drops!

ONE LILY  4 1/2" x 4 1/2" pastel on wood glass + gold frame $65 + tax (shipping inclusive) I've been going outside to paint weekly to combat the COVID-19  blues. ONE LILY was created at Shady Lakes in Albuquerque that  is stocked with waterlilies everywhere! And throw in some bull  frogs and turtles in the mix. Really a peaceful time.  Pictured below is my blocking-in sketch and the pieced finished  with its frame.

GOLDEN + AFAR 16"h x 24"w  pastel on paper Almost . . .  can touch the mountain ridge. As I look off into the sunset . . .  from a distance. Alone. Social distancing at a perfection. 

A POCKET OF TEARS 16" x 20" pastel After a month of social distancing, I woke up  this morning to a rainstorm.  The sky is crying!

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!

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.   

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. 

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.

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!

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.