Oil Painting of Antique Vase with Yellow Flowers, 9" x 12" Oil on Panel

“Antique Vase with Yellow Flowers”
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Price: $125 USD plus $15 USD s/h
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I actually painted two paintings today but decided to rework the other a bit in the morning. I was striving for just the right tone in the background here and more texture on the vase.

Old Master Paintings with an Expressionist feel by Susan Martin Spar who creates original oil paintings every day. These daily paintings consist of still life, figure art, and landscape art.

Peonies in Asian Vase, Oil Painting, 18" x 24"

“Full Bloom”
SOLD

This is a recent commission I completed just yesterday. I really enjoyed getting my teeth into something big again. The painting was done in layers for the most part although there are some wet-in-wet worked areas. My collector loves it and that’s what’s most important. Hope you enjoy it too! To see how this painting was done, click here.

Old Master Paintings with an Expressionist feel by Susan Martin Spar who creates original oil paintings every day. These daily paintings consist of still life, figure art, and landscape art.

Peony Oil Painting, 6" x 6"

“Peony”
NFS

Today started with an early rise so that I could get my wrecked studio into shape for my students who were returning after the holiday break. What a mess! After about two hours I managed to get enough stuff moved around so that folks could work. I am so done with this whole waiting thing! I can’t wait until the new studio is finished. You could hide a body in the old one.

After my students left, I got busy with Day Two of my commission but didn’t wrap it up until dinner time. So for my daily painting, I borrowed one of the peonies from the painting and, viola! A daily painting. OK – so it’s not for sale. But I did finish it in about the time I take to do a DP, so it sort of counts. Check in with my teaching blog later tonight for more about this peony and the painting as it develops.

Old Master Paintings with an Expressionist feel by Susan Martin Spar who creates original oil paintings every day. These daily paintings consist of still life, figure art, and landscape art.

Painting of Venice Canal, 5" x 7" Oil on Board

“Lost in the Rialto”
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Price: $45 USD plus $8 USD s/h
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My husband and I spent a month cruising Europe. I returned with a memory chip full of shots, but my favorites were the ones I took in Venice. It snowed another three inches last night so I thought I’d try to capture a bit of the last days of summer in the studio. This is my first attempt at a canal scene of Venice. I started with a small one. I think I’ll wait a bit to try a bigger one.

Old Master Paintings with an Expressionist feel by Susan Martin Spar who creates original oil paintings every day. These daily paintings consist of still life, figure art, and landscape art.

Sunflower Painting in a Copper vase, 9" x 12", Oil on Panel

“Sunshine Ala Prima”
SOLD 

Thought I would loosen up and shake out my hands for a floral today. Also, it is so dreary out this morning that I needed a little sunshine in the studio. This was a nice break from the large figure I’m working on right now.

Here’s a little bit of news I thought I’d share with you. One of my dreams has been to have my very own mentor. A teacher that I could learn from for an extended period. I’ve wanted to study at the Gage Academy of Art in Seattle for a long time but distance, availability of classes, etc. have just made it impossible. Tenaya Sims, an alumni and teacher at Gage has started teaching small (8 students, on going, atelier style classes from his studio once a week and I was lucky enough to get in! It will mean having to travel into Seattle for two days a week (a three and a half hour drive for me). I’ll stay with a relative for one night, travel to the class in the morning and after a long day, head home – with a car load of homework. I’m not sure if I can keep the pace up but I’ll sure give it my best shot. I think the hardest part will be keeping sales and teaching going at the other end. Something I need to do with the economy being what it is. But, hey…when times get tough, the tough get going. Or feint. One or the other. Wish me luck!

 

 

 

Old Master Paintings with an Expressionist feel by Susan Martin Spar who creates original oil paintings every day. These daily paintings consist of still life, figure art, and landscape art.

 

 

 

 

Oil Painting of Asian Vase and Tumbling Red Roses, 14" x 18" Oil on Linen

“Tumbling Roses”
$150
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This piece has been sitting on my easel demanding to be finished while other obligations got in the way. Despite my earlier struggles with this piece, I’m content with the way in which it was resolved. I think the roses came out just great and the greenery which posed such a problem at first, was handled well. I’ve been finding out that my skills can get rusty if I’m away from the easel for only a few days. What am I going to do when I go to Europe in two weeks?! All I’ll have is a sketch book. Maybe I can bring some watercolors.

Old Master Paintings with an Expressionist feel by Susan Martin Spar who creates original oil paintings every day. These daily paintings consist of still life, figure art, and landscape art.

Oil Painting of White Flowers in Blue Delft Vase with Red Plums, 12" x 16", Oil on Panel

“Lightstruck Reconsidered”
$125
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I actually painted this piece earlier last month but wasn’t happy with it. I’ve kept it around the studio and finally figured out what it lacked. The blooms are more abundant now and the canvas looks integrated. I adjusted the light on the vase and the plums shadows were deepened. More loose blooms adorn the table top and the light has more of a glow. I first put a separator coat of varnish on and then painted the second layers in glazes. It really made a spectacular difference in the painting. My husband was walking past the studio and just glanced in. He did a double take and said -”Wow…is that new?” Guess I succeeded! There is, of course, generous paint on the flowers. The varnish really makes the colors brighter and things just glow! Think I’ll be doing more of that. It’s really hard to see the effect in a photo. You’ll just have to have some faith. See the detail below. Enjoy.

Old Master Paintings with an Expressionist feel by Susan Martin Spar who creates original oil paintings every day. These daily paintings consist of still life, figure art, and landscape art.

Oil Painting of Delft Blue Tea Pot and Fruit, 12" x 16" on Panel

“The Little Blue Tea Pot”
$100.00

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I spent the week at a workshop taught by David Leffel. I turned out this one during the week and put some finishing touches on it today. The workshop was incredible but intensive and exhausting. I’m happy I can offer this to you as it has the approval of the Master. Enjoy.

Old Master Paintings with an Expressionist feel by Susan Martin Spar who creates original oil paintings every day. These daily paintings consist of still life, figure art, and landscape art.

Floral Oil Painting of Mixed Bouquet, 24" x 36", Oil on Canvas

“Floral en Trompe l’Oeil”
SOLD

I’m headed to a week long workshop in Fall City this week so I as I won’t be able to publish regularly, I thought I’d run a sort of slide show of some previous work. If I get a chance, I’ll publish what I’m doing at the workshop and maybe get to post one or two for sale, but this is a week of study. Something I desperately need to do for myself. It will be refreshing to work with other artists instead of in isolation and I’ll get to sit at the feet of the Master, David Leffel.

This piece was one from my Trompe l’Oeil collection (pronounced tompe loi – at least I think so. The French would argue with that or so says my friend Jackie – oh, excuse me – Jacquie). I actually painted the frame into the painting. Something I did on a lot of pieces in those days.

Old Master Paintings with an Expressionist feel by Susan Martin Spar who creates original oil paintings every day. These daily paintings consist of still life, figure art, and landscape art.

Oil Paint of Pink Rose and Golden Plums, 11" x 14" on Canvas Panel

“Rose with Golden Plums”

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It’s been a pretty busy week here at the Spar homestead. Our local fair starts this week and I’ve entered some work in it. But mostly it’s just been hectic getting all the paperwork and peliminary stuff for my upcoming show ready. I know I should be ready for this by now, but it just seems to be taking forever to do it all. I’ll be soooo glad when it’s all behind me. Honestly, some days just looking for a phone number can take all day!

Here’s a piece I put together on the fly today. Hope you like it.

Old Master Paintings with an Expressionist feel by Susan Martin Spar who creates original oil paintings every day. These daily paintings consist of still life, figure art, and landscape art.