FROM A LOOKOUT from inspiration to completion. I like where this work has finished, but it does make me want to try another more abstracted version. ….there’s always something!!!

Have entered and packaged up my paintings and they are ready to deliver on Monday for the Annual Exhibition. Very excited as last year it could only be held online. Always wonderful to see paintings “in the flesh!!”

Recently back from some en plein air sketching beside Brogers Creek and have worked up a piece in watercolours. I am keen to try a larger work, really accentuating the light and shade of the bushes and water.

I really wanted to capture the startling effect of the morning sun as it hit the hills of the canyon we were camped in, in central Australia. I drew it a couple of times. This is the first preliminary sketch in oil pastel.

I played with the shapes a second time, again in oil pastels, which captured a few more ideas

I kept the 30 x 30cm format and there were of course a few more changes along the way, but I was very happy with the result in acrylic on board.

The last weekend of my exhibition flew by, with so many visitors….friends, colleagues and new faces. It has been a wonderful experience having the chance to both see my works up on the gallery wall, to talk about them and the stories that motivated me, but it has been equally rewarding to hear the stories they evoke in those viewing them. I’m still not used to the daily noise of the traffic outside the gallery, but loved how friendly Petersham was, with most passers-by giving a wave or a friendly nod.

A big Thanks to Bess at Newsagency Gallery for an easy and successful exhibition.

Might do it again next year!!!!!!!!

My exhibition SOJOURN continues another week, until 30th August, so if you have the time, come on down and have a look.

Newsagency Gallery – 332 Stanmore Rd, Petersham 2049

Lots of lovely people have visited and many paintings have found news homes. Wonderful!

I love the way new people can react differently to my paintings and especially like when the works evoke in the viewer their own personal responses.

Aahh! Happy Days!

Suzy

Exciting news on my current exhibition, SOJOURN by Suzy Strout

https://newsagencygallery.com.au/

Please come and have a look

It’s official. 14th August I’m opening a solo exhibition of landscape works at Newsagency Gallery, Petersham. Very exciting news and so pleased to be working with the owner Bess O’Malley on my project.

This exhibition shows some of the landscapes that have caught and held my attention. The wide horizons of the Mallee area, the empty, but colour-filled spaces of central Australia and the allure of coastal waters.

Do hope some of you can make it during the 2 weeks and have a look and say hello.

‘SOJOURN’ – Open 14th Aug to 30th Aug Newsagency Gallery,

332 Stanmore Rd, Petersham, 2049

Very excited…….more details to come….meanwhile Stay Safe

Suzy

After 5 1/2 fabulous weeks in Spain & Europe, we are home again. What sights and tastes! Art & architecture in abundance……..and sunny and warm the whole time!

I set myself the lovely task of sketching as much of our trip as possible (see Sketches folder) and so made up a little travel kit.

• A 15cm square book of Khadi paper (Cotton paper) for pen and wash sketches
• A small spiral notebook 10cm x 15cm just for pen work. (which I carried everywhere)
• A small watercolour palette (which I crammed with colours before I left)
• A paper towel
• An aqua brush (med)
• A small mop brush
• Artline black finepoint pens – 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8
• Sharpie ‘Stained’ brush pen (not waterproof)
• 3 x pencils: HB, 2B, 4B
• Eraser & pencil sharpener
• Blue Artline pen 0.4 (Loved this nib an used this lots with small notebook)

I put all of this (except the spiral book and blue pen) into a very OLD Qantas onboard toiletries kit………… I always knew it was too good to throw away!!

Too rainy to varnish any paintings this week and I can’t quite settle to finishing off a couple of projects, so have been doing a sort through in the studio. It appears that I have become quite fascinated by painting portraits. My first one in acrylics a number of years ago, presented me with all sorts of problems, drying too quickly – but I certainly learnt a lot, even though I did not tackle anymore faces for a while.

I have been working in oils for the past year, after some workshop sessions with artist Marie Mansfield, and most of those have been portraits. What a joy! Such a difference to the character or the expression of a face by the slightest touch of colour or tone. Yum!

Then this year, I have rediscovered watercolour and….wouldn’t you know it….portraits in watercolour.

Hope you enjoy my new folder of Portraits

Still lovin’it!

Suzy