susan melrath

Issaquah ArtWalk: Save the Date!

Save the date for a unique experience at Issaquah's ArtWalk on Friday, September 2nd, 5-8 pm!

Hint: you'll see a lot of this....

the birth of a painting

Dream Garden acrylic on board 80"x24" $2500

Dream Garden is hanging at Sightline Institute through June 30th. Read about the show and

Art and Sustainability here.

I'm having too much fun on Apple's Keynote - making slideshows and videos of my process.

Hope it's entertaining! (double click to see full size)

I've made diptychs, and even triptychs, but I wasn't sure what to call this new work made up of four panels. So I looked it up and yep, that's what it's called. Although I'm not sure if mine qualifies, since it's not actually one image broken into four segments. But it is meant to be viewed together as shown. The general term for multi paneled paintings is "polyptych." So there's your word for the day!

Having said all that, I just hung them in a different format, and I kind of like them this way...

Story of the Moon ~ acrylic on wood ~ 5x7 panels ~ $400.

art & technology

Recently I showed a time lapse video to a relative. The video showed hours of me painting, condensed into 2 minutes. His remarks were interesting. He said, “I didn’t know you turned the canvas around so much when you painted.” He was intrigued by that, and surprised at the changes that took place throughout the process. I never thought such a simple aspect of my painting process would be interesting to a viewer. He noted that seeing the video made him much more curious and appreciative of the work.

This is why I think QR codes are so great. There is such terrific potential for connecting with your viewer in a very personal way, even when you are not present. You might share in-depth information about the inspiration for your work, or maybe a video of the work in progress. This can add a dimension to the viewing experience that couldn’t happen otherwise.

Anyone using a smart phone with a camera and the proper application to read the code, can scan it on the spot and open the artist’s website, contact info, blog or video. From that point, the artist’s presence online is available for the visitor. The codes are being used extensively in Japan and are slowly catching on in the States.

Imagine driving by a house for sale and wondering how it looks inside. Scan the little code on the “for sale” sign, and take the 365 degree tour right there on the street. Posters for the Picasso exhibit at the VA Museum of Fine Art, include a black and white image of Picasso’s face made up of QR Codes. When scanned, the codes take you immediately to the sales office with information on purchasing a ticket for the show. Seattle Art Museum used similar technology with Microsoft tags, for the same Picasso exhibit.

So be ready! You might come across one of these codes one day and if you have the app on your phone, you’ll be able to access the information it’s offering. Follow this link to download your free QR Code reader. If you have an iPhone, you can get “Quickmark” from iTunes.

If you’re standing in front of “Midnight Angels,” which is hanging at the Virginia Inn in Seattle (through 4/30/11), you will see a code posted on the price tag. Scan this with your new app and see where it takes you. You can even try it right here on your computer! Here’s the code....

Red Between the Lines

I knew this triptych was going to be about "red." That was the setup. So, while the flower shapes remained red throughout the painting process, everything around them needed to be adjusted over and over. Each layer of glaze made subtle (and not-so-subtle) changes to the overall feeling. I also played with patterns throughout. I focused on the checked patterns for a while, then on the circle-chains. There were times when I ended the day in the studio with a very ugly painting on the easel.

I hate that feeling.

I'm really miserable until I'm on the right track (ask my family). I lay awake at night wondering what that "red" wants. Why doesn't it look voluptuous, like I had intended? "Maybe I just suck as a painter," whispers that nasty little voice in my head. "Shut up - nobody loves you," I reply.

It feels like such a relief to have solved the problem at hand. I can enjoy the other aspects of life, free in knowing that my last painting was a success. (Sometimes I'll even peek in the studio to be sure)

So I think I'll take a moment to enjoy this feeling before diving into the abyss once more.

This painting, and the rest of the "Garden" series will be on display at the Virginia Inn on Thursday, March 3rd. Opening reception is 5-7pm. See my last post for all the details.

"In the Garden" A Solo Exhibition at the Virginia Inn

Virginia Inn

I am looking forward to seeing the fruits of many months of labor, all come together on the walls

of the VI. There will be wine and simple hors d'oeuvres from 5-7. The opening is on Seattle's First Thursday ArtWalk, so many galleries will be open late. SAM is just around the corner and will be open until 9pm with free admission for all. I hope if you're in the area you'll stop by!

crimson kiss

crimson kiss © susan melrath; acrylic on canvas ; 36x36

this painting began a little differently than it ended. below, you can see all the patterning that was edited, and the too-realistic shapes that were simplified.

ruby harvest

below is a little of the underpainting of "ruby harvest." i didn't start documenting the painting until this point which is a shame because underneath this layer is a completely different painting - one that wasn't cooperating!

midnight angels

red seed

this painting was the first created in the "brushes" app on my iphone. i loved the fact that it was part doodling and part painting - no pressure, just fooling around. "brushes" also allows you to replay your painting stroke by stroke, and export it as a movie....

i decided to see how this image might translate to canvas.

so.....back in the studio i begin the process of layering....

....and this is "red seed."