tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27653839703504815432024-02-07T21:09:34.688-08:00Susan Fox's Art, Etc.All images are copyright protected and cannot be used, printed or downloaded in any way without the permission of the artist.Susan Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05271864772422419166noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765383970350481543.post-75605069340185628002010-07-03T17:04:00.000-07:002010-07-03T17:09:58.425-07:00"Summer Evening"<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ffpLhMmyjqdg2V5sYZDqU8wsfF6gt1G4RFTd2Pg99CkIDolWDdBnywsMnxHbusztJUWVptC7fEsjohhiHrcoCPzDwQwSuexov9x2xF_tG1gMuGMsHjhAZvg3D3CXqEzKhyMGY0SbS70/s1600/summereveining.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ffpLhMmyjqdg2V5sYZDqU8wsfF6gt1G4RFTd2Pg99CkIDolWDdBnywsMnxHbusztJUWVptC7fEsjohhiHrcoCPzDwQwSuexov9x2xF_tG1gMuGMsHjhAZvg3D3CXqEzKhyMGY0SbS70/s400/summereveining.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489836603159910834" /></a><br />Hopefully the dolrums are over! Finally felt like doing something. 8x10, colored pencil. I've come to use "don't paint from a photo unless you can improve the photo" as a guide. I really loved the photo of this geranium bloom but I did make a few changes to hopefully improve the composition. The little batch of buds on the right side actually pointed straight out to the side and I felt like it led your eye out of the painting, so I re-directed them upward so hopefully they help your eye move in a circle around the flower. I wanted them to still break the plane of the circle of leaves and for the brightness of the largest bud to show up against the dark background. Other changes were very minor, but I think helped.Susan Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05271864772422419166noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765383970350481543.post-36928822180947735882010-06-30T19:46:00.000-07:002010-06-30T19:49:04.523-07:00Russell Raccoon<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbej0P3GE8NRH5EoZXW8AUZkxli8noyLLukGt8GgtnaVEf96RNnDMwVQYkiSiucHKOh5_Xm3VPuZh0QpQVqP5uRiXh_rh0LbfkSayb-9Jb6R8scO_6AjJzPJmm8eiiLvoQ4K7jBEfHTJg/s1600/russellpastel.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 311px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbej0P3GE8NRH5EoZXW8AUZkxli8noyLLukGt8GgtnaVEf96RNnDMwVQYkiSiucHKOh5_Xm3VPuZh0QpQVqP5uRiXh_rh0LbfkSayb-9Jb6R8scO_6AjJzPJmm8eiiLvoQ4K7jBEfHTJg/s400/russellpastel.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488764336235076946" /></a><br />Just to show that I at least tried something! This pastel (about 6x9") was done from a photo my son-in-law took of a baby raccoon who seemed to have been abandoned by his mom. They saw her carry one baby off, but she didn't come back for hours and hours, leaving little Russell worried, I'm sure. She finally did come and retrieve him and they moved on.Susan Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05271864772422419166noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765383970350481543.post-36229851974428393062010-06-15T17:55:00.001-07:002010-06-15T17:58:56.631-07:00Summer Doldrums Continue<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqt0WmjsVdYGK3a7gSwZVd_qqlu7DnCTvUdYO_2_wScOEHkOf9lo5s4svd150UzunsdyBLPWopmDh-sMwx_Xw3SAExMNp3IVgCwdvNqIdJq31XA_ydkQcrXUCsrKYvowyOdPSmKfc6wGw/s1600/spotteddeadnettle.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 338px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqt0WmjsVdYGK3a7gSwZVd_qqlu7DnCTvUdYO_2_wScOEHkOf9lo5s4svd150UzunsdyBLPWopmDh-sMwx_Xw3SAExMNp3IVgCwdvNqIdJq31XA_ydkQcrXUCsrKYvowyOdPSmKfc6wGw/s400/spotteddeadnettle.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483169652217362946" /></a><br />Spending every spare minute in my garden...art seems to have taken a back seat for now. I keep thinking I should be painting something from my garden, but find myself doing more photography for now (my garden blog: http://susnfxgarden.blogspot.com/ ).Susan Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05271864772422419166noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765383970350481543.post-68477895293987896702010-05-21T19:58:00.000-07:002010-05-21T20:01:46.743-07:00Third Place, Mixed Media, Intermountain Society of Artists Spring Show<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3BLT4QZMTn31GM8dXbgoVgO5iNviUPJAR12gRBTawQa4OYVpSyg8LR6Bkgaz3X37EE3GkefBAX6IrUHPZCr4S4CktYqwP6BXIB3Ap92hcjJA85udO0BZX3vhCkU27X9vxuctaVmh3wbM/s1600/WatchStepFinal.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3BLT4QZMTn31GM8dXbgoVgO5iNviUPJAR12gRBTawQa4OYVpSyg8LR6Bkgaz3X37EE3GkefBAX6IrUHPZCr4S4CktYqwP6BXIB3Ap92hcjJA85udO0BZX3vhCkU27X9vxuctaVmh3wbM/s320/WatchStepFinal.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473924104671484098" /></a><br />"Watch Your Step" took third place in the mixed media category (which is where they put everything that isn't watercolor or oil). Very fun to win an award! Now if I could just get my creative brain going again...it seems to have been in neutral for a very long time...Susan Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05271864772422419166noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765383970350481543.post-3272895625604514882010-05-13T09:50:00.000-07:002010-05-13T09:57:00.690-07:00Intermountain Society of Artists Spring Show<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj70x0qPOKbVqq8alz8FXzuArN3vzKfqeL6H8EQmiCvLSFk7vlGr_R5eozcsf_CAMZXRDKDXrAQKffNIKE9Bfooi6ggCAu0J8yaLc5UJBLld7A_9Pt93d3UXj7A4IGPGDKhicAgyXE-1Bs/s320/peppers2.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 245px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj70x0qPOKbVqq8alz8FXzuArN3vzKfqeL6H8EQmiCvLSFk7vlGr_R5eozcsf_CAMZXRDKDXrAQKffNIKE9Bfooi6ggCAu0J8yaLc5UJBLld7A_9Pt93d3UXj7A4IGPGDKhicAgyXE-1Bs/s320/peppers2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbsIRVsBNpDTeLHJosnFlqzNTOX7dmv8DMHX-vHM7JFny5NjozJWP75fvfokzcfdTmueKEUiMDiekaHkf32CTZPAST7MjrxlnrPlx9xEPN5nyX9f1jgv_JSo8EnuP3RmDQGKBXmtDP9jM/s320/WatchStepFinal.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 242px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbsIRVsBNpDTeLHJosnFlqzNTOX7dmv8DMHX-vHM7JFny5NjozJWP75fvfokzcfdTmueKEUiMDiekaHkf32CTZPAST7MjrxlnrPlx9xEPN5nyX9f1jgv_JSo8EnuP3RmDQGKBXmtDP9jM/s320/WatchStepFinal.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz3zSNZNOgHDQS5Gi_gERbS7EnFqvYdQ1VLMz2ZPE248XTX1xPm7azs5eMksYSL57tGYBhh6g0XmgxpwE5JxrYhXjnbFGgbGaCpOkbrI7JqNiVk3acAqdQtj_MQmdPdMAs_rJJwZJTrBo/s320/looting.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 257px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz3zSNZNOgHDQS5Gi_gERbS7EnFqvYdQ1VLMz2ZPE248XTX1xPm7azs5eMksYSL57tGYBhh6g0XmgxpwE5JxrYhXjnbFGgbGaCpOkbrI7JqNiVk3acAqdQtj_MQmdPdMAs_rJJwZJTrBo/s320/looting.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I'm entering these three pieces into the show this year. They're framed and ready to go--keeping my fingers crossed that at least one will be accepted into the show. Opening social and award presentation is next Friday (May 21). I had good luck last year (3rd place, mixed media)--the first show I ever entered, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed for this year.</div></div></div>Susan Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05271864772422419166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765383970350481543.post-48150483156984251422010-05-06T06:39:00.001-07:002010-05-06T06:40:40.455-07:00The DoldrumsSeem to be in an artistic slump right now...haven't been doing much at all. Getting a few pieces matted and framed for the upcoming Intermountain Society of Artists spring show. Still here and kicking, but need something to get me jump-started with my pencils or pastels again!Susan Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05271864772422419166noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765383970350481543.post-87391408993680767402010-04-09T18:29:00.000-07:002010-04-09T18:32:49.593-07:00Gander<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj13oEML6KczFIJ1ZLrn8E0TTElVKtCf4VgKC61cp-qG_Bf-9Nb-HcP9pWOzQn7QiF_niI3745vXfc24yBFE2d_aO5twaWYqZ3xFe3HpGd4xAeknXYfKdI-39Q7nrJ1x46ENzqcoVc7ggg/s1600/gander.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 217px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458315718259456834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj13oEML6KczFIJ1ZLrn8E0TTElVKtCf4VgKC61cp-qG_Bf-9Nb-HcP9pWOzQn7QiF_niI3745vXfc24yBFE2d_aO5twaWYqZ3xFe3HpGd4xAeknXYfKdI-39Q7nrJ1x46ENzqcoVc7ggg/s320/gander.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I've spent a couple of frustrating weeks working with pastels...nothing to show for it at all. Took a photo of this gander this morning at Wheeler Farm. He was standing on one leg when a little girl ran toward him. He stretched his head up and was about to give her a warning honk. I loved his long neck and his almost ballet-like stance. Pastel on white velour paper. May have gotten a bit carried away with the background...I may try this on another surface later. </div>Susan Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05271864772422419166noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765383970350481543.post-57534660809266456742010-03-26T12:32:00.000-07:002010-03-26T12:37:08.179-07:00Looting the Robin's Nest<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz3zSNZNOgHDQS5Gi_gERbS7EnFqvYdQ1VLMz2ZPE248XTX1xPm7azs5eMksYSL57tGYBhh6g0XmgxpwE5JxrYhXjnbFGgbGaCpOkbrI7JqNiVk3acAqdQtj_MQmdPdMAs_rJJwZJTrBo/s1600/looting.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 257px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453028811556136770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz3zSNZNOgHDQS5Gi_gERbS7EnFqvYdQ1VLMz2ZPE248XTX1xPm7azs5eMksYSL57tGYBhh6g0XmgxpwE5JxrYhXjnbFGgbGaCpOkbrI7JqNiVk3acAqdQtj_MQmdPdMAs_rJJwZJTrBo/s320/looting.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Last summer there was a funny little finch who was obsessed with manmade stuff for his nest near my garden. He would bring pieces of kleenex, a HUGE piece of the waxed paper liner from a cookie or cracker box, etc. After the baby robins had left their nest nearby, I saw this little finch trying to snitch the one manmade item in the robin's nest--a slim little strip of paper. Unfortunately, it was woven into the nest well enough that he couldn't pull it out and had to give up. I've had it in my head to do a picture of him since then. Colored pencil, 8x10.</div>Susan Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05271864772422419166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765383970350481543.post-4872220411527568852010-03-20T08:49:00.000-07:002010-03-20T08:53:10.156-07:00Toby Tweaked<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiibnzHwwsHehhic6iZ0prK8A4psqG1aWZAsdh0TEP0afOBm0-D0-ZmhVix0RwL3KKw9qh0MEinKljTFY7RvpDC38pTybDwNp4o4HK_nx23sC6flzzgA4uPEWFiG7T2WeN1PsTnf9GyIps/s1600-h/toby2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 277px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450744396579855250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiibnzHwwsHehhic6iZ0prK8A4psqG1aWZAsdh0TEP0afOBm0-D0-ZmhVix0RwL3KKw9qh0MEinKljTFY7RvpDC38pTybDwNp4o4HK_nx23sC6flzzgA4uPEWFiG7T2WeN1PsTnf9GyIps/s320/toby2.jpg" /></a><br /><div>After looking at Toby for a day or so, I made the decision to put in a background--I'm happier with it now. I feel it grounds him and puts him in a setting rather than just thin air. By the way, he's not after a creature! In order to get him to quit looking at me while I took his photo, I pulled around one of his toys (he's 11+ years old and doesn't play much but he does look), then quickly aimed and clicked while he was still looking at the toy. (The colors don't quite match up in the two photos I've posted due to differences in photo editing while trying to get the colors as true as possible.)</div>Susan Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05271864772422419166noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765383970350481543.post-25297475830886059242010-03-18T19:37:00.000-07:002010-03-18T19:43:57.279-07:00Toby<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBnIuryFE5s0-J5cln0YHsUBPvchTpa6m_ptcO1UAdzEhg2LlikVLExgAmmomFtOhyphenhyphenO1Y25MqfhXuTUkJbU_8311AgVk3tYIwLAnZMoxhyjOast6WqNVbQjm5UtqYrFw84aqEHxbJ6DnI/s1600-h/toby.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 264px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450169316385303042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBnIuryFE5s0-J5cln0YHsUBPvchTpa6m_ptcO1UAdzEhg2LlikVLExgAmmomFtOhyphenhyphenO1Y25MqfhXuTUkJbU_8311AgVk3tYIwLAnZMoxhyjOast6WqNVbQjm5UtqYrFw84aqEHxbJ6DnI/s320/toby.jpg" /></a><br /><div>One of my favorite subjects, my old cat Toby. This is my first pastel on velour paper--very interesting to work with. Not easily blended, but a lovely soft texture. Still not happy with my fur rendering, but overall I'm happy with this one. Pastel on brown velour paper, 8x10.</div>Susan Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05271864772422419166noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765383970350481543.post-3809928617771081042010-03-14T18:54:00.000-07:002010-03-14T18:58:49.838-07:00Thanks, Mariska<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinMwcChJLs3RxWw881v9jHh-d0F0BALP-cVcXep_aK6of3zg_8yceCFX3-pB2YLi4ca_Vw-CvM_iVjhej-cykWtIIE3xrEeZp7pdTaNICby9GKZTakdRTFj7s3qYBVMdoIf-85eLXWgU4/s1600-h/sunshineaward.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 175px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 170px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448673855082037122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinMwcChJLs3RxWw881v9jHh-d0F0BALP-cVcXep_aK6of3zg_8yceCFX3-pB2YLi4ca_Vw-CvM_iVjhej-cykWtIIE3xrEeZp7pdTaNICby9GKZTakdRTFj7s3qYBVMdoIf-85eLXWgU4/s200/sunshineaward.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Received a Sunshine Award from pastel artist, <a href="http://http://mariskasthings.blogspot.com/">Mariska</a>. It's appreciated! I know I'm supposed to pass this on to 12 other bloggers, but it always seems the folks I pick have already received one..I'll see if I can do it this time.</div><br /><div></div>Susan Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05271864772422419166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765383970350481543.post-42750660655014091512010-03-13T09:28:00.001-08:002010-03-13T09:35:38.082-08:0030-Minute Pastel - Bunny<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-2b4P5Iza2DNOCTR4P-P2TuGhSyu4uNkFPM4pimokOMSyq5W5zw57NLo5fb156VHi14gMZg7yqW9RH7HNa0fT-J45fK-b83yBz12spE4iMl4UmECY_rHfX38sCdyZLsLlzzLymzfoRLs/s1600-h/pastelbunny.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 211px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448173145132383042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-2b4P5Iza2DNOCTR4P-P2TuGhSyu4uNkFPM4pimokOMSyq5W5zw57NLo5fb156VHi14gMZg7yqW9RH7HNa0fT-J45fK-b83yBz12spE4iMl4UmECY_rHfX38sCdyZLsLlzzLymzfoRLs/s320/pastelbunny.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Still working away with pastels, having some fun and trying to loosen up. Found a little gem of a book, "30-Minute Art, Pastels" by Margaret Evans and it's been a real inspiration for me to just jump in and try some things! This baby bunny is one of three I did yesterday (there are more colors in him than really show up--the shadow area on his side is actually two grays and a light and a dark violet). I took the photo a few years ago when my daughter and I went to La Caille, a Salt Lake City French restaurant set on many acres with their own vineyard, peacocks and other exotic birds, gardens, etc. There were rabbits laying around under trees here and there, with several babies--so tiny and sweet! Anyway, back from my sentimental journey...just wanted to post something to show that I'm still here and keeping busy. Trying to get geared up for a serious colored pencil piece next.</div>Susan Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05271864772422419166noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765383970350481543.post-76115991201186629442010-02-26T18:33:00.000-08:002010-02-27T07:47:11.221-08:00Easter Radishes<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiueywrprX7X86eEDlgwIZfz5auVDTOLoebdAyjNRaCQWerfcODYLf8oleyKajcSri-3x5nfBLBAIzWHj5E6E0aLRZeisVhe3d3VLwAkNGhnvgSMDiBzl6CtSvz6jDgM3Y_QqjHwgmsm38/s1600-h/radishredux.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 253px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442746876448436946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiueywrprX7X86eEDlgwIZfz5auVDTOLoebdAyjNRaCQWerfcODYLf8oleyKajcSri-3x5nfBLBAIzWHj5E6E0aLRZeisVhe3d3VLwAkNGhnvgSMDiBzl6CtSvz6jDgM3Y_QqjHwgmsm38/s320/radishredux.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Not entirely happy with this (happier than with the previous attempt!), but I'm posting it to show that I'm actually working on things! After the detail of the green vase, I wanted to try something a little looser, so I gave these radishes a try in pastel. Not sure why they're called Easter radishes, but that's what they were labeled at the store. I tried these previously on Wallis sanded paper and the red radishes ended up looking candied, so I put these on Strathmore Mi-Tinte paper--surely did dull them down! I'm pleased...not sure what it is, but this one just doesn't make me smile as I usually do when really pleased with a work...8x10. </div>Susan Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05271864772422419166noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765383970350481543.post-20756366233296767512010-02-23T12:04:00.001-08:002010-02-23T12:05:52.858-08:00Name ChangeBig day for me...I've finally got my name back! Lots of hassles changing every identification in the world for the last 27 years, but worth it. Hopefully my artwork will improve now that I'm really me again.Susan Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05271864772422419166noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765383970350481543.post-65133809014506778612010-02-20T14:57:00.000-08:002010-02-20T15:01:17.798-08:00Green Vase<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewuVm_N_F3g-ZRB5nbkoih4M0Yw7SbJuS7r7wNZ2FqL4XfqLzJew79JWtRTTMpW17YCPrgP1m8kqbd4EjMdugjJ1TGnwvUWb4L0LVfMjYIHGs3WvAx218mSt-Oh4t2_n6sK9b_UeQDds/s1600-h/greenvase.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 230px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440464477986715458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewuVm_N_F3g-ZRB5nbkoih4M0Yw7SbJuS7r7wNZ2FqL4XfqLzJew79JWtRTTMpW17YCPrgP1m8kqbd4EjMdugjJ1TGnwvUWb4L0LVfMjYIHGs3WvAx218mSt-Oh4t2_n6sK9b_UeQDds/s320/greenvase.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Colored pencil, 9x12. This one was MUCH more difficult than I anticipated. I've spent a frustrating week on it and glad to be done. The reference photo I took was actually of the vase sitting on my kitchen floor--white tiles with black grout. I didn't want the lines in the final drawing, so I had to do all the reflections in the glass while leaving out the black lines. In some places (particularly in the cut glass areas) it was almost impossible to tell what would be happening in a certain space if the black line wasn't there! Whew! Moving on...</div>Susan Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05271864772422419166noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765383970350481543.post-41853464251920363552010-02-07T15:43:00.001-08:002010-02-07T15:51:23.278-08:00Kaibab Rocks<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_85h5PSHMk-izL1j4AQ-k_vCfwro66patmCddrdgp9NvxFZvGjzHKkikKiSrrhcGryisgPtOieNhqIBeptkfsNeLyzF6KV1WNQzXZPAB9MPRqkBvzBwt-DDKiEgycEcPg1s85y8A813o/s1600-h/kaibabrocks.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 257px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435652797438300738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_85h5PSHMk-izL1j4AQ-k_vCfwro66patmCddrdgp9NvxFZvGjzHKkikKiSrrhcGryisgPtOieNhqIBeptkfsNeLyzF6KV1WNQzXZPAB9MPRqkBvzBwt-DDKiEgycEcPg1s85y8A813o/s320/kaibabrocks.jpg" /></a> <div><div>Hesitated over posting this as I'm just learning pastels and this is my first real attempt at a landscape and is obviously very beginnerish. These beautiful lichen-covered rocks were at an overlook in the Kaibab National Forest in northern Arizona (near the North Rim of the Grand Canyon). I bought a pastel landscape book by Albert Handell and it gave me the courage to give this a try. </div><div></div><div>Interesting note on the paper: This is on Wallis sanded paper. I did one terrible version of this landscape and was going to throw it in the trash, but the paper is expensive, so I tried something--I put it in the kitchen sink and washed as much of the pastel off as I could, then let it dry. It still left quite a bit of color, but I could easily go over it and change/correct things. This paper can really take some punishment! (Now I wish I'd tried that with the other five pieces I ruined and threw in the trash!)</div></div>Susan Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05271864772422419166noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765383970350481543.post-60287710490083796422010-02-01T19:25:00.000-08:002010-02-01T19:27:35.300-08:00Winston<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho8QgIrAQ7vgEn34lXO0qqDDYUnLBnEq_oxsl1V62e_Nr8Rp_M7KVYwS816hbNndqHo8UtYKoOSperchigaNvFydL4ryKn8R7kW4T3rG9o79jjlMyvceuhxMh6B089rFNeLOX1-VS4cp8/s1600-h/winston.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 296px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433482586047130594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho8QgIrAQ7vgEn34lXO0qqDDYUnLBnEq_oxsl1V62e_Nr8Rp_M7KVYwS816hbNndqHo8UtYKoOSperchigaNvFydL4ryKn8R7kW4T3rG9o79jjlMyvceuhxMh6B089rFNeLOX1-VS4cp8/s320/winston.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Is he cute or what?! Winston's photo was posted on Painting Friends as the "Friday Foto" painting challenge. I wanted another try at fur, shorter this time, so this was a great opportunity. Overall I'm pleased, although I could still use a lesson on short fur! About 10x10, colored pencil.</div>Susan Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05271864772422419166noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765383970350481543.post-70106794255416175932010-01-19T08:11:00.001-08:002010-01-19T08:15:31.684-08:00Pastel Sunrise<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdOnS8fR7RBNR1cLz0foraPGIDfbCS7vaWVLOscwZGJxBAcJwTSJJA1X6veojWIJaF1xhnM2A_VNlgQsEDD1VmVvHcASHt0YDEli4caxxeZfAAibdbHdwbTt8cD6ATpFDeoJJLs6IA7qU/s1600-h/sunrise.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428485207659494738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 287px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdOnS8fR7RBNR1cLz0foraPGIDfbCS7vaWVLOscwZGJxBAcJwTSJJA1X6veojWIJaF1xhnM2A_VNlgQsEDD1VmVvHcASHt0YDEli4caxxeZfAAibdbHdwbTt8cD6ATpFDeoJJLs6IA7qU/s320/sunrise.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Had an extra piece of superfine sandpaper on hand, so when I saw a sunrise photo on Wet Canvas (thanks, artastic), I gave it a try with pastels. The reference photo was more complicated, but I simplified it to just the sky and a few trees, concentrating on the sky. Mine's not nearly as vivid as the reference photo, but I'm happy with it, considering that I have so few pastels (18, I believe) and had to make due with the colors I had. </div>Susan Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05271864772422419166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765383970350481543.post-9446136263194211352010-01-16T18:53:00.000-08:002010-01-16T18:55:35.908-08:00Toby Watching Birds<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ7TJ9GSQYND0nqY5j2QplCqbYXbRSUJm3RbohMJCEHuZJtX6OFOn5CMLm_VNE1RttkV8vVmuQYGU8k0P2p4QJ7T8JTXhlU52VlvWpS78WRixLux2KcR-ySF8INsHhulqJrlewQJEhOzI/s1600-h/tobywatchingbirds.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 253px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427536824891535234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ7TJ9GSQYND0nqY5j2QplCqbYXbRSUJm3RbohMJCEHuZJtX6OFOn5CMLm_VNE1RttkV8vVmuQYGU8k0P2p4QJ7T8JTXhlU52VlvWpS78WRixLux2KcR-ySF8INsHhulqJrlewQJEhOzI/s320/tobywatchingbirds.jpg" /></a><br /><div>8x10, colored pencil with a bit of white pastel. Toby from above while he watched the action at the birdfeeder through the window. </div>Susan Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05271864772422419166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765383970350481543.post-83372044635631935562010-01-13T12:24:00.000-08:002010-01-13T12:30:01.271-08:00Dog Fur Exercise<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0rJt58adKI4LZ2Wt2MM4KacgUU6EuIr2JCO8M5DlRSMKGI0kT9Fz0xcozHgeaB5SydQVf8HOSWVeDRzcEDA93f8Bc60WHqqQDoagVLtJ1hyphenhyphenUBPXhiLLL2lq3-SXqEj3x_r1UZZSM9gg/s1600-h/dog.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426324350070144018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 242px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0rJt58adKI4LZ2Wt2MM4KacgUU6EuIr2JCO8M5DlRSMKGI0kT9Fz0xcozHgeaB5SydQVf8HOSWVeDRzcEDA93f8Bc60WHqqQDoagVLtJ1hyphenhyphenUBPXhiLLL2lq3-SXqEj3x_r1UZZSM9gg/s320/dog.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>This is a small colored pencil piece done from an Ann Kullberg kit. I've wanted to learn how to depict fur with colored pencils and this seemed like a better idea than taking an entire class just to learn about fur. She sends out a reference photo, step-by-step instructions on colors to use, blending techniques, and photos taken at 5-6 stages, including the finished drawing. It was a fun little exercise and although my dog's fur doesn't look as fine as her dog's does, I'm fairly pleased. I need to take more time, sharpen my pencils oftener, and start concentrating on individual hairs earlier in the process. </div>Susan Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05271864772422419166noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765383970350481543.post-41385367904766151192010-01-08T18:26:00.000-08:002010-01-09T09:25:15.613-08:00Pear on Glass Dish, pastel<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlGcL1yxrjpn52INHqGbOzXhrJkxS0FNxYqyHk87looNBYI96RMmxL7fRdE4HrwGgvWPi7BhCQNGMsR5pmcdliekFbkoXajWr70o-cgeec2nm6IVScfXcXjG7uRsKJ8_RokMXlZSZYWMk/s1600-h/pear3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424561801214133714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlGcL1yxrjpn52INHqGbOzXhrJkxS0FNxYqyHk87looNBYI96RMmxL7fRdE4HrwGgvWPi7BhCQNGMsR5pmcdliekFbkoXajWr70o-cgeec2nm6IVScfXcXjG7uRsKJ8_RokMXlZSZYWMk/s320/pear3.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Desiree, one of the extraordinarily talented artists on Painting Friends, walked us through this pear on glass using pastel on sandpaper (oh, my fingers!). What a lot of fun--and frustration! Keep reminding myself I'm new to the pastel medium and shouldn't expect a lot, but the glass dish was a real challenge for me--lots of tiny lines of varying values. It's pretty messy in real life. I'm happy with the pear itself and the background, but I'm ready to try something else that doesn't have any glass in it! Later...the more I look at this, the more I like it--could be worth the sore fingertips!</div>Susan Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05271864772422419166noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765383970350481543.post-1596751336307336152010-01-08T18:23:00.000-08:002010-01-08T18:26:22.168-08:00Iris<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrcaaKqqGGvrffnXl76C5smAWfc1r1dzfPKlvw-BNshxnvrsGGJwqELDtveJX84QN_tJTt0DrbrI_8MpcDx5jpyzfbQBJEWhM2m0AyLULicyjSHbedQ69gIkTg-mSmQFKG8-yhn6hM7wE/s1600-h/iris2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 242px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424560704175478978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrcaaKqqGGvrffnXl76C5smAWfc1r1dzfPKlvw-BNshxnvrsGGJwqELDtveJX84QN_tJTt0DrbrI_8MpcDx5jpyzfbQBJEWhM2m0AyLULicyjSHbedQ69gIkTg-mSmQFKG8-yhn6hM7wE/s320/iris2.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Tried a different colored pencil technique--using a preliminary grisaille (grayed underpainting)--and I'm not sure florals are the best use of a grisaille. No blending (just a little dry brush scumbling over the background), just layers and layers of pink, blue, magenta, indigo, etc. </div>Susan Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05271864772422419166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765383970350481543.post-42026432483862940752010-01-02T07:55:00.000-08:002010-01-02T09:34:51.583-08:00Peppers II: Color Wheel<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj70x0qPOKbVqq8alz8FXzuArN3vzKfqeL6H8EQmiCvLSFk7vlGr_R5eozcsf_CAMZXRDKDXrAQKffNIKE9Bfooi6ggCAu0J8yaLc5UJBLld7A_9Pt93d3UXj7A4IGPGDKhicAgyXE-1Bs/s1600-h/peppers2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 245px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422197197510773122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj70x0qPOKbVqq8alz8FXzuArN3vzKfqeL6H8EQmiCvLSFk7vlGr_R5eozcsf_CAMZXRDKDXrAQKffNIKE9Bfooi6ggCAu0J8yaLc5UJBLld7A_9Pt93d3UXj7A4IGPGDKhicAgyXE-1Bs/s320/peppers2.jpg" /></a> <div><div>8x10 colored pencil. Had a lot of problems with this one. It's okay but I'm not ecstatic about it. The color in the background is particularly uneven because I made a poor attempt at texture and then had to cover it all up to try to get rid of it (don't ask--it involved a true blue color stick and a metal cheese grater--actually not a bad idea but not for this piece). Also struggled with the dark side of the yellow pepper. I'd like to have a go at that section again.</div></div>Susan Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05271864772422419166noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765383970350481543.post-345885923169062822009-12-27T08:27:00.000-08:002009-12-27T08:30:55.933-08:00The Pepper Project: Pepper I<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqFuYaKvUlgTICrJJ7zHksBWCoxE9jrBjXXg3UCchay_yi2PsSf1dMkLiC2wW_wL1qVHRP0bk1NTmc728WpBT84D5PVYsvPYx84z7v6iZyi40wOp5JO_5_gZbjbtpyqeD6ZxZnedqDlmw/s1600-h/PepperI.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 250px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419954238735247538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqFuYaKvUlgTICrJJ7zHksBWCoxE9jrBjXXg3UCchay_yi2PsSf1dMkLiC2wW_wL1qVHRP0bk1NTmc728WpBT84D5PVYsvPYx84z7v6iZyi40wOp5JO_5_gZbjbtpyqeD6ZxZnedqDlmw/s320/PepperI.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I want to do three 8x10 colored pencil works of colorful peppers for my kitchen (which is especially strange, since I don't eat peppers--but they're so beautiful!). I took 35 photographs of peppers yesterday and this is the first painting. I actually like it, even though there's an obvious problem: the light source. This is really bizarre because there appear to be two light sources even in the photograph! The sun was the only light source but the shadow of the pepper goes straight east (if you will) and the plate shadow heads southeast. So, it may take me 4-5 attempts to get three usable works (but for my kitchen, who cares?). </div>Susan Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05271864772422419166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765383970350481543.post-46112854517009631392009-12-23T11:37:00.000-08:002009-12-27T08:32:00.935-08:00Merry Christmas<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5KOfMVOM05OYfXq3flO2GvZPsYWjvSLplI7Okl2xmEY2rikETJaG3jdCRED4u1fKwYm1LMijqjNmcBJ_fwPajjERRXvXA7PAvYK97DvBg7KfjDfalgfrAvZleTrbFm2IqsdRqscxhZ2s/s1600-h/merrychristmas.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 221px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418518756610736258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5KOfMVOM05OYfXq3flO2GvZPsYWjvSLplI7Okl2xmEY2rikETJaG3jdCRED4u1fKwYm1LMijqjNmcBJ_fwPajjERRXvXA7PAvYK97DvBg7KfjDfalgfrAvZleTrbFm2IqsdRqscxhZ2s/s320/merrychristmas.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I did this little 4x6 colored pencil piece--a detail from a photo posted by Ruth on Painting Friends. The photo was of a large bouquet of flowers but I liked the Christmasy feel of these little red berries surrounded by greenery. </div>Susan Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05271864772422419166noreply@blogger.com2