Sue Flanagan’s Website

How did I miss November? The year is quickly coming to an end. A couple of weeks ago, Rita Rogan, invited several artists to her home. We created abstract paintings on material that will become curtains for one of her large windows in her home. Joyce Leas provided the structure for the panels and the rest of us splashed, poured, stamped and stroked paint of primary colors. We called it our Jackson Pollock moment. We took a break and had some great chili and other snacks. Here are the results of this fun afternoon.

Back to pastel, I decided to do something that I have been meaning to do for awhile. I painted a still life with white on white with white. I used a statue that I bought in an antique shop. I liked the graceful curves of this statue. I placed it on top of a white napkin with three white rosebuds in a small glass bowl next to it. Here is the outcome.

This was a very good exercise. It requires close observation of color, color temperature, and value. I like the painting. I am currently working on another still life of white objects. However, this one has been more challenging and the frustration level is high.

So, what about plein air painting? It is currently about 25 degrees outside and it is a very gray day. This is the time of year when I find little motivation for plein air painting. It is difficult to find beauty in the barren trees and fields and the wind chill can be brutal. However, I did go to the Morton Arboretum a couple of weeks ago and will return when there is a nice snowfall. I hope you had a great Thanksgiving and hope that you have a blessed Christmas.
Sue Flanagan

Hello Friends,
There is a lot going on in my artistic endeavors. I won best of show in the Holiday show at the LaGrange Art League for my plein air painting, Crystal Trees. The reception was well attended. The above painting, Irish Castle Silhouette was juried into the LaGrange Art League’s show, Eclectic Elegance. The show will be in the LaGrange Library for the month of December. Click on the link to the league for more information about it.

I have mentioned that I am taking classes from a local artist, Joyce Leas. She teaches multi media abstract and non-objective art. She has me working on large pieces. She is teaching me “controlled” splattering and throwing of paint and gluing papers. I am learning more about composition and value.  Here are some pictures of our little class in her studio. Click on the image to enlarge.

The first picture is Judy Goral, Joyce Leas, and Bill Keck. The second is of me working on a piece and then there is Joyce supervising. Joyce’s philosophy is “anything goes.” Here we are in front of her painting entitled “Anything Goes.”

Joyce’s class is great fun. Another fun activity was going to a Saturday workshop by John Howard. John is an excellent watercolorist and he has fantastic drawing skills. The workshop was offered by the Town and Country Art League. We worked on drawing including drawing a model. Here are some pictures of the experience.

I am back to working in pastel. I am working larger and I am experimenting with making my own textured surface. So much to do and so little time. That is all for now.

Have a great Thanksgiving holiday!
Sue Flanagan