Lodgepole Pines

Lodgepole Pines, 12" x 16", oil, © 2011 sfsmith

Lodgepole Pines are also known as Tamarack Pines or Sierra Lodgepole Pines. In our forests they are generally tall, thin, and fire adapted - which means that they need fire to regenerate. This makes them a mixed blessing - they grow in dense stands, and thin out naturally, leaving a lot of dry wood on the ground, while their tall crowns allow fire to move quickly from tree to tree. But they also regenerate quickly in the burn area, providing habitat and preventing soil erosion. The Lodgepole Pine is named for the common use by Native Americans in the construction of their lodges. Strong, naturally straight and light weight, many tribes traveled long distances to the mountainous areas where they could obtain the wood.

What draws me to this type of subject has always been the conceptual space that exists between and around the objects in the landscape. I often define this space - and the energies that exist there - by the way the light moves through and around the natural features, such as the tree trunks.

I know that I am painting spaces that I want to explore, to discover something that is hovering just beyond my reach that I sense, but can't see. In that regard my paintings are often contemplative. I hope that if you relate to them, you will return again and again to discover something new.

Re-Exploration of the Ancient Walls Series

Ancient Walls Italian Series: Firenze III
20" x 20", oil, marble dust, gesso, paint detritus on panel

I recently discovered a source for marble dust and dry pigments, called Natural Pigments.

I was actually searching for something else, but came upon the marble dust and remembered an old series that I had abandoned, in part because I could not develop the texture of the surface the way I saw it in my imagination.

I began to re-experiment with adding marble dust to both the gesso and the oil paint. The result produced layers of paint, some transparent, some straight from the tube, some thickened with marble dust

Aegean Series: Aquarius II
14" x 11" oil, marble dust, iridescent pigment, paint detritus, gesso

You can see more at my website Sue Smith Fine Art. Let me know what you think.

Studio Sale on eBay

SUMMER STUDIO SALE - SELECT PAINTINGS OFFERED this week
ON EBAY

"Alder Trees and Water, 16"x20", oil on linen on panel ©2010
not framed

Starting bid $65

flat rate shipping $15

"Ranch Mares", 8" x 16", oil on linen on panel, © 2011
not framed

Starting bid $40
flat rate shipping $15


"Near Mitchell", 12" x 16", oil on linen on panel
not framed, ©2010

starting bid $40

flat rate shipping $15

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.