AIS and AWA Acceptance

Two more OMG - er, exciting - moments to share with you all:

Chokecherry Farm, oil on linen, 12" x 18" ©2011
Accepted into the 2011 American Impressionist Society Show
to be held at Mountainsong Galleries in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
October 21 through November 15, 2011

AND

"Summer Storm Coming", oil on linen, 12" x 18" ©2011
Accepted into the 2011 American Women Artists National Show
October 14 through November 3, 2011
Huff Harrington Fine Art, Atlanta, GA

New Work in my Etsy Store

"Down", oil on linen panel, 11" x 14"
©2011 sfsmith

I have recently reopened my Etsy Store
Paintings From the Oregon Outback by Smithart

This painting is offered for sale as well as a few plein air studies and larger work. I will be adding items over the next few weeks so I hope you stop by and see what's available.

Here is an excerpt from my profile information:

I am constantly evolving and pushing my work to the highest artistic standards in order to offer you, my clients, the best possible original fine art at an affordable value. Let your walls reflect your personality, or the environment you find most energizing. Art is fabulous for doing that - whether you're looking for color and design elements or a sublime distraction from the pressures of your hectic life - art can help you create the environment you want in your home or office.

My goal with this Etsy shop is to create one-of-a-kind small paintings that make fine art accessible and affordable. If all goes well, I will experiment with larger framed pieces. All work is finished with a UV protective varnish and (at this time) ready to frame - you have complete control over framing design and costs. Future plans include offering frames on the site but we're doing baby steps here. Anyway, I hope you stop by, click like or favorite and maybe fall in love with something special.

In The Deep Woods

In The Deep Woods, 24" x 24" oil on 2.5 deep canvas
©2011 Sue Favinger Smith

My goal with the last few paintings has been to paint more abstractly and concentrate on the quality of the marks and textures. I love working on these deep 2.5 inch canvases, because they allow me to "finish" the deep edge with a technique that uses bronze leaf applied in small pieces. I then rub on a thin coating of burnt umber, wiping off the excess so the texture of the applied leaf is preserved. This is then finished with a coating of galkyd. It creates a beautiful contemporary complement to the painting, allowing it to be finished without requiring a frame.

To achieve a more abstract approach I've had to really push myself to "erase" many aspects of the representational underpainting. This process can involve a lot of squinting, scraping back, scrubbing on, and wiping with a paper towel. There are times I realize I must "erase" my favorite passages to improve the overall effect - which is best done quickly, ruthlessly and without second thoughts. Just do it, then step back and breath a sigh of relief when you see that the painting is closer to the desired end result.

These more abstract paintings do have layers of color that are not picked up by the camera. My goal is to create a painting that first captures your imagination from a distance, then slowly draws you closer in as you visually explore the subtle colors, textures and suggestions hidden in the painted surface. I feel my work is slowly coming back toward the abstract expressionist foundations of my education, but while I will always enjoy non-representational work I think that my own path has led me toward a blending of an abstract contemporary approach to a representational exploration of the landscape.

Creek, Early Snow - Accepted into NOAPs "Best of America" Exhibit

Creek, Early Snow 16 x 20, oil on linen

I am very pleased to announce that the above painting, Creek, Early Snow, was accepted into the 2011 National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society's "Best of America" national juried exhibit, to be held at Dunnegan Gallery of Art in Bolivar, Mo. Opening is Sunday, September 11, 2011. Exhibit continues through October 28, 2011.

Out of over 600 paintings, 82 were selected for this exhibition. I am honored to have my painting, Creek, Early Snow, included.