I started this 16x20 oil on stretched canvas on Thursday and will be working more on it today. My father was with me at the gallery on Thursday and had the idea that a flower on his lapel might be nice. I called the commissioner and was told the subject, her father, liked red roses and boutonierre would be fine. So I'll be looking for photos of roses with similar lighting. I'm working mainly from a black and white photograph- a really good one- that was emailed to me. I also have two color snapshots to help with color. Often I'll tone the canvas first, then do the sketch with a small brush, but this time used a brown pastel pencil on the white canvas and began the painting on white. This is as far as I got with the rough-in before closing for the night.
I'm loving having my parents in town for a visit. They'll stay through April and attend some of the Fiesta events. My dad, especially, is an avid people watcher and adventurer.
Beginning of new commission
Rancher with less red
Not the best photo, but I did take the red splotch out of the Rancher's face yesterday, as well as doing the sketch I posted already. I got to spend the day with a new student, Sharon Woody, and my friend Jo Castillo. Sharon worked on a portrait of her husband and herself and Jo painted a pastel plein air painting out on the patio of the fountain in Maverick Plaza. What a pleasure to have them both there! I wish I'd thought of taking a photo of Jo painting. Here's Sharon and her painting...
Pastel pencil sketch- small commission
This is the second commission from a terrific fellow who wanted to thank a friend by having a sketch done of him. What a twinkly fellow!
Rancher
This is an 11 x 14 oil on stretched canvas that I painted today at the gallery while chatting with the happy tourists and helping as I could with a student's pastel portrait project. I love that he has a toothpick in his mouth. (Click on the photo and you can see it larger.) You might recognize this fellow at the tourist who came in a couple of weeks ago and agreed to let me photograph him.
Of course, now that I see it small on my monitor, I'm seeing the big orange area on the side of his face... what the heck? Didn't look like that at the gallery, I swear. So I'll look at it again on Monday when I go back in and will likely cool that down. Ok, I'll cool that down for SURE.I'm pretty tuckered, I have to tell you. The two workshops last week and my schedule this week hasn't allowed for any down time and I really could use a day to rest about now. My parents are coming in for a long-awaited visit on Tuesday, so I need to do some cleaning and organizing tomorrow. But for some part of tomorrow I plan to to be horizontal and watch some of the TIVOed programs I've saved. My daughter has agreed that she's finally too old for an Easter basket and hunting for eggs. I feel released. We'll have a nice dinner and speak of the things we're grateful for and welcome Spring with a smile. Life is good.
Three more little paintings and 2nd in Show at APS
I raced from the most wonderful workshop with Carol Marine and Karin Jurick this afternoon to the reception for the Austin Pastel Society show in time to receive a very nice award- Second in Show for "Afternoon Flight." Judith Carducci was our juror. Thanks, Judy, wherever you are!
This painting was an exercise in the workshop today. We were to paint a small, fast self portrait by looking in a mirror. It's an 8 x 10 oil on canvas panel, and the apple paintings below are 6 x 8.
I painted the apples on the first day of the workshop.
Oh! The Workshop! What an amazing experience to get to learn from both Carol and Karin. They have such different approaches and share such appreciation for each other's work, it was completely freeing and supportive. I hope to stay in touch with them and with some of the others in the workshop. Even more special was Carol and her family allowing me to be their houseguest this weekend. I have such respect for her efforts to do what she loves (and does so well) simultaneously with being an excellent mother, and partner with her husband. Thank you, Carol, for your generosity.
It's back to the gallery to be painter and instructor tomorrow. So many new doors are open in my mind, I wonder which one will beckon me through first.
Artist's Heaven
Judith Carducci workshop and new paintings
Pastel portrait demo finished
Yesterday I was able to finish the painting of Phoebe. It will frame up as a 12 x 16. I'd hoped to also work on an oil I started a week or so ago, but got so involved in my conversations with people wandering into the gallery instead. I love talking with other artists and folks just fluttering their fledgling artist wings. Encouragement is so necessary among us.
As I look at this photo of the gallery, I can see that the front of the counter would look better in a warm oak color, don't you think?
I get to go to TWO painting workshops this week! I drive up tonight to north of Georgetown to attend a two day workshop with Judith Carducci, our judge for the Austin Pastel Society exhibition this year. It's being held at the Windberg Art Center, a great place out in the middle of nowhere that has a terrific layout and all the best AV equipment. I went to her demo Friday evening and decided not to try to drive up there early Monday morning, so will go tonight and stay at a nearby hotel with two artist friends. Then I'm back to the gallery Wed-Thursday, then back up to Round Rock for a three day workshop with my favorte artists who sell their work on eBay as well as more traditional galleries. I can't tell you how excited I am about getting to know them a little. Carol Marine from Austin, and Karin Jurick from Decatur, Georgia.
Mary Shepard will be at the gallery Monday and Tuesday this week, Pamela Clarkson on her usual Friday, and the great Donna Good will be there on Saturday. Why doesn't Donna have a blog? We'll have to fix that right away! Thank you, Donna, for agreeing to keep the gallery open and humming next Saturday!
Small, commmissioned pastel portrait
This lovely woman, a neurochemist researcher, came in the gallery on Saturday and said she'd like to have a portrait made, but thought she was not photogenic. I offered to take photos to see if perhaps it was not true. We both looked at the resulting images on the computer and agreed on one of the poses, with the "fringe" or bangs of another. She would be leaving San Antonio Tuesday night and could come by at the end of the day to pick up the portrait. It was such a pleasure to please her. I loved painting it for her and she loved the results. She said I'd made her famous- that she'd visited another shop in La Villita and someone there recognized her from the portrait I'd painted. That was nice. I framed it in a simple frame so she could get home and replace it with something grander. She has an idea for another painting- of her grandmother's house which only exists in a photograph now. I'm looking forward to that project.
Life is good. Painting and talking with sweet, happy people is filling my days. Sometimes it has required pushing the eject button on toxic situations and people, but oh, it's worth it.
The lovely Virginia Carruth
Virginia did me the sweetest favor by sitting for a portrait demo a week ago. Yesterday I finished it up (no, really this time) and sent it home to her via her friend, Caroline. I hope she likes it.
Today I have a student and I'm working on a commissioned pastel portrait of woman. The commissioner is wanting it for a birthday present to her.
I love being at the gallery. Visitors wander in, happy to be on vacation from the very cold places where they live, and say the most complimentary things about our art. Sometimes a special conversation happens. I met some Carlin sisters, visiting from the East. Not related, but they took photos of my sign and told me they have a sister in law named Susan Carlin. I've met only one other one, and only by email. Another visitor came in to say her best friend's last name is Carlin and is a portrait artist, too. Figure that! I spent some time yesterday with a photographer, a woman from Milwaukee who'd just come back from Copper Canyon in Mexico. She offered some of her photos for references. Such generosity from a stranger warms my heart. I helped her start a blog so she can showcase her photos.
Was I missing people, and not realizing it? I seem to be so happy greeting new arrivals to the gallery throughout the day, it makes me wonder.
Demo for the new Texas Pastel Society
I'm demonstrating a pastel portrait this Tuesday
Opening Meeting of the
TEXAS PASTEL SOCIETY
on
Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2008 from 7-9P.M.
COPPINI ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS
115 Melrose Pl.
San Antonio, Texas
Join us for an evening of refreshments, shared ideas, and fine art
Feel free to bring photos of your artwork or even a pastel painting
DEMO BY SUSAN CARLIN
Please note: a $1.00 meeting fee will be collected
For more information, contact
Mary Lopez, President@ 210-435-8036
mclopezart@yahoo.com
Wonderful Party
My friend, Karen, is the main reason the Opening went well. She handled the whole food-and-wine thing like she was a professional caterer. I poured maybe three glasses for guests. She poured about 200 more. I wish I'd had the presence of mind to take more photos. Everything was so pretty. Thank you, Karen!
This is Pam Clarkson, one of the other two artists who show their work in the gallery, enjoying maybe one of her only chances to sit down. She and her S.O. Jim Mahaffey had recommended the musicians we hired. They were great! Folks from all over La Villita followed their ears to our little courtyard and joined the party.
This is my friend Karen Wagoner and I posing with a painting. Thanks for being there (and for bringing all those goodies), Karen!
I'm so grateful for yesterday. So many good friends (and many perfect strangers!) all wishing us well. We ate well, sipped wine and exchanged lots of hugs and compliments.
Pam entertaining guests.
My daughter, Morgan, my friends Katherine and Elizabeth, and the back of Mary Shepard, the other exhibiting artist in our happy little trio.
Mary Shepard talking with the musicians
The fellows with the cool sounds.
Before the crowds... perfect sunny, warm day.
Char Eppright (wearing the blue scarf), a wonderful portrait artist friend from Austin, and Ann Blomquist, her friend from Boerne, at our Opening. Thank you for driving in!
Karen W. and Elizabeth Siglar soaking up the rays.
When it got busier, I completely forgot to take photos. Beren Gaule sent a beautiful plant for our "gallery warming." Cindi Alarie and Judy Korge (who both brought wine!) and Valerie Mortensen, Katherine Morehead, and Elizabeth Siglar from my Artist's Way group came. Some of the others were Chris Armes, Sherrie Allyn, Kathleen Griffith, Alicia Lawson, Sara Eyestone and her S.O. David Molin, Janice Joplin, Barbara Allspaugh, Doralee and Douglas Shannon, Patrick Kimble and his S.O. Ray, Steven DaLuz, Mary Ann Matteson and family, Toni Cheshire, Kip Dollar and Toby Johnson, Ron Moczygemba and Mike Farner, Carol Myers and friend, Stacey Hill (who gave us an iTunes card so we can pick some new music forand her S.O. Jerry, Mark and Leigh Gifford (who brought blooming paperwhites and my very favorite wine), Allan and Susan Butcher, Beth Duke from Houston, a sweet couple, Jan and Tom, who were sent by a mutual friend in Georgia! .... and so many, many more. Please forgive me if my memory has gone a little blinky and I've not mentioned you. Many friends sent their good wishes by email and phone calls. Thank you everyone.
Now we're going to wash the dishes, sweep up and get back to our easels. It's tough, this business of making art. The joy. The exhilaration. The fun of color and line. It takes a lot out of a gal. Come by anytime and watch the drama unfold. I'm there Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Usually. This week it's also Friday. Mary Shepard paints on Wednesdays and Pam Clarkson on Fridays.
See you soon!
The Party's Today! Come on down!
Grand Opening Celebration
Saturday, Feb. 23rd, 2-7 p.m.
Come by and lift a glass, have some refreshments and see where I paint these days.
It’s supposed to be perfect weather.
Before or after your visit, why not stroll along the Riverwalk?
The Gallery is just up the steps of Arneson River Theater, then turn left just past the Little Church of La Villita. Walk toward the back into the sweetest little courtyard. That’s where you’ll find the Gallery.
Soft Jazz music from 3-6 p.m.
418 Villita Street, 14B.
(210) 226-3992
Virginia's portrait finished...and Cathy's is, too!
Ok, posting this made me see even more to change. So I'm not quite done after all. I've got her chin a bit pointy and there's a funky thing happening between her eyes. Sigh. But isn't Virginia pretty? Loved that great sweater on her, too.
This is the pastel painting my student Cathy Geib did today. She's mostly done commissioned pet portraits, but is gaining confidence with her people now. Go, Cathy!
Off to my Artist's Way group. Love it.
An ordinary Tuesday chock full of painting.
What a day! A full day of painting at the gallery followed by a pastel portrait demonstration for the New Braunfels Art League this evening. Virginia Carruth, a beautiful woman and excellent pastel painter, agreed to model for me. She did a great job modeling and I had a very good time talking with all those artists as I painted. I took some photos of her and have brought the painting home to look more closely and finish it up. It's a good thing I did. Yikes! So many things to change. I'll post the "after" when I'm done. Thank you to all the NBAL members who made me feel so welcome!
This is the finish of the very loose wedding portrait. It framed up beautifully.
This is Melanie's daughter, a bit more refined and now framed.
The turquoise background on this painting had bothered me. It still looks very turquoise in this photo, but I really did tone it down. I think my camera really pushes blues and greens.
This is a start I made on an 11 x 14 oil today. This is a photo I begged the photographer for. How could I resist? I hope to eventually do it justice. The sofa was very floral and the boy's shirt was very stripey. They clashed and jangled the eye. I may put stripes in the background, though.
This is a model stand... a perfect 9 inches high... made by my friend Steve by sawing off the legs of a 36" x 36" oak coffee table. He cut the back two corners off, too, so it would fit in my odd-shaped gallery. Thank you, Steve!!!
Small, sweet painting today
This painting is an 8 x 10 oil on canvas panel, of the daughter of an acquaintance with a great blog called Bean Paste. She graciously allowed me to use one of her photos as a painting reference. Today was blustery and chilly and wet off and on, so I painted indoors and listened to an ebook on the studio computer as I painted. Heaven. I'll go back on Monday and see what revisions and additions it might need. Thank you, Melanie!
Progress on the wedding couple painting...
I got to paint some on this Tuesday, but haven't since. I hope to work a bit on it today before closing. I may leave it loose and just refine the bouquet and faces a bit more. It's blowy and a wee bit chilly outside today, so will bring the easel inside to paint.
Have a wonderful love-filled Valentine's Day, ya'll.
Grand Opening February 23rd... 2-7 p.m.
invite you to
Come Help Celebrate the
GRAND OPENING!
In La Villita, in the courtyard behind the Little Church of La Villita,
418 Villita St., 14B
Saturday, February 23, 2 - 7 p.m.
Beautiful Art, Live Music,
Yummy Refreshments
226-3992 - Gallery
602-8562 - Susan Carlin
http://www.susancarlin.com/
susan@susancarlin.com
A finish and a start
Today I expected to paint most of the day and ended up only painting maybe two hours at the very end- this start on an 18 x 24 oil on stretched canvas. Talked with a lot of people and enjoyed it. Karen came down to have lunch with me and brought in burgers from Guadalajara Grill. Mmm. I got my webcam and mic working and got to talk with my Dad once or twice today. Sent images to Kinko's for cards. Pamela came in with her husband Jim to pick up extra paintings. She painted at the studio yesterday and did the sweetest small square painting of chiles.
I finished this small painting (11 x 14 oil on stretched canvas) on Thursday and brought in a gold frame with black liner to put it in. Just the liner shows on this image.
This is what it looked like from the doorway as I was closing up at six.
I've come home tuckered out each of the four days I've worked there this week, but very happy. Saw patients on Wednesday and one yesterday. We even made a good start yesterday on putting our house back together after the chaos of gallery opening and trying to lay laminate floor in Mo's room at the same time. Had to hire the completion of the floor done on Wednesday. Just couldn't have the bedroom furniture in the living room one more day.
Sunday is going to be pure laziness if all goes my way. But I'm excited to get back to the wedding couple painting on Monday!
Second day in paradise
Ok, so the little girl portrait was a prop for this photo. All it needed was my signature (hence the tiny liner brush). Later in the day I got to start this 11x14 oil on stretched canvas. It was delicious to be working outside in this perfect weather with happy people passing by and stopping to talk. I'm so tired it's hard to raise my arms, but oh, what a good day. Thank you folks for your good wishes. They mean a lot.
Blessed out of my socks
Today was my first full day at the gallery. I spent much of it at the computer creating forms... guest list for visitors to sign (leaving out the place for snail mail addresses. I just want email addresses) and, finally, a price list for portraits. I seem to have been avoiding pinning the prices down. But they are pinned, folks. In black and white. Prices affordable and ones I can live with for a while. I do want to raise them before too long, but I'll do fine with these for a bit. Pastel portraits, 11 x 14, head and shoulders, starting at $200.00. Oil portraits, 24 x 36, full figure, up to 2400.00. Still very underpriced, but I won't feel angry quoting those prices. I want to feel positive about being adequately compensated for the hours of work involved.
I talked with dozens of people today who wandered in, several who took cards and the new price lists. They all loved Mary and Pamela's work, too. I'm so proud that they're involved with the gallery. Their work is top notch and SO beautiful. One woman from Ireland really wanted a painting of Mary's but her husband said no. I experienced this so many times when I worked two summers in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, in my 20's. Busloads of churchfolks came to town to see the Passion Play there, and they'd come into the gift shop where I did portraits and over and over I'd hear a woman say, "Look, Honey, I love this." And a man would say, "No." Just, "No." If that doesn't make you a feminist, nothing will.
I took my first credit card payment today. Cool, yes? A student paying for her personal instruction day with me in a few days.
I grinned all day.
You are witness to pure joy.
-Happy Susan
