Thursday, October 23, 2008

Eucalyptus Tree Sketch

Eucalyptus Tree Sketch
Approx 17.5cm x 23cm
Graphite on 110 gram drawing cartridge
Copyright Susan Borgas

Drawing is so relaxing and just wish I had more time to do detailed work similar to the sample above. My time instead is channeled into producing realistic paintings with the intention of selling them. Marketing of course is high on the agenda as well.

Ideally fifty percent painting and the other fifty towards marketing is desired for the serious artist. Now I say 'ideally' although I do find my 'other life' does get in the way and would suggest that be the case with many artist. Setting realistic goals will without a doubt ensure success.


Effort only releases its reward when you refuse to quit. Author unknown
There are many motivational and inspiring writings on the web. Two that I found interesting to read are as follow:

  1. Goal setting Guide
  2. Index list of Newsletter tips by Dr Philip E Humbert


What about you, do you have some tips to pace yourself so that you are able to achieve your own goals?


Technorati technorati tags: , , ,




Quick links:

Posted by at No comments:

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Get Out of that Car!

Quenching Water's of Wirreanda Creek
 Approx 47.5cm x 68cm
Pastel on Terra Cotta Colourfix Paper
Copyright Susan Borgas

(The blue is not quite right in this image but the best I could get at this time)

I don’t know how many times I have traveled near this spot and never appreciated what is really there. This is permanent water fed by a spring. The surrounding area doesn’t have much in the way of tall trees but there is plenty of salt bush heading off into the distance. I always find the floating algae interesting, especially when it is aging, because of the varied colours and textures that it becomes.

Here in Australia it isn’t unknown to travel quite some distances to reach destination. Time often does not allow us to pull over the side of the road and walk with a sketchbook in tow or a camera bag slung over the shoulder, but instead I have quickly park the car and taken a snapshot from the side of the road for reference to work in a studio. After awhile it isn’t quite so stimulating to paint something that is seen time and again, although these paintings often sell quickly because tourist do recognise those spots and want to take it home as a reminder of their trip.


Walk
"
See what is around that corner!
"

My husband and I are parking our vehicle more often now and walking up or down a creek bed or climbing that nearby hill. It is a good way to find new material to paint, as well of course some exercise tossed in as well.

I am happy to say that I have now sold Water Course, Wilpena Creek.

Technorati technorati tags: , , , ,




Quick links:

Posted by at 2 comments:
Labels: , ,

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Resale Royalties for Australian Artists

After five weeks of no television and radio while working as Artist in Residence at Wilpena Pound, I did hear from someone in passing that Australian visual artist will receive 5% royalties for re-sold works for the value of $1000.00 and above. This is anticipated to happen on the 1 July 2009.

Is this a good thing? I honestly don't know and not even going to try and comment about it. I will though give you some links that you may find useful to make up your own mind.

One thing I am sure of, I don't think I will benefit from this with my own artworks even though I am selling works over a thousand dollars: I won't live long enough but then perhaps I can work towards leaving my grandchildren a legacy to remember me by. wink


Quick links:



Technorati technorati tags: , , ,

Posted by at No comments:
Labels:

Friday, October 10, 2008

Water Course, Wilpena Creek "Completed"

Wilpena Pound's Waterway
 Approx 34cm x 48cm
Pastel on Terra Cotta Colourfix Paper
Copyright Susan Borgas

Cripes I have just about forgotten how to use Blogger because it has been so long since I have posted. I also see some new ideas that I can try out with Blogger as well . Hey and I bet you thought you would never ever see this pastel work finished.

I have changed the title of the painting, as the original was not what I really wanted for the finished piece. Anyway I do hope you like it.

For those that have posted comments and written emails to me, please accept this as a thank you from me, as I look more positively towards the next twelve months and years to come.

Links to this WIP:

  1. Water Course, Wilpena Creek WIP

  2. Water Course, Wilpena Creek two WIP

Quick links:


Technorati technorati tags: , , ,

Posted by at 10 comments:
Labels: , ,

Monday, February 11, 2008

Marbles on eBay


Marbles
Size: 127mm x 127mm
Support: Gessoed MDF board
Copyright Susan Borgas
For Sale

Well I am truly on a steep learning curve here with my first listing on eBay now available for bidding. I am at the moment testing the water to see how it all works and for this reason will only post to Australia. Well that is if I do manage to get a bid. wink

This painting isn't hot off the easel, but painted some time back with the idea of selling on eBay and ended up confused with the whole thing and shelved the idea. What I mean by confused is art sellers leaving eBay and selling their work elsewhere or privately through their blogs and websites. I am hearing that this has escalated in recent months. eBay fees do gobble up small profit on sales so I am going in with my eyes wide open without high expectations.

It is going to be an interesting exercise; one that you can watch with me or if you are an Aussie and like my work, you could be in for a chance of an original piece painted by yours truly. But first you have to make a bid! razz



Quick links:

Technorati technorati tags: , , , ,

Posted by at 8 comments:
Labels: ,

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Sunset on the Murray River


Sunset on the Murray River
Approx 47.5cm x 51cm
Pastel on Storm Blue Colourfix Paper
Copyright Susan Borgas
Commissioned

Yes I know it has been quite awhile since my last post and I do want to thank everyone of you for your emails and comments that still have been flowing in. I had to prioritize what was important to me and step back from deadlines (blog posts) that where in fact eating into my creative time to the point of destroying my urge to paint. As you know blogs are consuming to write and maintain, so much so that they encroach on family time as well as producing work. My health has improved a lot and after arriving home from a recent two week holiday by the beach I am ready to get stuck into some painting once more. Please don't always expect 'works in progress' as I have done in the past but I will post my new works as they are completed.

This commissioned piece that you see above had me scratching my head quite a bit. I did learn a lot from it and had to really think hard because the reference photo was developed from a film camera and was basically all black in the shadows of the background and foreground. I don't know about other artists but do find commissioned work more stressful to do as I know that it is often expected that the painting look like the photo. Well in the end when it come to the dark areas I put some music on and just went with the rhythm , using the darks pastels that I used in the sky and water and went for it.

The painting was commissioned as a surprise gift from wife to husband. They already have two of my oil paintings, one from my very early days, the second around the middle period. The husband was very emotional to receive this painting, because it was one that he had wanted painted for quite some time. The pair were very happy that I found so much to paint in the shadows and was a real relief to hear. I have to admit I got a real buzz out of it in the end.

Quick links:

Technorati technorati tags: , ,

Posted by at 13 comments:
Labels: ,

Saturday, November 17, 2007

Saral Transfer Paper

saral transfer paperKatherine from Making a Mark asked me in the comments section of my last post how do I transfer my drawings to my support. I thought why not make a post about it in more depth to the reply that I gave Katherine.

This work in progress is the third drawing that I had prepared for my artist in residence stint at Wilpena Pound a few weeks back, which I ended up not using due to running out of time. Because I wanted a detailed drawing so that I didn't have to concentrate so much with so many tourist looking over my shoulder, the Saral transfer paper is ideal. One thing I have found out though is to make sure a light hand is used when transferring the drawing onto AS Colourfix paper or the lines can be hard to cover with pastel. I found this to be the case with any method of transferring a drawing because I believe I dent the paper slightly or break down the grit with the marks that I make.

There are two other ways I transfer as well by making my own 'carbon paper'.
  1. Tape drawing to a window with the drawing faced against the glass. With vine charcoal, trace all lines that I can see that is showing through from the light behind the drawing. Remove drawing from window then face the charcoal side down onto the AS Colourfix paper and proceed to redraw the drawing so that the image transfers.

  2. This last one is the method I use the most but perhaps not as ideal for a lot of detail to be transfered. I have a large sheet of paper and rub pastel dust that has fallen into the gutter at the base of a previous painting onto it. This makes a nice carbon although it can be rather messy. I do like the grey tones for the transfered drawing and find them easier to cover if I am using pastels in a particular area lightly.
Getting back to the Saral transfer paper, it can be used again and again. There are five colours.
  • Graphite
  • White
  • Blue
  • Yellow
  • Red
For the artist that works with a great deal of detail and strives for realism, I can truly recommend this product to them.


Quick links:


Technorati technorati tags: , , ,

Posted by at 14 comments:
Labels:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)