Susan Neese McKinney Ramblings

Richard Ormond and myself "Catherine", 12"x 17", charcoal drawing from life I had a great time at the Portrait Society of America's conference in Atlanta, Georgia this last weekend. I was there with a few hundred fantastic artists, some of my idols.   One highlight was meeting Richard Ormond.   The grandnephew of John Singer Sargent, one of the finest portrait artists of all time.    Richard was our keynote speaker and had some wonderful stories about Sargent.     On Friday, we had models available for us to sketch.     This one was pretty good for me since I only had about 45 minutes.    I need to do this more often...........good practice as all the experts suggest.   

"Cry me a River!"...............just kidding.    Although disappointed, "Summertime", "Summertime", 36"x 48", Oil didn't get into the airport show this summer.   Bummer!    Now what?   At least I will have time to let it set a while and see if it needs any other touches.    In the meantime I'm looking forward to a trip to Atlanta, GA for the Portrait Society conference next week.   And  also to stop by Billy's (my bro) in Birmingham.   I've never been to an art conference before, so I'm hoping to learn a lot and to meet some wonderful artists that I admire.    I'll probably post some photos of the conference on my Facebook page as it progresses.    Here is another version of "Summertime",  although I touched it up a little more since this photo.  

Large canvases.    Wow!   It's a learning experience from the get-go.......  I've done only a few larger works over the years.......but it's like starting all over again.   I knew this "Big Show" at the Springfield-Branson National Airport, (Missouri) was coming up, so when I found a good deal on some larger canvases I figured it was meant to be................ It's kind of a gamble to paint large, like this, as most of my small galleries don't have room for "BIG".    But the Sky Gallery at the airport is such a great venue to display art, I'm always excited at the chance to hang my paintings there.    I changed my mind on the subject to paint 4 times, then remembered I had this great reference of granddaughter, Taylor Ann, at the Stockton Lake swim beach.     The decor at the airport is water and fish......so this fits in perfectly.    My first version was too stiff legged, so I had to redo her...

Palo Verde tree in bloom. Prickly Pear blooms.  I had a great 8 days in Arizona, and a couple in California last week, visiting family and friends.   My sister and I took my Mom to her 70th Peoria High School class reunion.   How about that!   We all enjoyed seeing her friends and all our relatives that also graduated there.    In between visiting I did sneek away for a few photos.   The Palo Verde trees were showing off their best after having some recent rains.   The valley of the sun has the most fabulous landscaping all through out the area.    The best looking freeways I've ever seen.    I hope to go back sometime for  some serious plein air painting.    Here are 3 photos I took. Cactus Flower  

"Sara at Rest",  16"x 20", Oil, painted from life This was fun to paint with the classical pose of the model.    She was so relaxed she was sleeping.    Must be nice to be so secure in your body......... I could never do it.     Sorry this is still too wet to photograph well.   I'll update it when it has dried more.    I probably won't upload this to Facebook, in respect for all my minister relatives...........Although I think this is done in good taste, and shows the natural beauty of the female form.   Available.

"Anna", 16"x 20", Oil After some redo on the background and adding Anna's tattoo, I'm calling this one finished.    Just waiting for a few days for it to dry better, so I can sign it.   Now on to a new one.   I'll post the first step on it in a day or two.

" Royal Blue", 8"x 10", Oil painted from life. This is a still life I painted about a week ago in my newly lit studio.   My friend Cheryl came over and we painted for the morning and then had lunch.      It's good to get together with friends after being stuck in the house because of the cold and snow.    A little cabin fever setting in I think.     I also entered 3 paintings into a juried show last week.   I should find out if they are accepted or not in the next couple days.     Then the end of the week I have 5 paintings to take to a show in Springfield at the Drury University gallery.    It's an honor to be INVITED to bring my paintings to a show, instead of doing all the work of entering.    The weather is not looking real good for the week.    I hope it's not too darn cold the day I have to carry the 5 paintings to the gallery door...