New Portrait - 'Unrest'

This is the portrait that I referred to in an earlier blog.

I've been working on this portrait 'Unrest' for quite a while. It's not a happy painting for the wall, but one that I painted this way because the young girl in the painting had been in a car accident and is still suffering pain almost two years after.

She was unable to work and was short of funds, plus she was suffering depression because she had no idea when, or even if, she'd ever get better.


'Unrest'
Susan Abma
24 x 16"
Oil on Canvas

Enlarging it shows how the background is wild and loose because it represents all the turmoil coming at her from every direction.

I felt her pain so deeply in the first few sittings that it made it almost impossible to continue. Now, though, upon completion, I know that this painting has helped her deal with some of her intense feelings, and for that I am thankful and relieved.

What a blessing it would be if she heals very soon and the only pain she feels is trapped right here on the weave of this canvas.

I will be going back to painting the still life series now, and I will share more of those paintings with you very soon.

When the Creativity Crumbles

I wrote this when I was feeling in a humorous mood and I thought I'd share it with you here. I hope it makes you smile and that perhaps you can relate a little to this 'ditty.'


WHEN THE CREATIVITY CRUMBLES...

I started painting, wet in wet,
I didn’t wait till the paint was set,
I worked it left, I worked it right,
I didn’t give up without a fight.

I kept on painting through my lunch,
T’was a masterpiece, I had a hunch.
I worked straight through till after dinner,
I knew for sure I had a winner.

When I stepped back I almost cried,
I really couldn’t believe my eyes,
My painting of the man I love,
Looked much more like our family dog.

But I am an artist through and through,
I’ll get through this and so will you.
Keep the brushes filled with paint,
Cuz I’m no quitter and I’m sure you ain’t.

Portraits and Still Life

This weekend I had the immense pleasure of interviewing the talented and acclaimed artist Jean Pederson of Calgary, AB.

Pederson's book - Expressive Portraits was released just a few months ago, and is worthwhile picking up - for the beginner or intermediate portrait artist it is a goldmine.

Having won many awards for her work, but particularly with her portrait work, she focused on portraits when the publisher asked her to write a book for them to publish.
After several years of discussion, editing, etc., the book was finally in stores in January of this year.

For an in-depth article about this friendly, knowledgeable and very talented artist, watch for the the article in the next issue of Canadian Brushstroke Magazine - www.brushstrokemagazine.com . The issue will be released at the end of the first week in May.

Although I am working on a series of still life paintings right now, I took today 'off' from still life and worked on a portrait I am preparing for a fall show.

The model is exceptional and it was a lovely afternoon. This is the fourth sitting and I expect I will need to have two more sittings before the painting is complete.

At any rate, while this layer dries for the next week or so, I'll get back to the still life paintings.
I should have another still life to show you in a day or two.

We've Got Connections
Susan Abma
5 x 7"
Oil/Canvas

Every time I get a luscious bunch of tomatoes, I am inspired by the brilliant color and the freshness they exude.

I set this up in the studio and barely stopped painting until it was done. It is one of my favorite little still lifes to date - perhaps because it practically painted itself and was done within two days so that I was able to eat the 'prop' while it was still fresh and delicious.

When I think of my life as an artist, I realize that it is, in the words of a very good old friend, 'charmed.'

Although I work a lot, I cannot think of a better 'job.' It is mentally stimulating, I must get good exercise in order to see many possible reference subjects each day, and, the satisfaction upon completion of a painting is a feeling that only an artist can achieve - whether it's a fine artist, a recording artist, a quilter, or what-have-you. The pride and elation in creating something where nothing existed before is what keeps us all going so we have the drive to start the next project.

I am working on a series of 12 still life right now, so the next painting will definitely involve fruit and/or vegetables. Thanks for reading.

Art and Travel - This year they go hand in hand

This has been a busy year with many small shows and very good sales. I've also been making some short trips, but later this year will mean some longer and very exciting trips.

In August I will be going to Change Islands, NFLD for three weeks to paint. Three other artists are joining me and we will also meet up with another artist friend, Valorie Preston, who has a cottage there with her partner. The artists joining me include Shairl Honey, Pat Elzinga and Janet Enfield. Since we're all from Alberta, this is a fair hike for us.

The Change Islands will be wonderful to paint - see photos at http://www.changeislands.ca/ , and with a population of about 250, it will be exactly what every artist wants - picturesque, quaint and full of character (and characters, we hope).

In December, I have been invited to speak at the Portrait Society of Canada Annual Competition/Gala in Toronto, and will also be on a panel at the event.

I want to remind everyone that Canadian Brushstroke Magazine is a wonderful art magazine available for free online. For anyone, anywhere who is in the art industry or involved in the art industry, it's well worth checking out. Go to http://www.brushstrokemagazine.com/ , then click on free subscription. Once you fill out the form and click submit you'll have access to all issues, past and present. Save that page to your favorites so you can access them anytime without filling out the form again. The magazine has in-depth articles about Canadian artists, including their techniques, the materials they use, the product brand names, and so much more. Check it out.

Don't Pack Away Your Christmas Spirit

The next issue of Canadian Brushstroke Magazine
( http://www.brushstrokemagazine.com/ ) is almost ready for press. There will be articles on amazing artists Ken Dalgarno (acrylic painter), Brent Laycock (acrylic/watercolor), Kath Rutherford (mezzotints) and Bruce Garner (sculptor/acrylic painter, results of the Waterscapes Competition, an article on Bev Tosh's war brides exhibit, an article about the Visual Arts Summit in Ottawa, etc.
As for my own art, I am just about finished painting a mandarin orange and a handful of fresh cranberries - yum! I guess I'm just not willing to pack away Christmas without a memento. I read in a Family Circus cartoon the other day that when you pack Christmas things away, you shouldn't pack the Christmas spirit with them. I think that's what gave me the inspiration for this particular piece. When it's drier, I'll photograph it and post it for you to see.
My series of art cards and prints of Leduc and area are at the printer and will be released shortly. I'm very excited.

Interview with Brent Laycock

It was my sincere pleasure to interview Calgary artist Brent Laycock this week (for Canadian Brushstroke Magazine - http://www.brushstrokemagazine.com/ ). Not only is he widely known for his acrylic and watercolor paintings, but he is a nice and humble man. The story will be in the next issue to be released mid-January.
I have interviewed hundreds of artists (perhaps even more). Some are humble, some are confident, some are even arrogant. In many cases the most humble are the most talented. They don't need to tell you how good they are - their work speaks for itself.
Brent is one of those artists. His work is fresh and lovely, and he has a 30+ year successful career as an artist, which obviously attests to the quality of his work.
To view some of his works, go to http://www.brentlaycock.com/ and click on Paintings. I'm sure you won't be disappointed.