Sue Flanagan’s Website

Some of the very talented collage artists at the LaGrange Art League (LGAL) made a book. Each artist took a page and made it her own. When I saw a book of handmade watercolor papers at the local craft store, I decided to give this a try. Each page is like a little painting and this is great for my limited attention span. My friend is a writer. When I am done, she is going to write the text for the pages. It will be interesting to see how my art inspires her. Here are a couple of the pages in the book.

Now, what about a project? The LaGrange Art League participated in a community fund raiser called Empty Bowls. The proceeds went to local food pantries. People bought bowls and anyone who came to the gallery with a bowl received a chance to win an apron that was decorated by our artists. Now, fabric painting is something that I have never done but I was asked to participate. I couldn’t say no. So, Suzy came out to play and I painted one of the aprons. This is what I came up with. I wanted to keep the cost down so the palette had to be minimal. I did not have fabric paints or fabric dye. It is called Celestial Happenings.

I have not abandoned my pastel paintings. Every once in awhile I feel like painting a flower. I took a photo last summer of a rose that I think is very interesting. It is a combination of yellow and pink. I started with an oil underpainting on paper and then added the pastel when that was dry. This month’s theme at the LGAL is the color called rose madder. I hung this painting in the show and called it “Does a Rose Matter?” Here is a picture of the underpainting and of the final painting.

I have completed other paintings from my trip to Taos, NM. I will be updating the landscape gallery soon to show you some of those. I hope you are enjoying the spring weather. I am. For all of you who are mothers, have a great Mother’s Day!

Sincerely,
Sue or Suzy?

A couple of weeks ago we had our first 65 degree day in months. So, I packed up the easel and art supplies and headed to the Morton Arboretum. I knew it would be too early for blooming flowers and trees but I had to get outside.  Here are some of the earliest signs of new life. The daffodils were just sprouting.

I set up my easel next to the car because I did not realize how windy it would be and the wind was cold! I anchored the easel so it was secure but I was constantly holding something else down. I was attracted to some trees that had red grass in front of them. Here is the set up. I first put pastel down for the major shapes and then used Gamsol (mineral spirits) to spread the pastel. When it was dry, I applied some pastel. I did not finish.

Unfortunately, this was not fun so I gave up and went to the visitor’s center for some hot tea. I was so cold! I spent the rest of my time driving through the grounds. Today it is an unusual 80 degrees and many things are blooming. It is still windy but I am looking forward to a return trip.

One of my pastel paintings, “Running Out of Titanium White” has been accepted into the Great Lakes Pastel Society National Show. This will be at the Alden B. Dow Museum of Science and Art in Midland Michigan from May 8th to August 1st. In August I will be showing a large number of paintings at the Vogt Visual Art Center in Tinley Park with Marcia Duff, a watercolorist. So I am busy painting in my studio and framing.

Have a great Easter.
Until next time,
Sue Flanagan