Make my day!

Garden Girl

Original oil painting  28x22"

by Susan Roux

It was Saturday evening. Charlie called disguising his voice and asking me to guess who he was. It sounded nothing like him or like anyone else I knew, so I didn't offer a guess. I think he was disappointed I wouldn't even try. 

Whenever anyone does that, I'm always afraid to offend them if I guess the wrong person. 

Charlie is the owner of The Wright Gallery. You know, the one in Cape Porpoise, Maine. He lives upstairs from the gallery. It's a wonderful 3-story old building with an ocean view. He called to tell me that typically at 5:00 he closes his doors and is eager to scoot upstairs and be done with work for the day. But today, he said, my sister is meeting me for diner at 7:00, so I decided what the heck, I'll just leave the front door open until she arrives.

Lucky for me, because someone walked in and purchased Garden Girl! 

I don't usually post my sales, but I did like this little story. The next morning I awoke to an email from the buyer. Oh how I wish they would all contact me after a purchase. It was so refreshing to hear someone's opinion of my work. It's been years since I've done festivals and that wonderful interaction with the buyers is what I miss the most. 

These are the words I read. I was stunned by it on display. It offers to us serenity, warm springs, and bright futures... I feel like I found a gem!

If you're reading Eric, thank you for that. You made my day! I'm so happy she's found a home where she'll really be appreciated. 

I painted Garden Girl the first year I went on artists retreat at the mansion in Freeport. We go during February school vacation. I'm sure you  remember me talking about it before. It's where we host Champagne Thursday... I knew that would jar your memory.

I'm mentioning it because this year we aren't certain we'll return. The cost is high if all the rooms aren't rented out and so far we don't have occupants for a few of them. I know if I don't book it, come February vacation I'll be booting myself for not being there. It's such a productive week filled with laughter, great food and conversation, plus lots of wonderful creative energy. So if any of you would be interested in renting with us, please step forward. 

As always, thanks again for stopping by and leaving your wonderful comments. I do love hearing from you. You all make my day!

Thank you

Cape with a View

Original oil painting  18x24"

by Susan Roux

I'd like to thank everyone who came to the art walk last night. It was a fun evening and your show of support, made it feel extra special. I really liked lingering and chatting with you.

A typical conversation during an opening is finding out what people's favorite painting is. It's easy to see that people have varied taste and you could almost envision their selections matching their personalities. Even my dear friend Ell who said she'd be hard pressed if she had to choose a favorite among them. (She's the type that wouldn't leave anyone out...) How can you beat that?

The art had been up all week and the pub owner let me know about all the wonderful compliments he'd received about my work. He also told me of a client who wanted to buy the entire collection! He said the gentleman would be coming to meet me. Unfortunately he didn't. The thought of someone buying out your entire show is an exciting one indeed! Even if he never came to introduce himself, it still brought a new level of excitement to the night. Perhaps like my friend Ell, he too was hard pressed to choose a favorite.

I have to say, the top contender as favorite was Dream Strolling. 

Dream Strolling  18x24"

I know you've seen it several times before, even as a work in progress, but I keep taking new photos of it to try to capture it better. Sorry to say, this one is still quite shy of capturing the feeling in this piece. It's my favorite in the show as well. I found it comforting to know my judgement was in tune with the vast majority. 

So far no sales from the event... It does stay up for the remainder of the month, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that before it comes down someone will approach me with a sale. After all the entire collection was nearly bought out!

If you missed the event, you can still see it all month at Dock Fore, 336 Fore St. Portland, ME. It's in the Old Port. Stop by and tell Shaun I sent you. 

Earlier in the day, Charlie from the The Wright Gallery contacted me saying he was putting a check in the mail for two paintings he'd sold. All in all, yesterday was a very good day!

Workshop week

Midday Warmth

Original oil painting  16x20"

by Susan Roux

It's a crazy busy week over here. School's starting, my workshop begins on Wednesday and I'm hanging an exhibition on Saturday. Life glides along so smoothly at times, but on weeks like this, everything collides and culminates all at once. It leaves me spinning.

Not much time for easel staring...

I'm sure you understand this. I miss painting and find myself almost aggravated for not planning well enough to still include painting time. It's moments like this when you realize just how much you need to paint. It isn't just a desire, it feels as necessary as breathing.

Midday Warmth was painted from a photo. It's the back porch entrance at The Wright Gallery in Cape Porpoise where Charlie hangs many of my paintings. I know the photo is a bit fuzzy. I've been trying to experiment with the camera lately, in attempt to rectify my continuing problem. I photographed this zoomed out a bit to get some of the surrounding objects and colors. I found the colors registered much closer in accuracy to my painting, however clear definition was sacrificed. I thought my camera could handle it...

As artists we need to do so many things right. Paint, photograph, write, frame, curate. Which reminds me, I still need to do a bio for my exhibition... I better get to work. Have a good day and thanks for stopping by. I love when you leave me comments!

Experience color

Dew Drop In

Original oil Painting  16x20"

by Susan Roux

Color. 

It's one of the most fascinating things about painting. It can lead the eye through a specific journey on your canvas. It can create an ambiance. It can define distance and space. It can imitate sunshine and shade. It can scream or whisper. It can be playful and exciting or it can be bland.

As artists we get to control the roll it takes in our work. 

It takes a long time to understand color. There's so much to learn because it's a very complex subject. A color used incorrectly can stand out like a sore thumb. One single stroke out of place and suddenly it changes everything. The value (light or dark) of a color must be correct along with how concentrated or neutralized (grayed) it is. 

Learning to embrace the grays will add richness to your colors and your work. There's emotion in those mud puddles on grayed color. The trick is to know how to use it correctly and be in control of it. 

Understanding the properties of color enables you to take control. At times you've probably heard or read about certain concepts but have had difficulty wrapping your brain around them. Trying to paint with a particular focus in mind that you don't totally understand can be frustrating. So much so, that it can throw you into painter's block! That happens when you begin to be aware of a concept but don't totally understand it, yet try to implement it into your work. 

Simplifying things and learning them one step at a time can be your detour around that painter's block. Trying to push too much information into your brain at once only confuses. Having time to try new things, experiment with them, helps the mind grasp the concept. Not only is it something you hear or read, it is also something you try.

This will be the goal in my upcoming workshop, held August 10, 11, 12. 

I've been teaching for over 10 years. I teach to beginners and if I've learned anything over all this time it's how to explain things in the simplest way possible! So if you've been painting awhile and do pretty well but would like to learn more on the subject of color, my workshop is for you. I'm limiting class size to ten students so each one will get individualized attention.  

Come play with color. Come take the fear out of it and place yourself in control. All levels are welcomed. If you're interested or think you might be interested, please don't hesitate to contact me. I'll be happy to help you with your lodging needs as well. 

Maine is beautiful in August. You can begin your holiday with a three day workshop to get you primed and stimulated then continue on to practice your lessons in the lush coastal setting that is Maine.

The above painting Dew Drop In is exhibited at The Wright Gallery, Cape Porpoise, Maine. Please contact Charlie if you're interested in purchasing it. Thank you.

This new morning

June Blossoms

Original oil painting  24x18"

by Susan Roux

I've been juggling painting time with outdoor gardening time. You know what that's like, right? It seems every year I establish a new flower-bed or revamp an old one. This year is no exception.

Maine has had plenty of rain recently. Just as the weather warmed nicely to do the outside work, it also  gave way to too many soggy dreary days. Bring on the sun and the perennial gardens come to life! It doesn't matter that I'm knee-deep in framing and trying to deliver to my galleries; when the sun finally shows it's lovely face, I need to go dig in the dirt!

I was suppose to deliver to The Wright Gallery today but I changed it to tomorrow. Rain is predicted then, once again. Usually I try not to deliver in the rain, but I need to take full advantage of the sunny days. I tackled a rather large project outside and once you begin to lift plants, it's kind of necessary to place them in soil again soon.

I love the seasons and the feeling you get as a new one announces itself. Spring, summer, fall. They're all such nice ones to revisit. Winter and mud season are never my favorites, but necessary to experience the wonderful charge that comes with spring! It feels like a new morning...

Which brings me to the title of this post and the title of Luka Bloom's new CD. Have you downloaded it to your library of tunes yet? For those of you who aren't acquainted with his music, let me tell you a little secret. Luka should market himself to artists. Listening to one or two songs won't do it, but play a long session of his music while painting and it's like magic! I've tried it on lots and lots of artists. Everyone has the same reaction, that it's perfect to paint to, except Kevin. But I blame his ancient player and bad speaker system. You see he likes to listen to the sixties and seventies stuff and his system is from the same era...

You can't expect to hear today's songs on yesterday's equipment. It's like trying to watch an HD movie on a fifties black and white TV! Doesn't work.

So because of that, I don't count Kevin's experience as a real negative. Plus he always tries to give me a hard time anyway...

Back to Luka. His words are always uplifting. His melodies are soothing and they're conducive to swaying. Both making your body and paintbrush sway. He also falls into short bouts of chanting which put you into a wonderful trance. You know what I mean, that great Painting Zone... Don't you just love getting there?

I've become so accustomed to painting solely to his music, that now instantly upon hearing it I want to slip off into that zone. It's has such a relaxing quality. It calms the spirit and allows you to focus and fall deep into your art. If you get the opportunity to see him in person, do yourself a favor and go. His show is worth the small fee it will cost  you. Plus Luka's pretty funny!

This New Morning!    

It could be your new art friend. 

I wanted to thank everyone who voted for me. It seems I've surpassed the required 77 votes needed to get to Time Square! I just love new experiences!


Note: June Blossoms is a scene from Monhegan Island. You can see part of the Island Inn in the distance, enveloped in costal fog. It will soon be delivered to Blue Hill Bay Gallery. Peter will be happy to help you if you'd like to purchase it.

Art Takes Time Square

Buttercups

Original oil painting  16x12"

by Susan Roux

I suspect by now many of you have heard about Art Takes Time Square. It'll be an exhibition via the big screens in Times Square. Imagine your art popping up for thousands of people to see. The rules for this exhibition are rather unique and because of that, I need your help.

Artists have set up their own page. This includes your artist photo, a statement and up to 9 images of your work. At the top of each page are three icon links. One is for Info, the second is Collect Me and the third a Share button. Each artists must collect votes through the Collect Me button. An artist needs a total of at least 77 votes to be part of the exhibition. I currently have 61 votes. 

Please click to get to my page where you can then click the "Collect Me" button. I'm just 16 votes away from being part of this unusual exhibition! Your vote counts and could help me visualize this big event.

The site is through Facebook, so you'll be asked to sign onto your Facebook account. 

I thank you for your time and your vote!

I'm not sure if the exhibition is still taking new artists, but do check and let me know if I can help  you by giving you my vote! Good Luck to all.

Note: Buttercups is at The Wright Gallery if your interested in purchasing. Charlie will take very good care of you!

Time

Tassels

Original oil painting 28x22"

by Susan Roux

Where does the time go? I feel as though it's whizzing by!

I think I'm trying to do too much. I'm running on exhaustion lately and still have plenty of things I'd like to get to. Energy. Lack of energy and a tired body slow me down. I heard this could (would) happen with age... Don't you just hate it when they're right?

Thoughts usually ricochet in my head like the silver ball in a pinball machine. Creative thoughts, imaginative thoughts, even organizational thoughts. So many thoughts and ideas, it's often hard to sleep because they don't turn off. Today I sit before you with a blank mind. It seems so strange. I know it's because it wants to shut down and sleep, but not today. There is still too much to do.

Here is my latest girl. Charlie at The Wright Gallery sold Sundress after having her for a week. This is for him. I'll be delivering it early next week, hopefully. It's like my husband says. Charlie can't sell them if I don't paint them.

Words of wisdom.

Date confirmed

Beach Walkers

Original oil painting 16x20

by Susan Roux

I recently finished this painting with one of my classes and delivered it to The Wright Gallery on Monday. This is Goose Rocks Beach. Its located just down the street from the gallery. Charlie told me last year, that in this bad economy, paintings of recognizable local scenes might sell better. This is my attempt to see if he's right.

My life has been bustling.

As you know, Martine-Alison is coming for a visit. She arrives on Thursday and will be here for three weeks. As the time closes in, its difficult to express my true feelings and excitement for this reunion. It goes beyond words... We plan to take photos of our time together and post them here, to share with all of you. Last minute preparations are continuing at both ends. She's finally figured out how to transport art on the plane and has it packed securely in a carry-on. Her frames are unassembled to save space. Glueing them on the first night is a priority as we are delivering them to the Blue Heron Gallery the following day. As for myself, I'm trying to finish my gardening projects and failing... There will be more planting to do later, together. And... last but certainly not least, does anyone have a cleaning lady they can share?!!

But this is not all the excitement brewing here...

Yesterday I confirmed the dates, July 16-17-18. This is when the great, comical, witty, dynamic, ever-talented paintbrush pusher, Don Hatfield will teach a workshop in Maine!

Yes, I said in Maine!!!

It is my great honor to have him as my guest and I am currently busy setting up and organizing his workshop. Its an interesting experience, as I have never done this before. It will be an indoor, three-day workshop in Lewiston, Maine. If any of you are interested in traveling here and want to participate in this wonderful opportunity, please contact me here, before it goes out in an announcement to the general, local public. I'm certain the limited space will fill up very quickly! Cost is $325.00 for the three days. Such a bargain for this talent...

Is your life bustling with excitement, too? If not, create some... New experiences and new acquaintances can really stimulate the creative juices! I spoke to you many times before about going to meet each other. I hope you're taking my suggestion. You blood will tingle through your veins like Fourth of July fireworks do in the sky!

The Wright Gallery

This is the gallery in Cape Porpoise, Maine that represents my work. I love the name.

The Wright Gallery.

I like to tell people that I'm in The Wright Gallery as oppose to the wrong gallery...

It continually gets me a few laughs and I'm always up for laughter!

The owner Charlie is a hoot!

He has a thriving business, even in this injured economy, and I think its due to his personality. People love to come in to see Charlie. Sometimes I wonder if they come for the art at all or solely for a dose of his humor! Either way, they usually leave with art...

There is wonderful art here. Artists who are represented stay on forever. A relationship with the cheerful owner grows until eventually, you become family. You do not find a yearly shift, but rather consistency between these walls. When Charlie takes you on, he puts you under his wing. I feel very comfortable and blessed to be here.

One of my favorite artists at Charlie's is Diane Leonard. She paints dreamy women and children at the beach. Her colors jump at you and the softness makes your mind drift off, as you place yourself in her paintings. It was to my wonderful surprise to find Diane blogging! We've never met. I'm finding her words as sweet, dreamy and wonderful as her art. No doubt she is pouring herself on canvas. When the art reflects the exact personality of its creator, you know the magic is happening!

I'd like to invite you to come see her blog. She is quiet in the blogging world, so few of you have found her. Come treat yourself to be a part of her "dream". And if you're ever in Maine, do stop by The Wright Gallery. You will not regret seeing her glowing art for real! (Plus you get to see mine too...)

Don't forget to tell Charlie I sent you...