Gallery Opening

Last night I went to the opening reception at the Escondido Municipal Gallery. Their new space is fabulous! The event was lively with wine, a DJ and people actually dancing.
My painting - Detroit: the Devil Within won 3rd place!

Here's my friend Regina Wilson hamming it up with a man who claimed he was a noted art critic. I think he was teasing.....

Remember these cats? I had left Tabu red for my recent show, but promised the owner I would make him look more like her cat once the show was over. It was difficult doing so since the reference photo she'd provided was rather washed out (and, frankly, I liked Tabu in a raw, RED state!).

Unfortunately, last week, the owner wrote me to tell me that her cat had just passed away. Am I a lagger or what! Anyway, that motivated me and I got him finished. I emailed a copy of the final work to the clients and they replied:

I love it, Susan. It captures his spirit. I can't tell you how glad I am we had you do this. As hard as it is to look at his spunky little face, and as much as we miss him, we will absolutely treasure this portrait. Some things
are just meant to be...

Cat again

I've changed a few things.... this always happens until something sells.

Background

Changed the background and REALLY like it today - but WILL I tomorrow?

Done (for now!)

More fur!

I'm posting my work in progress to document what I do. People are always asking me about my technique. I never can quite verbalize it. These WOP's may illustrate the steps I take as I develop a painting.

Slowly building it up

New year, new painting

Thanks for the positive feedback... I've moved on to a much larger canvas and have (finally!) started painting Marissa's crazy cat, Detroit. I posted a pencil sketch here back in November. It's much more satisfying working big (40"x30") but it takes soooo much longer!

Where did December go???!!?

With the holidays, family gatherings and a brief trip to Vegas, December has really been a blur.

Started this second cat, commissioned to go with the previous painting. I'm tempted to keep it at this level - love the red!

Mango

Made great headway on this commissioned painting today!

Detroit