Three New City Scenes

As promised, here is the finished painting, "The Loop"

                                               
                                      $300 on Etsy "The Loop" 11 x 14 colored pencil ©Susie Tenzer

I've also posted this on Fine Art America where you can purchase various prints. If you're in St. Louis, see it hanging in Wood Icing Gallery. 

Next to go up in the gallery is this one, titled "Maryland Plaza".  Fine Art America "Maryland Plaza" 11 x 14 ©Susie Tenzer

I love doing these city scenes!  I'm inspired by the light and shadows, reflections in windows, the people and cars moving about.  I'm working on a smaller piece in the same part of town:

I'm just blocking in the bricks and windows now.  I'll post the finished piece next month.

To Watermark Or Not?

Ok, I decided yes.  I read a tutorial on Fox Hollow Cottage blog and it didn't seem very difficult.  I decided not to go back and put watermarks on all of my colored pencil paintings.  So, I'm starting with this one:

                                                        Old Courthouse, Old Glory 8 x 10 nfs

Not for sale, yet.  I'm entering it into the Midwest Color 2012 exhibition sponsored by the CPSA Chicago district Chapter.  This painting of the old courthouse in downtown St. Louis, MO. is a reflection in a nearby window. .

I've been taking photos all around the St. Louis area, for a series on local landmarks.  Here's my current work-in-progress:

I'm saving working on the Gateway Arch last - I want to make it stand out.  I fiddled with the watermark on this image, making it larger.  Do you use watermarks?

I'm In A Mood

It's been one of those weekends.  My husband and I have been talking about some business decisions and I'm exhausted.  You know how when you're in one of those moods you just think about the same thing over and over?  Anyway, this book that I ordered arrived!  I've already read most of it..  I'm starting to feel better!

 

I've been thinking (over and over) that while my colored pencil paintings are good they're lacking in emotion. Watercolor and mixed media artist Gerald Brommer gets right to the point:

An artist who makes pictures that look good but express nothing is like a writer whose words sound good but have no meaning.

Cheers to emotion!  Meanwhile, here's my latest work-in-progress:

Any thoughts about how to communicate through art?

What's So Great About Blogging?

 I really didn't want to write a blog, because I thought I'd run out of things to write about.  It has happened a couple of times, but for the most part I do come up with ideas.  Blogs are easy to set up. You can even write your post ahead of time & set to publish whenever you want at a later date.  There are templates to choose from for the design, colors, fonts, you name it.  It's actually fun.  After I got the hang of it, I added widgets.  I just created a new banner - what do you think? 

 Blogs help artists reach beyond the canvas or the computer screen and make contact with other people all across the world.  Blogs provide any creative-minded individual the opportunity to share their work with the world. Blogging, combined with social media and online art communities offers artists a unique opportunity for self-promotion, expanded viewership, and ultimately, contacts with buyers.  Although galleries are still important, most folks realize that the internet is where it's at.  Blogs allow artists to show works-in-progress. You can receive feedback and criticism before the work is finalized, make changes, and contemplate new ideas and suggestions.  Blogging can help bring the world to your art, and your art to the world.

You're already reading blogs...do you write one?

                                  Two Cherries, 3 x 3 on miniature easel Buy this on Daily Paintworks

How Do You Sign Your Name?

 I've seen a few paintings that don't have any signature at all.  The last time a Monet exhibit was in St. Louis, I learned that the family signed for him.  I thought those signatures looked too perfect (they were a stamp)!  When I began doing my colored pencil work and framing them for the gallery I signed my whole name:

                           
                                                  Three In A Jar 6 x 6 Buy this painting on Etsy

Lately, I've been playing around with my signature.  I looked at a lot of other artists - wow, what an array of styles!  Initials only, last name only, first name only, you name it (sorry for that).  I thought about a qr code:

                                                 
How cool would that be?  But I finally decided on using my initials:

                                                 Blue Butterfly 8 x 8 Buy this painting on Etsy

How do you sign your name?

Your Website: An Important Art Tool

The first thing I did when I jumped into my art career was get a website.  Lucky for me, my daughter the computer genius made my website.  We narrowed down what sort of pages I wanted.  I set my goal for the website, which is to display my work.  Some folks sell their artwork on their website and give information about their technique (not me).

If your goal is to display your work, you ought to have these five pages:

•  A home page: this page gives an overview of the website and lets visitors know what’s in store for them. You can include news items such as upcoming exhibitions.

• A bio page: toot your horn!  Talk about collections your work is in, awards you've received, your solo and group shows, and other “credentials”.

• An artist statement page:  the artist statement can be a stand-alone page, or can be included as a section of the "About the Artist" page. The decision is yours, and will depend on how much focus you want to bring to the statement.

• A contact page: this page lists all of the means of contacting you. 

• A gallery page: there are as many ways of presenting artworks on the web as there are website designers. In general, the gallery page will contain thumbnail images of your artwork. 

If you have a website, take a fresh look with some of these ideas in mind.  If not, consider getting one!

 Meanwhile, check out my new piece available on Etsy.

                                        Grape Reflection 8 x 10 colored pencil all rights reserved
                                        by Susie Tenzer   BUY THIS PAINTING

Painting Inside And Outside The House

I spent the weekend painting inside and outside the house.  I saw this lovely dining room on Houzz:

So I decided to do it in my dining room.  Wood Icing Gallery, where I sell my colored pencil paintings, also sells wood refinishing products.  I decided to use Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.  Everything I've heard about it is true, I didn't sand or prime (I did wipe it down, but that just took a minute).  I did the first coat in about an hour.

I'm on to the second coat today, then the wax.  I'll show you the finished dining room next week.

I also did a house portrait, a lovely home with spring plantings.  I enjoy doing these house portraits!  If you're interested in having one done of your house or a special place (maybe the church where you were married or the your childhood school), you can order one here:

                                Custom House Portrait 5 x 7 $170 8 x 10 $250 But It On Etsy

When Creating Art Sometimes You Have To Just Walk Away

I learned this from golf:  when you're in the middle of a swing and it just doesn't feel right, stop and start over.  It's hard to do.  Recently I posted a painting with two ducks and some fish  that I spent three weeks working on.  Last week, though, I stepped back from my drafting board to check the tonal values and I knew it was time to quit. One of the ducks looked stiff to me.  The water wasn't showing any movement.  I couldn't get the fish to disappear underneath the water.  I realized I'd used the more textured side of the Stonehenge paper. So, even though I invested three weeks of my precious art life in this painting, I'm glad I quit.  I learned I love the smooth side of Stonehenge because of the way it takes color.  I was trying to change the photo too much and it just didn't work for me. I just finished a new painting and I love the reflection of the grapes in the silver bowl.

Grape Reflection by Susie Tenzer, 8" x 10" colored pencil (all rights reserved)  Buy this painting

I'm participating in a blog hop this week.  What's that?  It's a fun activity where you can visit a lot of wonderful blogs.  Click on the Blog Love Therapy below & start hopping!  See you in a couple of weeks, I'll be out of town visiting my adorable grandkids.

Do You Have Cyber Friends?

I have different kinds of friends.  Friends that are acquaintances, like my book club friends.  Friends that are work related, like my artist friends.  Hinda is a friend that I've had forever, who would do anything for me.  We're so close we don't even remember how we met.  Now I have a new category, "cyber" friend.  Last week I was looking at my Etsy shop and I popped in on a discussion thread of a promotional team that I'm on.  I was shocked to see everyone was talking about a team member whose husband had just died.  I don't know any of these people but it was very sad.  One lady proposed we collect money to send her a food gift.  She created a gift account in PayPal and after a couple of days there was almost $200!  The woman whose husband died was so appreciative.  Janice has become my cyber friend.  We've actually been friends for 48 years!  I got her name when I was 12 as a pen pal in elementary school and we've been corresponding ever since.  She lives in England.  We just started emailing and she checks my FaceBook page to see what's new.  I sent her a photo of my latest work-in-progress:

 
This one is fun!  I love to do glass.  I set up the props and took the photo (a lot of photos).  Hopefully I'll finish it in a week or so.  I plan to enter this one in a competition.  To all my friends, cyber or not, have a very happy healthy New Year!

Photographing Still Life Subjects

I'm getting ready to start a new series of work, so I've been thinking about subject matter, color palette and composition.  For me, the photo's the thing - if I have a few great reference photos, I'm set!  I work from my own photos, so I'm learning about how to shoot great pictures.  My latest project was to make my own soft light box so I could shoot beautiful still life subjects.  My new favorite photo blog is Strobist.  There are tons of great tutorials on photography, written in an easy, funny style.  I made my light box from an old cardboard box, inexpensive muslin fabric and white poster board.  Here's how to make it:

It works great!  I have a Nikon point and shoot camera, not fancy at all.  I use either one or two desk lamps on either side of the box (you can adjust light for "tungsten"in your camera menu).  I'm practicing all sorts of cool shots - hopefully I'll take one that will be my next painting.

House Portrait As A Holiday Gift

I finished my commissioned house portrait!  My client loved the painting and will be giving it to her parents for Christmas.  She gave me several photos of the house.  She asked me to paint snow (the photos had green grass) and her parent's Christmas decorations.  She has fond childhood memories of Christmas, so the decorations were important to her.   Just before I finished the piece, I sent her a photo via email.  After her final approval I sprayed the artwork with Prismacolor Gloss Fixative.  I put it in a ClearBag plastic sleeve with a backing board for protection.  I included my business card and a hand written thank you note.  I also had a greeting card made with her house portrait printed on the front.  I gave her this as a token of my appreciation, but I also wanted to show her what could be done with the house portrait image.  I now have a happy client who agreed to be on my monthly e-newsletter mailing list. You can sign up for my e-newsletter right on this blog!  You'll receive information about art, shows and my new colored pencil work.  Here's the finished house portrait:

Etsy Sale Fine Art

I participate in a promotional team on Etsy called the PromoFrenzy Team.  I really enjoy working with these folks!  I've learned how to create a blog, use facebook and twitter, along with other types of social media.  During the month of November, we are promoting a team sale on Etsy.   Many of the shops will be putting this picture in one of their item listings:

Susie Tenzer's Fine Art Sale On Etsy 


All you have to do is search through the shop to find the listing with the picture.  Once you find this, you'll be rewarded with a special offer!  Please read the shop announcements carefully, because each shop sale will be different.  This is a great opportunity to find lovely Etsy items for the holidays ON SALE!


A LIST OF PARTICIPATING SHOPS

1. Trinkets N Whatnots – www.galla15.etsy.com
Handmade Button, Crystal and Pearl Jewelry

2. Sewinggranny – www.etsy.com/shop/sewinggranny
Sewn items – baby, kitchen, home decor, holiday

3. CalliopeAZCreations – www.calliopeazcreations.etsy.com
Handmade Jewelry, Medicine Stones, Decorated Feathers

4. jQ jewelry designs – www.jQjewelrydesigns.etsy.com
Gemstone Jewelry that is Classic … with an Edge

5. KrystalsJewelry – www.krystalsjewelry.etsy.com
Intricate Handmade Jewelry of all styles for all tastes

6. Rooee – www.rooee.etsy.com
Quilts & quilted things, cloth dolls, fabric postcards

7. Painted Memories By Ros -  PaintedMemoriesByRos.etsy.com
Fine Art Note Cards and Prints

8. Peelirohini – Peelirohini.etsy.com
Colorful and Unique Sterling silver , Gold fill Jewelry with Genuine Gemstones and/or Polymer Clay

9.  Sunny Crystals -  www.etsy.com/shop/SunnyCrystals
Crystal Tumblestones, Natural Gemtone Jewellery & Decoupage Cards plus a bit of Vintage Jewellery

10. Symbolic Imports – www.SymbolicImports.etsy.com
Handmade Bath & Body – Lip balms, Sugar Scrubs, Handmade Soaps, Perfumes & more!

11. Beautifulswagstore – www.etsy.com/shop/beautifulswagstore
hair accessories, dog toys, baby gift sets, home decor, gift wrapping

12. Bijibijoux- www.etsy.com/shop/bijibijoux
Handmade jewelry/ beads/ supplies -

13. Newcreationz – www.etsy.com/shop/NewCreatioNZ
Fine art and photography craft

14. BountyOfBeads – www.etsy.com/shop/bountyofbeads
Handmade Bead Dangle Drop Charm Sets and Trinity Brass Findings
Jewelry Making Supplies

15. Fair Lady Boutique – www.etsy.com/shop/fairladyboutique
A Beading Boutique with vintage beads + components, Czech glass, gemstones, and custom made bead mixes

16. HollysFollyGlass – www.etsy.com/shop/HollysFollyGlass
Fine and fun Lampwork Glass Beads by artist Holly Dare.

17. Glitterbird Glass – www.etsy.com/shop/GlitterbirdGlass
Home decor and jewelry made from beautiful fused glass.

18. CrochetedbyCharlene – www.etsy.com/shop/CrochetedbyCharlene
Beautiful crocheted afghans, accessories, and much more.

19. Camillescloset- www.etsy.com/shop/Camillescloset
Handmade jewelery items.

20. Prittify – www.etsy.com/shop/Prittyfy
Handmade Jewelry, Modern, Altered Art, Steampunk

21. Crystalphotography – www.etsy.com/shop/crystalphotography
Fine Art Photography Prints and Greeting Cards

22. iaFlowerPower – www.etsy.com/shop/iaFlowerPower
Whimsical Crocheted and Knitted Baby Hats and more

23. Gabby’s Quilts – www.etsy.com/shop/GabbysQuilts
Handcrafted Quilts, Tablerunners, Wallhangings and Embroidered Gifts

24. CNJ Ceramics – www.etsy.com/shop/CNJCeramics
Contemporary Clay Jewelry and Home Decor

25. LostLemonade – www.etsy.com/shop/LostLemonade
Body Care Products made to cleanse, moisturize and soothe

26. RomanticThoughts – RomanticThoughts.etsy.com
Handcrafted Jewelry, PreMade Scrapbook Pages, Vintage Items and More

27. Ooh Leela! – isabelafelix.etsy.com
Handmade dish towels and trendy accessories

28. KatersAcres – katersacres.etsy.com
Polymer Clay Creations, Trinkets, & Treasures with a Whimsical Feel

29. Magda – magdamagdaFashion.etsy.com
custom clothing, accessories and supplies

30. Ugly Duckling Beads – www.etsy.com/shop/uglyducklingbeads
Handmade glass beads, digital collage sheets, tutorials, and jewelry

31. BellaTheBead – www.bellathebead.etsy.com
Handcrafted jewelry and supplies with vintage soul

32.IdeasBloom – www.ideasbloom.etsy.com
Handcrafted decorative wreaths

33. Greenhouse Glassworks – www.greenhouseglassworks.etsy.com
Fused Glass Jewelry, Stained Glass Home Decor, and Handmade Cards and Tags

34. Five Supplies – Five0101.etsy.com
All the supplies you need to create

35. TheMayFlower Fashions – themayflower.etsy.com
Fun & Stylish Fashion Designs for Women

36. Something Wyrd- www.SomethingWyrd.Etsy.com
Handcrafted jewelry and beaded charms

37. iluvmarin – iluvmarin.etsy.com
Greeting cards, scrapbooks, cupcake toppers, & festive banners

38. Lexilouflowers – www.etsy.com/shop/LexiLouFlowers?ref=si_shop
Hair Accessories, Feather headbands, and Hair ties

39. Mt Baldy Glassworks www.mtbaldyglass.etsy.com
fused glass jewelry and home decore

40. LexiekinPrints – www.etsy.com/shop/LexiekinPrints
Personalized, customized and Printable Invitations, tags, cards and more!

41. Turtlexiii- www.turtlexiii.etsy.com
Sterling Silver Jewelry with Swarovski Crystals and Pearls, Gemstones & more.

42. IsabellesAttic- www.isabellesattic.etsy.com
aprons, accessories, baby items and more

43. AshlynDesign – www.ashlyndesign.etsy.com
Artisan handmade lampwork beads, metal charms, and finished jewelry

44.  Susie Tenzer - www.susietenzer.etsy.com
original fine art paintings and prints

www.etsy.com/teams/7512/promotional-frenzy-team