Susan Singer

Observing and portraying life just as it is
Susan Singer, Artist
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May 22, 2009
Forget I said that on the 15th!  This week it has felt like FOREVER since I've been in the studio to paint, and it's going to be even longer!  Exams are coming up at school, so I have a lot of students to tutor for the next two weeks.  I love doing it, but it is exhausting to teach a year's worth of Algebra II in an hour then switch to compiling Bio for a student for the next hour then Chem then German!  I prefer the normal sessions where we only go through a week's worth of material.  Talk about strained brain!
 
I have just listed the art classes I'll be teaching this summer on the website: Classes and Workshops.  I've decided to offer several classes at my studio in addition to the ones at the Visual Arts Center.  I love teaching art so much.  It should make for a lovely summer!
 
May 15, 2009
It never quite feels like it's as long between days in the studio as it is!  Today I hurried out at noon to finish up Connected because the application for a competition is due in Fredericksburg the 21st and I have to mail it.  I worked on the male body and the background today primarily, though I also did some final work on the female body.  It was so satisfying creating his flesh tones and replicating the smoothness of his skin.  Surprisingly he has stretchmarks on his thighs, though he's never gained or lost large amounds of weight.  He said he's just always had them since he was a teenager.
 
The application is in the mail!  I've been applying for a lot of shows and competitions and grants lately.  I figure it's time to get my work out there.  I'll be sure to let folks know if I get into anything!  It will make me very happy.
 
May 10, 2009
After a lovely walk this morning with my dear friend Lynda, I hurried into the studio so I could get to it!  I was feeling excited to get back to Connections.  Then I felt anxious about it because I didn't want to screw it up so I spent time wasting time.  Seems to be a fairly common artist's malady - wasting time instead of doing art.  Finally around 12, after going to see a student's Senior Project Presentation, I got to it.  I refined the woman's body including adding her nipple and stretch marks.  Friday when I have time to get back into the studio, I'll work on the male body and on enriching the background.  I really love creating the folds of her body as well as making the stretch marks and other details.  It isn't easy, but it feels so satisfying to have it look pretty good!
 
People have asked where their arms are - they're raised above their heads because I love how their bodies look next to each other without the arms!
 
 
 
May 9, 2009
Despite threatening weather today, I spent the entire afternoon painting.  I worked on the portrait of Chris some more, shifting the shape of his face and the angle of his smile along with some other minor adjustements to try to capture him better.  It's not perfect, but I kinda like it anyway.  I think it at least captures his loving smile and the sweet gleam of love in his eyes.  I also like it that he has Nube, our daughter's cat from Costa Rica, sleeping on his shoulder!   
 
After finishing the portrait of Chris, I went back to work on the piece I thought I'd finished a couple of days ago.  Unfortunately when I went to glaze a small section in the upper right hand corner, I brushed out the color - blargh!  I had to wait for it to dry completely before I could do anything to try to fix it.  To fix it, I had to paint over the entire piece in order to be able to fix it without the mess showing.  I don't mind, though, because I think the piece is richer for the extra work.  It makes me wonder if I should go back and rework every piece I've ever done before!  I guess it's hard to know when pieces are done definitively.
 
I'd been a bit resistant about starting the next piece I finally began today.  There's a contest in Fredericksburg called Connections, the entries for which are due May 21.  This picture came to mind as soon as I saw the title.  All I have to do now it get it finished by then and the application filled out and sent in.  Thank goodness for digital cameras and email entries!
 
I'm looking forward to adding layers to this piece and hope I can maintain the gorgeous modulations of their skin.  I'm excited about the varying skin tones and the way the light falls on them.  I also love the parallel lines in the composition.  This is the same model I've painted several times before along with her partner - such generous models!
 
 
May 8, 2009
Two weeks ago I started taking a class in Oil Painting Portraiture at the Visual Arts Center with David Tanner.  He's a very good teacher and does excellent demos.  I have found I'm pretty awful at painting from life - so far!  I have a lot to learn.  I'll get there, but it's tough!  David suggested that I practice by painting quickly from the photos I have of people, so I practiced on one of Chris yesterday.  He came out after I'd been working for 4 hours (not exactly quick!) and was able to point out immediately what I needed to do to make it better.  That was helpful.  When I'm working on something by myself, I often can't see what needs to change - I get too close to it and can't see the problems.  Looking at these pictures now I can see some changes I still need to make, but it's hard to othewise!  That's why painters should also get back from the easel frequently!
 
Saturday will be another full day in the studio.  Yay!
 
 
 May 5, 2009
Yesterday was busy, busy with kids - breakfast with Andrew, phone call with Laura, shopping for a prom tux for Dylan.  Quite lovely. 
 
Today I spent the entire day painting and prepping a canvas to paint it.  I finished the piece I began yesterday.
Or I think it's finished!  I'll have to see how it feels when I get out there tomorrow.  It's 18"x18".  I don't have a title for it yet.  This one came so much more easily than the one previously.  I think because of the form.  It's easier to create rounded forms than it is flatter forms.  That's one reason I enjoy painting women more than men.  The breasts and hips are such gorgeous forms to depict. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Here's the beginning of my next piece.  The canvas is 8'x3.5'.  You can see the photo to get a sense of it.  Chris, my husband, has built me a 2' high platform to stand on so I can reach the top and is working on a shorter one for relatively high spots.  I feel intimidated by this piece but excited to get started.  I plan to spend the morning on it tomorrow.  Yay!
 
 
 
 
 
 
May 2, 2009
I spent 4-5 hours today working on the computer doing necessary art-related work.  I've decided it's time to try to get into some art shows with my new work, so I've been filling out and sending in applications like crazy.  It's generally quite a detailed process since you have to fill out an application then size the pictures just right then pay via PayPal, etc., etc.  I'm applying for shows both in Richmond and in the region.  The pictures of The Dancer and She Loves Her Body! are the two I would most like to show. 
 
 
May 3, 2009
Today I was able to spend much of the day in the studio.  I had four things I was supposed to do, but two of the four were cancelled, so I delightedly ran into the studio instead!  I managed to finish the piece I'd been working on since April 13.  If truth be told, I thought it had been a lot longer than that!  This blog is good for keeping track.  Here's the final image.  This piece was surprisingly difficult to do.  Usually I choose pieces that have a lot of contrast, great shadows and strong light.  This one is so subtle with such small variations in color, tone, and value that it was very difficult to capture all the nuances without throwing others off. 
 
After I felt finished with this piece, I brought out the 8' canvas I'd finally gessoed so I'd have it ready when I felt enough gumption to work on it.  I feel a bit intimidated by the size of it, but I won't let that stop me!  I did decide to do a small piece first, though, so I could feel that lovely sense of accomplishment I get when a piece goes easily and well.  I had bought some square canvases last week in preparation for the portrait class I'm taking, so I decided to use one that's 18"x18".  I used Adobe Photoshop to crop the photo and found a composition I like.  It reminds me of Jenny Saville's work.  She does huge scale paintings of corpulent women who look grotesque because of how she paints them.  She also paints people who've had or are about to have plastic  surgery or who have been injured.  Her pieces are quite intense and wonderful.  I love the way she uses paint.  I am very inspired by her and hope to move in the direction of using paint more like she does.  Right now I'm definitely more realistic and conservative in how I use the paint. 
 
Here's the beginning of my new piece.  This took me about a half hour.  I threw on the colors, first applying the darks then the lights then the mediums then played with the skin tones.  When I was out of time, I was so excited I couldn't wait to get back to it!