Himalayan Kitty and progress on Angela

Maxxy, oil, 14 x 11
This was a fun commission. The client who commissioned it tuned in to watch the finishing touches during my broadcast yesterday and sent this email today:
Morning, Susan thank you so much for yesterday…. I smiled the whole time that I was watching you paint Max…. He’s is perfect, I could be happier ….. I am so glad that I found you!!
Words like those mean the world to me. I love my work.

I worked another few hours on this commission yesterday, also. So much yet to do, so much to change... Portraits are like intricate puzzles where you have to craft each piece yourself. It's challenging and exasperating... and thrilling when you finally get all the pieces to fit. (The background is undetermined yet, so I've covered the white of the canvas with blue and green just as a placeholder.)

Double Vision and Progress

Yesterday these two handsome people walked in and it took me five whole seconds to figure out how I knew them - I'd painted them last year! Here they're standing with the giclee print I had made of their portrait. The larger original was commissioned by Fairmont State University in West Virginia where Dr. Daniel Bradley had been president. He is now president of Indiana State University. Cheri Bradley was the first president's wife to be painted in the official portrait for that university. The Bradleys are a team and preferred that way of being portrayed. Cool, yes?

I painted online last night and made a little progress on the portrait of Angela and Aurora. In case you wonder, I love every part of the process of painting a portrait. Each piece of the puzzle that I get right is a little thrill. And last night I had the additional thrill of getting to talk with those who came to watch the broadcast, and with a friend who was in the studio with me.
I'm completely spoiled now.

Workshops and starting a commission

Howdy!
Last week was chock full: One four-week Painting Workshop had its last session on Monday, the Langley dedication was on Wednesday, and I had a two-day Portrait Workshop on Friday and Saturday. I'm glad not all weeks are so busy, but I did love every minute!
I completely forgot to get a photo of the ten wonderful artists who impressed me greatly with their brave work in the four-week workshop, but let me tell you- Peggy M, Marilyn, Glenda, Dolly, Lorelei and Rhoni drove down from Marble Falls, worked their tushies off and drove that long drive back each Monday. Peggy M, Ruby, Pam, Mary and Gaye didn't have so far to drive, but worked just as hard. I was honored to have each of them in the workshop.

I did manage to get a photo (above) of the Portrait Workshop artists: L-R: Pam, Shelley, Motoe, Nancy, Janet (me) and Sherrie- in New Braunfels, TX. The young blonde woman in the middle is my niece Stella who modeled on the second day. I came away with such respect for how hard these artists worked and for their passion to learn.

This was my demo for the painting workshop- Attempting to show thinking and painting in three main values as a way to begin each painting.

Yesterday, Monday, in a huge rainstorm, three artists still showed up for their first session of a four week workshop. They each pushed themselves past their comfort zones and we were all shocked when it was time to go. I love my work.

There's still room in the two day Portrait Workshop in Marble Falls (just west of Austin) November 3-4, in case you're ready to move your portrait skills forward and have a ton of fun at the same time- contact me for more info.

Angela and Aurora, 24"x18"

Today I began this portrait commission online. I had good company while I painted. It has a long way to go, but I already love the happy feeling it has.

Whatever it is you love to do, I hope you got a good healthy dose of it this week!

Susan

Langley Elementary School Dedication

Well, it was marvelous. Last night was the dedication of the new school that was named after Ralph Langley, the subject of the mural painting I finished recently. As I walked in the main entrance of the school, the mural hung facing me above the corridor directly opposite. In other words, you can't miss it! The original oil painting is two feet by 4 feet, and was presented at a luncheon yesterday to the law firm founded by Mr. Langley.

It was borrowed back briefly for the dedication last night, and brought on stage by two adorable children. I was invited up to be introduced as the artist responsible for the mural at the entrance to the school. Very nice.

The whole program was quite moving. It was a loving memorial to Mr Langley who died six years ago but who has left a lasting legacy here in San Antonio.
His daughter, Janis, was the spokesperson for her family at the luncheon and at the dedication, and is responsible for commissioning me to do the painting. I wrote her a thank you this morning and this was part of her reply:

I can't tell you how thrilled we are with your work, at every level. The design was way beyond what I expected (I don't know what I expected, really) but the notion of the print was true brilliance.

I hope and bet you will get further work from this- comments were made by NISD that this sets a new level for these "murals," so wouldn't that be great?

Thanks so much for being part of this effort, going above and beyond just doing a painting!

With deep appreciation,

Janis

Those are the kind of words that can keep an artist painting, don't you agree?

I had to document this... me dressed in something other than rumpled, paint-spattered clothes! My fabulous artist friend Laura Jeanne Pitts made the gorgeous jacket I'm wearing. I felt like a million bucks last night.
Now it's time to continue work on my lengthening schedule of commissioned portraits and also try to tuck in a competition painting or two along the way. Thank you to everyone who wished me well and kept me company as I painted the Ralph Langley mural painting!

Langley mural painting finished and other news.

If you check in on my blog or watch my broadcasts, you know that I've been working on this 24" x 48" painting for weeks. Today I finally signed it and got it to the photographer. Ralph Langley's name will be added to the image along the bottom and it will be enlarged to 48" x 96" , framed and hung at the new elementary school that has been named after Mr. Langley. The dedication ceremony and unveiling will be on October 21st. The original painting (without the digitally added name) will be hung at Langley & Banack, the law firm that he founded. I was honored to have been commissioned to make this painting, showing many of the elements of his life and parts of San Antonio that were improved because of his work.

Tonight, during my regular Wednesday evening broadcast at 6 p.m. Central, I'm starting a new, small painting of a very new child- a girl, two weeks old. Perhaps you'll come by? www.ustream.tv/channel/susancarlin

I've decided to connect my blog posts to my newsletter again, so you'll be getting more frequent emails with my newest work, news of my workshops, and, well, news! I look forward to being in better touch.

Happily,

Susan

Another demo portrait finish- Marilyn

After working on the mural online last night, I had the urge to keep painting so I worked on this one of Marilyn. Boy, my drawing was off! This feels better.

I know I mention it frequently, but I feel so lucky to have the company of the artists who show up during my broadcasts. It's such a mutually supportive, congenial group. Then you add Marilyn Harman and Mark Bridges and we laugh the whole time. Thank you all!
You can watch the recording here. (I forgot to put my mic back on at first, so hang in there, the sound gets better once I'm reminded to put it back on.

Finish of Ron Watkins demo painting

Late last night I realized I was still in the mood to paint, so I started a broadcast (I didn't record it, sorry) and finished this demo painting up. It's one I started at the New Braunfels Art League last Tuesday. There's some shine on the photo in the hair and on his cheek, but you get the idea... I enjoyed using this color combination- purple, blue and orange-- zing!

Coppini demo- Marilyn's portrait start

Marilyn Moore is a wonderful artist who works mainly in watercolor, but paints beautifully in oil, too. She's also a generous friend who modeled for me at the demo that I did at the Coppini Academy yesterday. I worked on it about an hour, but spent so much time talking, I didn't get very far. It's a start, but it's going to require some serious reworking. I took some photos of her so I can finish later. I'll post an image of the completed painting when I get back to it. Thanks, Marilyn!

We made the paper!

Grampy and Kaiden, oil 11x14, commissioned 2008
Yesterday, an article about La Villita, including a nice mention of my gallery was in our local paper, the San Antonio Express News. The writer mentioned the other artists in the gallery- Bonnie Mann, Marilyn Moore and Patty Cooper, and me, and included a photo of one of my paintings (above) and my website and email address in the sidebar. Cool, yes? Check it out!

Marble Falls Drawing Demonstration

My friend Gaye Sekula drove up to Marble Falls with me today for the drawing demo I did for the wonderful Highland Arts Guild. So, of course, she was drafted to be the model for a quick sketch I did at the very end. Thanks, Gaye!

I projected the image of a cowboy in black and white from my computer and showed how to find and compare reference points on the subject in order to be sure of the accuracy of a drawing, and how to use guide lines and grid overlays to check one's work.

I was asked smart questions and really enjoyed talking with the members of the Guild. After the demo they had a tasty lunch for us and time to chat. While I was there, the idea of a workshop in November was brought up, and it was quickly filled to capacity. I'm looking forward to more time with these fun artists!

Demo start and Mural painting start

Last night I demo'd for the wonderful artists at New Braunfels Art League and Ron Watkins volunteered to be my model. Ron is an excellent portrait painter, both in oil and pastel, and sat sweetly still throughout my flailing about while painting and answering questions. I didn't get very far along on his portrait, but I did take a couple of photos and will try to finish it up before the end of the year.

The mural painting got underway during an online broadcast Monday evening. I'm going to continue working on it this evening during another broadcast, in case you want to join the fun gang of artists and well-wishers who keep me and each other company. Tonight at 6 p.m.

Um, I'm experimenting with speeding the drying time of an oil painting by putting it in the oven. I had it at about 150 degrees. The house got a little fumey so I've turned it off and have left it in there. Am I nuts? Has anyone else done this? I know Kathryn Stats has said she has put her paintings in a hot car to speed the drying. Last night I mixed some fancy painting medium I bought from the Windbergs into my white paint before the demo- it's supposed to speed drying. I've been so impatient lately with how long white takes to dry. Anybody have advice for me?

Self portrait

Last night my sister and I were watching a video sent to me by Lindsay in Australia- Forger's Masterclass- in which a convicted art forger shows three artists how to create paintings in the manner of one of the masters. We watched the episode about Van Gogh where the artists were asked to do self portraits using mirrors, then I proposed that we try painting ourselves that way, too. Patty was able to stay and paint for two hours, but I couldn't stop, so I painted about 4 and a half hours last night and another hour or so this morning. I can't claim it has any resemblance to one of Vincent's, but I really liked using the broken strokes of color. It felt a bit like doing a pastel painting. In order to get going without too much delay, I accepted the lighting in my computer room as it was. It was a challenge, for sure.

Stella and Ziggy - progress

Couldn't help myself....

I took this photo at night under fluorescent lights, so it's just a bit skewed toward blue, but it's close enough. Loved looking at these two faces today.

Stella and Ziggy - a start

Stella and Ziggy, oil on 12"x12" canvas panel

Again I offered up three reference possibilites to the viewers of the broadcast who were there as I started, and they chose one of my niece Stella and their dog Ziggy, over a still life of flowers and fruit and a landscape of one of San Antonio's missions- Mission Espada.

My objective while I painted was to get an accurate drawing (with thinned burnt umber), then cover the white of the canvas with as close to the correct values and reasonably close to the colors of my reference. It took about two and a half hours to get this far. I like the simply-painted, poster-like shapes and can envision a version of this painting that wouldn't stray too far from this look. But I want to play in the paint a bit more and try using much thicker, barely mixed paint.

My three paintings-in-progress: the red boat, Stella and Ziggy, and John Pototschnik- may have to wait until I've gotten a good handle on the mural I'm beginning today. Actually, I'll be painting a 24" x 48" canvas, the image of which will be photographically enlarged and installed as a mural at a new elementary school that bears the name of the subject of the mural- Ralph Langley. I so enjoy (and truthfully, depend on) the company of those who attend my broadcasts, that I'll invite folks to drop in on my progress with the mural painting over the next month. If you want an email letting you know when I'm painting online, add your email address to my group at the top of the sidebar on this page. See you there!

Riverwalk Casa Rio -Sold

Riverwalk Casa Rio, 14 x 11, oil on panel
I may have just noodled this painting to a faretheewell since I can't see a single other thing I could do to it. It's growing on me, though. I ride the express bus to and from downtown where the gallery is, I may have mentioned. One of my 'bus friends' is Juana, who has worked at Casa Rio for many years. I always show her what I've painted recently by showing the images on my camera. When she saw the original version, she asked where she was in the painting. So I took a photo of her from the back and tucked her in the scene. Good idea, Juana!
I'm going to try to paint tonight online... come by www.ustream.tv/channel/susancarlin at 6 Central time if you can.

Therapeutic Riverwalk painting

Riverwalk Vision, 14x11 oil
I wasn't having a very good day. To recount it might be to give additional weight to it, so I'll just say I was in the need of happiness. I usually tell people to only paint when they are happy so they won't anchor anything but joy to the experience of painting. Even so, I risked it today and painted to GET happy. It worked for the very most part. 'Playing in the colors' as my sister calls it, really helped me focus on line and shape and color and removed my focus from the other experiences. I didn't have time to fuss much, so I might go back and rework some things later, but for now, I'm grateful for my therapeutic painting time this afternoon.

Start on landscape with red boat...

My friend Janet emailed on Tuesday asking if she could ever come watch me paint. Could she ever! I emailed right back, asking if that night would be too soon. So I had a special treat during my broadcast - my voice wasn't the only one in the room! I soon realized that I could use an assistant. I kept handing her things and asking for help with this or that... She was very accommodating. Thanks, Janet.
I figured I'd let her help me figure out what to paint that night, too, so when she arrived I had several photographs ready for her to choose among. This scene with the beached red boat was her choice. It's 16" x 12", oil on stretched canvas. Not sure when I'll be able to get back to it, since I'm starting in on the large painting-t0-be-mural project now, but I like that it's blocked in pretty well as a start. I'll enjoy working on it again down the line. Thanks to all who came to chat during the broadcast!

Earthen Jug, 9"x12" oil

Marcie sent an email just before I started my broadcast, suggesting another still life. So I went back through my photos and found some I took a year and a half ago at the LBJ Ranch west of Johnson City here in Texas. This kitchen was staffed by park volunteers who dressed in pioneer costume and were making gingerbread. It smelled great, the women were friendly and they let me take all the photos I wanted.

It's a pretty complicated still life for only a 9x12 canvas, but it was hard to see how to edit it. I painted maybe 4 hours last night. I got up in the middle of the night to study it. This morning I've worked on it another hour or so. I'm pretty sure it's done now. Thanks, Marcie! And thanks again to everyone who came to chat and be such good company for me and for each other! I'm probably going to paint again tonight... I'll send an email out to the painting group if/when I do.

When dry and varnished, this painting will be available for $200.

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