June 1, 2009
April 14, 2009
Rice Creek winter, II
Rice Creek winter II, 6″ x 6″, oil on panel
I’m still adjusting to the change in perspective. The proportion of land to sky has greatly shifted with this lower viewpoint from a kayak. It allows for more detail in the trees and water, but the skies are less dominant. Since the paintings are about the mood of a place, and I give so much importance to the role of sky for this function, I wonder if it’s the most effective way to go about capturing this area. On the other hand, I also paint about how small we are in this world of ours, and I really feel that in this painting.
April 11, 2009
First of the Rice Creek winter series
Rice Creek I, oil on panel, 6″ x 6″
The first in a series of studies for larger works. Rice Creek is part of the Mobile, or Tensaw Delta, that empties into Mobile Bay. A kind friend alerted me to its possibilities as subject matter this past winter. I’ve always been interested in how landscape is obscured by airborne water–whether fog, or spray from an irrigation sprinkler in a cornfield. The fresh green of spring will probably divert me from the moodiness of the fog, but it continues to intrigue me.
March 26, 2009
Exciting News
The garden needs it, but three gray mornings in a row tend to sink me a little. But I’ve just received a delightful email from Bob Bahr, who is managing editor at American Artist magazine. Attached to his note was PDF file preview of the article on my paintings that will be in the June 2009 issue.
Being interviewed and reviewing a writer’s comments on my work (by John R. Kemp, who is a regular contributor) was illuminating. I was amazed by how Mr. Kemp took my random thoughts and digressions and handed me back a flowing narrative. A learning experience, his expert feedback and insights like a beautiful tray of hors d’oeuvres. I’m looking at both recent and older paintings with fresh thoughts. It’s an encouraging thing to be recognized, and it’s also a good time to pause and think about what’s next.
On the horizon: an invitation to be in a group exhibition of women photographers at the Mobile Museum of Art as well as a show of my own!
November 29, 2008
Close work
Baldwin Storefront, 5″ x 5″ oil on panel
Maybe it’s the colder weather, but close work appeals to me now. Paintings 5″x5″ or 5″x7″ of quirky buildings around town: sort of anti-postcard views. They could emerge later as larger paintings–but the tiny details of painted letters on storefront windows and signs, louvered doors, looped wire at the roofline, seem better suited to small scale painting. Miniature work has always fascinated me; the trompe l’oeil images on my painted frames are an example. I haven’t done many of those lately and missed the concentrated attention they require. It’s a break from a big sky or the expanses of marsh grasses.
I discovered I’m not the only one thinking along these lines. A couple of months ago, I received a prospectus for an exhibition of miniature painting here at Dr. Java Coffee in Mobile. I missed the deadline this year, but hope to participate next year.
Other small works may be seen on my website: www.susandowningwhite.com
October 14, 2008
September 30, 2008
Almost an Island
Almost an Island, oil on canvas, 28″ x 38″
There is a spot down Dauphin Island Parkway, just before the Dog River bridge that I’ve wanted to make a painting about for some time now. It’s a modest bit of land, no spectacular trees or flowers. I populated this not-quite-island with a scattering of Ibises. I’ve been looking at 17th century Dutch landscape painters a lot lately, studying the glow to their skies and the technique of painting trees, particularly leaves. The brushwork of the leaves is quite individual in style–some clumps look like a toddler’s gloved fingers and some leave me astounded at the sheer numbers and the attention to detail–how each leaf is turned and placed. Painting in a cold climate with short days (as well as slower drying time for the paint) and no electricity to lengthen the studio hours, I am always stunned by how prolific some of these painters were. Part of it comes down to adopting a system for constructing a painting, one of the benefits of an apprentice system. The rest is discipline and hard work–and the encouragement of a good market for paintings, true of the Netherlands at that time.
Update on the Summer Group Show at Buchanan Gallery in Galveston: sad news all around after Hurricane Ike. Many feet of water flooded the gallery and the artwork, my own as well, was not moved to higher ground. At the moment I’m waiting for the mail to bring back what remains of my poor babies. After Katrina, I saw miracles because of quick intervention by Richard White (the New Orleans conservator and my former husband.) I am hoping for the best, though the paintings will never be in exactly the same condition as before.
August 12, 2008
Recent Paintings
Places East of Here Series, 11, 12 & 13
It occurs to me that it’s time for a new title. My next paintings will be more horizontal, sizes like 20″ x 30″, 12″ x 24″. I love painting in series and using one title to group them, though all the numbers can get confusing. I’ll have to look over my books and maybe a quote will provide some inspiration.
At the end of this month, I will make a trip to Galveston Island. It’s the first vacation I’ve taken in almost a year–and true to form, it will be combined with the business of attending a gallery reception. I will be participating in a group show which opens the 22nd of August at the Buchanan Gallery. I’m looking forward to comparing the clouds and wetland areas there with those here in Alabama. I’ll take photographs for reference for new paintings and hopefully find time to read a beach novel or two.
