Four Demos and Three Workshops...Oh My!

For February 20, 2010 Online Still Life Painting Workshop info, please email me at susan@susancarlin.com

You may not know this about me, but I love to give painting demonstrations. It’s a chance to be around others who are enthusiastic about painting… plus I get to talk, answer questions, and paint at the same time. Heaven. September 2009 is going to be especially happy for me, since I’ve been asked to demo at four different art groups! You’re welcome at any or all of them- there’s no charge and you might just find a new group to join.

September 2, Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., Randolph Art League, 100 Northview Dr, Universal City, TX 78148, (210) 659-7048 (I’ll focus on seeing and representing values more accurately)
September 15, Tuesday at 7 p.m., New Braunfels Art League, 239 W San Antonio St, New Braunfels, TX 78130, (830) 629-8022 (I’ll be painting an oil portrait head study)
September 17, Thursday at 9:30 a.m., Highland Arts Guild, 318 Main St., Marble Falls, TX 78654, (830) 693-7324 (I’ll be focusing on drawing skills)
September 20, Sunday at 2 p.m., Coppini Fine Arts Academy, 115 Melrose Place, San Antonio, TX 78212, 210-824-8502 (I’ll be painting an oil portrait head study)

AND….I’ve arranged to give three workshops this fall. Why don’t you join me? Move your painting skills forward, get a new perspective, and have some fun at the same time!
Two four-week workshops in San Antonio at the Coppini Academy - Monday afternoons for either oil or pastel artists working on the subject matter of your choice. See details below.
One two-day portrait workshop in New Braunfels, just 15 minutes north of San Antonio at the New Braunfels Art League Gallery- October 23-24, for artists who work in either oil or pastel. See details below.

2 Painting Workshops at the Coppini Fine Arts Academy:

First workshop:
Mondays, September 28-October 19, 2009. 1:30-4:30 p.m.
Second workshop:
Mondays, October 26- November 16, 2009. 1:30-4:30 p.m.

Artists may work in either oil or pastel, work on still life, landscape or portraiture, and will receive individual instruction.
Focus-
Week 1. Subject and composition.
Week 2. Improving drawing skills.
Week 3. Seeing and representing values more accurately.
Week 4. Color and technique.
Still life arrangements and photographs will be available for subject matter, or artists may work from their own references.
$100. each workshop. Check or PayPal. Supply list will be sent on registration.

Send your check to:
Susan Carlin
12818 Independence Ave.
San Antonio, TX 78233

Or contact Susan at susan@susancarlin.com to ask for a PayPal invoice sent to your email address.

Two-Day Portrait Workshop at New Braunfels Art League Gallery:

Friday and Saturday, October 23-24, 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Artists may work in either oil or pastel, and will receive individual instruction.
Day one and the morning of Day two, you’ll paint portraits from photographs I provide, and you’ll paint from the model on the afternoon of Day two.

$175. includes model fee
Send your deposit of $50. (or complete fee) by check made out to “NBAL” to:
Mary Johnson
720 Meadow Arbor
Universal City, TX 78148

The balance is due by September 23rd.

Supply list will be sent on registration.

http://www.susancarlin.com/
susan@susancarlin.com
http://susansartjournal.blogspot.com/
www.ustream.tv/channel/susancarlin (Wednesdays at 6 p.m.)

Little Green Apples, oil, 9x12, Sold

Well, I hope this is a trend. This is the second broadcast in a row where the painting was spoken for before I was finished painting it. Thank you, Marilyn! I had put up four reference ideas to get a vote from the viewers who arrived first to the broadcast as to which painting to do. I had two figures and two still life arrangements. This is the one that got the most votes. I enjoyed painting it, and as always, the company was like a warm hug from a good friend. You guys are the best.

Two nights ago I finally hung all the little paintings I've been collecting from some of my bloggy artist friends. For symmetry, I added in a few of my own. My most recent purchase was the sweet beach painting by Josh Kadtke in the upper left corner. A close-up of that one is at the end of this post. I'll try to identify the artists of each....

Below- Left to right- Josh Kadtke, Carol Marine, Myra Knapp, Carol Marine, me, Gwen Bell.

Below- Left to right- Sarah Sedwick, me, Kathryn Law, Karin Jurick, Pattie Wall, me.

Below- Top to Bottom: me, Barbara Muir, Sarah Sedwick.

Below: Josh Kadtke, "Out Of The Office"

It's wonderful having your paintings where I can enjoy them every day! I still haven't framed an incredible nude by Sharon Wright since it's an odd size, but as soon as I do, I'll post that one as well.

Casa Rio- Riverwalk, 16"x16" oil, Sold

I started this painting last year and only today put it back up on the easel.
I worked hard not to treat every figure like a portrait, and keep a rather impressionist feel. I missed that mark to some degree, but I'm pleased with the result anyway.
This restaurant is a block from my gallery and is the iconic restaurant of San Antonio. Every painter is compelled to paint these umbrellas. I've done it myself three or four times. I may do it again several more. I've fed many a duck from my table along the rail....

Patty Napping, 9"x12" oil on ABS panel

I painted this last night during an impromptu broadcast (and recording) and tried out this sample panel of ABS. It's a plastic with an ivory-like surface. Very smooth, but not slick. I liked it a lot.
Most of this painting is faithful to the reference photo, but I changed the brown and tan patterned pillows to red, took the soda can off the table and replaced it with a wine glass (which I'm blaming on Diana Marshall who suggested it).
I really like this painting. I might fiddle with it more later, but this is how it looks right now.
The recording is here.

Charvin competition entry- learning a lesson over and over

A couple of weeks ago I rushed around and sent off a CD with a quickly photographed image of one of my paintings to the Charvin painting competition. I did it so fast that I didn't take the time to make sure the photo's colors were right.
I got an email yesterday telling me I got an honorable mention in the competition, so I went to see the web page showing the winners, and had a whole mixture of responses- happy to have a painting included, and sorry to see that the colors were so garish. That's completely my own fault, and a lesson learned... again. You'd think I'd know better by now. Doing things in a rush (and not feeling completely good about it before putting one's work out into the world) can often come back to bite you. Apparently I've done this publicly enough that Josh Kadtke wrote this in an email to me today:

"Right now I'm pulling a "Susan" by waiting till the last minute to start something for a deadline. I started last night at 10 and painted till 5am and then got up at 8 and started at it again!"

Yep. Sounds like me. And I'm about to do it again, too. The rush-to-a-deadline painting marathon. But, really, what's more motivating than a deadline?

Irish Gate, oil 8" x 10" Sold

Several rascals dared me to paint a landscape last night on the broadcast, so this small oil resulted. It's romantic , isn't it? I took the reference photos for this on my first evening in Ireland, walking in Ballycastle looking for internet access. Didn't find a place to connect, but took photo after photo of charming sights like this one.
Thank you, sweet friends, again for heckling me, I mean encouraging me to paint this.

Hope- nearing completion

Hope, oil, 20"x16"
I got to work on this most of the day today, much of that time during an impromptu broadcast where I was kept good company. Thanks, Ya'll. Days just don't get better than this one.
I'm not done- I need to look at it a while - but I like where this is going.

A bit of progress on woman with tattoo on her arm...

After finishing up on the other portrait, I was still in the mood to paint, so Barb Pask suggested resuming work on this one. I think quite a lot of progress was made. Still haven't worked on the tattoo itself, but I think her face is much more three-dimensional now. I see so much more to do... but there were a few successful strokes tonight! Thank you to the wonderful people who chatted with me as I painted- I'm grateful.

Broadcasts then and now...

Beach Diggers, 11x14 oil
I started this painting on Wednesday during the broadcast and all the orange I used was bothering me, so I worked on it for several hours today and like the colors better now.
If you feel like hanging out with me this evening online, I'm going to work on the Sister and Brother painting for a while. Who knows? I may actually finish it up tonight!

Progress on Briana and Max ...and more...

Briana and Max, 18"x24" oil on stretched canvas
I've been working on this of the brother and sister online, but not recording every session since it has involved many, many hours. Still a few more to go, actually, but I think it's come a long way and I'm beginning to see a completion in its future!
Millie and the Sunflowers, 14"x11" oil on canvas panel
I made a few revisions to this painting and have truly called it finished now. No, really. This one pleases me a great deal.

Some of you may remember a painting I did of Auggie. I just got this photo of Auggie posing with his portrait. It's too cute not to share!

Sister Act- Introducing Patty Cooper!

Patty Cooper- Almost Rain, 10" x 8" oil
I'm so proud that my sister Patty has turned her attention to her painting again, and that she's showing her work in my gallery as well as on her own blog! I hope you'll go visit and leave a comment. When you strike out on a new path, it's nice to have a little appreciative company!

Different topic entirely:

A warning note- There's a scam going around targeting artists who have websites, and I thought I'd add my "heads up" here.
I got this email today and replied with a "You should be ashamed of yourself!"
It's very flattering to have someone want four paintings, so I understand how artists have fallen prey to this scam....
Good day to you.
I am so excited that I came across of your work on internet search.I am interested in purchasing these creative artworks from you....
Shell Pink Shadows, Desert Dancers, Betty's Pond II and Golden Road
Let me know their various prices, and how much discounts are you going to give? I will be happy to have these selected artworks hanging in our home in South Africa. As well, I want you to take out the shipping cost. I have been in touch with a shipping firm that will be shipping other house decoratives.
We are traveling from our Dallas home to our new apartment as soon as possible. On paying for the artworks I will be glad to pay you with a Money Order or Cashier's check in US funds that can be easily cashed at your local bank. Please let me know on how to proceed for the payment of the creative artworks.
I will await your advise on how to proceed. Have a wonderful day.
Take care,
Laura Martins