Pomegranates need to be painted quickly!

As I waited for the Leduc Antique Mall painting to dry so I could add more layers, I am working on these pomegranates. I have never painted pomegranates before and I found out something that I didn't know - these lovely, oversized fruit with their delicious jewels inside turn brown - fast! So, I painted as much as I could as fast as I could - a lot of the rest will have to be finished from memory except for the one that's not cut.
Because the paint is so wet, there is a lot of sheen and, as I've said before, wet paintings don't photograph well. But, I think that watching other artists' paintings in progress is incredibly interesting, so I hope you do, too.
There's still a fair bit to do on the 'poms', but I'll post them again when they're done.
In the meantime, the Leduc painting will be dry enough for another layer tomorrow. So, with luck and grace, perhaps I'll finish it by then end of the day tomorrow so I can post it.
When I'm done, I'll be starting another painting in the Leduc series.
I need to finish another five in the Leduc series before releasing a set of 12 separate art cards of Leduc and area (six country and six city paintings). I hope to have the cards printed and available in the New Year.

More Progress on Leduc Series #1

Today I added more detail to the vehicles parked on the left, the sidewalk, the building and the Antiques sign.
I also added a figure in the background and blocked in some antique items and a sandwich board sign outside the Antique Mall. More detail and shadow will be added to these later, and the figure will need a shadow and the light between the legs toned down a bit when it's dry. The buildings all need a little 'cleaning up' and the entire painting will get some little 'juicy bits' before I can call it complete.
So, there's still a fair bit to do, but it's really starting to take shape.
Now, since I have to leave it dry for a day or two, I get to turn my attention over to my succulent pomegranates. I can't wait...

Ready to work on Leduc series again!

Well, the first layers in my new series of Leduc city scenes are finally dry enough that I will be working on that painting again tomorrow.
So, all things going well, I should have another updated version of it on the blog tomorrow evening.
In the meantime, I have been creating a still life set-up with pomegranates. The pomegranates are so beautiful at this time of year, and the fruit is so juicy.
As soon as I see them in the grocery store, I can envision the transluscent jewels of the fruit inside. How wonderful nature is that the fruit of a pomegranate can mirror the beauty of a fine ruby? The sight of the unusual fruit makes me want to run to the studio for paints and a brush.
I'm not sure yet, but I think I will paint the still life on an 8 x 10" canvas, or perhaps 9 x 12" - whichever it becomes, it will be an intimate piece that is likely going to be life-size.
It's so hard sometimes to decide whether to paint a still life of a wonderful object that may deteriorate in a short time, or the ongoing project (in this case, the Leduc painting). Sometimes I find myself starting on one, being drawn to the other, and then going back to the first. I must have attention deficit or something, but I find it difficult not to try to do everything I love at the same time.
And, somehow, it works. When I'm that inspired to paint, I can spend the whole day and a lot of the night while that feeling is still there. Then, the same thing the next day(s) until both paintings get completed. Then, I might take a day or so and do some writing and take long walks so that I don't overdose my enthusiasm and I keep the desire to go back to the easel with vigor.
Just a note - I found an artist on the internet today who I think is absolutely fantastic and I thought I'd share where I found her: http://www.birchwoodgallery.com/croft.htm . Her name is Helene Croft, her paintings are of the Canadian North and I think they are spectacular. I don't know her, but I do hope she will be interested in being interviewed for Canadian Brushstroke Magazine ( http://www.brushstrokemagazine.com/ ) in the near future.

When should you approach galleries?

Very often beginner artists ask the question: How do we get into galleries, or approach galleries to show our work?
This is like asking how to go about finding a needle in a haystack. These artists are fresh and excited and, although many think they “have what it takes,” they are, more often than not, inexperienced. They have usually been highly praised by family and friends, and they are perhaps at a point where they think their work compares favorably to works already in galleries. Even if this were true, it’s not the golden ticket to acceptance by any art gallery.
These artists should first ask themselves some of the following questions:
• Do I have a track record of sales? In other words, can you prove to a gallery that your work has not only been praised, but also purchased?
• Do I have a complete portfolio, including an up-to-date biography, artist’s statement, and crisp, clear photos of my work (hard copies and digital)? Galleries require as much information as possible to assess you as an artist, and also, if they accept you, they want to provide as much information as possible to clients interested in purchasing.
• Can I provide works on a regular basis? Galleries require their artists to consistently provide them with new works so they can attract their clients to the gallery often.
• Am I prepared to regularly promote my work at the gallery or in other locations? Providing demonstrations, or being available to meet and mingle with clients is very important. Early in your artistic career, the more people you meet, the greater chance you have of selling your work and amassing new collectors.
• Am I prepared to listen to the gallery owners about their needs? The gallery owners know their markets. That means you might be required to frame to their expectations, or they may only want a certain type of work you do and not every piece you crank out. If doing that is not for you, the gallery route may not be either.
If you really want to work with galleries, you have moved from being an artist, to being an artist and business person. You will need to consider the marketplace, supply, customer service, possible guarantees of your work, etc.
So, if you’re putting out good work with consistent quality and are thinking about approaching galleries, consider the above points first. When you’re REALLY ready, you’ll have a much better chance of impressing the gallery owners and perhaps even becoming one of their favorite artists.

By Susan Abma

If You've Ever...You're Probably an Artist

Today I had several interviews to do for Canadian Brushstroke Magazine ( www.brushstrokemagazine.com ) and I never got a minute to paint.
I do, however, have something I wrote a while back that I think you might enjoy.

The tell-tale redneck signs of creativity: If you've ever...
You're probably an Artist!

If you've ever burned your supper because you're deepening a shadow...you're probably an artist.

If you've ever spent three times what you charge for your work on supplies...you might be an artist.

If you'd rather spend all day painting the trunk of a tree than going out on the town...you must be an artist.

If you have hardly any clothes without paint on them, you're probably an artist.

If you list your assets as canvas, brushes, or pencil crayons...you've got to be an artist.

If you think an upside down vase, a coffee can and a lit cigar go well together...you're probably an artist.

If your kids can't sit in your vehicle because it's full of pieces destined for a show...you must be an artist.

If you spend more on framing than your wardrobe...you have to be an artist.

If you take more ‘reference photos’ than family pictures...you're an artist.

And... if you might be worth more dead than alive...you're definitely an artist.

Progress on new Series of Paintings of Leduc and area

Edge of Night
Susan Abma
2 x (8x10")
Acrylic on Canvas

I love oil painting and rarely work in other mediums. This is a rare exception. Either portion of this diptych (two paintings that form one painting when together) could stand alone, but together it makes a compelling image of an Alberta sky in late September.
The sky views I get from my home on a farm near Leduc, Alberta (just south of Edmonton), are like a grand performance by an orchestra of color and movement. When I have an opportunity to view this splendor, I am humbled and awestruck. I have also painted another evening sky that I actually did call Evening Performance. I will share it with you soon.

Below is the latest progress report on the first of my new series:

Today I worked some more on this first painting in my new series. When the paint is wet, the photos of oil paintings aren't top notch, but by posting this regularly, you'll still be able to follow the progress of paintings from start to finish. When the painting is completely done, I'll scan the final image and post it.

I have sharpened the image up a little in this second session, deepened shadows, and added a bit more detail and some reflection to the glass in windows and doors.

In the next layer, I will work on even more detail in the buildings, some more detail in the sidewalk and the lovely red street lights that make Leduc's downtown so unique. If all goes well, I will also try to put some detail into the fronts of the vehicles parked along the left side, although I will be careful to leave the Antique Mall as the most detailed area in order to retain it as the focal point of the painting.

Start of New Series

Today I blocked in the background for the start of the first painting in my new series -Streets of Leduc. The building that will be most prominent in this particular painting will be the one that is currently grey/blue. It is the Leduc Antique Mall - a place that draws people from all over the region to view the engaging antique dishware, furniture, etc. A visit to the Antique Mall is more than just a shopping outing - it is an experience, and a dip into our ancestor's lives. Although any of these charming store fronts would make a great focal point, I had to start somewhere with this series, and I feel the Antique Mall is a worthy place to start. I'll show progress pictures regularly as I work on this painting.
The rest of this series will contain other noteworthy corners and street scenes, including scenes from the new skatepark. There I hope to capture some action scenes of the very talented and respectful young 'boarders, scooters and bikers' that I have met there as I have been researching this series.

The day started early today - my first interview (for Canadian Brushstroke Magazine) was at 6 a.m. with Marlene Joudry, a Nova Scotia artist who is keeping alive the tradition of Mi'qmaq porcupine quill art.
As I listened to her story, I could only admire her stamina - quill art means finding dead porcupines (roadkill), collecting the quills - often a two or three day process, digging up spruce roots, finding birch bark, etc.
Before she even gets to the art, she has a whole season of collecting the material. Then the art can take months to complete and it, too, is a painstaking process.
The fabulous, colorful, intricate art is a sight to behold, and through it she feels connected to her ancestors.
My second interview was with artist Carl Shinkaruk - an extremely talented British Columbia artist who is currently doing a significant body of Western art - cowboys, horses, etc.
Our interview was almost four hours in duration, and I can't wait to write and share his story. Find out about his usual palette, his technique, and more about the personable artist.
In addition, find out more about Ontario artist Bernard Poulin (I interviewed him about a week ago). His 40-year history in the art world has a multitude of accomplishments. The story has some of his secrets and philosophies and is well worth the read.
All of these stories, and more, will be featured in the upcoming issue of Canadian Brushstroke Magazine: http://www.brushstrokemagazine.com/ . The issue will be released at the end of the first full week in November. The magazine is free to anyone in or interested in the Canadian art industry and is coveted by many artists, collectors, galleries, suppliers, etc.

Part-time Hooker

The debate on whether one should be 'pure' or whether to create reproductions from one's originals is always on.
I have made reproductions, and will likely continue to do so. I have many artist colleagues who do, and then there's a few purists who don't.
And then, like a dear friend of mine who shall go unnamed to protect her 'guiltiness,' some only do when it suits them.
She was vehemently against reproductions and swore she would never prostitute her work -until she painted an old homestead. The family, naturally, loved the painting and many members asked for copies.
Since she didn't want to paint a dozen copies of the same painting - guess what she did? You got it - she made giclee reproductions.
I jokingly told her that she was only a 'part-time hooker' and we have laughed heartily at our secret little joke ever since - at least it was secret until now when I'm sharing it with the world.
Whether to do reproductions or not is a personal decision by the artist. As in the case of my friend, an artist is also free to change his or her opinion later if they wish to.
There are many factors involved in making any business decision, and choosing to do reproductions is almost always a business decision. Why is it that some artists feel they should suffer for their art and stay starving artists?
They have a gift and why not use that gift? That doesn't mean the artist has to compromise his or her subject matter or style, or anything else. It simply means that once the artist has created something, he should be able to share it with the world, and in doing so, if he makes a buck - more power to him (or her).
Would Tiger Woods turn down money? Does it make him any less gifted? What about Celine Dion or my personal favorite, George Clooney?
Money is a fact of life, and most artists like to eat.
If you're a purist through and through - more power to you. But, if you earn an extra buck from the gift you're lucky enough to have - never let anyone make you feel guilty for that, either.
I personally think there's room in this world for every type of artist and I applaud you all!

Miniature Series

Here's the final versions of the paintings in this miniature series:

That's A Roma

Susan Abma

5 x 7"

Oil on Canvas

Real Lemon

Susan Abma
5 x 7"
Oil on Canvas

It's All Gourd
Susan Abma
5 x 7"
Oil on Canvas


I had a wonderful time painting this miniature series. I rarely work on pieces this small, but it is nice to have such intimate little works, and I think they will be in the right price range for people to purchase for Christmas gifts.

In addition to this series, here is another of my small works. It is part of the farm series I did for the fall show at Johnson Gallery this year. I was inspired to paint this because of the extraordinary lighting. For a short time, a sky hole opened and the light shone down on the centre of the field. It was what I would consider heavenly lighting - a little surreal - and that is why I called this painting 'Chosen.' And, aptly it was chosen - it has been sold. I will release prints of this painting.

Chosen

Susan Abma

6 x 12"

Oil on Canvas

Great Art and Shows!

Today being Sunday, I don't have a lot to post, but I will tell you a few things that I think are worth checking out.
First of all, my friend, Bernard Poulin had his 40-yr anniversary exhibition last weekend, and his paintings are posted on his site: http://www.poulinstudios.com/ . I think they are worth checking out, as is the rest of his site. Bernard is renowned also for his portrait work - check his site and see his outstanding work - portraits of former Prime Minister Jean Chretien, former Governor General Romeo Leblanc, Premier of Bermuda Jennifer Smith and so many more.
Bernard is very much one of the Canadian artists that I seriously look up to and admire.

Another item of note if you're in the Edmonton area: Artists Doris Charest, Shairl Honey, Susanne Loutas, Cindy Revell, Judy Schafers, Diane Way and Laura Watmough are in a show at Urban Roots - 10418 Whyte Ave. The opening reception is Oct. 19, and the show runs until November 17. These artists are well worth the time you will spend.

Tomorrow I will post the totally completed miniature series that I have shown in progress, and I have a picture of another painting that sold in the fall show recently.

I Need An Idea

Hi there,

I have no painting to post today, but here's a little poem I wrote when I just couldn't find anything that inspired me to paint...

I NEED AN IDEA

I need an idea,
‘cuz I want to paint,
The desire is here,
but inspiration, it ain’t!

I’ve looked through my photos,
I’ve walked ‘round the town,
And nothing’s outstanding,
It’s gotten me down.

I’ve checked in the garden,
and under a rock,
I’ve climbed up a tree,
and looked down by the dock.

There’s nothing that’s waiting,
For me to appear,
And trap it in time,
With my paint and veneer.

No dogs, cats or butterflies
Out and about,
It’s saddened me really,
and I walk with a pout.

But wait, what’s that yonder?
An old pair of shoes,
Left in the trash can,
Now I wonder whose?

What story can they tell,
with their holes and no lace?
I can’t wait to hear it,
as my canvas I face.

Ever so carefully,
I pick up a brush,
With my heart all excited,
And my cheeks all a-flush.

Sometimes the simplest of things are the best,
Yet we keep on seeking from east to the west,
Looking for better, and bolder, more bright,
When we finally stop, We oft see the light.

Now I am so happy,
my muse finally sate,
The shoes are remembered,
I’ve recorded their fate.

But better than that,
And more aptly put,
I’ve learned to see more
Than just what’s afoot.

Challenging Painter's Block

Summer's End
Susan Abma
24 x 12
Oil/Canvas

Today I took a break from the miniature series to write some articles for Canadian Brushstroke Magazine
( http://www.brushstrokemagazine.com/ ).
The painting above is one of my paintings that is currently in a gallery show that I spoke about in an earlier posting. Unfortunately, this photo is not showing all the warmth of the original -but then what copies ever do. This year I did several paintings of farm landscape scenes for the show and I truly loved painting this bale 'portrait.' Although it sounds a little sad, Summer's End holds promise for farmers who are able to sell their crops or livestock after a busy farming season. The bales are hauled off the fields and the field will get a well-deserved rest before next spring when the process will begin again at seeding time.

I just remembered an article I wrote a while back - perhaps it will inspire you a little.
Here it is...

CHALLENGING PAINTER'S' BLOCK

Here’s a few ideas to think about whenever you get a creative block and find you ‘just can’t paint right now.’ There’s no guarantees, but they just might work, so it could be worth a try…

1. Paint your favorite drink – whether it’s a cup of tea, a pina colada, a steaming latte with lots of foam, or an ice cold beer – paint it in such a way that would show the viewer why it’s your favorite and how much you love it.

2. Go through the newspaper and find a photo – the first one that catches your eye – and paint your version of it – it could be abstract, realistic, finger-painted, or painted any way that might get your creative juices flowing for the next project.

3. Look in the mirror at yourself in this painter’s block mood and paint just your eyes, so that it shows how you feel and why you can’t paint right now. In doing so, you’re already on your way to stifling the creative block.

4. Paint yourself as a person with the occupation you wanted as a child – did you want to be a fireman, a hairdresser, a bungee jumper, a police officer, a dancer? Give yourself a day as the person of you childhood dreams.

5. Do you love spaghetti? Eggs benedict? Chocolate Mousse? Strawberries? Your secret recipe? Paint it so everyone can taste it with you.

6. Repaint the first thing you ever painted. Just knowing that you now have a greater technical knowledge will help you paint that image with more confidence.

7. Paint your worst habit – do you smoke, drink, eat too much chocolate? Paint in a way that will show how bad this habit is. Perhaps your painting, over time, will actually even help you quit your habit – if you even want to.

8. Paint about conformity – peas in a pod, ducks in a row, bananas in a bunch, etc. Make sure that part of your group doesn’t conform – for instance, leave one of the peas out of the pod.

9. Paint yours or your child’s favorite toy. Show some of the worn areas that clearly display how much it has been loved.

10. If you’re really hoping for some particular thing in life – paint it – maybe a cottage at the lake? A diamond ring? A new tool box? A particular make and model of vehicle? A child? Live your dreams through your painting. Remember that at one time you only dreamed you could paint – now you truly can paint your dreams. Just make those first strokes that will put you back on your way – you can do it – you just need a little motivation. Hopefully you’ll find it here.

Well, I did it again - I got so caught up in painting that I didn't really take progress pictures. I still have a little bit of work to do on all of them, though, so they are sort of progress pictures. I just wish I'd remembered to have them in a further from finished stage. The lemon still has quite a long way to go, though.

Here's this new miniature series:

That's a Roma
Susan Abma

5 x 7"

Oil on Canvas

I set up this luscious Roma tomato in the studio and it was a pleasure to paint and find the subtle changes as the form turned from light into shadow. If I paint this same tomato again, I'll have to call it 'Future Bruschetta.'

It's all Gourd

Susan Abma

5 x 7

Oil on Canvas

At this time of year I can't resist the delightful masses of colorful gourds that decorate our local grocery outlets. I am drawn like a child to candy and I can't wait to get through the till, get home, and paint them. I lead a truly charmed life.

Real Lemon

Susan Abma

5 x 7"

Oil on Canvas

As Yet Unfinished

Lemons have always been a favorite of mine. Unlike many people, I find them truly delicious. As a child, I would come home after school and peel a lemon for a snack, sending my brother into a series of horrified looks and me into stitches of laughter.

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving. Today I found some wonderful gourds at the grocery store. I couldn't resist buying about a dozen of the wonderfully colored future paintings in the making. I actually put off finishing 'That's a Roma' (from yesterday's posting) because I was so excited about starting a painting of a lovely dark green and yellow gourd.
I decided it would be lovely as a set with the Roma tomato and some other vegetable that I haven't decided upon as yet. I think a set of three will be a wonderful, complete trio and I'm really enjoying painting the set, as well as my quest for the final vegetable (fruit?) to finish the trio.
Tomorrow I hope to finish 'That's a Roma' and also post the start of 'It's all Gourd.'

Still Life Roma Tomato

That's a Roma

Susan Abma

5 x 7"

Oil on Canvas
As yet unfinished

Last night I set up a quick still life with a single Roma tomato. I am painting it on a 5 x 7" canvas, simply as an exercise in developing form, or in other words, making the tomato curve nicely around so that it has shape and doesn't sit as a flat object on the canvas.
The lighting is very important, and when setting up any still life, we have to be sure to have good light and good shadow. Without a strong light source, the subject has consistent lighting all over it. That makes it very difficult to establish the form.
In this case I set up the lighting to the left and a bit above the tomato, establishing a shadow mainly on the right side.

I'm going to call the painting, "That's a Roma." Cheesy? You bet - but I just can't think of anything that suits it better - and I am a little punny sometimes, actually quite often if I'm going to be honest.

Yesterday I went to several of the local art supply stores to purchase paint, thinner, canvas and varnish. I am trying Golden's MSA varnish for the first time - it was recommended by one of the store owners who I trust.

The MSA varnish is supposed to be mixed with mineral spirits until it is the consistency of homogenized milk. I am going to apply the Gloss varnish first until the entire painting has the same level of sheen. Then I'll apply very thin coats of Satin varnish until the painting is the lower level of sheen that I am looking for.

I'll try this on several old studies that are well-cured and then post how I feel about the results. If I'm happy with the results, I'll post the 'formula' I used - ie: 1 part varnish to 2 parts mineral spirits, or whatever it works out to. I'll also post the method I used to apply the varnish.

Alberta Oil Painters Fall Show

Wow! Tonight we had hundreds of guests at the Johnson Gallery on the southside of Edmonton visiting our fall show and sale.

We doubled our sales from last year, and I sold several pieces myself, including 'In the Rough' shown here.

We had almost 100 paintings at the show, including 14 'Knee High' paintings. The Knee High portion of the show was a series of 8x10" studies of subjects one would see at or below knee level. 'In the Rough' was one of those small studies.

It was exciting to paint for this show - working towards deadlines is natural for me after having spent 25 years in the newspaper/magazine industry.

Just when I had completed all the paintings for this show, the gallery called and had sold one of the paintings I had planned for the show. So, one week before the show I had to paint another painting. Several days in a row of painting until 2:30 a.m. and then starting again at 7 a.m. resulted in a still life with a partially bitten apple, partially peeled orange, and a cut lime. It is a painting I am particularly proud of because it has very nice light on the fruit, and a lovely reflection of all the fruits on the surface beneath them.

I can honestly say it is a delicious painting, since as you can see -

I had a chance to sample the subject.

Now that the hub-bub of this show is over, I am really looking forward to starting my next painting and I can already almost taste my next subject - yum. I'm pretty sure it's going to be another still life.

I will be photographing the progress and posting it on the blog.