Orchid Dance

Orchid Dance 
12x16 Oil on canvas board

I feel for my homies in New England who can't even get out of their houses for the mountains of snow that are piling up there. There's a limit to one's patience in the face of needing to get to work or even just out and about. Most streets are now only wide enough for one car, including in my little beach neighborhood. Snow is so high you can't see around corners and driving is dangerous. Stay safe and warm is all I can offer.

Meanwhile, my classes at Von Liebig have been well attended and my 'girls' are coming to my home studio once a week to paint! 

I wanted to step out of the box and do a larger painting with a more complicated subject and so I set up my orchids. This is on a 12x16 canvas panel and I did a drawing first, trying for accuracy and taking my time. It took quite a while and I'm not completely satisfied with the result but I don't hate it either. There are areas where I need to do more on the flowers and I lost some freshness in the greens (put it down and leave it). I'll go at it again after it dries some and then do another with maybe just one orchid. It's all about practice. I really enjoyed it, which is the point.

drawing

initially I had more leaves (another plant) 

behind the left hand flower, but they didn't work so I eliminated them in the end. I also may rethink that permanent rose background. It may have been working against me.

my setup

Painting at the Von Liebig

#14 Oranges on Blue Ground

5x5 oil on board

10 intrepid painters joined me for my second class at Von Liebig Art Center. I am always amazed at how well my students handle the exercises that I give them. I'll let my demo stand in for my 30 Paintings in 30 Days.
Here's one painting from a student who hasn't painted in years and wanted to break out of her artist's block. She did!

Student, Sue Riger "Teapot"

Cleaning the Catch on Naples Pier

"Cleaning the Catch" 18x24 oil on canvas

Our hot summer rolls on here by the sea. I wish I could say that I'm accomplishing lots of things, but mostly I'm just getting a few home  and yard improvements taken care of and reading on the beach or in my air conditioned rooms. 

This 18"x24" scene of people cleaning fish on Naples Pier is on stretched canvas and was painted for the Faculty show at Von Liebig Art Center in Naples. It goes up October 20th through November 24th. Preview party is Friday night, October 19th.

What are you reading?

Strawberries Revolt

4x4 oil on board $100 plus S&H

I did this second painting on Monday and these strawberries just wouldn't cooperate. I tried to get a great composition with them but they just fell into 'line' like a bunch of pre-schoolers going out for recess. I paid them back by eating them ;)

Von Liebig Center for the Arts

Susan Romanot and Instructor Mary Sheehan Winn
at Von Liebig Center for the Arts in  Naples, Florida

I've so enjoyed teaching here in Naples this season and each group of students has surprised me with their ability to go from-dare I say- fear?.. trepidation?.. to a painting in which they achieved more than they dared think they might. 
They all 'got it' and that has been the Holy Grail of my experience with these fabulous artists who are hungry to express themselves through their brushes as I always have been. I feel their journey and actually get goosebumps when I see their AHA moment.
This was my final class of the season at the Von Liebig Center for the Arts here in Naples and Susan's joy in seeing what she could do with paint was so exciting.
Here is our Face Book 'moment', posted by Callie Spilane, Director of Education at the Von Liebig. I'll see you next season. Same time, same place.

3rd Street South Impatiens Study 6x8

SOLD

The Subject

My setup

Thursday is Naples Outdoor Painters day. I've met some nice people. Lotsa Massachusetts gals here. Snowbirds. Today's location was right in the heart of Third Street South and I crammed myself into a corner by a busy restaurant to tackle this complex scene. Usually I avoid locations like this. Too busy. Can't focus or concentrate. This time I was with one other sistah friend who set up near me. We both went to work and the time just flew by. No one was overly chatty and despite the fact that delivery trucks were passing 5 feet from my knees I was really in the zone. That doesn't mean that the painting is exactly what I hoped for but, I finished it. I'd like to try this again a bit larger using this reference. It's way overworked but today was mile stone for me in plein air painting. For those of you who know me well, notice my car is right next to me. You know that's all that really matters ;)