"Poppies"

8"x8" oil "Poppies"

I've been working on small plein air oil sketches with the idea that maybe I could then takes those sketches and turn them into something in my studio. This is a studio piece, small again but actually inspired from some sketches of bluebells.

Pochade Box

This week it's finally been warm enough that while plein air painting I have not had to wear long johns, feet and hand warms, wool sweaters, and several other layers but, I still need gloves and a heavy coat. Still with the sun shining sometimes, I was motivated to bring out my little poached box made by fellow plein air painter and part-time carpenter, Denny. This sweet little paint box has a strap on the bottom where I can slip my palm into or, if sitting, strap around my leg. So I tried to escape and do quick little 5"x7" studies and try to catch the spring landscape. Here is a sample of a few I did. Karen and I noticed that even on a sunny day the sky is hazy, not bright blue like we had in Arizona. Is that because in Arizona we were painting in high altitudes??? (Denny also makes wet panel carriers. This one is for my 5x7 panels)

"Etc."

I'm calling today's post "etc" because I thought I'd highlight a few of the things I've been working on these past two weeks. It's still the same as always although I've added card-making to my evening routine. Making cards by cutting the shapes from fabric is ridiculously labor intensive but I find the whole process calming. Either that or it's the red wine I'm sipping while clipping.

This first imagine is from a workshop I'm taking from Romel de la Torrez. I love his very laid back teaching style. We often don't even know when he's arrived. The biggest difference, for me, in his approach is his insistence on large canvas and painting fast. This is 20"x16" which is the smallest he recommends I work. Normally I would bring a 11"x14" so this feels huge. He casually threw out that I should have it all massed in within 20-25 minutes - gulp. But I grabbed the challenge as well as my largest brushes (not palette knives). The 2.5 hours flew and I was happy that I accomplished as much as I did.

Canson's Pastel Paper

22"x30"

vine charcoal and powder

cast study-2.5 hours

This drawing was done with a more "painterly" attitude. I first rubbed in a layer of vine charcoal powder, massed in my darks, and then pulled out lighter values with toilet paper, #4 bristle brush, and lastly for my lightest lights a kneaded eraser.

7"x5" card

"Wishes"

message inside

Wishing you all the great things in life

Happy Birthday!!!

or

"remembering"

Thanks for helping me remember what's important...

And today it's you

Happy Mother's Day

to purchase cards and see more examples - http://www.susanhongsammons.etsy.com/

"Red & Green"

Does it take anyone else almost forever to set up a still life? So how many ways can one rearrange radishes? This little arrangement took me most of a morning to create and then I had to run out and buy more radishes because the leaves wilted. As you can see I'm having fun playing around with what is a different aesthetics for me; using a lot of white clothes and cropping.

This 8"x8" was painted in oils with a palette knife. $149.

"Everyone Needs Roots"

I've been experiment with non-traditional Susan compositions. This is the first one I felt happy with so much so I'm willing to blog it. Normally, I don't crop in my still lifes. This whole idea of cropping is really a "shake-up" for my world of paint - I know I'm pathetic. And!,... look at all that negative space. I'm still using my favorite painting tool = palette knife and I'm loving this 8"x8" format.

(available at http://www.susanhongsammons.etsy.com/ for $145.)

Kari (2.5 hr head study)

Last night I joined a figure class at the Palette and Chisel. Romel de la Torre is the instructor. If you're not familiar with his beautiful paintings go to http://www.romeldelatorre.com/. You will not be sorry you spent a few more minutes on your computer. I like Romel's very laid back approach to teaching. He wanders around and gives everyone a few comments but mostly he just watches our results and doesn't rush us. Most of the people have studied with him before but I'm a new-comer to his group.

I did not think I could even get a block-in finished in +2 hours. Just goes to show what can happen when I focus. But I did fail to nail my block-in more concretely/with conviction. I think had I done so I could have ended with a less "spotty" look and perhaps some decent brush strokes. My brush strokes suck, pardon my language. So I can't wait to get to open studio and work on a more confident block-in and BRUSH STROKES!!!!!!!!

just in case you haven't notice my blatant flashing banners, I started an Etsy store (Etsy is an on-line site selling handmade items only) I recently posted some 5"x7" cards inspired by my love of making quilts. I cut fabric, not paint, to create each shape. I'm also showing some smaller paintings. If you've time and need some cards, please consider mine - Thank you http://www.susanhongsammons.etsy.com/