April 2024 - Getting Along
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April 2024 Newsletter |
Can art help us get along?
Welcome! This is my first newsletter in a while. I’ve been busy moving my studio and exploring new painting techniques, while creating a new series, “Getting Along”. I’m pleased that five have found new homes. I hope they inspire viewers to understand others' perspectives better. Spring seems like a good time to grow our listening skills. Narrative Art tells a story. It uses the power of the visual image to ignite imaginations, evoke emotions, and capture universal cultural truths and aspirations. What distinguishes Narrative Art from other genres is its ability to narrate a story across diverse cultures, preserving it for future generations. – The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art Making art that has a bit of story is more interesting than painting just what I see. For example, cave paintings told stories of the hunts long ago. I’m always looking for current inspirational stories. The “Getting Along” concept attempts to show ways to enjoy our similarities and let go of our polarities. My favorite subjects are familiar animals so I wondered if they could suggest ways for humans to find common ground. Why not try? Ideas began coming while I slept, read, walked, and laughed. There are so many ideas I can’t paint them all. Collectors have said they enjoy having these “conversation starters” on their walls.
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| Sometimes I am moved to start a painting when I see or photograph an animal in a unique pose. Growing up with and owning many kinds of farm animals I noticed that they got along well with other species. Horses petted dogs who licked them back. My cat, Sushi’s tail was always a visible striped flag in the middle of the packed chicken flock as they led me to the barn for breakfast. I found the acceptance of differences uplifting. |
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Play with Me, oil on wrapped canvas, 20" x 20", $2300. |
| Cats as subjects are very malleable and can move in ways that mimic humans. Our two cats inspire me although I usually change their color. Mika posed for this painting, “Play With Me”, while she slept. She looked like she was jumping. While playing recorded classical violin music on my phone, I study and photograph cows, horses, sheep, and goats in the fields. Animals seem drawn to it and I can then see them close up. |
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Listen Up, oil on canvas, 20" x 20", $2300. |
| I have thousands of photos I’ve taken over the years and pore over websites that offer free images to artists. Most of my poses reference many different animal’s anatomy and lighting. Charts of dance moves on the internet, like hip-hop, have been helpful. I then look for shapes, angles, foreshortening, etc. to create a new animal. I usually make up the shadows. My palette is often two yellows, two reds, two blues plus white, and sometimes burnt umber. I build and edit my ideas on my computer and use a grid to transfer them to canvas with a small brush. I then paint in layers. It’s great fun! |
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My website: susanvonborstel.com Email: My original paintings can be seen at these galleries:
To view this on my website click here
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