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Blog

Blog

The Healing Power of Original Art
The veteran curator of art for the UW Physicians Network, Peggy Weiss, believes in the curative power of original art in hospital settings.  I am so thankful to have a wonderful relationship with her.

The veteran curator of art for the UW Physicians Network, Peggy Weiss, believes in the curative power of original art in hospital settings.  I am so thankful to have a wonderful relationship with her.

Five of my oil paintings are in UW Neighborhood Clinic in Issaquah.  

Five of my oil paintings are in UW Neighborhood Clinic in Issaquah.  

Goofin' around with my studio-mate, photographer Toni Pinto.  So fun!

Goofin' around with my studio-mate, photographer Toni Pinto.  So fun!

Susan Walker
Framing: A Dramatic Difference

In a collector's home last night....my painting "Stretching Moments Into Minutes" in a glorious custom frame (linen mat and wood frame).  

Here is the same room and painting BEFORE the custom framing...what a difference! 

Here is the same room and painting BEFORE the custom framing...what a difference!

 

Susan Walker
To the Delight of An Audience
Such an affirmation to see people delighted with my work...here  the architecture of "The Faceting Process" is being admired at a recent Exhibition Opening.

Such an affirmation to see people delighted with my work...here  the architecture of "The Faceting Process" is being admired at a recent Exhibition Opening.

And, another source of delight is seeing my work custom-framed and in a home...this is "Stretching Minutes Into Moments" on a red wall.  Stunning!

And, another source of delight is seeing my work custom-framed and in a home...this is "Stretching Minutes Into Moments" on a red wall.  Stunning!

Here is "Framing A Breeze" in a kitchen....perfect!

Here is "Framing A Breeze" in a kitchen....perfect!

And. lastly, the gorgeous "Framing A Long Afternoon" is wonderfully placed in a dining room.

And. lastly, the gorgeous "Framing A Long Afternoon" is wonderfully placed in a dining room.

Susan Walker
And, The Beat Goes On....
Always a huge compliment when one of my paintings is selected for the Exhibition postcard!          This is "The Fragile Balance of Everyday Life", oil on canvas, 18"x24", 2016

Always a huge compliment when one of my paintings is selected for the Exhibition postcard!  

        This is "The Fragile Balance of Everyday Life", oil on canvas, 18"x24", 2016

And, this...the beat goes on....is my 'diploma' from Patrick LoCicero.  Met him as my UW instructor in 2008, and he has continued as a mentor.  When I took my newest oil paintings to his studio for a Crit, he exclaimed, "I don't have …

And, this...the beat goes on....is my 'diploma' from Patrick LoCicero.  Met him as my UW instructor in 2008, and he has continued as a mentor.  When I took my newest oil paintings to his studio for a Crit, he exclaimed, "I don't have anything else to teach you!  These are A++++ works." 
                                                             "You've graduated!"   

                                                       Of course, I'll still go back.... 

Susan Walker
On The Easel This Summer....
Two painting in process and both close to being done.  

Two painting in process and both close to being done.  

No title yet...it's a bar in London...and this painting is huge at 36"x48".

No title yet...it's a bar in London...and this painting is huge at 36"x48".

Those green umbrellas just grabbed me....this is a scene on Bainbridge Island near the bakery.

Those green umbrellas just grabbed me....this is a scene on Bainbridge Island near the bakery.

Susan Walker
Solo Show at Vetiver

I am excited to have a solo show at Vetiver!  Richard & Kristina, proprietors, are deeply committed to original art; they designed their organic hair spa with the lighting and wall space for artists to exhibit work.              Above:  Spellbound, oil on canvas, 36"x48"

I Know Shortcuts To Everythingoil on canvas with collage, 20"x16"

I Know Shortcuts To Everything
oil on canvas with collage, 20"x16"

             375 NW Gilman Blvd, B102               Issaquah, WA  98027 

             375 NW Gilman Blvd, B102
               Issaquah, WA  98027
 

Susan Walker
Collage-Making Process
Laying everything out takes days.  Checking back to peek and get a feel for what's needing to be expressed. 

Laying everything out takes days.  Checking back to peek and get a feel for what's needing to be expressed. 

Then, the glueing happens over the course of the next days.  Smoothing out the papers and letting that layer dry overnight.  Making changes and edits to each day's composition.  And, If I'm glueing a cut-out piece of canvas (cut from …

Then, the glueing happens over the course of the next days.  Smoothing out the papers and letting that layer dry overnight.  Making changes and edits to each day's composition.  And, If I'm glueing a cut-out piece of canvas (cut from a prior oil painting), then special glue and heavy weights are necessary.  

An example of the finished product.  Credit to my mentor Patrick LoCicero for this collage process.  Also learned about how to glue canvas onto the layered board from Tom Hausken, one of my Port Townsend EDGE-mates.   

Susan Walker
Also On The Easel Now....
Hope to be finishing this 'Cup Of Tea in Vietnam' this week....photo reference from Jen Tice, who was there.  I've never been to Vietnam.  Studio in the background as this photo is not cropped. 

Hope to be finishing this 'Cup Of Tea in Vietnam' this week....photo reference from Jen Tice, who was there.  I've never been to Vietnam.  Studio in the background as this photo is not cropped. 

Susan Walker
On the Easel Now....
Lucky to be the first car in line as the Ballard Bridge went up...my camera captured a stunning spectacle and an iconic image for a painting.  Just started this big piece:  48"x36".  

Lucky to be the first car in line as the Ballard Bridge went up...my camera captured a stunning spectacle and an iconic image for a painting.  Just started this big piece:  48"x36".  

Susan Walker
Wine Walk at artEAST
Front Window featuring my work all of March...this was Wine Walk last night at the gallery.

Front Window featuring my work all of March...this was Wine Walk last night at the gallery.

Great crowd and great fun sipping wine and chatting with friends & neighbors!

Great crowd and great fun sipping wine and chatting with friends & neighbors!

Susan Walker
The ARTIST TRUST Auction
"The Green Gate of the Unknown", oil on canvas, 18"x24", $900

"The Green Gate of the Unknown", oil on canvas, 18"x24", $900

Accepted into the auction!  The event is Saturday evening, February 27, at Fisher Pavilion, Seattle Center.  Tickets still available:  http://www.artisttrustauction.org/

 

Susan WalkerFisher Pavilion
When Is A Painting Done?

Age-old question for painters, right?  See if you can find at least five differences between the two versions of this painting.  And, it's still not finished.  

Half-way to done....

Half-way to done....

Getting closer to done....table top looking warped now, though.  Argh.

Getting closer to done....table top looking warped now, though.  Argh.

When is a painting done?  Sometimes never.  Once a painting is sold through a gallery, I might never see it again.  But, some I do see, in the homes of friends who've purchased one or more. I'm secretly looking to assess what I might do differently or at how I've improved.  Or, just basking in a job well done!  I do keep a few paintings in my studio that were once "done", and find after a year or two that I start adding paint to bring them alive once more.

Susan Walker