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

Spent the morning tweaking and signing

Millie and the Sunflowers 11"x14" oil.
I extended some sunflower petals and reworked Millie's face and gave her white paws.

Beach Babies 16"x20" oil
I repainted the upper back of the girl in the turquoise swimsuit.

Christina and her Cello 10"x8" oil.
I adjusted a few things on Christina's face.

Painting at Limepark 10"x8" oil.
Several finishing touches... red flowers, red pot, adjusted the painter's shirt, put a few dashes of light on the pavement...

Girls Beach Day 10"x8"
I changed a lot in this one. Made the skirts blow to the right, raised the woman's arm, changed her neckline, added a beach towel... It feels slightly more casual and connected now, I think.

All this makes me want to go look through some of my false starts and see if there's something I could do to save them now.

Palette knife kitty- starring Millie

After several technical glitches and delays, I finally got to paint online last night with some awfully patient friends to chat with. I'd changed my mind about working on the current commission, as it would mean carrying a wet painting on the bus to the gallery- something I've done, but would rather avoid. So I was going through my reference folder with the viewers and showed them a photo of my cat, Millie. Sue Bailey, a pastel painter friend from Austin, suggested that I paint Millie with a palette knife- that's how this painting came to be. In the photo, Millie's feet and tail can't be seen, so I made them up. This morning I realize Millie has white feet. I'm actually thinking about changing them, but will need to wait until the paint has set up a bit more. I did make up a white-tipped tail as a compositional device to direct the viewer's eye back into the painting. There was no black used in this painting. It's all a mixture of red, blue and green. Since I painted on a grey-toned canvas panel, I couldn't just scratch down to white to make the whiskers, so had to use the palette knife. Much harder!

When I paint with a knife, it always leaves me wanting to do more. It's an exercise in letting go, that's for sure!

Finish of Mother Daughter Beach Day

20"x16" oil on stretched canvas
Again, I'm not happy with the colors of this photo, but will go ahead and post it anyway and try to get a better photo later. The subject is sweet, isn't it?
More accurate color.
I'll be painting online tonight, but a bit later than usual.... 7 p.m. instead of 6 p.m. Central time. Why don't you come by for a chat? www.ustream.tv/channel/susancarlin

Birthday inspiration

To celebrate my birthday, my sister Patty and I went to visit my favorite art museum today- The McNay. It's a beautiful Spanish style mansion that was originally the home of the woman whose impressive art collection remains in the museum. Many impressionist works are a part of the permanent collection, and now a huge contemporary wing has been added. These are a couple of photos of the interior courtyard. I had my white balance setting set wrong, so they're a bit blue, but maybe you can see how beautiful it is.


The McNay has my most favorite Monet waterlily painting, several good Gauguins, a gorgeous Pissaro, oh... wonderful things. The contemporary wing had an extensive exhibit of Edward Gorey's work. I got a bit of a crick in my neck (that's fancy Chiropractor terminology) tipping my head back so I could see his tiny, exquisite pen and ink work through the lower third of my tri-focals. Aging is not for sissies, my friends.
On our way out, we bought chunky bracelets in the museum gift shop. We plan to swap them back and forth every few weeks. Mine says Believe In Yourself. Patty's says Explore. Dream. Discover. Hey, it doesn't hurt to be reminded, right?
Now Patty's come over and is starting a new landscape painting at the easel next to mine. I'm going to continue working on the mother-and-daughter-at-the-beach painting I started on Wednesday. This is a good day. If you're going to get older anyway, why not look at beautiful things, try to make a few of your own, and seek out good company along the way?
Let me hear you say Amen.

A new start

I had some time and the excitement carried over from yesterday, so spent two and a half hours online today getting this far with a new 16x20 painting. Someone said during the broadcast that it had the look of a watercolor. I sort of agree. I made my objective just getting the canvas covered with as close to the right values as I could, not worrying too much about the correct colors as yet. I see that the only part of the canvas not covered is her shoes. The woman in the reference photos - also ones I took in Ireland- was wearing orange Crocs. I'm still thinking about that. the little girl was carrying a blue bucket which I painted as blue at first, but it didn't have much presence against the mother's skirt, so I've wiped it off and think I'll try red instead.
I'm not sure when I'll be able to get back to this painting, but I like the start. Again, thanks to all of you who came by to chat as I was painting!

Beach Buddies

16"x20" oil on stretched canvas

I painted this this afternoon.... and was so excited the entire time. This is what I've been imagining- big brush, thick un-blended paint laid on simply and deliberately. I can't wait to do the next one! I did set it aside and worked on the commission of the sister and brother playing Monopoly during my broadcast tonight. I don't think I shut up the entire two hours. We had a great conversation covering several topics. I do so love hanging out with 'the gang' who comes to chat with me while I work. Thank you to all of you who joined me!

Thank you, too, for all the comments on my "no pictures, just words" post about my memories of the moon landing. I've come to rely on the kindness of this blogging community we've created. You're an essential part of what makes my life as an artist so good. I'm grateful. I hope to offer you as much goodness in return.

40 years ago

(This has nothing to do with art, but has everything to do with this artist.)

I was turning 14 that July when they walked on the moon. Our family was in Ghana, West Africa, as missionaries for the years that I was 12-15. I'd been 500 miles away from my parents for the first of two years to go to school in the capitol of the country- Accra- while they and the younger two kids lived way out in the bush to the north. We were having a rare vacation together on the coast during a school break at a house that one of the other mission denominations maintained as a rest house for their missionaries. The place was near the water and we'd been on the beach most of that day. It was now evening and Dad was glued to Voice Of America, the radio station, as the moon landing was occurring. My brothers and sister and I tired of listening after a while and went outside to look at the moon.

The man who was the caretaker for the house was outside, too, and we proudly and excitedly told him about the moon landing. He looked at us and then at the moon and back at us, perhaps trying to decide if we were lying. He tried to argue with us that the moon was too small for anyone to stand on it and seemed to have no knowledge that it was even spherical or solid. After a while I think he realized we were telling the truth and I watched him try to fit this new information into his former understanding. As we talked, we walked with him to his own home a few yards away. It was an open, three-sided concrete box, perhaps 12 feet square. His wife was sitting on the floor with one of his two small children on her lap. They had been cooking over an open fire in the center. Flat straw mats were against the wall for beds and all of their possessions could have fit in the trunk of a car.

The man had been hired to clean and take care of the rest house- three bedrooms, a kitchen, flush toilets, living room furniture, quite often empty, I'm sure- while he was given a concrete box to live in with his family. Of course, he was referred to as the "houseboy" in spite of being over 30 years old.

We'd been in Ghana for two years at that point and I certainly hadn't been oblivious to the contrasts between our lives and the lives of the people we were supposedly there to help. But the stark inequities had weighed on me and that night I went from proud and excited to embarrassed and angry and certain that America was spending its money wrongly and focusing on all the wrong stuff. I was tired of seeing that we treated the Africans differently than we treated other Americans.

When you're 13 and 14, you feel things DEEPLY. At least I did. I'm aware that a lot of who I am now is rooted in what I was feeling then. There.
I've since tempered my certainty that America had no business going to space with a wider understanding that space exploration can't wait until all inequalities on earth are erased.

But every time I hear about the Apollo missions, I remember the mixed up way I felt that night as I looked up into the African sky with a man who struggled with the idea of a moon large enough to stand on.

At 14 with little Charlie hanging on for dear life. (This is the only photo of me from that time I could find.)

First painting from Ireland references

Well, I've taken this photo here at home after dark, so the blues seem to be intensified. But I wanted to post this anyway. I painted this today for me... can you imagine? I loved it.
Below it are three previous stages of the painting.

10" x 8" oil on Raymar panel.