Sue’s Art Gallery

As my 72nd birthday approached, I was looking for something to make this year new, different and exciting. I had never had the time to paint, but always wished I could. I decided to attend a neighborhood painting workshop and got up the courage to give it a try. In less than a month, I have created 9 paintings. Not too bad for an old-timer. I find it relaxing and fun. I feel my skills are improving, but know I still have a long way to go.

My first session was my introduction to watercolors. As everyone had attended many prior sessions, there was no real instruction. I asked questions and followed my instincts. This boat picture, the topic of the evening, was my very first watercolor painting. I wasn’t too pleased with the results, until I added the lighthouse and birds. I rated it at a third grade level. Still, I know there’s lots of room for improvement.

After deciding I’d like to continue and give this another try, I went and purchased paints, brushes, and canvases, etc. (My birthday present to me.) I wanted to create something different, and moved on to flowers. Here’s my second watercolor, done at home, prior to my second session – Sunflowers. I was happier, but still not thrilled, with this one.

The topic of my second session was poppies. This time we were using acrylic paint. I did most at the workshop, and then finished at home. It seems like I have an attention span of about an hour. Then, I tire and have to take a break. The next morning, I finished it. This one I do like.

Again, with the workshop over, I decided to try other things, using acrylics, on my own. While friends and relatives on the eastcoast were suffering with record snowfalls and cold temps, we, in Las Vegas, had an early spring. The weather was warm and beautiful. The blooming trees and flowers were inspirational. Spring tulips and daffodils came to mind, as did my most impressionistic rose.

The third workshop featured tulips. This was a challenge because I wanted to show an open flower. My first attempt was not acceptable to me. Again, I worked for about an hour, and stopped. (not a good pattern) I knew what I wanted to do, but wasn’t sure why it wasn’t working. My closed tulips were satisfactory. After a good night’s sleep, I realized that my shading on the open flower had been all wrong. I painted over it, as much as possible, and began anew. While the finished product isn’t perfect, far from it, it’s much better than what it was. I went on to try my next painting – Daisies. I still have a lot to learn, but feel better about what I have accomplished.

Our next workshop won’t be until April. I had the urge to try something different. I had no idea about how to go about this task. I wanted to paint a picture of our house in Canaan, NY. Jeff and I talk about how we miss it, especially in the Las Vegas summer heat, and the wonderful times we had there. I found a picture, made a sketch, and just began to paint. It was like I was possessed. I started in the middle, and worked my way around to the bottom and then the top. Finally, I added the house. The house we actually built. The house of love, family reunions, friends, skiing, and Tanglewood concerts. Ah, such warm memories!

All of the above paintings have been framed. They look better than I thought they would. I will be hanging them in my office/den. I don’t know what my next painting will be, but I do know there will be more. I just have to wait until something triggers an inspiration.

I guess I have shown, “You can teach an old dog new tricks.”

What a week. In addition to having a doctor’s appointment, 2 ballgames, 2 luncheon dates, a painting class, etc., I found a burning desire to get the paints out and create some new “works of art,” which I proudly share with you. I think I’m getting better, but you can be the judge of that. Regardless, I’m enjoying my new hobby, and still don’t know what I’ll do with all the completed and framed “masterpieces,” and really don’t care.

6/2/15 Back in class and working with watercolors, once again. I was attempting to create a nondescript, flowing background for what should be orchids. I liked the background, but the orchids…well, they’re flowers. I have a hard time with the control of watercolors.

6/3/15 At home, still in a painting mood, I was sitting on my patio, enjoying the beautiful day and looking at the flowers blowing in the breeze. I don’t know the name of the plant, but I have two. One has pink flowers, the other orange. I wanted to create a picture of the flowers, but didn’t want to put in the blockwall background. I finally allowed my imagination to take over and created a scene that I would prefer to look at. My wall has become an open space with mountains in the distance.

6/4/15 Ah, the creative juices were flowing once more when Rhonda sent a photo taken from her mother’s hospital room in Trukee, NV. What a beautiful, serene scene. Couldn’t help but give that a try. The sky’s done with watercolors. The trees with acrylic. I’m pleased with the results.

6/7/15 A friend from New York has decided to sell her house, and like many before her, will be moving to Florida. She has over 40 years of memories with that house, many of which I have shared. It’s tough being alone and packing up what will be taken to the new home, vs. deciding what to leave, sell, donate, etc. Memories will last forever, but the house will be gone, belong to someone else who will make it their own. I decided to create this painting as an everlasting reminder of this special house. When the doors to it will close for the last time, new doors will open, and a new journey will begin. This is my present for her.

6/13/15 I don’t know why I felt the need to add to a painting I completed 10 days ago. (see 6/3/15) Jeff asked where this was, and I had to admit that the plants are in my patio, but the background is what I’d rather be looking at, instead of the blockwall really there. Being this my painting, I am free to be creative and see things as I wish they’d be. What a cool picture book selection this would be. Maybe I’ll have to think about writing and illustrating a children’s book. Hmmmm.

5/26/15 Jeff commissioned a painting.. A simple baseball field with 2 rainbows and a scoreboard showing the Carter’s Red Sox Championship win. He’s so proud! A day they’ll always remember! I call it “Believe!” My pay: 20 containers of yogurt. The picture is already hanging in his den and I have been paid in full…maybe.