tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4490030892140615452024-03-13T23:46:01.092-06:00Suzy SmithSuzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14568049828683112515noreply@blogger.comBlogger110125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-449003089214061545.post-74987864483433844822016-08-30T15:13:00.000-06:002016-09-19T20:27:16.580-06:00Comfortable in my "Artist" Skin.As I continue to age, I can honestly say that I am happy where I am in my life, and especially in my career! This past year has been one of questioning and discovering. A year of finding out who I am as an artist, and why I paint what I paint.<br />
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I have wanted to be an artist since I was probably 5, and do remember drawing, (mostly coloring) and making art whenever I could. I can see now that the encouragement by my parents, made me believe that I would be anything I wanted to be. I started painting as a young mother, at age 21, and just never stopped. I started in watercolor, painting still life, and became quite proficient at it! I started painting flowers....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IHlmlRfM3Ck/V7S2WGPMQxI/AAAAAAAAGKk/H-897DH2p-EL9MBfCXClZaCiZOdcQu7hwCLcB/s1600/File0044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="622" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IHlmlRfM3Ck/V7S2WGPMQxI/AAAAAAAAGKk/H-897DH2p-EL9MBfCXClZaCiZOdcQu7hwCLcB/s640/File0044.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"One Red Rose", 13" x 14", WC, 1991</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Eux6Hu5Ayzg/V7OCTXRJXxI/AAAAAAAAGJ4/az3zBHsK1x0eXlUhA-wmKJfxwMP1gcuYwCLcB/s1600/File0071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Eux6Hu5Ayzg/V7OCTXRJXxI/AAAAAAAAGJ4/az3zBHsK1x0eXlUhA-wmKJfxwMP1gcuYwCLcB/s640/File0071.jpg" width="416" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Early Spring Bouquet"(in cobalt blue vase), wc, 22" x 18", 1993</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YSMUb1RNay8/V7OCfbMdn1I/AAAAAAAAGJ8/kHPY_RrJZG0P2-_t9GJcCZaIhfc8RyQugCLcB/s1600/File0042_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YSMUb1RNay8/V7OCfbMdn1I/AAAAAAAAGJ8/kHPY_RrJZG0P2-_t9GJcCZaIhfc8RyQugCLcB/s640/File0042_crop.jpg" width="442" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Sweet Peas", 13" x 9", wc, 1992</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oRz4pePbfOA/V74qWIGboTI/AAAAAAAAGNU/uYFByal-dSkEfWfodNd7PvGOZLt5ZQoWACEw/s1600/File0050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oRz4pePbfOA/V74qWIGboTI/AAAAAAAAGNU/uYFByal-dSkEfWfodNd7PvGOZLt5ZQoWACEw/s640/File0050.jpg" width="462" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Parrot Tulips", wc, 20" x 16", 1993</td></tr>
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I won awards in the state fair in WY, and then when I moved to CA, some 8 years later, I got gallery representation in Napa, at the first gallery I trudged my paintings into; Jessel Gallery. I had no idea how "lucky" that was. I also got into a gallery in San Francisco, but was so disappointed when I saw my work was not hung, I pulled it out.....I had no idea......<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P1EnPRCSnos/V7N6cRW-3BI/AAAAAAAAGIE/pmRN_9EeAxMHstZtMkbxec2DL0Y533TvACLcB/s1600/File0047_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P1EnPRCSnos/V7N6cRW-3BI/AAAAAAAAGIE/pmRN_9EeAxMHstZtMkbxec2DL0Y533TvACLcB/s640/File0047_crop.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Sweet Peas and Plums", 33" x 27", wc, 1987</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bQCy-9YmhOs/V7ODPTf_uEI/AAAAAAAAGKE/8W8jFZmD8xAFa-e7-googIPRRPnyzlQZgCLcB/s1600/File0062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bQCy-9YmhOs/V7ODPTf_uEI/AAAAAAAAGKE/8W8jFZmD8xAFa-e7-googIPRRPnyzlQZgCLcB/s640/File0062.jpg" width="550" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Bougainvilla with Battenburg Lace", wc, 36" x 32", 1990</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r2hRyLQXOBE/V7N6vBR2bSI/AAAAAAAAGII/TLn1ADQKLHcSVLYjMeiXM3AI9q_83kCpwCLcB/s1600/File0059_crop_crop_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r2hRyLQXOBE/V7N6vBR2bSI/AAAAAAAAGII/TLn1ADQKLHcSVLYjMeiXM3AI9q_83kCpwCLcB/s640/File0059_crop_crop_crop.jpg" width="502" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Star Quilt with Apples", wc, 27" x 22", 1993</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-amG8OK7ouwo/V7N66fB3JjI/AAAAAAAAGIM/p-hMvHEkv_gQ1Ikrd_QWiPxMk6WjAF3HQCLcB/s1600/File0027_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-amG8OK7ouwo/V7N66fB3JjI/AAAAAAAAGIM/p-hMvHEkv_gQ1Ikrd_QWiPxMk6WjAF3HQCLcB/s640/File0027_crop.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Peppers, Artichokes, and Onions", wc, 18" x 30", 1997</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D0u5k6ZHJ6g/V7S2rnvYb-I/AAAAAAAAGKo/OQajaj1LbbIWWfdJq-6XzQ3diGb6yi5nQCLcB/s1600/File0063_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D0u5k6ZHJ6g/V7S2rnvYb-I/AAAAAAAAGKo/OQajaj1LbbIWWfdJq-6XzQ3diGb6yi5nQCLcB/s640/File0063_crop.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Geranium Leaf Plate", 14" x 19", wc, 1993</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-smkp9p1Wga8/V7N8X0WWuQI/AAAAAAAAGIo/rpHdCkUJUBMalZJ4eV7JDHuLdygeTXz8ACLcB/s1600/Peonies%252C%2BTapestry%2Band%2BLace%252C%2Bwc%252C%2B22%2Bx%2B28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-smkp9p1Wga8/V7N8X0WWuQI/AAAAAAAAGIo/rpHdCkUJUBMalZJ4eV7JDHuLdygeTXz8ACLcB/s640/Peonies%252C%2BTapestry%2Band%2BLace%252C%2Bwc%252C%2B22%2Bx%2B28.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Peonies, Tapestry, and Lace", wc, 22" x 28", 1997</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qlr88FGJTig/V7N-fm2BvDI/AAAAAAAAGJU/w3s3SQzwDlYUcv_1nLUOLDhKlg0U_fEDQCLcB/s1600/2.%2BStrawberries%2Bwith%2BCream%2B%2528wc%2529%2B20%2Bx%2B30%252C%2B1995.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="406" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qlr88FGJTig/V7N-fm2BvDI/AAAAAAAAGJU/w3s3SQzwDlYUcv_1nLUOLDhKlg0U_fEDQCLcB/s640/2.%2BStrawberries%2Bwith%2BCream%2B%2528wc%2529%2B20%2Bx%2B30%252C%2B1995.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Strawberries and Cream", wc, 20" x 30", 1995</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tLh1LfwrDY4/V7N-fsT9HTI/AAAAAAAAGJY/eiVjNL8XE0YpJRJADOf1akJQGWx2VY21wCLcB/s1600/3.%2B%2BWhite%2BRoses%2Bwith%2BItalian%2BPlums%252C%2Bwc%252C%2B%2B20%2Bx%2B28%252C%2B1997.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="528" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tLh1LfwrDY4/V7N-fsT9HTI/AAAAAAAAGJY/eiVjNL8XE0YpJRJADOf1akJQGWx2VY21wCLcB/s640/3.%2B%2BWhite%2BRoses%2Bwith%2BItalian%2BPlums%252C%2Bwc%252C%2B%2B20%2Bx%2B28%252C%2B1997.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"White Roses with Italian Plums", wc, 20" x 28", 1997</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Cwcad7myis/V7N-fvX4qdI/AAAAAAAAGJQ/lEVqGA2GdtsuQgBBcgVaWkoAFzZaZxvSwCLcB/s1600/4.%2B%2BCoffee%2B%252C%2B22%2Bx%2B30%252C%2Bwc%2B1996.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Cwcad7myis/V7N-fvX4qdI/AAAAAAAAGJQ/lEVqGA2GdtsuQgBBcgVaWkoAFzZaZxvSwCLcB/s640/4.%2B%2BCoffee%2B%252C%2B22%2Bx%2B30%252C%2Bwc%2B1996.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Coffee", wc, 22" x 30", 1996</td></tr>
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I continued painting "traditional" still life with Chintz backgrounds, and then tapestry. It was quite a bit of work, painting tapestry, but they all sold.....funny thing I got tired of them, and started painting something else......black and white stripes!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MBD0DbQPDAc/V7N4YeWtSKI/AAAAAAAAGH4/6MrwRiqpY5oAyitqmB6DWAkFio72yNxwgCLcB/s1600/File0048_cropa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MBD0DbQPDAc/V7N4YeWtSKI/AAAAAAAAGH4/6MrwRiqpY5oAyitqmB6DWAkFio72yNxwgCLcB/s640/File0048_cropa.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Stripes and Dice Reflected", 22" x 29", wc, 1992, first turning point in my career.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pRiUtjTT53k/V7N4YRvcHFI/AAAAAAAAGH0/wTH0KXvS4qsMmD-d56PSE21Dlh9IMKXSwCLcB/s1600/File0049_cropa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="572" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pRiUtjTT53k/V7N4YRvcHFI/AAAAAAAAGH0/wTH0KXvS4qsMmD-d56PSE21Dlh9IMKXSwCLcB/s640/File0049_cropa.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Silver, Stripes, and Grapes", 24" x 21", wc, was on the cover of the Artist's Magazine 1994</td></tr>
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I started with black and white stripes because a gallery owner in San Francisco told me my paintings with chintz backgrounds would date them, so I thought what can I paint that will not date? When I arrived home, I took note of my daughter's sheets...black and white stripes!<br />
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These black and white striped paintings received a lot of attention. They were featured in American Artist magazine, Southwest Art, and even made the cover of the Artist's Magazine in 1994.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YyPodDYV3po/V7S4tHPr8uI/AAAAAAAAGLA/_sjZnsCODl8tAQAyTa_qWP4TEH2ahL0fgCLcB/s1600/File0035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="492" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YyPodDYV3po/V7S4tHPr8uI/AAAAAAAAGLA/_sjZnsCODl8tAQAyTa_qWP4TEH2ahL0fgCLcB/s640/File0035.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Sweetpeas in Black Vase", wc, 14" x 15", 1999</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r_C9a3VBNds/V7S42FrcVVI/AAAAAAAAGLE/mYYm0WnByl0ofM8sjYbgTAsJw78dTSIOgCLcB/s1600/File0054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r_C9a3VBNds/V7S42FrcVVI/AAAAAAAAGLE/mYYm0WnByl0ofM8sjYbgTAsJw78dTSIOgCLcB/s640/File0054.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"7 Come 11"(Bosc), wc, 27" x 19" </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CiAX1mJNlSM/V74m_AmVIJI/AAAAAAAAGMo/zZM50ieFUGQ6cLO7oEvJRWTt46vZkMzRwCLcB/s1600/File0040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CiAX1mJNlSM/V74m_AmVIJI/AAAAAAAAGMo/zZM50ieFUGQ6cLO7oEvJRWTt46vZkMzRwCLcB/s640/File0040.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Fractured Pears", wc. 22" x 28", 2000</td></tr>
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"Checkered Cherries", wc, 18" x 22", 1994</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WdyRu_nfq00/V74nnZr9Y3I/AAAAAAAAGMw/CsiES1VKhG85PXu04e_yOAYCVLFCC5YNACEw/s1600/File0061_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WdyRu_nfq00/V74nnZr9Y3I/AAAAAAAAGMw/CsiES1VKhG85PXu04e_yOAYCVLFCC5YNACEw/s640/File0061_crop.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Pears and Stripes", wc, 18" x 27", 1992</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-igr1QkhV884/V74rGN9yyYI/AAAAAAAAGNo/i0FR0g1H2U4t2HiMMfSlBOer1mCzAcCGACEw/s1600/File0079_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="560" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-igr1QkhV884/V74rGN9yyYI/AAAAAAAAGNo/i0FR0g1H2U4t2HiMMfSlBOer1mCzAcCGACEw/s640/File0079_crop.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Peach Roses with Colored Stripes", wc, 22" x 26", 2001</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t46wsEDh4_c/V74rGBdx0dI/AAAAAAAAGNw/51Mux_iI6ZMJfdSlQkvK6IDdIG7wCTI4wCEw/s1600/File0081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t46wsEDh4_c/V74rGBdx0dI/AAAAAAAAGNw/51Mux_iI6ZMJfdSlQkvK6IDdIG7wCTI4wCEw/s640/File0081.jpg" width="522" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Blue Hydrangas with Stripes". wc, 30" x 22", 2002</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CCM9vH4m4TA/V74sLk4h74I/AAAAAAAAGOE/gxUeXXsr7O4-X_AD9FkXHcp2TkoK4rC-wCLcB/s1600/13.%2B%2BRoses%2Band%2BSilver%2Bwith%2BStripes%252C%2Boil%252C%2B31%2Bx%2B35_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="572" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CCM9vH4m4TA/V74sLk4h74I/AAAAAAAAGOE/gxUeXXsr7O4-X_AD9FkXHcp2TkoK4rC-wCLcB/s640/13.%2B%2BRoses%2Band%2BSilver%2Bwith%2BStripes%252C%2Boil%252C%2B31%2Bx%2B35_crop.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Roses with Stripes", wc, 22" x 25", 2004</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-arDqUAOYfTU/V74sMBiphrI/AAAAAAAAGOY/0J38Xilvetk7R57Hkm0xKgFtsI-67nsdACLcB/s1600/Calla%2BLilies%2Bwith%2BStripesab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="558" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-arDqUAOYfTU/V74sMBiphrI/AAAAAAAAGOY/0J38Xilvetk7R57Hkm0xKgFtsI-67nsdACLcB/s640/Calla%2BLilies%2Bwith%2BStripesab.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Calla Lilies and Stripes", wc, 21" x 26", 1999</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HPfG_dVG2fo/V74sL-azUvI/AAAAAAAAGOM/Wg53vxt8eUw8BoRZ3cy0h2yEqKybrQaGQCLcB/s1600/8.%2B%2BPeonies%2Bwith%2BStripes%252C%2Bwc%252C%2B30%2Bx%2B35.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="544" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HPfG_dVG2fo/V74sL-azUvI/AAAAAAAAGOM/Wg53vxt8eUw8BoRZ3cy0h2yEqKybrQaGQCLcB/s640/8.%2B%2BPeonies%2Bwith%2BStripes%252C%2Bwc%252C%2B30%2Bx%2B35.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Peonies with Stripes", wc, 19" x 28", 2006</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I was always amazed by the reflection and refraction on silver and glass!!<br />
<br />
After I moved to Albuquerque, NM, I decided that if I wanted to play in the "big leagues" I should probably try painting in oil. After all, I believed if I could paint in wc, I could paint in oil. It took a little practice, but I loved it!! And I could paint BIG! I started with still life....keeping towards the more contemporary.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-swnhZx-bT0A/V8TLwu0cwjI/AAAAAAAAGU8/SL1_Z0-qjAkW92brrUO0DCoKIdb8J1oeACLcB/s1600/File0045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-swnhZx-bT0A/V8TLwu0cwjI/AAAAAAAAGU8/SL1_Z0-qjAkW92brrUO0DCoKIdb8J1oeACLcB/s640/File0045.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Godiva Chocolates", oil, 40" x 60", 1999</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3O2EXhXMf54/V7uectF96UI/AAAAAAAAGMA/RwAenzS7ZyU4hK8DdlbTtsXQxMozLHAFACLcB/s1600/File0031_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="540" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3O2EXhXMf54/V7uectF96UI/AAAAAAAAGMA/RwAenzS7ZyU4hK8DdlbTtsXQxMozLHAFACLcB/s640/File0031_crop.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Arizona Tea with Oranges", oil, 17" x 19", 2000</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nDcvG7mQ5-M/V8XNZq3wLEI/AAAAAAAAGV4/qTVIEiCv4CEfD4Ku9wVEjL9u4BNAh_dIwCLcB/s1600/2.%2B%2BBlack%252C%2BWhite%252C%2Band%2BRed%2BPears%252C%2Boil%252C%2B22%2Bx%2B28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nDcvG7mQ5-M/V8XNZq3wLEI/AAAAAAAAGV4/qTVIEiCv4CEfD4Ku9wVEjL9u4BNAh_dIwCLcB/s640/2.%2B%2BBlack%252C%2BWhite%252C%2Band%2BRed%2BPears%252C%2Boil%252C%2B22%2Bx%2B28.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Black, White and Red Pears", oil, 20" x 28", 2000</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9dDpDud-fRU/V7TXwMuVJDI/AAAAAAAAGLU/PB330roUY409-qQQzrVtbpMX5zE_-NelACLcB/s1600/File0075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="558" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9dDpDud-fRU/V7TXwMuVJDI/AAAAAAAAGLU/PB330roUY409-qQQzrVtbpMX5zE_-NelACLcB/s640/File0075.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Primary Colors with Eggs", oil, 17" x 1", 2000</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7RV5Y-Lwrw0/V7TX9Z632hI/AAAAAAAAGLY/a9vp_mLK1Xw2P13vd73IpZjsCbppPracACLcB/s1600/File0098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="574" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7RV5Y-Lwrw0/V7TX9Z632hI/AAAAAAAAGLY/a9vp_mLK1Xw2P13vd73IpZjsCbppPracACLcB/s640/File0098.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Red Pears with Eggs", oil, 17" x 19", 2002</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mWTHjxuxFUk/V74mnyqKLNI/AAAAAAAAGMk/rRqyl_p1SPMUQH8IM5SgAS8ZbKdKg_OiACLcB/s1600/7.%2BEggs%2Bin%2BRed%2BGlass%252C%2B16%2Bx%2B12%252C%2B%25242%252C200.00%252C%2Boil%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mWTHjxuxFUk/V74mnyqKLNI/AAAAAAAAGMk/rRqyl_p1SPMUQH8IM5SgAS8ZbKdKg_OiACLcB/s640/7.%2BEggs%2Bin%2BRed%2BGlass%252C%2B16%2Bx%2B12%252C%2B%25242%252C200.00%252C%2Boil%2B.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Eggs in Red Glass", oil, 16" x 12", 2005</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LZZDAvuynKU/V74mnoc-P9I/AAAAAAAAGMg/amRzrHkGHDMomFTk3309Y1PQ5-qAcoQ9QCLcB/s1600/10%2BPlums%2B015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="158" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LZZDAvuynKU/V74mnoc-P9I/AAAAAAAAGMg/amRzrHkGHDMomFTk3309Y1PQ5-qAcoQ9QCLcB/s640/10%2BPlums%2B015.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"10 Plums", oil, 8" x 32", 2004</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PwLEgNai6X4/V74pjd_G2XI/AAAAAAAAGNE/mKthvRisOxIb6WFj153YqVua1RgjJy8PgCLcB/s1600/lost%2Bphotos%2B012_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="564" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PwLEgNai6X4/V74pjd_G2XI/AAAAAAAAGNE/mKthvRisOxIb6WFj153YqVua1RgjJy8PgCLcB/s640/lost%2Bphotos%2B012_crop.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Pears with Balancing Eggs", oil, 17" x 19",2001</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7b_QnLmgkKE/V74pq_ad6TI/AAAAAAAAGNI/QeUA9rFZ7_Y7qn_yMaeWB-Ko-VrNqZqwgCLcB/s1600/File0095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7b_QnLmgkKE/V74pq_ad6TI/AAAAAAAAGNI/QeUA9rFZ7_Y7qn_yMaeWB-Ko-VrNqZqwgCLcB/s640/File0095.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Blue Glass", oil, 26" x 50", 1999</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KkVnJHkhGfo/V74pyz9LvhI/AAAAAAAAGNM/FB87pa8aMpwA5CpabhvgEYpPMsgQ-0XPwCLcB/s1600/128.%2BRising%2BStar_20130529_4836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KkVnJHkhGfo/V74pyz9LvhI/AAAAAAAAGNM/FB87pa8aMpwA5CpabhvgEYpPMsgQ-0XPwCLcB/s640/128.%2BRising%2BStar_20130529_4836.JPG" width="376" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Gumball Machine", oil, 54" x 32", 2003</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Oh, and I also painted a few flowers in oil.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CzV-TNQ4ml8/V8CCP1cB2ZI/AAAAAAAAGOs/oBDHchEGF_EaQEd1zJ5Kok9Gg8jROywsACLcB/s1600/4.%2BWyoming%2BPeonies%252C%2Boil%252C%2B27%2Bx%2B36%252C%2B%25248%252C000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CzV-TNQ4ml8/V8CCP1cB2ZI/AAAAAAAAGOs/oBDHchEGF_EaQEd1zJ5Kok9Gg8jROywsACLcB/s640/4.%2BWyoming%2BPeonies%252C%2Boil%252C%2B27%2Bx%2B36%252C%2B%25248%252C000.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Wyoming Peonies", oil, 27" x 34", 2009</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YPJFiIN52Ro/V8CCWdK1VnI/AAAAAAAAGOw/2UWtkbRzMdEFuJ2XAKCSYjt5xKzKzUbBACLcB/s1600/2.%2B%2BWhite%2BCattleya%2BOrchids%252C%2Boil%252C%2B22%2Bx%2B30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="516" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YPJFiIN52Ro/V8CCWdK1VnI/AAAAAAAAGOw/2UWtkbRzMdEFuJ2XAKCSYjt5xKzKzUbBACLcB/s640/2.%2B%2BWhite%2BCattleya%2BOrchids%252C%2Boil%252C%2B22%2Bx%2B30.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"White Cattleya Orchids", oil, 22" x 28", 2010</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ej8kXH6URgo/V74qg_j205I/AAAAAAAAGNc/2ONJmPSHLZ4Rr8ZDwZZPcGuUzTBUKekBgCLcB/s1600/1.%2B%2BPink%2BCattleya%2BOrchids%252C%2Bfinal%252C%2B22%2Bx%2B28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="504" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ej8kXH6URgo/V74qg_j205I/AAAAAAAAGNc/2ONJmPSHLZ4Rr8ZDwZZPcGuUzTBUKekBgCLcB/s640/1.%2B%2BPink%2BCattleya%2BOrchids%252C%2Bfinal%252C%2B22%2Bx%2B28.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pink Cattleya Orchids", oil, 22" x 28, 2010</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vZcsr7Azf98/V8CCxw7kpJI/AAAAAAAAGO0/zfR2Rj8xT-k4R3Kl0wqy2FKaDiUKaRrvwCEw/s1600/Peace%2BRoses%252C%2B15%2Bx%2B15%252C%2Boil%252C%2B%25241500.00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="568" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vZcsr7Azf98/V8CCxw7kpJI/AAAAAAAAGO0/zfR2Rj8xT-k4R3Kl0wqy2FKaDiUKaRrvwCEw/s640/Peace%2BRoses%252C%2B15%2Bx%2B15%252C%2Boil%252C%2B%25241500.00.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Peace Roses", oil, 15" x 15", 2002</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
As my work evolved, I started to paint the figure. I started painting my daughter; Leah.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xgIXKy6GNWQ/V8CDMEZgqyI/AAAAAAAAGO8/kAzF6PDivmoim4hlek7aa4ecLSN75yeZgCLcB/s1600/1.%2BLeah%2B10%252C%2B9%2Bx%2B12%252C%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xgIXKy6GNWQ/V8CDMEZgqyI/AAAAAAAAGO8/kAzF6PDivmoim4hlek7aa4ecLSN75yeZgCLcB/s640/1.%2BLeah%2B10%252C%2B9%2Bx%2B12%252C%2B.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Leah 10", oil, 9" x 12", 2005</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3FdqxfSqdaU/V8XZH_NOWNI/AAAAAAAAGWI/D5OuvOF6LckIzDm_T2VIT8gsgb3vVnRugCEw/s1600/4.%2B%2BLeah%2B5%252C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3FdqxfSqdaU/V8XZH_NOWNI/AAAAAAAAGWI/D5OuvOF6LckIzDm_T2VIT8gsgb3vVnRugCEw/s640/4.%2B%2BLeah%2B5%252C.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Leah 5", oil, 9" x 12", 2003</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6UK46VoVcrc/V8CDWmWKXdI/AAAAAAAAGPA/CFKbhGFx3zAkBdZqflQcABb6_xMQXOlDwCLcB/s1600/22.%2B%2BLeah%2B6%252C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6UK46VoVcrc/V8CDWmWKXdI/AAAAAAAAGPA/CFKbhGFx3zAkBdZqflQcABb6_xMQXOlDwCLcB/s640/22.%2B%2BLeah%2B6%252C.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Leah 6", oil, 9" x 12", 2003</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jhh2G8eJLrA/V8CDWuBHILI/AAAAAAAAGPE/tyPDhzMDwPkS97NEto9BrG5boWnbJxKVwCLcB/s1600/23.%2B%2BLeah%2B7%252C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jhh2G8eJLrA/V8CDWuBHILI/AAAAAAAAGPE/tyPDhzMDwPkS97NEto9BrG5boWnbJxKVwCLcB/s640/23.%2B%2BLeah%2B7%252C.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Leah 7", oil, 9" x 12", 2003</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rvkUeE2jPcU/V8CDm-iHK5I/AAAAAAAAGPc/ZF3RGOU31lQdv4g3zrXHM6Sl1YeJ1DqKQCLcB/s1600/2.%2B%2BLeah%2B8%252C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rvkUeE2jPcU/V8CDm-iHK5I/AAAAAAAAGPc/ZF3RGOU31lQdv4g3zrXHM6Sl1YeJ1DqKQCLcB/s640/2.%2B%2BLeah%2B8%252C.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Leah 8" (If Only), oil, 9" x 12", 2004</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sVHwiJOMi7w/V8zgp24vJKI/AAAAAAAAGYU/IEpz0zlVDCEmresb4oG2EOC6p_XYd2-tQCLcB/s1600/327.%2Bpaintings_20160828_26256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sVHwiJOMi7w/V8zgp24vJKI/AAAAAAAAGYU/IEpz0zlVDCEmresb4oG2EOC6p_XYd2-tQCLcB/s640/327.%2Bpaintings_20160828_26256.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Leah 9", oil, 9" x 12", 2004</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tQKrGJiINHo/V8zgwQd47wI/AAAAAAAAGYY/AsqiJ_JvOywh9WAqdhEJv2-2wKEl60ejgCLcB/s1600/327.%2Bpaintings_20160828_26251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tQKrGJiINHo/V8zgwQd47wI/AAAAAAAAGYY/AsqiJ_JvOywh9WAqdhEJv2-2wKEl60ejgCLcB/s640/327.%2Bpaintings_20160828_26251.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Leah 2", oil, 9" x 12", 2003</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
I painted 11 of these paintings, each measuring 9" x 12". When Martin Muller, owner of Modernism<br />
Gallery, in San Francisco came to my home for a studio visit, these were the paintings that struck his eye, and got me representation in his very well know and well established gallery.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tv-KuJNgtuE/V8XZQ6tHYmI/AAAAAAAAGWM/VKEvvHQEEIU9WY7C9IOy6bK14AsxuljuQCEw/s1600/Christmas%2B2012_20130117_2088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="504" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tv-KuJNgtuE/V8XZQ6tHYmI/AAAAAAAAGWM/VKEvvHQEEIU9WY7C9IOy6bK14AsxuljuQCEw/s640/Christmas%2B2012_20130117_2088.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"In the Sunlight", oil, 11" x 14", 2005</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9AvPI3xEeVM/V8X2OFtkcYI/AAAAAAAAGXI/_6gyx7grMFkDYK8TFFIGzaWILOWenW3ZACLcB/s1600/143.%2BNic%2Bfinal_20130821_6691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9AvPI3xEeVM/V8X2OFtkcYI/AAAAAAAAGXI/_6gyx7grMFkDYK8TFFIGzaWILOWenW3ZACLcB/s640/143.%2BNic%2Bfinal_20130821_6691.JPG" width="476" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Anna with Balloons", oil, 40" x 30", 2013</td></tr>
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I did still paint the occasional child.<br />
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After that, and under Martin's artistic eye, he mentored me, and began to lead me into my current focus, which is painting nudes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tAku-Iam97c/V8CQHcpShuI/AAAAAAAAGP8/fVQ-K4kdyH0IJq44jFjb-gSeZwAPHWSbQCLcB/s1600/14.%2B%2BWindow%2BShadows%252C%2B15%2Bx%2B17%252C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="558" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tAku-Iam97c/V8CQHcpShuI/AAAAAAAAGP8/fVQ-K4kdyH0IJq44jFjb-gSeZwAPHWSbQCLcB/s640/14.%2B%2BWindow%2BShadows%252C%2B15%2Bx%2B17%252C.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Window Shadows", oil, 15" x 17", 2003</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b94KaoRi_sA/V8CQHXviylI/AAAAAAAAGQA/wSxgIAeQbogUM2XK_hU9LjMOr-WJGW-gACLcB/s1600/15.%2B%2BReflection%252C%2B18%2Bx%2B24_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b94KaoRi_sA/V8CQHXviylI/AAAAAAAAGQA/wSxgIAeQbogUM2XK_hU9LjMOr-WJGW-gACLcB/s640/15.%2B%2BReflection%252C%2B18%2Bx%2B24_crop.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Reflection", oil, 18" x 24", 2008</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4-yS0DH4MnM/V8CQHaZHArI/AAAAAAAAGQE/m6OshoxB5l0FYl6wm6T_-MnGh3eX1c6_ACLcB/s1600/16.%2B%2BLe%2BFruit%2BDefendu%252C%2B22%2Bx%2B12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4-yS0DH4MnM/V8CQHaZHArI/AAAAAAAAGQE/m6OshoxB5l0FYl6wm6T_-MnGh3eX1c6_ACLcB/s640/16.%2B%2BLe%2BFruit%2BDefendu%252C%2B22%2Bx%2B12.jpg" width="348" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Le Fruit Defendu", oil, 22" x 12", 2005</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dkRtrb9pjqA/V8CQHg_VS1I/AAAAAAAAGQI/VBpIWsUBRLgihKpCZoTEFBon6EPsiQu0ACLcB/s1600/17%2Ba.%2BTimeless%2B%25282%2529%252C%2Boil%252C%2B18%2Bx%2B24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dkRtrb9pjqA/V8CQHg_VS1I/AAAAAAAAGQI/VBpIWsUBRLgihKpCZoTEFBon6EPsiQu0ACLcB/s640/17%2Ba.%2BTimeless%2B%25282%2529%252C%2Boil%252C%2B18%2Bx%2B24.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Timeless II", oil, 18" x 24", (repainted) 2013 </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1MKk8bzdJR0/V8CQHGVTDuI/AAAAAAAAGP4/dqN0h5SP1ewsAhuN7nD99GHZk3AV7iVggCEw/s1600/13.%2B%2BReading%2BKandinsky%252C%2B24%2Bx%2B30_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="508" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1MKk8bzdJR0/V8CQHGVTDuI/AAAAAAAAGP4/dqN0h5SP1ewsAhuN7nD99GHZk3AV7iVggCEw/s640/13.%2B%2BReading%2BKandinsky%252C%2B24%2Bx%2B30_.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Reading Kandinsky", oil, 24" x 30". 2007</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJ7BIDg8ynY/V8CVMy9fvII/AAAAAAAAGQs/IfYV-nMGBNUzcwPOCIiPDBjmQGKIe8ubACEw/s1600/9.%2B%2BInterlude%252C%2B24%2Bx%2B18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJ7BIDg8ynY/V8CVMy9fvII/AAAAAAAAGQs/IfYV-nMGBNUzcwPOCIiPDBjmQGKIe8ubACEw/s640/9.%2B%2BInterlude%252C%2B24%2Bx%2B18.jpg" width="472" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Interlude", oil, 24" x 18", 2008</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zHFnWWVw6XQ/V8CVMQp4H4I/AAAAAAAAGQk/XmF6B2-FkygNOojZsPOvW56Q9iUODtvlgCEw/s1600/10.%2B%2BKaitlin%2BReclining%252C%2B12%2Bx%2B26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="364" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zHFnWWVw6XQ/V8CVMQp4H4I/AAAAAAAAGQk/XmF6B2-FkygNOojZsPOvW56Q9iUODtvlgCEw/s640/10.%2B%2BKaitlin%2BReclining%252C%2B12%2Bx%2B26.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kaitlin Reclining", oil, 12" x 26", 2007</td></tr>
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<br />
My figurative paintings started off with a more traditional feel, and Martin loved the thought of a woman reading a book, so I went with it! Martin was a tough task master, but taught me so much!<br />
Martin could spot a misdrawn thumb, or a misshaped buttocks, and we had many conversations about my paintings, and what was right and not right about them, the timing of my first one woman show, and the art world in general.. He was always right on his critiques!<br />
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We also learned about the art world, as my husband and I were lucky to be included in many of the fabulous after opening dinner parties that Martin hosted, and we felt we were truly in another world.....far from our WY roots. <br />
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As I continued to paint the figure, it also began to take a contemporary arc! I was painting plain backgrounds when Martin suggested I try a painting in the background......but whose painting???? Then, at the same time we both said: "Georgia O'Keeffe"!!! How perfect! I live in NM, and Georgia's paintings were beautiful and sensual....done and done!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p1UxJBYiFkM/V8CUVifUAiI/AAAAAAAAGQU/hM1T749TQDs6zu1mnuVpnp3-m5boGhVewCLcB/s1600/1.%2BLaura%2Bwith%2BNarcissa%2527s%2BLast%2BOrchid%252C%2B24%2Bx%2B18%252Ccorrect%2Bcolor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p1UxJBYiFkM/V8CUVifUAiI/AAAAAAAAGQU/hM1T749TQDs6zu1mnuVpnp3-m5boGhVewCLcB/s640/1.%2BLaura%2Bwith%2BNarcissa%2527s%2BLast%2BOrchid%252C%2B24%2Bx%2B18%252Ccorrect%2Bcolor.jpg" width="472" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Narcissa's Last Orchid", oil, 24" x 18", 2008</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sGgfRxb60JE/V8CVMZG0oNI/AAAAAAAAGQo/NlzxxB1RyVUGIwI_dlerj91RwexC2KyOACLcB/s1600/12.%2B%2BKaitlin%2Bwith%2BTwo%2BCalla%2BLilies%2Bon%2BPink%252C%2B17%2Bx%2B11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sGgfRxb60JE/V8CVMZG0oNI/AAAAAAAAGQo/NlzxxB1RyVUGIwI_dlerj91RwexC2KyOACLcB/s640/12.%2B%2BKaitlin%2Bwith%2BTwo%2BCalla%2BLilies%2Bon%2BPink%252C%2B17%2Bx%2B11.jpg" width="406" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Kaitlin with Two Calla Lilies on Pink", oil, 17" x 11", 2006</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PA19vByfGJI/V8CVMZ2dXnI/AAAAAAAAGQg/TGjCIUOkJWAFw9tZOjWvnddLqbrCk0dHACLcB/s1600/11.%2B%2BKaitlin%2Bwith%2BOriental%2BPoppies%252C%2B2007%252C%2Boil%252C%2B24%2Bx%2B14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PA19vByfGJI/V8CVMZ2dXnI/AAAAAAAAGQg/TGjCIUOkJWAFw9tZOjWvnddLqbrCk0dHACLcB/s640/11.%2B%2BKaitlin%2Bwith%2BOriental%2BPoppies%252C%2B2007%252C%2Boil%252C%2B24%2Bx%2B14.jpg" width="372" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Kaitlin with Oriental Poppies", oil, 24" x 14", 2007</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5zjcdlGVAXk/V8CVM_LtT1I/AAAAAAAAGQw/kGWKXFQRY-wgkFGKblYGfTL4UFZsOlCTQCEw/s1600/8.%2B%2BJamie%252C%2B24%2Bx%2B18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5zjcdlGVAXk/V8CVM_LtT1I/AAAAAAAAGQw/kGWKXFQRY-wgkFGKblYGfTL4UFZsOlCTQCEw/s640/8.%2B%2BJamie%252C%2B24%2Bx%2B18.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Jamie", oil, 4" x 18", 2008</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aHT7ywdgWME/V8CUV1KxjOI/AAAAAAAAGQc/S3FOnSLHcS424Iz6MAbgDufYzr2qshQqACEw/s1600/1.%2B%2BBella.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aHT7ywdgWME/V8CUV1KxjOI/AAAAAAAAGQc/S3FOnSLHcS424Iz6MAbgDufYzr2qshQqACEw/s640/1.%2B%2BBella.JPG" width="482" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Bella", oil, 24" x 18", 2009</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a1iwKYGjpoo/V8NCIwGUESI/AAAAAAAAGRg/t_vSp6tYowclYJcF0HpFYGOD-iPG69cJwCLcB/s1600/29.%2B%2BFlaming%2BRed%2BCanna%252C%2B16%2Bx%2B20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="510" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a1iwKYGjpoo/V8NCIwGUESI/AAAAAAAAGRg/t_vSp6tYowclYJcF0HpFYGOD-iPG69cJwCLcB/s640/29.%2B%2BFlaming%2BRed%2BCanna%252C%2B16%2Bx%2B20.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Flaming Red Canna", oil, 16" x 20", 2009</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8an4aUHayKA/V8NCoVet-RI/AAAAAAAAGRo/13zk-bDnkswSZ9jx-p6dqvg48nT7JqwswCEw/s1600/2.%2B%2BBelladonna%252C%2B19%2Bx%2B14%252C%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8an4aUHayKA/V8NCoVet-RI/AAAAAAAAGRo/13zk-bDnkswSZ9jx-p6dqvg48nT7JqwswCEw/s640/2.%2B%2BBelladonna%252C%2B19%2Bx%2B14%252C%2B.jpg" width="470" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Belladonna", oil, 19" x 14", 2006</td></tr>
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<br />
I have always wanted to have a message in my work, and I felt that I was lacking in this department. At one of my artist friend's suggestions, when complaining that my paintings didn't have the depth that his had, he said that if I looked deep enough I would find a meaning, or theme running throughout my work<br />
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Thus I began my quest to discover why I paint what I paint. While most of my current work certainly uses tongue in cheek humor, I am able to make a comment on society, and our great American culture using my models, props, backgrounds, and titles, and I have begun to realize that my work actually speaks volumes!<br />
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Even as I look back on the still life, at first I was just painting what I thought was beautiful, in an interesting composition, but then I started to add cards and dice, always making sure the numbers were "lucky"!<br />
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In my career, I have always chosen to not use my gender to promote my work, or to determine what I paint. Of course being female, in and of itself helps dictate what I paint, by my experiences as a woman, but I refuse to use it as a chip on my shoulder as an excuse to why my work would possibly not stand up in creativity and execution as any man's work. Even as a young artist, I always knew that if the work was good enough it would be accepted in galleries and by the critics.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YkwsdIN17vE/V8SxnAzTO6I/AAAAAAAAGSc/i321nnExRn0agChm4v497Vth7BG8rYd7QCEw/s1600/35.%2B%2BDessert%252C%2B24%2Bx%2B18_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YkwsdIN17vE/V8SxnAzTO6I/AAAAAAAAGSc/i321nnExRn0agChm4v497Vth7BG8rYd7QCEw/s640/35.%2B%2BDessert%252C%2B24%2Bx%2B18_crop.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Dessert", oil, 24" x 18", 2009</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TKlFIw2FU0c/V8SxndRjmtI/AAAAAAAAGSg/fTv9rDA-ESgzrNvceTL92pJTupLoKg9agCEw/s1600/a.%2BRising%2BStar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TKlFIw2FU0c/V8SxndRjmtI/AAAAAAAAGSg/fTv9rDA-ESgzrNvceTL92pJTupLoKg9agCEw/s640/a.%2BRising%2BStar.jpg" width="486" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Rising Stars", oil, 24" x 18", 2013</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m3bJcn3lnM0/V8SxMZJMs6I/AAAAAAAAGSQ/lpJI5pmo0B8VjHwtDtIvzhWUN31fGkIhACEw/s1600/2.%2BCakes%2521%252C%2Boil%252C%2B24%2Bx%2B18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m3bJcn3lnM0/V8SxMZJMs6I/AAAAAAAAGSQ/lpJI5pmo0B8VjHwtDtIvzhWUN31fGkIhACEw/s640/2.%2BCakes%2521%252C%2Boil%252C%2B24%2Bx%2B18.jpg" width="476" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Cakes", oil, 24" x 18", 2009</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MJV6AEfBG0I/V8SxUmpFH1I/AAAAAAAAGSU/Dc2Svp4DFLgcYe6gKzvCxNRk0WrSzRXbgCEw/s1600/38.%2B%2BTwin%2BCakes%252C%2B19%2Bx%2B17_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MJV6AEfBG0I/V8SxUmpFH1I/AAAAAAAAGSU/Dc2Svp4DFLgcYe6gKzvCxNRk0WrSzRXbgCEw/s640/38.%2B%2BTwin%2BCakes%252C%2B19%2Bx%2B17_.jpg" width="564" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Twin Cakes", oil, 19" x 17", 2009</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tTcfCsvzKCw/V8NCixKcImI/AAAAAAAAGRk/r45j9SxZtusje9BRfkxEoY3oA6-AfTP3wCLcB/s1600/1.%2B%2BBlue%2BLaura%252C%2B24%2Bx%2B18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tTcfCsvzKCw/V8NCixKcImI/AAAAAAAAGRk/r45j9SxZtusje9BRfkxEoY3oA6-AfTP3wCLcB/s640/1.%2B%2BBlue%2BLaura%252C%2B24%2Bx%2B18.jpg" width="474" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Dark Blue", oil, 24" x 18", 2011, reworked 2016</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
After painting many Georgia O'Keeffe backgrounds, I moved on to Pop Art! I especially love Wayne Thiebaud's work of cakes, pies, and deserts, and being as I lived in the Bay Area for awhile, as does Wayne, and was represented by a San Francisco Gallery, I felt it was a perfect fit! Every iconic art background I paint is my homage to that artist. It is such a thrill to paint in another artist's style, while trying to keep the spirit true to the artist.</div>
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Meanwhile, I split from Modernism, even though it was a very difficult decision, and moved to Scott Richards Contemporary Art, also in San Francisco. Scott also mentors me, and helps nurture my artistic spirit, which is an important connection between artist and dealer. Scott encourages me to paint what I need to paint! Artists are not always easy to deal with.....lol<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LCKau4bhFEg/V8S_KudWK4I/AAAAAAAAGUI/UutduNtF7OkzWsHpxLAO1q8FpbCskEFxwCLcB/s1600/1.%2BCakes%2BII%2B%2528no%2Breal%2Btitle%2Byet%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LCKau4bhFEg/V8S_KudWK4I/AAAAAAAAGUI/UutduNtF7OkzWsHpxLAO1q8FpbCskEFxwCLcB/s640/1.%2BCakes%2BII%2B%2528no%2Breal%2Btitle%2Byet%2529.JPG" width="482" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Frosting", oil, 32" x 24", 2011</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QtaJPMHPLZA/V8S6naUzx2I/AAAAAAAAGS8/DzP4BE3_wqE3aKQU6gjU6Yl9Mvi7Uvs9ACLcB/s1600/1.%2BGumballs%2Bwith%2Ba%2BPrize%252C%2B%2B%2528newest%2529%2B24%2Bx%2B24.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QtaJPMHPLZA/V8S6naUzx2I/AAAAAAAAGS8/DzP4BE3_wqE3aKQU6gjU6Yl9Mvi7Uvs9ACLcB/s640/1.%2BGumballs%2Bwith%2Ba%2BPrize%252C%2B%2B%2528newest%2529%2B24%2Bx%2B24.JPG" width="636" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Gumballs with a Prize", oil, 24" x 24", (reworked) 2016</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nkhDVuWK9Gw/V8S7SFYWjoI/AAAAAAAAGUE/O3zSJT7oqFEmtuEnKU9pMyZTHf0auzANACEw/s1600/5.%2B%2BIce%2BQueen%252C%2B24%2Bx%2B24%252C%2Boil%2Band%2Bsilver%2Bleaf%2B%2528another%2Bway%2Bto%2Bgo....silver%2Bor%2Bgold...%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="638" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nkhDVuWK9Gw/V8S7SFYWjoI/AAAAAAAAGUE/O3zSJT7oqFEmtuEnKU9pMyZTHf0auzANACEw/s640/5.%2B%2BIce%2BQueen%252C%2B24%2Bx%2B24%252C%2Boil%2Band%2Bsilver%2Bleaf%2B%2528another%2Bway%2Bto%2Bgo....silver%2Bor%2Bgold...%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Ice Queen", oil with silver and gold leaf, 24" x 24", 2014</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--tLHckTfP2s/V8S7RGtCS4I/AAAAAAAAGUE/_1dl9lexoMYCdFaoYdohLhKQHJVSQAwHgCEw/s1600/1.%2B%2BWhen%2BYou%2BRead%2BMy%2BMind%2521%252C%2B24%2Bx%2B24.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="636" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--tLHckTfP2s/V8S7RGtCS4I/AAAAAAAAGUE/_1dl9lexoMYCdFaoYdohLhKQHJVSQAwHgCEw/s640/1.%2B%2BWhen%2BYou%2BRead%2BMy%2BMind%2521%252C%2B24%2Bx%2B24.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"When You Read My Mind", oil, 24" x 24", 2013</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uLthFUF29I4/V8TAXRrN2II/AAAAAAAAGUY/2hgSKCA09VwxRX1fkB-A0EX75r5UlW9qQCLcB/s1600/1.%2Bnew%2Bphoto%2BReverie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uLthFUF29I4/V8TAXRrN2II/AAAAAAAAGUY/2hgSKCA09VwxRX1fkB-A0EX75r5UlW9qQCLcB/s640/1.%2Bnew%2Bphoto%2BReverie.JPG" width="482" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Reverie", oil, 40" x 30", 2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VWPOmcajN2E/V8S6-xZnJ0I/AAAAAAAAGTE/R-dw8UJNjUIPlTO13nU4SmxNw4M5VuBqwCLcB/s1600/1.%2B%2BAmerican%2BWoman%252C%2B12%2Bx%2B12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="636" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VWPOmcajN2E/V8S6-xZnJ0I/AAAAAAAAGTE/R-dw8UJNjUIPlTO13nU4SmxNw4M5VuBqwCLcB/s640/1.%2B%2BAmerican%2BWoman%252C%2B12%2Bx%2B12.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"American Woman", oil, 12" x 12", 2015</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QeIjllDAJZk/V8XnX-_q1mI/AAAAAAAAGWk/r95cMCuOHXQU8SroyT-tsCj3g1jm509AgCEw/s1600/1.%2Bnew%2Bpainting%252C%2Bno%2Btitle%2Byet%252C%2B30%2Bx%2B24.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QeIjllDAJZk/V8XnX-_q1mI/AAAAAAAAGWk/r95cMCuOHXQU8SroyT-tsCj3g1jm509AgCEw/s640/1.%2Bnew%2Bpainting%252C%2Bno%2Btitle%2Byet%252C%2B30%2Bx%2B24.JPG" width="532" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Bohemian Rhapsodies", oil, 24" x 20", 20, 2012</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6cJVHk1D_aM/V8S6_p2X75I/AAAAAAAAGTI/_da3AgqTI0sO2Or5qIe5qv6tJiBq77u4gCLcB/s1600/2.%2B%2BPies%252C%2Boil%252C%2B12%2Bx%2B12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6cJVHk1D_aM/V8S6_p2X75I/AAAAAAAAGTI/_da3AgqTI0sO2Or5qIe5qv6tJiBq77u4gCLcB/s640/2.%2B%2BPies%252C%2Boil%252C%2B12%2Bx%2B12.JPG" width="634" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Pies", oil, 12" x 12", 2016 </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6bQtpxQkHiY/V8S6-sLXwBI/AAAAAAAAGTA/Xd3i2_Plr6Q75D94Y6wmtIouNhVUB3eMACLcB/s1600/3.%2BHeartbreaker%252C%2B12%2Bx%2B12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6bQtpxQkHiY/V8S6-sLXwBI/AAAAAAAAGTA/Xd3i2_Plr6Q75D94Y6wmtIouNhVUB3eMACLcB/s640/3.%2BHeartbreaker%252C%2B12%2Bx%2B12.JPG" width="638" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Heart Breaker", oil, 12" x 12", 2016</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LR7UZi2VRIY/V8S6_8XhcBI/AAAAAAAAGTQ/beM86tO_QVAmcna0KGetY7r7p5HWpkUTACLcB/s1600/4.%2B%2B%2524%2524%2524%2524%252C%2B12%2Bx%2B12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LR7UZi2VRIY/V8S6_8XhcBI/AAAAAAAAGTQ/beM86tO_QVAmcna0KGetY7r7p5HWpkUTACLcB/s640/4.%2B%2B%2524%2524%2524%2524%252C%2B12%2Bx%2B12.JPG" width="636" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"$$$$", oil, 12" x 12", 2016</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zBV2xSjCqe8/V8S7AQ9DLTI/AAAAAAAAGTY/F6H2fe1HOu4rIWI-5Mly16wNa9EtWIodwCLcB/s1600/6.%2B%2BLOVE%252C%2Boil%252C%2B12%2Bx%2B12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zBV2xSjCqe8/V8S7AQ9DLTI/AAAAAAAAGTY/F6H2fe1HOu4rIWI-5Mly16wNa9EtWIodwCLcB/s640/6.%2B%2BLOVE%252C%2Boil%252C%2B12%2Bx%2B12.JPG" width="630" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"LOVE", oil, 12" x 12", 2016</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pkMhzL8-o4w/V8XjJgxPetI/AAAAAAAAGWc/wpO7IiDK4Qg_0FjyZYNA5oOHZ1XcMP5lQCLcB/s1600/1.%2B%2BLet%2Bthem%2BEat%2BCake%252C%2B36%2Bx%2B24%252C%2Bgold%2Bleaf%2Bcollar.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pkMhzL8-o4w/V8XjJgxPetI/AAAAAAAAGWc/wpO7IiDK4Qg_0FjyZYNA5oOHZ1XcMP5lQCLcB/s640/1.%2B%2BLet%2Bthem%2BEat%2BCake%252C%2B36%2Bx%2B24%252C%2Bgold%2Bleaf%2Bcollar.JPG" width="420" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Let Them Eat Cake", oil, 36" x 24", 2014</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CMo7FIVf570/V8S7Sw39XhI/AAAAAAAAGT8/e7h7yiWpY_oUEvMGGZNeZYucIvPZ2L_ZwCLcB/s1600/3.%2B%2BMousetrap%252C%2Boil%252C%2B24%2Bx%2B24.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CMo7FIVf570/V8S7Sw39XhI/AAAAAAAAGT8/e7h7yiWpY_oUEvMGGZNeZYucIvPZ2L_ZwCLcB/s640/3.%2B%2BMousetrap%252C%2Boil%252C%2B24%2Bx%2B24.JPG" width="638" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Mouse Trap", oil, 24" x 24", 2016</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5VAYvOnFTOQ/V8S7R2SVQcI/AAAAAAAAGTo/QJ3BYwwVMhgBDE29gUPFrGgZLMmTHz6bQCLcB/s1600/4.%2B%2BCalling%2BMe%2BHome%252C%2Boil%252C%2B24%2Bx%2B24.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="632" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5VAYvOnFTOQ/V8S7R2SVQcI/AAAAAAAAGTo/QJ3BYwwVMhgBDE29gUPFrGgZLMmTHz6bQCLcB/s640/4.%2B%2BCalling%2BMe%2BHome%252C%2Boil%252C%2B24%2Bx%2B24.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Calling Me Home", oil, 24" x 24", 2016</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4P61z5cL4Cc/V8S7Sq5ItMI/AAAAAAAAGT4/0L0H96vzwN8ehwa5F5rksfCJSaQn9Bb_gCLcB/s1600/smith-suzy-sovereign-oil-30-x-24-8500_lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4P61z5cL4Cc/V8S7Sq5ItMI/AAAAAAAAGT4/0L0H96vzwN8ehwa5F5rksfCJSaQn9Bb_gCLcB/s640/smith-suzy-sovereign-oil-30-x-24-8500_lg.jpg" width="506" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Sovereign", oil, 30" x 24", 2016 </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QpnrHVV2xb0/V8TAXLlElRI/AAAAAAAAGUg/xvqi0vZfkjw-VpJhrXjpbrj970bfnWyRwCEw/s1600/1.%2BFull%2BBloom%252C%2B30%2Bx%2B24.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QpnrHVV2xb0/V8TAXLlElRI/AAAAAAAAGUg/xvqi0vZfkjw-VpJhrXjpbrj970bfnWyRwCEw/s640/1.%2BFull%2BBloom%252C%2B30%2Bx%2B24.JPG" width="502" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Full Bloom", oil, silver leaf and acrylic, 30" x 24", 2014</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pQd5Y8-X1NM/V8Wut4TzSWI/AAAAAAAAGVo/G38d-3RARpoYKpYUC8u4U--rWCL8hS_igCLcB/s1600/2.%2B%2BMore%2BThan%2Ba%2BWoman%252C%2B36%2Bx%2B24.%2Btaken%2Boutside%2Bwhere%2Bthe%2Bsilver%2Breflects%2Bdifferent..JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pQd5Y8-X1NM/V8Wut4TzSWI/AAAAAAAAGVo/G38d-3RARpoYKpYUC8u4U--rWCL8hS_igCLcB/s640/2.%2B%2BMore%2BThan%2Ba%2BWoman%252C%2B36%2Bx%2B24.%2Btaken%2Boutside%2Bwhere%2Bthe%2Bsilver%2Breflects%2Bdifferent..JPG" width="420" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"More Than a Woman" oil and silver leaf, 36" x 24", 2016</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Now I am finding that the American culture is shifting again, as it always does!<br />
Do I have a voice with my paintings? Yes, I do!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uZcYpKveCpo/V8TIKB7pTHI/AAAAAAAAGUo/m85lhuFlXpA29SotIdov-BVYaoM94CAfQCLcB/s1600/1.%2BDouble%2BEspresso%252C%2B30%2Bx%2B24.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uZcYpKveCpo/V8TIKB7pTHI/AAAAAAAAGUo/m85lhuFlXpA29SotIdov-BVYaoM94CAfQCLcB/s640/1.%2BDouble%2BEspresso%252C%2B30%2Bx%2B24.JPG" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Double Espresso", oil, 30" x 24", 2014</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-swl9lCs9i1o/V8TIaC0l7WI/AAAAAAAAGUw/sG_N6J1D5F4e3XP0w7E4FFFqpn6UABNQgCLcB/s1600/1.%2B%2BEnergize%252C%2Boil%252C%2B30%2Bx%2B24.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-swl9lCs9i1o/V8TIaC0l7WI/AAAAAAAAGUw/sG_N6J1D5F4e3XP0w7E4FFFqpn6UABNQgCLcB/s640/1.%2B%2BEnergize%252C%2Boil%252C%2B30%2Bx%2B24.JPG" width="504" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Energize", oil, 30" x 24", 2014</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hx_f3zQMQ-w/V8TIRdnu6mI/AAAAAAAAGUs/tqpJa33GZHgWyDa8isbiu-jfFPbL-pS4ACLcB/s1600/1.%2B%2BLiberty%252C%2B30%2Bx%2B24%252C%2Boil.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hx_f3zQMQ-w/V8TIRdnu6mI/AAAAAAAAGUs/tqpJa33GZHgWyDa8isbiu-jfFPbL-pS4ACLcB/s640/1.%2B%2BLiberty%252C%2B30%2Bx%2B24%252C%2Boil.JPG" width="420" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Liberty", oil, 36" x 24", 2015</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Dia de los Muertos", oil, 36" x 24", 2013</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"American Beauty", oil with silver leaf, 24" x 20", 2016</td></tr>
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In conclusion; this is the longest blog post I have ever written, (90 photos) but I hope maybe someone will read it, or at least look at the pictures.....lol I have painted 642 paintings since 1983, and will continue to paint what I feel is beautiful and important! As my gallery, Scott Richards Contemporary Art says: <em>"With tongue in cheek humor, Smith manages to honor her Pop predecessors while maintaining an unmistakable sense of irony."</em><br />
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In the end, I believe it is up to the viewer to bring their own meaning to art. The art is not just about the artist, it is about the viewer, and how he perceives the art. I read an interview the other day by Mike Cockrill, and I think he nailed it! He said: <em>"What makes an artist is the relationship their work has with the viewer. Culture decides what art is going to look like at any particular moment. Culture completes the transaction between maker and beholder."</em><br />
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So culture indeed makes art relevant or not.......and culture will also determine whether it will be validated or not. Seems only the future will tell, but I feel I am painting the uniquely American culture that I grew up with in the 60's and 70's. Especially with the Pop Art backgrounds from the same time period. My son, who is also an artist, said; <em>"Your paintings invoke a style.....an accurate assessment of an era...." </em> I hope that is true.<br />
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I don't always paint to that "theme", or "brand", but I have realized I do have a "style", that I can't seem to escape......I would say the key to the meanings of my current paintings begins with the eyes. Look into the eyes of my models, and I hope you will find something that resonates with you........<br />
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Suzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14568049828683112515noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-449003089214061545.post-18754322775510728222016-01-05T13:17:00.002-07:002016-01-05T20:25:40.179-07:002016....Welcome!!!On New Year's Eve, 2015, I went into my studio to turn off my lights, and bent over to reach the switch under my easel..........(don't know why I had it set up like that) and the painting I had just spent the previous week trying to finish, fell off the easel onto my back! It was a heavy mounted board, with thick impasto paint, which was then in my hair and all over my sweatshirt.....I managed to catch the painting before it hit the ground, (balancing it on my back, lol) so I tried not to have a total meltdown, and check the damage.<br />
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The brushstrokes, which were important to the background were totally messed up, and because of my three cats, and landing in my hair, the big problem was getting the hair unstuck from the paint...ha ha! It actually didn't take that much time, and luckily the figure was not wet, so other than having to fix some hair, (on the figure and myself) and smoothing out the background for a fresh layer of paint, I think the painting is salvageable. Although I decided to put the painting on hold, to dry, and move forward into 2016 with a fresh start!!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WwbtuZFD8hw/VowaKerWT2I/AAAAAAAAFtY/wLUcK0tkcxs/s1600/2.%2B%2BPies%252C%2Boil%252C%2B12%2Bx%2B12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WwbtuZFD8hw/VowaKerWT2I/AAAAAAAAFtY/wLUcK0tkcxs/s640/2.%2B%2BPies%252C%2Boil%252C%2B12%2Bx%2B12.JPG" width="634" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Pies", 12" x 12"</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"$$$$", 12" x 12"<br />
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Last year was an interesting year, as the painting landscape continues to change. It seems every time I feel like I am hitting my stride, and painting exactly what I want, the pendulum swings, and I am once again faced with not only painting to the best level I can, but also painting something that people will want, and as much as I hate to say it.....work that will sell. I have written about this before, and although I am pretty sure that most artists would like to paint what they want, damn the public, we do have to keep in mind what is selling, and the current "trends" in the market, if we are to remain relevant, and make a living with our art.<br />
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Having said that, this year for Art Mrkt San Francisco, I painted 7 small 12" x 12" paintings, (with only 4 actually making it in time for the opening) that incorporated obvious Pop Art in the backgrounds of my beautiful models. I am calling them "Pop Portraits". What I realized is that a 12" x 12" painting takes me almost as much time to paint as a 24" x 24" painting.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Target", 12" x 12"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aeVjk2FxJY8/VowaKNEVQfI/AAAAAAAAFuE/0xRF6IXex6s/s1600/1.%2B%2BAmerican%2BWoman%252C%2B12%2Bx%2B12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="636" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aeVjk2FxJY8/VowaKNEVQfI/AAAAAAAAFuE/0xRF6IXex6s/s640/1.%2B%2BAmerican%2BWoman%252C%2B12%2Bx%2B12.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"American Woman", 12" x 12"<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qnl8WiU22ds/VowaLxOYO5I/AAAAAAAAFto/DoDaUbCv1_E/s1600/5.%2BHot%2BTomato%252C%2Boil%252C%2B12%2Bx%2B12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qnl8WiU22ds/VowaLxOYO5I/AAAAAAAAFto/DoDaUbCv1_E/s640/5.%2BHot%2BTomato%252C%2Boil%252C%2B12%2Bx%2B12.JPG" width="634" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Hot Tomato", 12" x 12"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4Dm1RIOW88k/VowaLyCERVI/AAAAAAAAFtk/S319Xx36d7c/s1600/6.%2B%2BLOVE%252C%2Boil%252C%2B12%2Bx%2B12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4Dm1RIOW88k/VowaLyCERVI/AAAAAAAAFtk/S319Xx36d7c/s640/6.%2B%2BLOVE%252C%2Boil%252C%2B12%2Bx%2B12.JPG" width="630" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"LOVE", 12" x 12"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QIvuaFULwQ0/VowaND2zGdI/AAAAAAAAFuA/cWOexSL5tx0/s1600/7.%2BHeartbreaker%252C%2B12%2Bx%2B12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QIvuaFULwQ0/VowaND2zGdI/AAAAAAAAFuA/cWOexSL5tx0/s640/7.%2BHeartbreaker%252C%2B12%2Bx%2B12.JPG" width="638" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Heartbreaker", 12" x 12"</td></tr>
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I am actually quite proud of those little paintings, and besides showing in San Francisco at my gallery; <em><strong>Scott Richards Contemporary Art</strong></em>, and <em><strong>Tangent</strong></em>, 4 of them are now in Denver, showing at <em><strong>Abend Gallery</strong></em>, along with 2 of my still life paintings. I am very excited to show my work in Denver; an amazing city, and where I was born.<br />
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Along with the small "Pop Portraits", I managed to finish a few larger paintings with the same format. I love Pop Art, and painting in the style of my favorite Pop Artists, allows me to pay homage to Warhol, Thiebaud, Dine, and Johns, just to name a few.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nSBNO-3lZW4/VowdDORxRjI/AAAAAAAAFuQ/R54xHGBQPRM/s1600/3.%2B%2BMousetrap%252C%2Boil%252C%2B24%2Bx%2B24.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nSBNO-3lZW4/VowdDORxRjI/AAAAAAAAFuQ/R54xHGBQPRM/s640/3.%2B%2BMousetrap%252C%2Boil%252C%2B24%2Bx%2B24.JPG" width="638" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Mousetrap", 24" x 24"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WTRHMFOxYKM/VowdC60ocOI/AAAAAAAAFuU/qhyOyNEXFRw/s1600/4.%2B%2BCalling%2BMe%2BHome%252C%2Boil%252C%2B24%2Bx%2B24.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="632" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WTRHMFOxYKM/VowdC60ocOI/AAAAAAAAFuU/qhyOyNEXFRw/s640/4.%2B%2BCalling%2BMe%2BHome%252C%2Boil%252C%2B24%2Bx%2B24.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Calling Me Home", 24" x 24"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vb2aqA5RdV4/VowdbD2nQGI/AAAAAAAAFuc/ANVUuCeoyD4/s1600/2.%2B%2BSouvreign%252C%2Boil%252C%2B30%2Bx%2B24.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vb2aqA5RdV4/VowdbD2nQGI/AAAAAAAAFuc/ANVUuCeoyD4/s640/2.%2B%2BSouvreign%252C%2Boil%252C%2B30%2Bx%2B24.JPG" width="510" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Sovereign", 30" x 24"<br />
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Then to finish off the year, even though looking around my studio I have 4 (or more) paintings in progress, I painted another Day of the Dead painting just for myself. I don't know why I am so fascinated by that cultural celebration, but I think I will always paint Dia de los Muertos images. A great reminder of those who have gone before us......<br />
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Once again I would like to say thank you to everyone who follows this blog, and all the people who support me and my artwork! I really do feel lucky to be able to call myself an artist and to paint every day. I would like to say thank you to my gallery<em><strong> Scott Richards Contemporary Art</strong></em> in San Francisco, <em><strong>Abend Gallery</strong></em> in Denver, and of course my wonderful, beautiful models, Amy, Harmony, Deserae, and Ayla, who help make my work possible. I am looking forward to 2016, and have many new ideas I am currently working on, as I write this. Happy New Year!!!!<br />
<br />Suzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14568049828683112515noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-449003089214061545.post-49072807757266386152015-09-07T20:46:00.002-06:002015-09-07T20:46:20.923-06:00New Work!My last post was talking abut creativity, and as the creativity continues, I thought I should post some new paintings!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Mouse Trap" or "Fantasy"....still can't decide......24" x 24"<br />
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This is my latest finished painting that you may remember from the previous post. There was no background then, and I am so happy that I added the Andy Warhol painting; "Double Mickey Mouse 1981"! As I have said before I like to let the figure inform or dictate the background, but for this one I wasn't 100% sure it would work, with the dark Mini Mouse ears against the black background. As I looked at this painting when it was finished, I kept it to myself for awhile, because I liked it so much. I wasn't sure what people would say.......it just seemed so strange, and yet to me it seemed extra special!<br />
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I posted the image on FB and once again asked for title suggestions. I got so many good ideas, I still haven't decided what the title will be. I wanted to go with "Magic Kingdom", but since it is trademarked I am going with "Mouse Trap" or "Fantasy".<br />
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The painting before this one was my model Amy wearing a Crayon Crown. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_ufm3E1Q5CQ/Ve48fpRk9pI/AAAAAAAAFgY/ptVTnZ4N-bA/s1600/1.%2BSovereign%252C%2Boil%252C%2B30%2Bx%2B24%252C%2B%2Balmost%2Bfinal.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_ufm3E1Q5CQ/Ve48fpRk9pI/AAAAAAAAFgY/ptVTnZ4N-bA/s640/1.%2BSovereign%252C%2Boil%252C%2B30%2Bx%2B24%252C%2B%2Balmost%2Bfinal.JPG" width="508" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Sovereign", 30" x 24"<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">After making my multitude of crowns, I really fell in love with them, as odd as that sounds....To me Crayons are like the starting blocks of any artist, and a crown of them feels like being the Queen of Art! (Imagine wearing this crown in grade school!!) I wanted to stick to the same color theme as the crown, so I added another Warhol painting; "$ (4) 1982" .</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Not to think that I am only painting crowns, I also completed another painting of Harmony, that moves me, almost, like no other...</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Calling Me Home", 24" x 24", oil</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I have painted a similar photo of Harmony in two other paintings, from the same photo shoot...actually our very first shoot, which was almost exactly 4 years ago today. For some reason, this look on Harmony's face has a beautiful sadness that I love! I decided to add Robert Indiana's painting; "Decade: Autoportrait 1961", and when I first decided on this painting for a background I didn't even notice that it said Chicago on it. I was looking at the design, and the # 1, and star. After I painted it, I was listening to some Frank Sinatra music, and heard "My Kind of Town". The song is about a great love for Chicago, and the words calling me home, gave me my title. I love when titles are "given" to you, by just being aware! The fact that Harmony has moved to Chicago, made the title all that more perfect!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">These are not the only paintings I have painted, but I am feeling a subtle change may be on the horizon, although I also feel like I am painting exactly what I should be painting for this moment! </span></div>
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Suzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14568049828683112515noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-449003089214061545.post-24243864865562563342015-06-05T10:22:00.001-06:002015-06-05T10:22:34.063-06:00The Creative Process...Often times I look at my paintings drying in the bathroom, or stacked up in my studio, and am captivated by the image! A painting in progress is sometimes more "intriguing" than the finished painting.....at least to me. But then again, I love to see artists in their studios with their work, or works in progress.<br />
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I think the feeling is....what could have been, and what still can be........the actual creative process! Not one of the paintings above looks at all the same as in this photograph. (And not one of them is completely finished.....close though.) One thing that helps me make a decision on the final piece is that I know I can always paint another painting incorporating my new ideas.....once I work them out in my mind, as well as figuring out how to actually physically accomplish the task. The concept is sometimes the easy part!<br />
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When I was doing the silver leafing, and stenciling, some of the images, especially adding the reflections in the mirror were beautiful to see. My photography leaves something to be desired, but they are only meant to be a reference of the process, and a moment in time<br />
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When incorporating the silver and gold leaf, the whole process became that of a craftsman, and I loved the feeling of creating something "more" than a painting! Although it took quite a bit of learning, and many trials, it was well worth it, and I am planning more silver leaf soon. Oh the gold and silver leaf I went through......it was littering the whole house!</div>
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It is also interesting to me to see, in hindsight, what paintings I was painting at the same time. So different than looking in my painting "ledger". <br />
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As you will be able to see, I have way too many paintings going at one time. Like I have said before....I love to start a painting, love to finish a painting, but that middle part is where I struggle....lol<br />
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So this morning, as I passed the "drying room", I felt compelled to photograph the drying paintings, even taking it as far as to arranging them on my studio floor.....<br />
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Way too many paintings.......but the creativity continues!Suzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14568049828683112515noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-449003089214061545.post-79912021515467269812015-01-02T12:48:00.000-07:002015-01-03T08:48:47.663-07:002015...WELCOME!!2014 was a year of retrospection and trying to decide my future painting direction. The year was filled with highs and lows, but nothing like the previous year, when my father passed away. I still feel his presence, and am motivated by the fleeting shortness of life, to create my best work possible, and venture into terrain that I have not yet explored.<br />
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I have wanted to be an artist since I was in 2nd grade, and am so happy and proud that I have achieved that goal! Like I have said before, it is not always easy, but to have something that I can call my own, that I can always count on is invaluable.... My family has my heart, but art may have my soul....<br />
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My year started with Super Hero paintings, and I am happy to say that they all sold! Thank you Scott Richards Contemporary Art!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eUHflE4rZG4/VKbkx-_CuoI/AAAAAAAAENs/cma5blsTggk/s1600/1.%2B%2BWhen%2BYou%2BRead%2BMy%2BMind!.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eUHflE4rZG4/VKbkx-_CuoI/AAAAAAAAENs/cma5blsTggk/s1600/1.%2B%2BWhen%2BYou%2BRead%2BMy%2BMind!.JPG" height="636" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"When You Read My Mind", oil, 24" x 24"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SLXX7PhGR74/VKblRbHqQvI/AAAAAAAAEN0/48LAtgiisA0/s1600/1.%2BDouble%2BEspresso%2C%2B30%2Bx%2B24.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SLXX7PhGR74/VKblRbHqQvI/AAAAAAAAEN0/48LAtgiisA0/s1600/1.%2BDouble%2BEspresso%2C%2B30%2Bx%2B24.JPG" height="640" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Double Espresso", oil, 30" x 24"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EauKawmQQzA/VKbldBOnGQI/AAAAAAAAEN8/ds-UV2lTry8/s1600/1.%2B%2BEnergize%2C%2Boil%2C%2B30%2Bx%2B24.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EauKawmQQzA/VKbldBOnGQI/AAAAAAAAEN8/ds-UV2lTry8/s1600/1.%2B%2BEnergize%2C%2Boil%2C%2B30%2Bx%2B24.JPG" height="640" width="504" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Energize", oil, 30" x 24"<br />
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The show was a great success, and my painting; "Double Espresso" was even on the poster. I was so excited to be on the invitation with my painting right next to Mel Ramos'!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HUGRbJ7m6Z4/VKbnE_HaHoI/AAAAAAAAEOI/HxCQd3Yh5IQ/s1600/photo%2B1%2BShane%2Bat%2Bsuper%2Bhero%2Bshow.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HUGRbJ7m6Z4/VKbnE_HaHoI/AAAAAAAAEOI/HxCQd3Yh5IQ/s1600/photo%2B1%2BShane%2Bat%2Bsuper%2Bhero%2Bshow.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My son Shane, taking a photo outside the gallery.<br />
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Sometime during the summer I decided that although I am very happy with my painting, I really needed to try some things that I had always wanted to do...gold and silver leaf. It was quite a learning experience, and although the silver and gold are easy to apply to canvas, I found that what is under the leaf is important, (brushstrokes, etc.) and that the silver tarnishes, and silver polish destroys the leaf......after probably 4 layers of silver on each of these pieces, I am calling them finished.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8aCoUTq1xLc/VKbpl9FKSgI/AAAAAAAAEOU/WyKVmihFp_c/s1600/1.%2B%2BIcing%2Btips%2C%2B24%2Bx%2B24%2C%2Boil%2Band%2Bsilver%2Bleaf%2B(final).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8aCoUTq1xLc/VKbpl9FKSgI/AAAAAAAAEOU/WyKVmihFp_c/s1600/1.%2B%2BIcing%2Btips%2C%2B24%2Bx%2B24%2C%2Boil%2Band%2Bsilver%2Bleaf%2B(final).JPG" height="638" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Ice Queen" or "Icing Queen" haven't decided yet...going to framer next week. Oil with silver and gold leaf, 24" x 24"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zEllqbCjoOI/VKbqTGLz-rI/AAAAAAAAEOc/-B167tucEvM/s1600/250.%2Bnew%2BHarmony_20141126_16112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zEllqbCjoOI/VKbqTGLz-rI/AAAAAAAAEOc/-B167tucEvM/s1600/250.%2Bnew%2BHarmony_20141126_16112.JPG" height="640" width="502" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Full Bloom", mixed media with silver leaf</td></tr>
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In "Full Bloom", I used a stencil, which I also had to learn to use, and then make my decision on how to varnish.....I think I have it down now.<br />
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Like usual I have many unfinished pieces, due to my working process, but after making many crowns for my models, (also this summer) I painted "Liberty",<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Liberty", oil, 36" x 24"</td></tr>
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but closed the year by going back to my favorite: Pop Art by Wayne Thiebaud......"Let Them Eat Cake"<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_WOD-b3J59M/VKbt14DlCuI/AAAAAAAAEOo/OThKrhJHOJ8/s1600/1.%2B%2BLet%2BThem%2BEat%2BCake%2C%2Bnew.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_WOD-b3J59M/VKbt14DlCuI/AAAAAAAAEOo/OThKrhJHOJ8/s1600/1.%2B%2BLet%2BThem%2BEat%2BCake%2C%2Bnew.JPG" height="640" width="422" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Let Them Eat Cake", oil 36" x 24"<br />
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Once again I would like to say.....Happy New Year to everyone who follows this blog, and all the people who support me and my work! Facebook friends have been a wonderful resource again, and thank you to all the artists and photographers who inspire me with their amazing work! I would also like to thank my gallery: Scott Richards Contemporary Art, in San Francisco, who work hard for me every day. My new gallery Scarlow's, in Casper, WY. And of course my models; Harmony, Deserae, and Amy, who my work would not be possible without!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yfHELYGkhF0/VKb4bU7V6LI/AAAAAAAAEPQ/YuTwByZq_3k/s1600/1.%2B%2BBottoms%2BUp%2C%2B24%2Bx%2B30.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yfHELYGkhF0/VKb4bU7V6LI/AAAAAAAAEPQ/YuTwByZq_3k/s1600/1.%2B%2BBottoms%2BUp%2C%2B24%2Bx%2B30.JPG" height="510" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Bottoms Up!", 24" x 30"</td></tr>
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Suzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14568049828683112515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-449003089214061545.post-18888676322499829842014-10-27T14:31:00.000-06:002014-11-11T19:13:02.205-07:00Artist and Muse.....Muse: a woman, or a force personified as a woman, who is the source of inspiration for a creative artist.<br />
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That is the dictionary's definition of a muse. <br />
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Throughout time there have been many famous artists, such as Pablo Picasso, Amadeo Modigliani, Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, and even Andrew Wyeth, who have made history with their muses. The most famous of muse and artist collaborations are probably the ones we read about that involve a romantic, or sexual involvement, because those are the hot blooded, fiery exchanges we all love to believe in, or fantasize about. <br />
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I believe that every artist has many muses throughout the course of their career. be they male or female. Being a female artist, my muses are also usually female. I don't paint men, but I am influenced by them, and they may be a source of inspiration, that I then incorporate into my paintings of women. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Icing Tips", (Amy cropped)</td></tr>
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I often ask for advice, or suggestions from the men in my life, and a painting coming to fruition sometimes comes not from anything tangible, but from something deep that inspires me. And if I am extremely lucky that inspiration will manifest itself through my use of paint on canvas, into a successful painting. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Dia de los Muertos", (Harmony cropped)</td></tr>
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I would even say that my dad was my muse for my "Dia de los Muertos" painting, because although my "physical" muse was my model Harmony, my dad's life (and death) was my inspiration for the painting. Harmony was able to personify the feeling into something meaningful that I could paint.<br />
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I feel each portrait or figure I paint is a self portrait of sorts, and I have been greatly influenced by my female models, and their effect on me. Each model brings something different to a photo shoot, and how they personally interpret my ideas. It is really incredible to work with the same model over the course of a few years, where we create a bond, and settle into an ease of working together, and become a team. I try to evoke the feeling out of my model, so she will look how I feel, or how I imagine, and want my painting to make people who view the painting to feel.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"When You Read My Mind", (Harmony cropped)</td></tr>
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A model does not always become a muse, but the few that I have felt were my muse, become much more to me than just a model. My first muse was my daughter, Leah, whom I have painted at least 20 times. Painting Leah drew my first attention from galleries, who were interested in my figurative work, and secured me a spot in my first gallery in San Francisco. Painting Harmony has enhanced my career, and Amy is now becoming my current muse, as I am painting my third painting of her as I write this.<br />
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When I was painting my daughter, (which I plan to do again soon) I would look for the moment when she was unaware of her expression, when her "guard" was down, and I could feel a deeper connection to her, and that is what I would photograph and paint.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_D_GuDvsNIY/VE6KgiiDfKI/AAAAAAAAD_A/c3IBq77kL9s/s1600/24.%2B%2BLeah%2B8%2Ca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_D_GuDvsNIY/VE6KgiiDfKI/AAAAAAAAD_A/c3IBq77kL9s/s1600/24.%2B%2BLeah%2B8%2Ca.jpg" height="552" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"If Only", (Leah cropped) </td></tr>
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Some of my work is light and humorous, but my favorite paintings are the ones where I can feel some emotion by looking at my model/muse's face. When I look at one of my paintings, it takes me back to what was happening in my life when the piece was painted, and the emotions I was feeling at the time....kind of like seeing an old photograph....<br />
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<br />Suzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14568049828683112515noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-449003089214061545.post-91534543705922050212014-10-15T15:54:00.002-06:002014-10-19T12:24:27.123-06:00Painting continues....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6QIsAprNeIA/VD7tbXSrlqI/AAAAAAAAD7c/xAWb-dcJvBM/s1600/246.%2BHarm%2Bgold_20141015_15790.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6QIsAprNeIA/VD7tbXSrlqI/AAAAAAAAD7c/xAWb-dcJvBM/s1600/246.%2BHarm%2Bgold_20141015_15790.JPG" height="640" width="422" /></a></div>
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After a wonderful vacation, and gallery opening in WY, (which I will post about soon) I am back in Albuquerque, painting. As I continue to explore this new surface, Ampersand's Gessobord, the struggle with the way the board accepts the paint is still confounding me....This surface needs quite a bit of paint, to move across the surface, and every single brushstroke I place, needs to be smoothed with a soft brush, or a fan brush.</div>
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I have to keep reminding myself that this is my first layer of paint, and in my "rush" to have the image look like what I am painting, it usually does take me (at least) two passes to complete a painting. <br />
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What I love about this surface is that the skin seems to look like skin, and the smoothness is beautiful! I will continue to push and pull the lights and darks, and am planning a wonderful background! Many hours of painting are ahead of me on this painting, but I will continue to post for those of you who are interested.....<br />
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Suzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14568049828683112515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-449003089214061545.post-48881994510474066952014-10-02T09:41:00.000-06:002014-10-02T12:43:58.611-06:00Painting.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am thankful every single day that my "job" is making art, and being able to paint whatever my heart desires! Yesterday, while starting a new painting, I was so immersed in the building of paint, and pushing and pulling the darks and lights, it seemed almost like sculpting with paint. I truly feel that watching the 2 dimensional surface become a 3 dimensional image is one of my greatest pleasures.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First day of painting on Gessobord</td></tr>
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Because I am still exploring different grounds, that may make the gold and silver leaf "better", I am painting on Gessobord, by Ampersand. I have painted on gessoed board before, but I would usually gesso the final layer with clear gesso because I found it had a little more tooth for the paint to grab onto. This gessobord (that's how they spell it) is very smooth and "slick", and it doesn't accept paint like canvas does. <br />
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I am not used to it, but there is an undeniable smoothness, that I forgot I liked. The paint feels like the texture of suede, with no weave of the canvas to deal with, but you have to be careful of the brushstrokes, and I remember having to leave the first layer of paint to dry, before you can get a "grip" with the second layer.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three of the same images....but different...(the big painting is covered with plastic)</td></tr>
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The image I am painting is one I have painted before, but this time I am cropping Harmony, and planning a different background. Having the finished painting in front of me to look at while I paint, has been kind of different......I never paint the exact same image the exact same way. In fact, as I look at the previous painting in progress, (on canvas) it is quite different. I am liking the one on canvas, so far, but to be sure, I will eventually get the new one to the same likeness. I would love to work on the face on the gessobord some more, but the paint is already tacky, and I know that I better not touch it until it is dry.....I will see if I can stay true to that today....lol I will continue to post photos of this painting as it progresses. (The eyes and mouth seem much better on the canvas image.)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canvas</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gessobord</td></tr>
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Painting is not always easy, and there is always something to be learned, but at the end of the day, making art is always, always an escape I can count on to take me where I want to go....<br />
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Suzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14568049828683112515noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-449003089214061545.post-7656000101881003952014-09-02T11:44:00.001-06:002015-05-21T08:58:59.696-06:00"Ice Queen"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NUUVNZXXV0I/VAX6bE4XvZI/AAAAAAAADlY/1JTb2wacfMk/s1600/1.%2B%2BIcing%2BTips%2C%2B24%2Bx%2B24%2C%2Boil%2Bwith%2Bsilver%2Bleaf.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="638" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NUUVNZXXV0I/VAX6bE4XvZI/AAAAAAAADlY/1JTb2wacfMk/s1600/1.%2B%2BIcing%2BTips%2C%2B24%2Bx%2B24%2C%2Boil%2Bwith%2Bsilver%2Bleaf.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I have been experimenting all summer with gold and silver leaf, and here is the first finished painting where I have incorporated both silver and gold leaf into the background (silver) and the small details (gold). Many people have thought the background is gold, due to the "golden glow" that is reflected in the silver. I have even noticed a kind of halo effect around her head.....that I love!<br />
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Also this summer I have been trying to keep true to myself, and come up with ideas for paintings that could become my one person show next year in San Francisco. There are so many influences out there, and while I want to be "culturally relevant", and "current", it is really difficult to paint for yourself, when you also need to please your gallery and sell some art.<br />
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Having said that, I finally reached my breaking point, by trying to please everyone, and moved forward with some ideas that have been percolating for years. I decided I need to paint my ideas when they hit me, and not wait for 3 years, and then the idea is not relevant any more, and already feels dated.....so I don't paint it.<br />
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The art world moves at a very fast pace, and I recently read: "an artist is always ahead of his time....until his work starts to sell". No one wants to paint to sell, but it is very scary to tread on new ground, and wonder what the world will think when you change direction a little. (Some people are still upset that I am painting figures and not still life.)<br />
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I think as an artist I already have a style that is my own, and as far as a "brand" goes, I would say I paint beautiful women in front of beautiful backgrounds.....maybe people can identify a "Suzy Smith" painting when they see one....I can only hope that is the case.<br />
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This painting; "Ice Queen" is with my new model: Amy, and I have many more paintings of her planned. The Crown she is wearing, I made with cake icing tips, because I thought they were a wonderful addition, that could be used in the future with some cake painting backgrounds. The "ruff" collar adds a little whimsy, and perhaps with the silver, brings a kind of "fantastical" element to the painting..<br />
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<br />Suzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14568049828683112515noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-449003089214061545.post-57157082808329294562014-07-14T15:40:00.002-06:002014-07-15T12:58:31.930-06:00"When You Read My Mind"While trying to decide what to paint for the Super Hero show, I started a painting in November, that I also demonstrated on, while lecturing at Casper College, in Casper, WY. The painting started simple, using a photo of my favorite model, because I love her face, and specifically this look!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RXuFSlG2w3s/U8RIYXBk1II/AAAAAAAADLA/l8FwH63tAss/s1600/180.+CC+painting_20131218_9974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RXuFSlG2w3s/U8RIYXBk1II/AAAAAAAADLA/l8FwH63tAss/s1600/180.+CC+painting_20131218_9974.JPG" height="640" width="422" /></a></div>
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Having said that, because I work by painting the figure first, and then adding the background, I had no idea of what my background would be. I asked the college students for ideas, but in the end, I decided to go with a background of Roy Lichtenstein's painting "Varoom", so while the painting did not say Super Hero, it did say "comic book", (to me) and could still be sent to my gallery for inclusion in the Super Hero Show....since I had not painted one super hero yet.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UR742j1n2Ws/UokjOrwK-sI/AAAAAAAACDY/AiaCCvUKyiA/s1600/1000749_10152060887404874_71426842_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UR742j1n2Ws/UokjOrwK-sI/AAAAAAAACDY/AiaCCvUKyiA/s1600/1000749_10152060887404874_71426842_n.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Demonstrating at Casper College</div>
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"When You Read My Mind"</div>
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I drew in the background, painted it, and then had to come up with a title. Titles can often times make or break a painting, so I put it out there on FB to get ideas. It was interesting to see what people thought, because of the explosion of words, and the facial expression. People suggested some song titles, and they wondered what she was thinking. Someone mentioned "Can You Read My Mind", by the Killers. I knew the song, so I listened to it over and over, and it reminded me of my model, and I thought it was a perfect fit for the painting.....although I changed it to "When You Read My Mind" from the line: "Stars are blazing like rebel diamonds cut out of the sun, when you read my mind." </div>
Suzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14568049828683112515noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-449003089214061545.post-28946223733652877232014-04-28T15:46:00.001-06:002014-06-07T08:23:04.072-06:00"Energize".....One more Wonder Woman painting!As the opening of the "Everybody Needs a Hero" approaches, (this Thursday, May 1 is the opening) I have just finished my latest Wonder Woman painting; "Energize"<br />
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I am trying to incorporate some "action" into my paintings so there is more of a "narrative". My last painting; "Double Espresso" had my model holding her Starbucks cup, and this time my model; Deserae, is holding a Red Bull while texting on her iPhone. Not much action I know, but it is more than I used to paint. In fact, Deserae looking down is something different for me as I almost always have my models looking directly at me, just because that is my preference.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NZ8KBiUa5YA/U16-BOFONVI/AAAAAAAACtE/p6Z89PS7N4M/s1600/1.++Energize,+oil,+30+x+24.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NZ8KBiUa5YA/U16-BOFONVI/AAAAAAAACtE/p6Z89PS7N4M/s1600/1.++Energize,+oil,+30+x+24.JPG" height="640" width="504" /></a></div>
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"Energize", oil, 30" x 24"</div>
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The background I chose is from a Red Bull poster. As I investigated Red Bull, the delicious energy drink, I was amazed at how many sports events Red Bull sponsors, and is involved in all around the world. They even went to the edge of space with a project called Stratos, and that is why I chose this background with the "space" motif. <br />
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Star Trek fans may be familiar with the term "energize", as it is what Kirk or even Piccard said when someone would be in the transporter to be "beamed" to another place (usually another planet) ....or "energized".<br />
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If you want to see these Super Hero paintings in person, please check them out at <a href="http://www.srca.com/">Scott Richards Contemporary Art</a> at 251 Post St. in San Francisco. It promises to be an amazing show with many talented artists!<br />
<br />Suzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14568049828683112515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-449003089214061545.post-40882489059676388002014-04-11T12:53:00.000-06:002014-05-05T16:47:45.078-06:00Wonder Woman!My gallery; <a href="http://www.srcart.com/">Scott Richards Contemporary Art,</a> in San Francisco is having a show called "Everybody Needs a Hero". The opening is May 1st., from 5:30 to 7;30. There are 8 to 10 other artists in the show, including Mel Ramos, and I am very happy and proud to be included in the show! <br />
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It took me quite awhile to decide what to paint, and since my favorite model, Harmony had just moved, I tried many different models, and different ideas before finding a new model; Deserae, who it turns out made the perfect Wonder Woman! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Double Espresso", 36" x 24", oil</td></tr>
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The day Deserae arrived, it was a beautiful sunny Sunday afternoon in January, and the neighborhood was a buzz with people enjoying the nice weather. Neighbors kept stopping by to visit, I'm sure wondering what a fully dressed Wonder Woman was doing in my front yard, with an array of props.... Then we heard the sound of little children yelling: "Wonder Woman, Wonder Woman!" <br />
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As it turns out, the three triplets that live around the corner were coming home from a birthday party with their two dads, and they were very excited to see Wonder Woman! As they asked her where her plane was, etc., I ran to find her golden lasso, to wrap around them. I could not believe the opportunity that presented itself! In the end, I did not paint these photos, (yet) but am planning on possibly another shoot with the cute little boys and Wonder Woman!<br />
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As for "Double Espresso", I had wanted to use the Starbucks iconic brand, but didn't know how I would do it. It has become so common to see everyone with a Starbucks cup in their hand, so this seemed the perfect fit. I thought it might be a little funny to see Wonder Woman with a "double espresso" in her hand, and it came to mind; while everybody needs a hero, even a Super Hero needs a boost every now and then!<br />
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"Double Espresso", (closeup)</div>
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Suzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14568049828683112515noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-449003089214061545.post-48938311683484113882014-01-28T10:01:00.001-07:002014-06-07T08:23:36.389-06:00"Bottoms Up"It has been quite awhile since I posted a brand new painting....I have so many in progress, that I go back and forth between paintings, depending on drying times etc. <br />
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This painting; "Bottoms Up", came about in a rather funny way..... I had my model over for a shoot, and we were taking all kinds of photos, inside and outside. I had her posing with a pie, strategically placed in front of her, with her wearing only high heels, and we thought it was pretty clever, and funny! Well, as she was posing, she accidentally dropped the pie. She apologized, and wanted to clean it up, but the pie landed so "perfectly", I said, "don't worry about it, let's just go with it."<br />
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We added the "waitress" attire, and she knelt down to clean up the pie....keeping in mind a kind of 50's/60's pin up, or Gil Elvgren kind of "mood". Hence the look on her face. With encouragement from my new gallery: <a href="http://www.srcart.com/">Scott Richards Contemporary Art</a>, I painted the image, but was still not sure what the background would be. <br />
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After thinking and searching for the perfect background, and thinking pies and cakes, I went to a rather well known store, and saw the perfect background! And it even had the words Made Right.....which also went well with the maid outfit. And that is how this painting came to be.<br />
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I feel like I have just started to scratch the surface of something new and exciting in my work, and am looking forward to exploring this new direction! Now onto painting Super Heroines, for the Super Hero show at my gallery in April.....Suzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14568049828683112515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-449003089214061545.post-41704023351797458792013-12-31T14:59:00.001-07:002015-09-13T15:27:22.274-06:00"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times".My review of 2013 reminds me of that quote from Charles Dickens. 2013 was indeed some of the best of times, as well as some of the worst of times in my life. If you happen to follow this blog, you know that my father passed away last year, but my career has been on an uphill swing.<br />
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Last January my whole family celebrated my mom's 80th birthday in Vail, CO , because she wanted to ski for her birthday. It was a truly wonderful trip. My brothers, sister and my mom and dad were all there. It was a memorable trip, made all the more special because it was the last time we would all be together.<br />
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My dad passed away in March, so the next time we were all together in WY, we were saying goodbye. Oh the memories we all shared.....my dad lived a wonderful, happy life! I miss him everyday!<br />
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When an event like that happens in your life, you tend to regroup. At least that is what I did. I was lucky to be included in ArtMrkt San Francisco, at the Modernism booth in May, but an opportunity to change galleries presented itself, and I am now represented by Scott Richards Contemporary Art, and Tangent, both in San Francisco. It has been great to have my work hanging, and selling!<br />
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Then in November, I had an opening at The Nicolaysen Art Museum in Casper, WY, my hometown, for a retrospective show. My time spent returning to Casper, including the opening, was truly an amazing experience, and I will always treasure those memories! The people I have met, and the people I grew up with, have been so supportive of me and my career....I can only say that I am deeply touched. I love my hometown! I can't help but think my dad is smiling down on all of us!<br />
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As I leave 2013 behind, I feel like I am on the cusp of something wonderful! My work is evolving in ways that I am very excited about. I am saving my newest work to post soon....and look forward to a group show my work is included in, at Scott Richards Contemporary Art in San Francisco, this April, featuring Super Heroes! <br />
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Happy New Year to everyone who follows this blog, and to all the people that support me and my work. Facebook friends have been a wonderful resource, and thank you to all the artists and photographers who inspire me with their amazing work! Also I would like to thank my models, especially Harmony, who much of my best work would not be possible if not for her!<br />
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"Dia de los Muertos" is now in the permanent collection of the Nicolaysen Art Museum in Casper, WYSuzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14568049828683112515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-449003089214061545.post-52534175001746267662013-11-17T13:18:00.000-07:002013-11-17T13:18:34.076-07:00Nicolaysen Art Museum OpeningNov. 8th was the opening of my "retrospective" show at the Nicolaysen Art Museum in Casper, WY; my hometown! The two other shows in the museum also featured WY artists, and the museum was packed. I was told they had 350 people in attendance!<br />
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When my husband and I arrived in Casper, the first place we stopped was The Nic! The show had already been up a month, and although I was assured by my mother and mother in law, that it looked great, I wanted to make sure that every painting was looking as it should. (In particular, I had just liquined the background of "Dia de los Muertos", before loading it onto a large truck to travel to the west coast, the northwest coast, and then down to WY. I wasn't 100% sure if the painting had fared well on the trip.) All was well when we arrived, so we started taking photos.</div>
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The next day, I gave a lecture and demonstration at Casper College, (where I went to school to learn to draw), and I think it went really well! The school is still pretty small, but the turnout was good. I had asked the painting and drawing instructor; Justin Hayward, if I could speak to his students, because I thought I could teach them something. Especially about my experience with galleries, and "thinking out of the box", throughout my career. Of course he was delighted, and asked if I would also demonstrate, so I did. (Above is the painting I demonstrated on, another Harmony, of course.)Justin is a great painter, and the students really seem to like him. I told them they were lucky to be at Casper College where they were actually learning to draw and paint, just as I had, from such an excellent painter!</div>
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Friday night was the opening, and once we arrived, it was a blurr of activity. The museum was already crowded, and the curator: Eric Wimmer, did an excellent job of hanging all three shows! Eric is another wonderful addition to Casper, WY, and the art community! He is himself an accomplished artist, working in many different media. His paintings are incredible, and I am really drawn to his photographs, as they are truly something special! His excitement for everything he does, and for the community is really a pleasure to witness! He grew up in New Mexico, and is responsible for encouraging me to finish my "Dia de los Muertos" painting, when I was struggling with it. One of my favorite things I heard on this trip was when Eric was watching me paint, he said; "It's interesting the way you paint, starting with the figure....(and not the background), you can tell you were not academically trained." I loved this, because it is so true, having mostly taught myself to paint, and going from watercolor to oil.....it seems I paint backwards....but it somehow works for me.</div>
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The whole trip could not have been more enjoyable! To go back to my hometown, and see so many friends and relatives who have supported me throughout my life and career, as well as to meet so many new people and young artists, is something I will always treasure! Of course I wish my father could have been there, but I know he was in spirit. I was so happy my mother, and mother in law were there, but in our flurry of activity, we forgot to take a photo of my mom and me together....</div>
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Suzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14568049828683112515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-449003089214061545.post-66734563826504604082013-10-06T16:36:00.001-06:002014-05-14T13:38:20.624-06:00Suzy Smith returns home with new exhibit at the Nicolaysen Art Museum<a href="http://trib.com/weekender/art/suzy-smith-returns-home-with-new-exhibit-at-the-nicolaysen/article_b58cd729-520a-59ee-96d5-fd99564567f4.html#.UlHloOK44DN.blogger">Suzy Smith returns home with new exhibit at the Nicolaysen Art Museum</a><br />
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Here is a link to the article of my exhibition at the Nicolaysen Art Museum, in Casper, WY, in the Casper Star Tribune. I have added a few more photos of some of the paintings in the show.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"In the Sunlight", oil, 11" x 17"</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"White Cattleya Orchids", oil, 24" x 30"<br />
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"Gumballs with a Prize", oil, 24" x 24"</div>
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Suzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14568049828683112515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-449003089214061545.post-43216667215761050902013-08-21T13:32:00.001-06:002013-09-08T21:57:28.268-06:00Dia de los Muertos!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is just a quick preview of the painting I am currently trying to finish. (It is hard to photograph because of the light face, and dark background, as well as the shine.) I started this painting after my dad passed away, because I have always wanted to paint a "Day of the Dead" painting, and it seemed like the time was right.<br />
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This Mexican tradition is a beautiful way to remember loved ones who have died. It is associated with Halloween (in the United States), and All Saints or All Souls Day, in Mexico, and around the world. It is also celebrated as a holy day in the Catholic church.<br />
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The beauty of the holiday is that family and friends gather to pray for, and remember those who have died. Traditions include building private altars honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed, and visiting graves with these as gifts.<br />
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The intent is to encourage visits by the souls, so the souls will hear the prayers and comments of the living directed to them. Orange Mexican Marigolds are the flowers most often used in the celebration, as they are believed to attract souls of the dead to the offerings. <br />
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Because I live in New Mexico, the tradition is alive and well, and I am fascinated by it! Two years ago my model Harmony, dressed up in appropriate makeup and dress, and we went to the Dia de los Muertos parade in Albuquerque.<br />
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I would say close to half of the people at the parade were dressed in Day of the Dead costumes, and although the parade was not exactly what I had hoped it to be, we had a good time. Perhaps I will attend the celebration this year, as I now have a close experience with death. I am trying to learn to celebrate my dad's life, as I still muddle through the grief of losing him.</div>
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"Dia de los Muertos"</div>
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Suzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14568049828683112515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-449003089214061545.post-55442162713634489332013-08-20T08:43:00.000-06:002014-06-04T11:49:30.654-06:00After the Photo Shoot!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My model of the last three years was in town for the first time since she left, and we had a great photo shoot! These photos were taken after the shoot....<br />
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<br />Suzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14568049828683112515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-449003089214061545.post-87627876226650690012013-07-29T11:52:00.000-06:002013-07-29T11:52:41.940-06:00Artist Statement.....Writing an Artist's Statement is always a daunting task, and I have written variations of it many times, as my work is continuously evolving. It is hard to condense all that you want to say, and all that has gone into a body of work, or a lifetime of painting into a few paragraphs, but having said that, here is my latest artist statement:<br />
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<em>The girl next door, the playmate, and even photographs of women in Vogue magazine, are the images I grew up with in the late 60's and early 70's. They had a huge influence on me, and what I paint today. When I choose a model, she has to have that girl next door quality that we have all known (or been) to make the best subject, and hence the best paintings. When I photograph my model is when the creativity really takes place, and if we are lucky, working as a team, it becomes almost magical. When I see "it", the "perfect" fleeting moment, I know it, and hopefully capture it on film, which is later translated into oil on canvas.</em><br />
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<em>My current work focuses on the idealized female nude in front of an iconic artwork, which allows me to not only pay homage to my favorite artists, but to paint in different styles, contrasting figures with background. It may be that the background is painted with thick paint that allows for a difference in textures, or it may be that a complex, or organic design adds to the sensuality or spirituality of the painting. The women I paint are truly the girls next door, but have come a long way since the 60's, and I find their strength and beauty to be a product of our uniquely American culture.<a href="http://www.suzysmithart.com/" target="_blank">www.suzysmithart.com</a></em>Suzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14568049828683112515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-449003089214061545.post-67921759777706117702013-07-27T12:34:00.001-06:002013-07-27T12:34:13.790-06:00Scott Richards Contemporary Art.....new gallery representation.My art work is now being represented by Scott Richards Contemporary Art in San Francisco. It all happened very suddenly, but I am so happy to have my art seen in both of Scott's galleries: Tangent, which is located just off Union Square (street level) at 373 Geary Street, as well as his main location at 251 Post Street. <br />
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I have been going to the galleries at 251 Post Street since I lived in the Bay, 17 years ago, and Scott's galleries definitely do not disappoint! He and his amazing, and friendly staff show contemporary art by many incredible artists, and I am excited to be a part of it!<br />
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"Laura with Narcissa's Last Orchid", oil, 24" x 18", by Suzy Smith<br />
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As an artist, people often ask me if I didn't sell my work would I still paint....and of course the answer would be a resounding YES! It is always an interesting question to me, because there is nothing I would rather do than paint and create....not saying it is always easy, but to me, part of the act of creating is to share your vision with other people. Sometimes your work is not liked, or people don't understand why you are painting it, and I learned very early on, you need a thick skin sometimes to be in this business. And make no mistake.....it is not only a creative endeavor, but it is a business. That is why I am so excited to have my work actually hung and seen!! Now as far as selling......I would still paint without sales, but selling the work becomes the final act of validation! It is a bonus of creating to get a nice check in the mail....<br />
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"Reverie", oil, 40" x 30, by Suzy SmithSuzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14568049828683112515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-449003089214061545.post-80052821754541521302013-05-23T08:18:00.000-06:002013-06-04T14:37:44.574-06:00art MRKT San FranciscoLast weekend was artMRKT San Francisco, held in an old warehouse in Fort Mason. 16 years ago I lived in Fairfield, CA, a 45 minute drive from San Francisco...half way to Sacramento, so I always love returning to the Bay!<br />
Driving into the city is always a thrill for me....maybe because I am from a small town in WY, but I love the sights of the city crossing the Bay Bridge! What a view! What a city!<br />
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The opening was Thursday night, and after a day of walking in San Francisco, in what I thought were comfortable shoes...but they weren't, I was looking forward to going from door to door as our taxi picked us up at the Union Square Marriott, and dropped us off at the art market.......well, he dropped us off all right, about 5 blocks from the actual building. The wind was blowing, and it was cold, but eventually we made it to the event.<br />
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Shane and me at artMRKT San Francisco</div>
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We met up with my niece Mackenzie, and her friend Stephanie, and headed in to the fair. There was a lot of incredible art, and after we got a glass of wine, we headed for the Modernism booth. There were many beautiful distractions along the way, and many amazing galleries from around the country represented, but we eventually made it to Modernism. Martin Muller (Modernism's owner, and prestigious dealer) was there, along with Danielle and David. There was a Mel Ramos hanging as you walked into the booth, with an incredible Gottfried Helnwein as the main attraction. Then I saw my painting on a side wall....it was small, but to be hung along side the other Modernism artists was an amazing feat for me!</div>
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Martin Muller and me</div>
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I felt like the event was a success, so we left happy, after going through almost every gallery, and went to Lori's Diner for a late night meal.</div>
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The next day we went to some of my other favorite galleries on Post Street and Geary, and saw some more incredible art, by some of my favorite artists! </div>
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A perfectly beautiful afternoon of clear skies, wine and cheese, and I'm sure, some of the most beautiful views of San Francisco, the city has to offer, followed. From Alcatraz to the Golden Gate Bridge, sitting high above the city, we enjoyed the perfect setting, and talked about art. I don't think life gets much better!</div>
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Suzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14568049828683112515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-449003089214061545.post-9319244846361404482013-05-06T14:59:00.000-06:002013-05-07T10:01:22.952-06:00Back to painting!Since returning from my father's funeral, I have started 4 paintings, and not finished one....yet. They will be finished, but are each in various drying stages. I have begun painting a "Circus" series, which promises to be interesting and exhilarating! Until then here is a glimpse at a painting that is close to being finished.....no name yet.....will probably work on the hair some more...it didn't photograph too well.<br />
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Suzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14568049828683112515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-449003089214061545.post-40854829194610156592013-04-14T12:21:00.000-06:002013-04-15T11:30:00.539-06:00My dad....Because this blog recounts not only my life in art, but my life as a person in the world, I wanted to write about my dad; David McGonigle Lockhart, who passed away one month ago today.<br />
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My dad was a large part of who I am today, and the hardest part of losing him, is that as a daughter, I knew he always had my back, and now he is not there. (I do believe he still has my back, but in a different way.) <br />
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My dad lived a good life! He was a proud American Veteran, of the Korean War, (a pilot) and loved his country and his family. Growing up, he was always there, teaching us (5 kids) to swim, ski, fish, camp and hunt.<br />
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We spent our summers at the Country Club, or playing down at the creek that ran though our backyard. In the winters we skied every weekend, and when we were in high school, my sister, Cary, brother David, and I started to ski race. My dad drove us all over WY and MT, to ski races, and he was our coach. He even let us go out with our friends while he waxed our skis. We won many races, and those are some of my fondest memories.<br />
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My dad always had a camera, or more likely a movie camera, so today looking at those movies brings back the feeling of an age and innocence long lost.<br />
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As far as my art goes, my dad was also a wonderful artist, who taught me a little how to draw, (even if it was in coloring books) but mostly he just brought me home "art supplies". These supplies included onion paper that I used as tracing paper, and brand new crayons and pencils. My mom would also take out the cardboard backing behind his freshly laundered shirts, for me to use for my drawings.<br />
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My dad was a beautiful wood sculptor. He carved ducks out of balsa wood, that soar in mid flight with a grace and beauty true to the bird. He spent many hours in his workroom, with a glass of Scotch, carving and painting.<br />
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Perhaps more than anything, my dad instilled in all of his children, to believe in yourself, and know that you can do anything you set your mind to.<br />
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It is a hard thing to lose a parent, but I am so lucky to have known my dad for 56 years. Of course I cannot relate a whole life in a few paragraphs, a life is so much more, but I felt like I should at least write something on this blog, before I move forward with my life and painting.<br />
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I miss you dad, and think of you every day. Thanks for everything you gave me...I love you.Suzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14568049828683112515noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-449003089214061545.post-51679786464453948992013-03-01T15:10:00.000-07:002014-06-04T11:29:43.813-06:00Portraits...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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"Bohemian Rhapsodies" </div>
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"Sara" </div>
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As I continue to finish paintings that have been in the works for awhile, here are two more that are close to being finished. I still may refine the hair, especially in Sara, but overall they seem finished. I am still considering titles for the "Art Nouveau" painting, and I still can't decide whether or not to add a black velvet choker...which she was wearing when I took the photo. Any suggestions?Suzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14568049828683112515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-449003089214061545.post-13585612074339825722013-02-26T09:45:00.006-07:002013-02-26T12:29:38.615-07:00More Cakes!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have noticed, looking through my blog, that I have posted many photos of this painting in progress, but here is the final finished painting. I have made a few revisions, and I think I am happy with it now. <br />
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