19 Years, plus a Week

Has anyone ever asked you "How long did it take you to do that painting?" I have!

As I paint, I like to take photos of the progression of the work. It helps me see the development of the piece. As an instructor, it also helps me with my lesson planning.

Here are a few of the many steps in creating this piece:

I spend a lot of time working on the design, Once I have that figured out, I paint the outline then cover the entire canvas with a base coat, usually of quin gold or Indian yellow.

Next I block in some of the elements, usually working on the sky first. Since I had blue on my palette, I went ahead and started on the water.

Next came the rocks, trees and foreground water.

I enjoyed fine tuning the trees, working back in forth between the sky and trees.

Even though it wasn't in the original photo, I wanted to add some motion and interest to the water. That was fun to do.

My finished painting 

"Remote Possibility", 24 x 24", acrylic on canvas

Next time someone asks me how long this painting took me, my answer will be 19 years + a week.


Till Next Time ...

From the Prairies, to the West Coast and Beyond...

Susan

LIttle Things that Make a Difference

Sometimes it's the little things that make a big difference.

This is a painting called "Fall Forest".
I painted it awhile back and was happy with it.
As time went on there was something bothering me, but I just couldn't put my finger on it.

Then all of a sudden it hit me. I was reminded of a lesson that I picked up in a Janice Robertson workshop. The background was competing with the foreground.

Just by lightening the background I believe that it is now a stronger piece. 

I also highlighted a few bits here and there.


You can see the difference with the before and after photos (keeping in mind that it was photographed at two separate times with two difference camera models.)

Experiment, and if you need to ask one of your mentors for help!

To see more of my west coast art, please visit my online gallery. 

Till Next Time ...

From the Prairies, to the West Coast and Beyond...

Susan

West Coast Mini-Series

After painting prairie images for almost a year, I was ready for a change of scenery. I had four canvases on hand, each 16 x 20" and thought hmm...I can do a West Coast mini series.

When working on the "Prairie Whispers" series, my palette was very different. I used lots of warm colours: yellows, browns and maroon. Now back on the west coast, I am back to intense blues and greens. It was a definite mind switch.

Having taken a recent workshop with Nicholas Pearce, I also wanted to try using his limited palette: phthalo blue, cadmium red light, cadmium red dark, cadmium yellow medium, plus black and white. Because I absolutely love the warmth of Quin gold, I included that in my palette as well.

Heading out to Sea

The first in the series was a painting inspired by a trip last summer to Friendly Cove. This depicts the feeling and view when leaving Gold River aboard the ship. The misty totem in the background welcomes visitors to the island.

 A Quiet Moment by the Lake

The second painting was inspired by a photograph taken in the BC interior that one of my Facebook friends sent me. I was intrigued by the reflections of the trees and mountains.

 Yoquet, Where the Wind Blows

The third painting is also inspired by our trip to Friendly Cove. In this painting, it was all about the tree and the rock. The background is secondary, that is why I pushed it back with misty washes.

 Come, and Sit Awhile

The last painting evokes a sense of peace and tranquility. I added an Adirondack chair, to invite the viewer to sit back, relax and enjoy the view.


Now that my min-series is finished...what to paint next?


Till Next Time ...

From the Prairies, to the West Coast and Beyond...

Susan

Picking a Title for your Artwork

Often the hardest part of painting, is not the work itself, but the title that comes later. Sometimes the titles just pop into my head, even before I start the painting. Other times, not so much.

This is the case with this painting.

Last summer we drove up island to Gold River BC and hopped aboard the MV Uchuck III. We were were on a day trip to Friendly Cove, also know as Yuquot - the ancestral home of the Mowachaht / Muchalaht people.

Yuquot translates to “Where the Winds Blow from Many Directions” and is reputed as being the ‘birthplace’ of British Columbia.

It was wonderful to sit back, relax and enjoy the breath-taking scenery. Once we got out to sea, it was quite chilly and yes, the winds were blowing from many directions. I was so glad I had a heavy jacket with a hood on it.

Now, back to the issue of the title:
I thought I would see what the internet has to say about picking a title. One suggestion was to name them from a feeling that you had, or a feeling that you would like the viewer to experience while looking at your artwork. Other suggestions include: factual, abstract, mysterious, sentimental and numerical.


When I look at this painting and remember our trip, I feel an immediate sense of peace and magical tranquility. I used a limited palette giving the painting a sense of cohesion.

Some of the titles I am thinking of are:
"Magical Rock", "Tree of Life", "Tranquility", "Yoquot"
 
Since the paint is barely dry, I think I will give it a day or two to resonate.


I'd love to hear how you title your pieces?


Till Next Time ...

From the Prairies, to the West Coast and Beyond...

Susan

Buy 1 - Get 1 Free

At this time of year I like to clean up my studio and get ready for the new year. I am a prolific painter who lives in a very small house. I need to make room for some new work ...

I have decided to offer a special: Buy 1 - Get 1 Free

I have selected 12 of my pieces. These are all 8 x 10", acrylic and mixed media paintings on canvas board. They are perfect for popping into a standard size frame and onto your wall. They will also make a great Christmas present for someone special.

Some have been painted 'en plein air' while others are studies of a particular style or subject matter. They are all original Schaefer paintings.

Priced at $99. (+ shipping)

For a complete listing of titles and descriptions, please visit my online gallery.

Call or email me today with your selections.

Till Next Time ...

From the Prairies, to the West Coast and Beyond...

Susan

Hot off the Palette

Starting a new painting is always hard for me. Why?  I usually use an image as my main source and I have thousands of photo images to choose from. This scene was taken from a photo that was taken on a gloomy grey day, but I LOVED the curve of the beach.

Still deciding on an appropriate title for it ... so for now ... it goes untitled.

Till Next Time ...

From the Prairies, to the West Coast and Beyond...

Susan

Hot off the Palette

Just off the easel, and ready for a title. 

Working quickly on the background using large bold brush strokes, I wanted to create a smooth look. My reference photo had more of a sepia tone to it. My artistic license took over as I got a bit carried away with colour... I do love colour.

The trees in the foreground really framed off the painting. Now I just need a title. Any suggestions?

28 x 22" acrylic on canvas

Till Next Time ...

From the Prairies, to the West Coast and Beyond...

Susan

Upcoming Exhibition

When Corinne from The Old School House Arts Centre, (TOSH) in Qualicum Beach, approached me last August and asked me if I wanted an exhibition there in October, my first reaction was major panic. I said "This October?!!" "No", she said, "October 2011". "Oh, next year.", I said. Well needless to say, I was over the moon with excitement about being asked to exhibit my work. What an honour!

My second reaction was, 'oh my gosh, that's only a year away!

First I felt that I needed a place to work. After the Island Arts Expo in November 2010, I approached a friend of mine and asked if I could rent some space in her studio. I knew that it had been vacant for couple of years and would be a perfect place to work.

I started moving myself (along with car loads of art supplies) into the studio. I spent the first few weeks just having fun - experimenting with new materials, playing around with texture, etc. Even doing a few abstracts, which I had never done before. I got many old projects out of the way. It was great!

After the new year I decided that I better get to some more serious work.

Fast forward several months... and NOW we are only a few weeks away. Oh my gosh! My paintings are ready and they look great! I need to work on the marketing. But that's another story!

"Scapes - Seascapes, Moutainscapes, Landscapes
October 11th - November 4th

Till Next Time ...

From the Prairies, to the West Coast and Beyond...

Susan

Online Gallery

I spent most of today updating my Online Gallery. There I can give the viewer a tour of my artwork. Before uploading the images, I had to make sure they were the correct file type and size. I took a break from the computer to drive down to the studio to take a few more photographs of some of my latest work, so they too could be included.

For the moment - it is up to date!

I have split it into three albums ... From the Prairies ... To the West Coast ... and Beyond. (just like my tag line)

I find all of my paintings fall into one of those categories. Within those categories there can be different mediums; such as acrylic, watercolour or mixed.

As an avid photographer (who never leaves home without her camera), I have decided to add another category for professional photography. That one I will work on later.

Please go to the gallery and have a tour, then let me know what you think.

Till Next Time ...

From the Prairies, to the West Coast and Beyond...

Susan

Scout's Lookout

From our kitchen window we are fortunate to be able to look at the ocean and watch as the cruise ships head up to Alaska. We can see if the ocean is rough or calm, whether the tide is in or out ... and we always see the same two eagles sitting on top of the highest tree, having a good look around.

This contemporary painting is acrylic on stretched canvas.

"Scout's Lookout", 16 x 20"

For purchasing information please refer to my online Art Store and Gallery.

Gicleé prints are available.

Till Next Time ...

Love what you Do ... and Do what you Love.

Susan