Owner: Arts & Stuff URL:http://susanborgas.blogspot.com/ Join Date: Sun, 07 Jan 2007 18:12:16 -0600 Rating:0 Site Description: As an artist I do enjoy many aspects of the profession. I don't only create artworks with pastel, oils, watercolour etc, I also enjoy photography. My blog will cover different subject matter that I would like to share with my readers and do hope they beco Site statistics:Click here
Prints for Sale at RedBubble.com 2007-05-09 08:59:00 For some time now prints of my work has been on the list of things to do but never had the time to get really serious about it to present them in a way that I was happy with.Yesterday I came across an Australian website called RedBubble who offers prints of paintings, sketches, photography and so on. I did come across familiar names that have signed up and after some further research decided to give it a go myself. Click to see my Portfolio at RedBubble.How does it work? It is so easy to do. Sign up, load up high quality images of your work, and choose the mark up price which will be your share of the sale, sit back and wait to see if there is a transaction.I did have concerns with the copyright of my work but put that worry aside for now with a limited amount of work offered. Product previews are all low quality image files so it shouldn’t become an issue. I can delete works at anytime.If you go to the questions and answers for uploading your images, it gives a pretty good descripti
Arts and Stuff Carnival - May 14, 2007 2007-05-14 03:57:00 Welcome to the May 14, 2007 edition of Arts and Stuff Carnival
.Art CreativityChristine Kane presents How to Get Anything Done posted at Christine Kane's Blog.myself presents Our Earth as Art posted at Acres Wild.Lexi Sundell presents Creative Burnout From Unreasonable Customer Demands | Energies of Creation posted at Energies of Creation, saying, "Burnout can result from unreasonable customer demands. The "Omigod Ring" reached ridiculous extremes in this category."Miscellaneous ArtLexi Sundell presents Regulating Puppy Energy Fields posted at Energies of Creation, saying, "Integrating a puppy into a studio/gallery is a challenge solved by unusual energy work."Ellen McDermott presents FINISHING TOUCHES posted at THE ART HALL.Anja Merret presents William Hogarth exhibition at the Tate Britain posted at anja merret, saying, "I was fortunate to be able to visit the William Hogarth exhibition at the Tate Britain."Kathryn presents An Interview With Artist Judy Gittelsohn | San Fran Voice p
Tagged! 2007-05-13 08:41:00 Katherine Tyrrell from Making a Mark has tagged me. How it works I tell you seven things about myself that most people don't know. I then tag seven people to do the same and "they' mention who tagged them in their own blog post, as I have done my mentioning Katherine's name with a link.So here we go…..what little secrets can I tell you all…..mmmmmmmmMany moons ago when I was a very young kid I remember hugging a tree branch from underneath when all of a sudden the limb broke. I fell to the ground while still hugging the branch and wandered if I was ever going to be able to breathe again because the wind was knocked out of me. When I could catch my breath I didn't dare go to my dad for sympathy who was telling me not to climb the tree before hand because I knew I would end up with a sore backside as well for punishment. Now young adults, my own kids take great delight in telling me stories of mischief they used to get up tooI grew up in the outback of Australia and used to Read more:Tagged
Water's Path - Willochra Creek "WIP" two 2007-05-17 08:40:00 Believe it or not there is three hours done on this work today...... slow as I am it will hopefully mean less mistakes to be fixed.Studying the shadowed side of the tree that has been worked on today I may darken it slightly by one or two value in some parts. The trunk is very light so will give the shadowed side some more thought without rushing into it.For those that wonder if I am using white pastel, the answer is no. I do not use pure white in my work. I do love the Art Spectrum Australian Grey for my lightest lights on the tree trunks. I will also sneak a few other interesting colours in just to vary it and admit to trying out new colours to see if they work and if they do, they stay.Sigh!!! I just dropped a heap of pastels that I have for back-up stock. Lets just say that dropping soft pastels from a hight of 30 cm (12"), I now have a lot more pieces than I originally had.....grrrrrr!Quick links:Free Subscription to Arts & Stuff by Email technorati tags: pastel, wip, landsca
Water's Path - Willochra Creek "WIP" 2007-05-16 09:42:00 Work is 47.5cm high x 68cm wide.Burgundy Art Spectrum ColourfixWorking on a large oil painting I found that I am having withdrawals from my pastels so while I wait for paint to set some more I thought I would start a Wip.I started this one by finding my lightest lights (as I usually do with pastels) and my darkest darks. The darks I normally don’t find all of them at this point of my work but found after working with my latest oil painting, which I used the grisaille method, I am much more aware of the tones. I recommend a grisaille to anyone that has trouble identifying tones in their work.The taller eucalyptus tree on the right wasn’t positioned very well as it was dead centre. I knew this before sketching onto the paper and moved the tree across on what is hopefully a much better position. It will also allow the eye to travel through to the background taking away the feeling of being trapped when viewing the painting.Golly I can't stop yawning...... I do find pastelling so rela
Pastel Blogroll 2007-05-20 08:42:00 Blogrolls for the most part offer quality links to blogs that quite often can be lost in the system. Blogs can also be hard for some internet users to find as not all are savvy seeking them out and for that reason today I am launching my 'Pastel
Blogroll' on this blog so start scrolling down until you find it.Many thanks to Katherine Tyrrell from Making a Mark, because it was your post called "The Pastel Journal's new blog" that prompted me to put into action what I had been thinking about doing for some time now. To quote Katherine from that post"Maybe they'd like to start a blogroll on their blog for people who blog about pastels?"Once the seed had been planted it didn’t take long for it to sprout into action on my part.Because I don't want my sidebar longer than necessary a marquee will be used. It isn't ideal for visitors that are in a hurry nor do I particularly like the big gap from the end to the new start when displayed in Internet Explorer. The reason I have incorporat Read more:Blogroll
Water's Path - Willochra Creek "WIP" three 2007-05-22 02:06:00 I just love to paint Mount Remarkable bathed in an atmospheric light that gives depth to the painting. Using the flat end of pastels lightly applied to the tooth of the Art Spectrum paper allows small amounts of colour to mix. Each new colour is another layer (not all the areas are applied with each new colour), which in the end starts to smooth out. I have not done any blending; the application of pastel does the blending. I finish with a warm tone that is only touched in minuscule detail to give the Mount a ‘glow’. At the base of the mountain the colour is applied in the same way but with warmer tones. Also the tops of the canopies of the trees are highlighted a little more to give them more shape.Coming down to the central area: For the most part the grass blades are short because the growth at this time is soon after much needed rain. I found it best to scrape pastel in a horizontal fashion further back against the tree line then as I come towards the creek; follow the bank dow
Mt Aleck, Elder Range 2007-05-24 21:13:00 When fossicking around in my studio studio I came across a sketch book that had been using for an earlier paintings that I had completed. This sketch of Mt Aleck is part of the ElderRange
in the Central Flinders Ranges. The resulting painting can be found on this page at my website.Preparation in the way of a sketch is ideal to plan ahead to see if the main key elements will work before starting on a painting. It can save a lot of time and grief as you will see straight away if the design and perspective will work.For those that do use reference photos; there can be a lucky shot of a scene where everything is located faultlessly. However nature isn't always accommodating with trees positioned perfectly to what you have in your own mind or the ideal place. It is up to you to replant it and what a better way than trying out new positions with a sketch. Works for me! If you would like to try out some of my own photos for reference material for your paintings check out SnapShots and see
Love my Widgets 2007-05-23 23:21:00 Computers without power just do not work and these outages have been happening quite a bit over the last 2 1/2 weeks in my local area, yesterday being one of them hence a delay in getting up a post about a new widget that I have been playing around with.This widget all came about when Katherine Tyrrell from Making a Mark sent me a link for a relatively new blog called Tips for New Bloggers asking me to have a look at it and instantly took a liking to how this blogger explains in simple terms tweaks for blogger. Katherine has written about this blogger, which can be found here. Also she has some interesting news about Google and Blogger that is worth taking note of.Well I am addicted to widgets and love to see what they can do. I think I need a blog just to load widgets up to display them to the world but then again I need another blog like a hole in the head.I spotted a "JavaScript for Quote of the Day" at 'Tips for New Bloggers' and instantly thought it would solve an idea that I ha
Water's Path - Willochra Creek "WIP" four 2007-05-28 20:33:00 Progress is happening although slowly. This painting is all about the process and enjoying what I am doing rather than constantly watching the clock thinking about wanting to advance the work enough to post on my blog.These close-up samples are an offering to you for your patience waiting for updates. The scrubby area to the left of the tree trunk isn't finished but close to it. There will be branches placed in amongst the foliage yet.Once I have all the areas caught up there possibly will be tweaks here and there as often is the case. Mmmmm....what area will I tackle next.....stay tuned on that one!Quick links:Free Subscription to Arts & Stuff by Email technorati tags: pastel artist, pastel, landscape, pastel landscape, artistArts & Stuff with Susan Borgas
SnapShots
Nose, eye and mouth sketches 2007-05-28 04:32:00 It is really nice to come across sketches that I had done awhile ago during my time that I was studying a Commercial Art Course.These little studies are very helpful to get ones head around the shapes and size to indicate if the person is a child or an adult.Well it is a short post as there has been a lot of coming and going in my household over the last few days although did manage to get some work done in my studio today. Until next time....happy blogging!Quick links:Free Subscription to Arts & Stuff by Email technorati tags: sketch, sketching, drawing, nose studies, eye studies, mouth
studiesArts & Stuff with Susan Borgas
SnapShots
Water's Path - Willochra Creek "WIP" six 2007-06-01 19:50:00 Working on the background to the right from the largest tree trunks is the hardest section so far of this pastel painting. Always thinking about the aerial and atmospheric perspective some of the contrast maybe a little strong yet, but am aware that once the foliage is put in place that some areas will grey off as well as a reduced amount of contrast. Until next time, take care! Quick links:Free Subscription to Arts & Stuff by Email technorati tags: Pastel artist,, pastel,, landscape pastel,, wip,, artistArts & Stuff with Susan Borgas
SnapShots
Water's Path - Willochra Creek "WIP" five 2007-05-30 18:21:00 Moving on from the previous post my next stint on this work had me putting in a few twigs and timber in the mass of foliage to the left of the large tree trunks. I then moved down to the base of that collection of growth and attached them to the ground so that the group of trees and shrubs were not floating.Progressing in a downward direction I worked on the bank of the creek at all times thinking about the light striking on this area. As so often these days my thoughts are constantly thinking about how the light effects the shadowed areas. They are NOT a mass of the darkest darks because of the reflective light that bounces around in them. There is a softer shadow in amongst the darker areas where a little more light finds it way through the growth of trees above. I also have in my own mind that the shadows further away from the object throwing the darker colour is softer than right up against it. For example a tree trunk shadow will be stronger near the base than the part of the sha
Desktop Sketch 2007-06-03 20:22:00 The only thing that I have done that is creative in the last couple of days is this five minute sketch over a coffee break because I have been busy working in the office. Do I dare say it.... I hate GST bookwork! I know I know; I'm always saying that!The odd thing about this sketch, I wasn't in the office when putting pencil to paper and ended up with a desktop that is nothing like my own. Maybe is is my wishful thinking workspace.Well there are some lovely comments to reply to on my blogs before my next stint in the office so I had better get on with it.Quick links:Free Subscription to Arts & Stuff by Email technorati tags: drawing, sketching, gstArts & Stuff with Susan Borgas
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Water's Path - Willochra Creek "WIP" seven 2007-06-07 01:58:00 There is a lot more to do in the canopy area although the basics are there now to help guide me with the rest.It wasn't until I put some music on with plenty of upbeat that I could get into the rhythm of painting the foliage of the trees. My belief is it must be the tempo that helps the mind to free up to get on with the job at hand. Does this ever happen to you?There won't be another post on this blog now for a few days because Malcolm and I are doing a trip down memory lane in the outback where I grew up. I need tomorrow to organise a few things before my brother and his wife turn up here at the farm, as we are making this journey together.There will be photos on my SnapShots blog on my return......cheers for now!Quick links:Free Subscription to Arts & Stuff by Email technorati tags: pastel artist, pastel, landscape, pastel landscapeArts & Stuff with Susan Borgas
SnapShots
Test your Template in Different Size Browsers 2007-06-13 19:18:00 Have you wondered how to test your blog or web template for a smaller browser window? This article is my effort to help make it easier for you to quickly check your posts at different resolutions.Why you say do I need to test? It is very handy when tweaking your template to see what the column widths look like in different size browsers or how much scrolling will be involved for your visitors. This may not be fool proof although it just might be of some value when designing your blog or webBy typing or copy and paste javascript:window.resizeTo(800,600); in your browser window then press enter it will resize your browser instantly to a 800 x 600 resolution. Try it and see what happens.You have a huge monitor and want a different size? That is easy to do; just change the (800,600) size to the window that you require.Want it to be easier still? Click on each link below to see how each resizes to a new window resolution. You can drag the links to your bookmark bar or into a folder in yo
Arts and Stuff Carnival - June 13, 2007 2007-06-12 18:40:00 Welcome to the June 13, 2007 edition of arts and stuff carnival.Art CreativityartThailand presents Don?t you just love Marilyn Monroe? posted at artThailand, saying, "As reported by the BBC it seems that modern and contemporary art prices continue to rise at almost bubble like rates. The auction record for post-war art was smashed twice in one night just a few days ago."Christopher Scholl presents New places. New photographs. posted at Photographer's Journey.com, saying, "Finding photographic inspiration through travel."Miscellaneous ArtKrystian presents My wallpapers and others posted at Krystians life in Britain.Joe Szymanski presents Photography 2.0 posted at Photography and Art, Mostly..., saying, "What does this hold in store for the practice of photography, and what does it mean for those of us who make a living with a camera?"Samir Bharadwaj presents The Road to Fujairah posted at SamirBharadwaj.com.The Junky's Wife presents Grew Up Screwed Up posted at Gerald Gaddy Tattoos, Read more:Carnival
Vincent van Gogh's Letters 2007-06-12 03:38:00 Letter from Vincent
van Gogh to Theo van Gogh, Etten, September 1881Attribution: WebExhibitsLetters
from the old masters always fascinate me, especially when the author has used sketches to illustrate these wonderful pieces of history. The following is a short excerpt from this letter.Dear Theo, Though it is only a short time since I wrote to you, I have something more to tell you now. For there has been a change in my drawings, both in the way I set about them and in the results. Also, as a consequence of some of the things Mauve told me, I have started working with live models again. Luckily I have been able to get several people to sit here for me, including Piet Kaufman, the labourer.To see more about this letter visit this page to view illustrations along with what Vincent van Gogh
wrote to Theo van Gogh. Want more to read? Click on the previous or next link near the top right of that website. Also there is a Topic List here that you can visit.Th
Water's Path - Willochra Creek "WIP" ten 2007-06-16 19:21:00 Still working on the water the progress is slowing and surely coming to completion in this area. I estimate another four hours on the water to bring it up to my own satisfaction. Probably another four hours on top of that to finish off the rest of the painting.There isn't much I can add about the water from yesterdays entry so rather than bore you to tears with what seems little progress I think I will now leave my next post of this work until completed.Edit: I hope I haven't doubled up your rss feeds with this edit but wanted to add that I have used a colour shaper to blend the colours in the water. The direction of the blending is mostly vertical in the reflections with some horizontal over the transparent water.Quick links:Free Subscription to Arts & Stuff by Email technorati tags: landscape, large trees, pastel, water scene, WIPArts & Stuff with Susan Borgas
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Water's Path - Willochra Creek "WIP" nine 2007-06-15 20:14:00 Anyone would think I have fleas as I am now at the stage of the painting that I do a lot of head scratching from my brain going into overload, as I think about how and where I lay my pastel strokes. Most of these marks consist of vertical and horizontal application to mimic water reflections. Also some of the vertical lines are squiggled onto the paper to give the impression that the water has subtle movement to it.For the most part water reflections are darker than the object that it reflects. This is also true with transparent water. What we see under water in nature is darker and murkier which makes edges of what we see softer and not so dominant. The values will actually be very similar if not mostly the same. It is the colour of the object that makes it seem lighter when laid against another because if we were to squint at what we see under water, the values would be generally the same. If I get my values correct we should be able to see transparent water, reflections and shadow
Water's Path - Willochra Creek "WIP" eight 2007-06-14 20:02:00 The canopy is now well on its way. I haven't place the twigs and smaller branches in yet because I want to be sure that I have the foliage the way that I want it before flicking and squiggling fat and thin lines in the canopy.I still have the banks to complete but before doing so dropped in the sky colour into the water reflections, as I am getting impatient to start in this area. This blue will need the values adjusted slightly but won't be doing that until the surrounding refections and transparent water are added so that I can 'read' what is there correctly.Quick links:Free Subscription to Arts & Stuff by Email technorati tags: wip, Pastel artist, pastel, landscape pastelArts & Stuff with Susan Borgas
SnapShots
Lover of My Soul 2007-06-19 01:30:00 Music plays a big role when I am working in my studio. Sometimes I will have the volume turned up with the room jumping with the sound of music and song in my studio. Yesterday was not one of those days; I was looking for something relaxing to play.At these times I like listening to the acclaimed harpist Carol McClure playing hymns and worship songs on a Cd called "Lover of My Soul". Even for those that are not particularly religious would enjoy the soothing sounds of this cd.Once the music had started I settle down to do this sketch because my mind seem to be pulled into different directions that I couldn't concentrate on the pastel that I am working on. The sketch isn't about trying to do a perfect drawing but more about making marks on paper without thought of how or what this line should be doing. Once done I was much more relaxed and able to concentrate on my pastel painting.Do you ever find that you really have to push yourself to work as an artist because you lack inspiration
Ants and Laptop 2007-06-17 23:53:00 What is it about ants and my laptop? For months now I get the odd ant that likes to crawl around over my laptop; thankfully not the whole nest wanting to take up residence, just one on its own.It isn't the same little blighter because I have completely removed them to find another climbing up the power cord and if left makes its way to the monitor or keyboard of the laptop, which is downright distracting.Hey here is a thought! The ant is a scout looking for food and if found will bring his friends for a meal? Uh Oh...... I better vacuum my keyboard because I am always catching up to my RSS feeds over my evening meal. Quick links:Free Subscription to Arts & Stuff by Email technorati tags: drawing, sketching, artist, ants, graphite pencilArts & Stuff with Susan Borgas
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Making a Mark 2007-06-17 18:22:00 Making a Mark is increasingly making her mark! Katherine Tyrrell is no stranger to many online artists although just in case someone has missed her blog or even her latest post do check it out BUT first make a cup of coffee or whatever else you prefer because you will be in for some reading.Each Sunday Katherine is going to try and publish a round-up of links to interesting blog posts and web articles that she has visited in the previous week. This will be flexible as she does have a lot of other commitments with her own projects but wow I am sure we are going to see more interesting links that we may have otherwise missed, not forgetting that Katherine's post are always rich with links; a wealth of information is this artist!Thanks Katherine! I know I am one that will be looking forward to your weekly round-up.Quick links:Free Subscription to Arts & Stuff by EmailTake a look at my SnapShots BlogArts and Stuff with Susan Borgas website technorati tags: artist, Making a Mark, Kathe
Waiting 2007-06-21 02:41:00 A number of months back I received a phone call from a lady to book a date for an outing for a group to visit my gallery and studio. A presentation by myself about what I do as an artist also would be included.Today was the day the ladies turned up armed with a lovely afternoon tea. I had a great time with these visitors answering many questions that had me forgetting how it was a cold and drizzly day outdoors.While waiting for the group to turn up I sat at my studio window staring at this plant outside in my garden and started to sketch it. Just as well I did or I may not have posted here today, which would make me feel guilty considering I won't be posting for the next few days. Malcolm (hubby) and I are heading to the city tomorrow to catch up with family & friends plus I do have a meeting to attend in the Big Smoke. Oh and shopping as well! Until my return, please don't forget me. Quick links:Free Subscription to Arts & Stuff by Email technorati tags: draw, drawing, sketch, Read more:Waiting
An Apple a Day 2007-06-28 00:45:00 Bowl Fruitcopyright Susan BorgasAn apple a day keeps the doctor away or so the old saying says. Perhaps it should be draw a piece of fruit a day keeps the artist eye and hand cordination healthy.My home is overflowing with items to draw and yet so often I sit like a stunned mullet wondering what to sketch. It sort of goes like this when I do make an effort.Open fridge door....... shut fridge door; scary stuff in there! Look inside my cupboards..... nope nothing to interest me but do take note of the dust over cupboard that needs cleaning.Walk around studio...... notice paintings that need to be completed.Poke my nose outdoors and nearly freeze in the process...... shelve that idea.Check my email and RSS feeds....... nope, no ideas there Back to the studio and do some work on a painting to avoid sketching.Somewhere in all this confusion a drawing will sometimes materialise. Quick links:Free Subscription to Arts & Stuff by Email technorati tags: draw, drawing, sketch, sketching, grap Read more:Apple
Cuppa Time - Sketch 2007-06-27 02:48:00 Good grief when is life going to slow down? I think perhaps with me the answer is never! After a huge extended weekend in Adelaide I can say that there has been a number of jobs ticked off my list that had to be done towards my son's wedding, a meeting with a network of artist that I am involved with plus a job done on the Patrol that will have the 4WD ready for a trip up in Central Australia in mid August of this year. My hubby and I also attended a 21st birthday party; consequently it was a very tiring trip by the time we arrived home.I hope I haven't missed answering comments that have been posted, as three of my blogs had comments while I was in Adelaide..... spam included! It is a shame that spammers make it so hard for us bloggers when we are away because I would prefer to allow comments with my blogs without moderation during those periods but just can't bring myself to do it.Quick links:Free Subscription to Arts & Stuff by Email technorati tags: drawing, draw, graphite,
Pastels 2007-07-01 02:28:00 Something a bit different to what I have done in the past when showing you a 'work in progress' (WIP). These pastels that you see here are what I have used on Water's Path - Willochra Creek.I Said I would post images of my pastels in this thread at WetCanvas so decided to post larger photos here on my blog because there is a limited size for the WetCanvas Forum to view and will point them to this post.On completing the pastel work the first image shows the pastels that I was constantly picking up and putting down in a given day. They are resting on soft foam in a pull out drawer of my easel. The foam is also used to wipe the pastels against to keep my colours clean. These two images show you all the pastels for my last project that I did use.I am right handed and this second image displays my pastels that are on a trolley to my right. Usually what I do is at the end of my days work, give a final wipe to the pastel on that piece of foam that you see in the bottom left and place in th Read more:Pastels
Water's Path - Willochra Creek "Completed" 2007-06-30 01:05:00 Water's Path - Willochra CreekPastelCopyright Susan Borgas'Completed' is part of the title but as I look at my monitor I see straight away a problem with the reflection where there is a sharp edge of light just to the left of the large curled root. I think some movement of water to take that straight edge off would benefit this area greatly.Since my last posting the area of the shaded stones and tallish grass to the right has been completed. Also the remainder of the right hand side bank that is in light has now had dry leaf litter and grasses added. Water is finished other than a little adjustment on that light area that I spoke about. Twigs have been placed in the canopy as well as any other minor adjustments that needed doing.There will be no further images of this painting on my blog although a new photo of the work will be placed on my website just prior to framing.To make it easier to find the steps to "Water's Path - Willochra Creek" from past postings on this blog, the link
Grisaille - What is it? 2007-07-05 02:31:00 As some of you know I am working on an oil painting that is worked as a grisaille then glazes of transparent colour layered over the top. Because it is a landscape I am also introducing opaque colour as well with texture and the two seem to be work together; probably as the scene is water, smooth rock and native bush.For those that wonder about the pronunciation of grisaille it is grizz-eye; French for grey.The grisaille technique can be used in any colour that an artist wishes to choose although shades of grey or brown is more common. What you end up with is a monochromatic painting done entirely with a number of steps of values in one colour. This technique was common among the artists of the early Renaissance.Using the grisaille technique the values are all worked out before any colour is added, not that hues are always introduced to the work. If you choose to go to the next step and add colour, the rest seems to take on a life of its own with changes happening very quickly because
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