2015...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.

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....

My year started with Super Hero paintings, and I am happy to say that they all sold!  Thank you Scott Richards Contemporary Art!



"When You Read My Mind", oil, 24" x 24"

"Double Espresso", oil, 30" x 24"



"Energize", oil, 30" x 24"
 

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'!



My son Shane, taking a photo outside the gallery.
 

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.

"Ice Queen" or "Icing Queen"  haven't decided yet...going to framer next week. Oil with silver and gold leaf, 24" x 24"

"Full Bloom", mixed media with silver leaf

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.

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",



"Liberty", oil, 36" x 24"

 but closed the year by going back to my favorite: Pop Art by Wayne Thiebaud......"Let Them Eat Cake"



"Let Them Eat Cake", oil 36" x 24"
 

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!

"Bottoms Up!", 24" x 30"

Artist and Muse.....

Muse: a woman, or a force personified as a woman, who is the source of inspiration for a creative artist.

That is the dictionary's definition of a muse. 

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.  

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. 

"Icing Tips", (Amy cropped)

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.

"Dia de los Muertos", (Harmony cropped)

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.

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.

"When You Read My Mind", (Harmony cropped)

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.

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.

"If Only", (Leah cropped)

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....

Painting continues....

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.

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. 

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.....

 

Painting.....

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.

First day of painting on Gessobord

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. 

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.

Three of the same images....but different...(the big painting is covered with plastic)

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.)


Canvas

Gessobord

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....



"Ice Queen"

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!

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.

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.

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.)

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.

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..

"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!

 

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.

 

Demonstrating at Casper College

 

 

"When You Read My Mind"

 

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." 

"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"

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.

 

"Energize", oil, 30" x 24"

 

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.

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".

If you want to see these Super Hero paintings in person, please check them out at Scott Richards Contemporary Art at 251 Post St. in San Francisco.  It promises to be an amazing show with many talented artists!

Wonder Woman!

My gallery; Scott Richards Contemporary Art, 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!

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! 

"Double Espresso", 36" x 24", oil

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!" 

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!


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!




"Double Espresso", (closeup)



"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. 

 

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."

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: Scott Richards Contemporary Art, I painted the image, but was still not sure what the background would be. 

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.

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.....

"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.

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.

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!

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!

"Frosting"  SOLD

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!

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! 

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!

 

"Dia de los Muertos" is now in the permanent collection of the Nicolaysen Art Museum in Casper, WY

Nicolaysen Art Museum Opening

Nov. 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!

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.

 

 

 

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!

 

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.

 

 

 

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....

 

 

 

 

 

Suzy Smith returns home with new exhibit at the Nicolaysen Art Museum

Suzy Smith returns home with new exhibit at the Nicolaysen Art Museum

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.

 

"In the Sunlight", oil, 11" x 17"

"White Cattleya Orchids", oil, 24" x 30"
 

 

 

"Gumballs with a Prize", oil, 24" x 24"

Dia de los Muertos!

 

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.

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.

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.

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.



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.

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.

 

"Dia de los Muertos"



After the Photo Shoot!

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....

Artist 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:

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.

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.www.suzysmithart.com