Open Studios
October? Already???
Oh my sweetums, I have been neglecting you. Truly I have. After thirty new paintings in thirty days, being a complete creative overachiever I went cold turkey on the blog.
But I had a good excuse, had to get ready for Open Studios.
This year I took full advantage of the studio patio, setting up a display outside
So I could free up the inside for painting demos. Lots of painting demos. That’s why the table’s a mess, ’cause I was working. Making art.
I’ve been doing Open Studios for a few years now and I think this was my BEST one. Had a decent turnout, great people, lots of good feedback and some solid sales.
Most of all, I had FUN! OMG, yes!!! So much fun talking with people, answering questions, demonstrating techniques. Open Studios feeds me–and no, Im not referring to the Halloween candy and oranges you see up above (although that too). It feeds me in that feels-good-spot in my creative soul.
Note to self: Remember this next year. Pluh-eeze. Especially the month before when you’re pulling out your hair and going batshit crazy and wondering why the hell you’re doing this again.
Ahhh… so yes, two weekends of positive social interaction. And painting. And money in the bank. All good stuff. And now I’m back to making more art. Here’s what I finished today.
The Garden, Late Afternoon.
Mixed Media on Canvas 24″x24″
2014 Susan Lobb Porter
This started life as one of the 30/30 paintings, day 16. It was an ok painting and then I had this brilliant idea to glaze the lower half. But I used the wrong medium. Or maybe it was the wrong brush. It ended up looking like crap. So for one of the demos I threw on some gesso and tissue and began something totally different than what you see up there. No problem, it’s all about layers, right? Yesterday I pulled it out again and did a fairly representational view of my garden. And then, just when I finished last night, I stepped back, looked at it and said, “Ummm…no…”
Because I’m all about simplifying the image these days.
Before I could change my mind I grabbed a tube of Cadmium Yellow Medium and squeezed a big fat line of it it right onto the canvas. Then I took a squeegee and started moving it around. Made myself all kinds of happy. Finished it up today.
And Tuesday it’s going to the gallery.
Umm…life is good!
Until next week–
