Day 22 ~ February Challenge 28-in-28 Days

Through the Trees 8" x 8" Pastel on UArt paper.

The sun filters through the trees and spills out over the snow, creating patterns of light and shadow.

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Day 9 ~ February Challenge 28-in-28 Days

 This is a photo of the underpainting for Winter River Light. The underpainitng was sketched with hard Nu-Pastels and then a brush and alcohol was used for the underpainting.

I love using Uart paper because it accepts this wet technique. Not all pastel papers will stand up to getting wet.

Winter River Light 7 x 9" Pastel on Uart paper, is a work-in-progress. I still need to "clean-up" the shapes of the trees and branches, and the sun shapes filtering through the branches. 

Day 4 - February Challenge 28-in-28 Days

Warm Winter Sun 6 x 6"

A small pastel on Uart paper.

HOLIDAY GREETINGS

PEACE - My Christmas wish for you. I chose Snow-Covered Lane to use for my holiday greeting because it conveys a quiet sense of peace. This painting is of the driveway to my home. I walk down the drive almost every day and when it is covered with a heavy snow like the one in the painting I am filled with a sense of peace and well-being. When the sun sparkles on the snow creating a zillion priceless diamonds I am very aware of the treasure I have in living where I do.

Reflecting on the past year I am very thankful for the time spent with family and friends. I am also very thankful that I have the opportunity to create art and for the many ways it connects me to you. I am thankful for each of you and the encouragement you give me. I truly hope that my art brings pleasure to others.

May PEACE be yours today and every day in the coming year. If we are unable to meet face-to-face, I hope we will meet here (via computer) in 2017.

Please visit my new website susanklabakfineart.com.

WHERE'S MY SWEATER 6 x 8" Day 4 - 30 Paintings in 30 Days

My daughter's dog loves to visit. So many smells in the woods and in the summer she loves to swim.
She also loves to wear clothes, and picks her wardrobe from her very own basket filled with sweaters. 

TRAIL TO BOHN LAKE 7 x 10" Framed 11 x 14 Day 3 - 30 in 30 Days Challenge

Foot trail along the Ice Age Trail.
This painting is being donated to the Ice Age Trail Local Chapter in Waushra County. It will be used for the Sweetheart Candlelight Event on Saturday February 14.

Sunlit Pines 8.5 x 8.5

Day 22 - 30 Paintings in 30 Days

I've been wanting to do a painting of the green lichen that grows on many of the trees in our woodlot. I loved the colors in this painting...my favorites - greens and blues.

The Shack 9 x 11

Day 21 - 30 Paintings in 30 Days

I am often attracted to derelict buildings. They seem to tell stories, and I like to embellish the stories in my own mind; thinking about the people that have used or inhabited them long ago. I wonder what the builder of this building would think if they saw this building today, so sadly neglected. 

WINTER SUNRISE 9 x 9

Day 7 - 30  Paintings in 30 Days - SOLD

The sun was coming up and creating a red glow between the branches on the pine tree that was covered in snow. Some things that are so beautiful in life are difficult to recreate. The digital image is not capturing the painting's subtleties.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Overlooking Bohn Lake  ( from the Ice Age Trail, Waushara County, Wisconsin) 6 x 8

Day One is here!  A New Year, a new challenge. I've joined over 300 artists who have accepted Leslie Saeta's challenge to start the new year by creating a painting a day in January. You can check out all the daily postings by going to Leslie's blog: http://lesliesaeta.blogspot.com/ 

This painting will be donated to the Waushara County Chapter of the Ice Age Trail. They will use it as part of their fundraising event on February 15 - The Candlelight Sweetheart Event: http://waushara.iceagetrail.org/chapter-events

BLUE NOTE II - 7.5 X 5.5"

This is one of several paintings I am getting ready for my exhibit at the Frame Up Gallery of Fine Art in Neenah, Wisconsin this June. The opening reception will be Friday June 7 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM.

BLUE NOTE I - 3.25 X 4.25"

30 PAINTINGS IN 30 DAYS - DAY 4

Freshly Fallen 7 x 8.5
The view just outside my door! My fourth day into the challenge set my Leslie Saota. Check out Leslie's blog to see the work of all the artists who have accepted the 30 day challenge. lesliesaeta.blogspot.com

SNOWY BANKS 18 x 26

Deep snow covers the stream banks allowing very little vegetation to peak through. This painting depicts a cold, calm winter day; it seems the only thing moving is the stream.    

WARM WINTER LIGHT 15 X 21

Happy New Year! The warm light of the setting sun created beautiful abstract patterns of  pinks, yellows, and peach tones against the blues and violets of the shadows. The warmth of the terracotta colored paper created a nice undertone. This one nearly painted itself. The simplicity of this piece is a direction I hope to continue in; I'd love to know what you think.

PEACE IS A GIFT TO BE SHARED - HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

BEYOND THE MILL POND

15 x 21

April Melt, Plein Air 4-2-11, 10.5 x 8.5

After painting March Melt we had another snow storm, so there was still snow to melt in April. Today however, almost all the snow is gone.... yesterday was in the 80's and we had a hard rain last night. Only a few piles left and the ice on the lake is breaking up. I am looking forward to the next plein air painting which will hopefully have plenty of spring greens.

Rock Pile 13.5 x 24

I drive or walk by this scene almost everyday. It has been calling to me for quite some time. I'm sure I will return to this scene to paint it in the different seasons.

Blue Note 11.5 x 16