SUSAN'S . . . PLAYING 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.

YELLOW 10" round pastel on wood Wednesday is a day I typically go to life drawing.  So wonderful to be immersed in the art of painting  from life! And I enjoy immensely on trying different  supports and techniques.  Above, YELLOW , is a sketch completed in 45 minutes.  This is on a wooden base and executed with underlying  pastel washes. I've been playing here for am giving a class in November at Oasis on pastel washes with still lifes. More about that coming up later! Below, RED CROSS ,  is the warm-up sketch I created  during the same session. This is the 2nd and the  wood substrate measures 7" x 4 1/2". This was created as a preliminary facial study and to see the effectiveness of washes onto the wood base.  Really like what I have going on!  RED CROSS  7" x 4 1/2" pastel on wood

Model on 6/6/18 pastel on paper I really enjoy drawing from life!  Not only to capture the model's personality  and demeanor, but also the opportunity for  me to phase-out life. Amazing how everyday's  turmoils and chores muddle the brain.    

WOMEN IN HATS   STRAW HAT                         A JAUNTY POSE pastel sketches on paper Working on my little ladies for the upcoming show, WOMEN IN HATS . So funny that the title has changed several times. Today it's Women In Hats yet I've also labeled it  Many Hats  Women Wear and Many Hats Worn . Hmmm . . . wonder what it will be on opening night? Come and see!

PENSIVE 12"x 9" pastel on paper Relishing on going drawing today!  Above is my second piece from last week's effort.  Below is another I did awhile back. Different substrates as well as colors really affect the outcome. And I devoted more time to this, so really was able to punch up the colors!  

ONE-DAY WORKSHOPS! I'm very honored Fuller Lodge Art Center , Los Alamos is sponsoring my 3 one-day pastel workshops for their Fall Semester.  They are as follows: Saturday, September 10th - Miniature Pastel Skies Saturday, September 17th - Gestural Pastel landscapes with Washes   Saturday, October 22nd - Portraiture in Pastels The classes are limited to 10 people, so space is limited.  Read more and sign - up at:  http://fullerlodgeartcenter.com/classes.shtml  Hope to see you there!!!!

SKETCH OF A GIRL pastel It has been so inspiring to have time now  to go life drawing!!! Found myself in the same groove, as far as my application of pastels.  And then I thought, wait . . . let's play! Nothing like lines and color for a dash of va-voom!

FEMALE SKETCH pastel on Canson Mi-Tientes paper  Sure takes a long time to get back on track!  And I have my studio together for one week now, as well as been going to life drawing at New Mexico Art League in Albuquerque.  They have wonderful models weekly and this one was done in a three-hours timeframe.  So great to be back in the game!!!!

ZOE  pastel sketch Christmas was a kick   and so enjoyed the short visit  with my family! Did a mad dash to Albuquerque with  an extra stop on the way and on the return to visit friends. During the drive, worked away on upcoming class  projects. Amazing what one can accomplish!  But knew I needed to get some figurative poses  together, so corralled my daughter and 2  granddaughters to work. Above, Zoe , is a sample for my one-day pastel portrait  workshop to be held at the San Diego Museum of Fine  Art on Saturday,January 12th.   Wondering what she's gazing at?

BECCA pastels on Stonehenge paper I know . . .  it's been so very quiet in my corner.  All for a good reason. I've been preparing for a pastel portrait workshop, to be held at the San Diego Museum of Fine Art on Saturday, January 12th.  It's part of the Museum's Second Saturday Workshop  Series, which features adults, one-day art workshops  partnered with an exhibit. In my case, the exhibit is America Behold!, and the participants gets a  docent-led tour before taking the workshop.  Exciting, isn't it?   Click here to sign up and additional information of the program.