300 Years Ago

Hey Friends, I've been meaning to show you a few of my "Western" or "Native American" paintings. I decided to name this series 300 Years Ago because by my calculations this era would have been >< that far back. I have a little American Indian blood in me so maybe that's why I'm so compelled to do these.

When I was little I always hoped Roy Rogers and Dale Evans would come riding over the horizon to adopt me and take me back West with them. I can remember those day dreams very vividly. Lord knows what would have happened if I had actually seen them coming. I'll bet it would've been close to a heart attack!

Anyway, I have thought that I must be the only person in Virginia that likes this subject matter and that is proabably still true BUT when I came home from working at Gallery 108 this evening, a lady in Minnesota had purchased the painting above !!! That gave me such a thrill, to know that someone else appreciated my sentiments on this subject.

So now that I feel braver I am going to list the others in my Etsy shop.

Happy Trails to You , Sue

ALL THE COWS ARE HOME NOW . . . .

Hey Friends, No big news around here just yet ! But I thought you might enjoy seeing my cows again. I finally listed all of them in my Etsy shop. Take a gander - HERE.

For sometime I've been contemplating opening a 2nd shop on Etsy. Just to see if anyone would appreciate my "other side". My grandbabes are motivating me to do this. I hate being on the fence about anything, so I need to get on with it-one way or the other.

Hoping you all had a pleasant weekend. I did.

Happy Trails, Sue

Getting in the Groove.....

Hey Friends, I AM getting back into the groove of blogging. I still want you to meet all of the artists involved with Gallery 108 in downtown Roanoke. Above is Susan Lockwood, a photographer from Blacksburg, Va. She does a lot of traveling to get her photos. She has a lot of stuff for the RailRoad groupies too.

The photo above is for Mary Anne Meador, who works in all media and is especially good with pastels. She teaches workshops and is president of the LRA (League of Roanoke Artists). Bonnie Mason sharing a display panel with Mary Anne, is an amazing artist. She works with oils in a traditional style, also plein-air. Her subject matter is calm and restful.

Margaret Dubois is the artist above. She works with oil pastels but her claim to fame is ENAMELS! Now that is a hot mess. She has about 15 layers of this powder pigment and clear glazes to fire in a kiln. I mean each layer has to be fired. And the tiny images are just beautiful. Wish I had taken some close ups but the glass reflections probably would have made it useless anyway.

The next "Art by Night" is Feb.3rd, 5-9pm. So get out here and look for yourself. No

more stinking snow to worry about !

Happy Trails...

2011 ! ! ! ! !

Hey Friends, Last day of 2010 ! ! Yay - I don't want to remember this year. I know 2011 is going to be a GOOD year so I want to wish you a "HAPPY NEW YEAR".

May it also be properous and healthy.

I haven't posted any new artwork for a while so thought you might like to see something I painted about a month ago. In spite of all the bad in 2010, I have been painting. A lot!

Best wishes to all. Happy Trails ! Sue

GALLERY 108 on Roanoke City Market

Hey Friends, I worked at Gallery 108 this past Saturday and thought you might enjoy a few photos of the work showing there. Top photo is from Whitney Brock, our featured artist this month. She does more than just rocks. Her work includes landscapes and still life but this is a large impressive piece. I like her rocks a lot.
Here is the front view of a gorgeous bear by Gail Geer. I forgot to write down the type of stone. There are beautiful streaks of a pinkish-mauvish color in this stone.
The back view. Gail is the Best sculptor I have ever encountered and she sells like crazy!
The artist in this co-operative gallery take turns displaying in the windows. This window is Sheila Wiley's. She has a vibrant palette and makes a lot of Roanoke City scenes.
This window belongs to Linda Overstreet. She works with hand dyed fabric. Makes quilts, and wall hangings and bible/book covers and journals. I see a small purse in there also. Her stuff would make great gifts for almost anyone you can think of.

Gallery 108 is right beside the Roanoke City Market Bldg. which is being renovated starting yesterday. So streets next to the gallery will be closed and parking will be harder than ever! So friends try to get downtown and visit the gallery and help us stay alive until this mess is completed in May 2011(fingers are crossed). I know an amusement park would be more fun, but you need to buy gifts once in a while or re-decorate !

Maybe you would like to visit the Taubman Museum while there also.

Happy Trails !

WHERE HAVE I BEEN

Hey Friends, I've been on vacation !! In the Bahama's !! Earl drove me away !!
NOT really . This has just been one of the worst years on my record book.
2010 will soon be over, still have to go through the dreaded winter though.

In the mean time, thought you might want to see a couple of Sweet Buns ! Of course there have been many wonderful times this year, these photos prove that. And I have managed to paint an hour or two nearly every day. I'll be posting some paintings soon.

Hope all of you, my friends, have been enjoying your summer. Sincerely.

Happy Trails !

Alla Prima by Richard Schmid

Hey Friends, Thought you might like to know the book above "Alla Prima" is really worth reading. This is the third time I've read it and something new, just little tidbits, sinks into my hard head each time! Is it because I've painted more (experience?) or I'm in a different mood? or maybe because I wasn't reading in bed?
I injured the old knee again last night, almost made me cry, so I've been laying around reading and eating bon-bons, like a little queen. You guys have a great week painting!

Happy Trails.

Original 24x36 Painting

Hey Friends, Not to much to talk about right now so I thought I'd show you a painting I did a few months ago. I have not shown it yet because I can't seem to get it just right in photo shop.
I think the image above is as good as it gets (for me). It's almost exactly the same as the painting. I never would have dreamed that I could finally do this sort of thing with photo shop. I believe the answer is that I lost my fear of computers. If I screw up I just shut the thing off, and come back later.
The yard work is killing me, how about you guys? I was exhausted just from trying to start the mower! But it's all done and I get to paint ALL day tomorrow!!!
Now go read this post from Luann Udell - It should clear up a few things for you.

Happy Trails.

WIN A BEAUTIFUL PAINTING

Hey Friends, I like to visit the links left by people that comment on my blog. Some interesting stuff out there! The image above was painted by Roxanne "the Artist" !! She is a Texas artist and does lovely artwork and has a lovely blog.
Right now she is planning to give the above painting away!! Who wouldn't want that. All you have to do is visit her blog and follow the instructions. Everybody is giving away art but I like the way she is setting hers up. So go see Roxanne's Art Blog.

Happy Trails.

ART BY NIGHT at GALLERY 108

Hey Friends, If you are in the area (Roanoke, Va.) come out for the Art by Night in downtown Roanoke in the market area. Some areas call it an Art Crawl but it means that the galleries all stay open 'til 9pm. Refreshments are served while you browse the new works and a featured artist. At Gallery 108 it is Revelle Hamilton. She has beautiful watercolors on display tonight.
This morning I changed my work. I had birds up but now my cows are hanging. I like all the bright colors! Maybe someone will fall in LOVE with my bovines.
Have a great weekend.

Happy Trails.