Another year, Another painting challenge....

I've signed up to participate in Leslie Saeta's 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge. The challenge starts Jan 1, 2014. I also participated in the challenge in January of 2013. This can be a big challenge to complete these paintings every day. Whew. Now what to paint.....

At least I now know what I will be doing on January 1st, 2014. What will you be doing?

Zena

Zena

8x8 original oil

pet portrait

This is Zena. I was commissioned to paint her along with 2 other dogs from this family. I started with Zena.  To learn more about commissioning me to paint your pet, visit my website at: SpohnStudio.com

3 Sunnies

3 Sunnies

6x6 original oil 

Experimenting with new color combinations... Today's floral features a yellow-green background with bi-color sunflowers. My 6x6 inch original oil paintings sell for $50.00 and you can purchase this painting and other on my website.  SpohnStudio.com

Floral Jamboree

Floral Jamboree

6x6 original oil

Working on some floral studies. This painting was a new combination of flowers. My 6x6 inch original oil paintings sell for $50.00. You can purchase this painting on my website. SpohnStudio.com

Wild Thing

Wild Thing

12 x12, original oil

My latest pet portrait, was an airplane. A major change for me as a theme for a painting. But I look upon this request as I do with all pet portraits and tried to connect with my subject. For more information on my pet portraits. Visit my website: SpohnStudio.com

When Purple Pigs Fly

When Purple Pigs Fly

6x6, oil

I was reading an article today about purple pigs flying. The article said it was almost time for momentous event. So I believe the pigs are launched, but still tethered. This image stayed in my mind as I wandered into the studio today. Visit my website to see more of my art.  SpohnStudio.com

Picking Stars

Picking Stars

5x7, acrylic base with Pastel

A quick study today on a watercolor card. This painting has a loose acrylic wash underneath and then topped with pastels. This is a study for a painting I might paint in the future or a portion of a painting. To see more of my paintings, visit my website:  SpohnStudio.com

December Nights

December Nights

18x18, original oil painting

Bright, clear nights with brilliant stars and the comet ISON are featured in this painting. Snow falls mainly on the mountain peaks with yellow grasses and small shrubs dotting the landscape. In this scene, a couple of holiday hares decorate their holiday tree. To view more of my paintings, please visit my website: SpohnStudio.com

Reviewing a Product

Just submitted a review for Jerry's Artarama about Strathmore's watercolor cards.

Originally submitted at Jerry's Artarama Art Supplies

Watercolor cards for any occasion! These high quality cards are made from 140 lb. cold press watercolor paper. This heavy weight paper has excellent surface strength and resists buckling. Ideal for watercolor, acrylic or gouache. They are available in a full size and a slim size card. Full size car...

Strathmore Blank Watercolor Greeting Cards

Lots of value, lots of painting

By Susan from Salida, CO on 11/26/2013

5out of 5

Pros: Easy To Use
Best Uses: Art
Describe Yourself: Value Oriented
Primary use: Business
Was this a gift?: No

I paint original small acrylic paintings on these watercolor cards. I can tape the edges with painters' tape and it pulls off cleanly leaving a nice white border around my paintings. I have also used them with oil paints, when I gesso and use an acrylic base first.

Sunday's Chicken

Tags: Made with Product

Red Tulips

Tags: Made with Product

Honey- a pet portrait

Honey

8 x 10, oil, pet portrait

Honey in her younger days, waiting for her food bowl to fill up. If you would like a pet portrait of your best friend, visit my website for more details. SpohnStudio.com

Cat Portrait

Here is my latest cat pet portrait. I choose this image to paint because it is a bit different. The pose was unlike any others I had painted. I think it shows a bit of the cat's personality also. To learn more about my pet portraits, visit my website, under Paintings, select Pet Portraits and click on an image.  SpohnStudio.com

Artificial Flowers

Artificial Flowers

6x6, Oil

I actually finished this painting a couple days ago, but didn't get around to posting till now. Lots of texture and bright colors, there is a lot going on in this small painting. Visit my website to purchase. SpohnStudio.com

 

Flower Shop Flower Stalks

Flower Shop Flower Stalks

6x6, original oil

Today's painting was inspired by a bunch of flowers in a floral shop. Their were many varieties all kept in large clear glass vases. The tall stalks of the mostly leafless stems really stood out and made the flowers seem larger. To purchase this painting, visit my website:  SpohnStudio.com

I painted most of this painting with my newest painting knife. It has a lot of cool edges, and inspires me to keep things simple. Photo of it below.

 

Old-Fashioned Bouquet

Old-Fashioned Bouquet

6x6, original oil

Normally I just paint a section of a bouquet when painting such a small sized painting. This painting was creating using bristle brushes. I miss painting with my painting knives. But it is nice to try a small bouquet painting like this. Visit my website to purchase.  SpohnStudio.com

Alpaca Birthday Wishes

Alpaca Birthday Wishes

5x7 original acrylic painting on watercolor paper card

We recently went to visit a local alpaca farm. I was amazed at how cute these animals are, and I am fascinated by their fluffy abundance of fur on their heads. It is like they are all wearing cute little hats. I painted this piece for a friend's birthday. I hope she likes it. Visit my website to view more of my paintings.  SpohnStudio.com

Flowers From Dan

 Here is the final painting,
'Flowers From Dan'
15 x 15 inches, original oil painting

 

This painting is not only rich in color it is loaded with texture. The petals are thick and have a 3 dimensional quality to them.  This was a commissioned painting. To find out more about my paintings, please visit my website. SpohnStudio.com

The Start of a New Painting

 On my primed panel I draw out the composition in pastels.

The second step, roughing in the painting with my oils.

Now I am about 3/4 finished.

Almost finished, will do the last details tomorrow.

Stay tuned for the final result.....

 Here is the final painting,
'Flowers From Dan'
15 x 15 inches, original oil painting

Jean Claude

Jean Claude

Pet Portrait

8x8, original oil

I was intrigued to paint this pet portrait using this neat perspective. The colorful rug in the background really brings his grey coat alive. For more information on my pet portrait commissions visit my website's pet portrait page. Click Here.  To see more of my art, visit my website, SpohnStudio.com

Pet Portrait of a Basset Hound

Newmie

original oil, 6x6 inches

Basset Hounds have such expressive faces. Each time I paint one, I am amazed at their human like expressions. If you are interested in having a pet portrait painted of your pet, let me know. Details about my pet portraits can be found on my website. SpohnStudio.com  This page in particular: Pet Portraits.

Creative Mixer Artist Talk

I am giving a brief talk about my paintings that are now showing at the Paquette Gallery for the month of October. This Thursday night, October 10th is the Creative Mixer from 5:30-7:00pm in the Paquette Gallery at the SteamPlant. The Creative Mixer is put on by Salida Council for the Arts and they hold a Creative Mixer monthly, normally the 2nd Thursday of each month. 

They will also have a guitarist and magician at this Creative Mixer. How fun is that? If you are in the area, come and mix it up!  Here is their website:
http://salidacouncilforthearts.org/

To learn more about my show at the Paquette Gallery, visit my website: SpohnStudio.com

Sold a few paintings

Kizoa slideshow: Sold Paintings at Paquette Gallery - Slideshow

These paintings sold last night at my opening reception and this morning at the Paquette Gallery here in Salida, CO.

Gallery Show

I am pleased to announce that I will be showing my art at our local Paquette Gallery in the Salida Steamplant. This show will feature a lot of rabbits. These rabbits keep showing up in my paintings. Baby bunnies, wild rabbits, pet rabbits, hares, even posing in a still life or two. The other main theme seems to be sunflowers. There will be other flowers making an appearance also, so come to the opening and check it out. The reception will be on Friday, Oct. 4th from 5-7 pm. Light munchies and a bar will also be in attendance. All interested parties are cordially invited to attend.

Susan Spohn on Review

I hope to see you there!

Visit my website for more information: SpohnStudio.com

719-539-7120

Sunflower Bouquet with Butterfly

Sunflower Bouquet with Butterfly

30 x 30 Original Oil

The beautiful black and floral pot on my studio window sill was the inspiration for this painting. Then I found my sunflowers and started to paint. I have been painting this piece for a week, simply because I have been so busy, I could only paint a few hours a day, or not at all. I love this happy, joyful bouquet, and hope you will also. This is the last painting I will attempt to get ready for my upcoming show at the Paquette Gallery. Visit my website for more information.  SpohnStudio.com

Over-Stuffed Bouquet

Over-Stuffed Bouquet

30 x 30

Original Oil Painting

I have been painting this joyous bouquet for the last few days. It is a riot of color and a very happy piece. I painted this painting to show at my upcoming solo show at the Paquette Gallery, here in Salida at the SteamPlant during the month of October. Visit my website for more information.  SpohnStudio.com

Zinnia Garden II

Zinnia Garden II

18 x 30

Original Oil Painting

My large zinnias have been so beautiful this year! It was HOT just the way zinnias like it. I have had to water them twice a day to keep them happy and growing strong. But the beauty they present is something to behold. You can purchase this painting on my website, SpohnStudio.com

A Long Weekend...

So happy to be home again after a long, long weekend. Heat, humidity and rain, oh my! The Manitou Springs Labor Day Show had to be moved to a new park. It was a challenge, but I did sell some lovely paintings. Here are a few below--

Affordable Art Show

I tried a new one day show on Sunday called the Affordable Art Show. (held at the Arapahoe Community College in Denver, CO) Everything there must be priced at $100 or less. I had a bunch of older paintings that I no longer show because my style has 'moved on'. These were mainly LARGE paintings. I took them to this show and sold most of them. Now I have more room for new paintings! Here are a few photos of my booth from this show.

I still have other paintings in storage to sell for next year, so see ya there! Sign up for my email newsletter, you don't want to miss this show for the savings.

Sunflower Bouquet 12

Sunflower Bouquet 12

6x6 original oil

Another striking sunflower bouquet, painted in the hot afternoon. This happy, textural painting can be purchased on my website. SpohnStudio.com

Side Yard Garden

Side Yard Garden

6x6 original oil painting

Lots of color and texture, makes you smile when you view this painting. Many colorful flowers are blooming now in my new sideyard garden. You can purchase this painting on my website: SpohnStudio.com

Floral Garden

Floral Garden

6x6 original oil

This floral painting was created with just my painting knives. There is a lot of whimsey and texture in this small painting. Visit my website to view more paintings and to purchase this piece. SpohnStudio.com

Fledgling at the Window

Fledgling at the Window

6x6 original oil

Finding a flower box by the window to roost, this fledgling rested and flapped it wings, waiting for its parents to bring him more food. You can purchase this painting on my website. SpohnStudio.com  It should be posted there in a day or so.

Floral Bouquet 2

Floral Bouquet 2

6x6 original oil

This is an interpretation of part of a floral bouquet that a bridesmaid was carrying.  Very colorful and joyful, filled with blooms. To purchase this painting or to view more of my art, visit my website - SpohnStudio.com

Sunflower Bouquet 11

Sunflower Bouquet 11

original oil 6x6 inches

Sunflowers are starting to bloom in my sidewalk garden. So I paged through previous photos and references and wa-la, here is today's painting. Swirls of color, texture and some delicate pink posies to balance the composition. Visit my website to view more paintings, and to purchase.  SpohnStudio.com

White Mum Bouquet

White Mum Bouquet

6x6 original oil

Today's painting is inspired by another festive bouquet. The white mum really stands out amongst the other flowers. This painting has been painted using my knives which gives a lot of texture and depth to this painting.  Visit my website for more information and to purchase.  SpohnStudio.com

Pink Phlox

Pink Phlox

6x6 original Oil painting

There is a lot going on in this small painting. But the pink phlox comes out as the focal point. Instead of focusing on details, this painting is meant to be viewed with 'soft focus'.  Just squint your eyes a bit... To purchase this painting or others please visit my website - SpohnStudio.com