Susan Sjoberg: A Painting Blog

New Website: Blog Moving

2010-04-26T15:03:00.000-07:00

I now have a new website with a whole new look. My blog will now be located at the website so I invite you to follow me at http://www.ssjoberg.com/.

You can also find me on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Susan-Sjoberg/108245392550468.

Coffee in Desert Rose

2010-04-26T11:24:00.000-07:00

These classic desert rose dishes never go out of style. They are as perfect for a rich cup of coffee now as they were back in the 40's. This watercolor is 5 1/2"x 4".

Orange on Linen

2010-03-31T12:17:00.001-07:00

My neighbors brought some great oranges home with them after a recent trip south and I found myself with a bagful of some real beauties. Of course my first thought was STILL LIFE!!!! Yes they are delicious and sweet but those glossy leaves and the rich color begged to be painted first. I took reference photos and have two larger watercolors planned. This one is a study for one of them. The cloth is a lovely old embroidered linen table scarf which has featured in other still lifes. This piece is 6"x6" and is watercolor on paper. Sold.

Vintage Coffee Cups

2010-03-25T16:44:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was looking around in the attic and found these great cups wrapped up in old musty newspaper. It has clearly been decades since they have seen the light of day but now they have a new lease on life as still life models.

This piece is 7"x5" watercolor on paper. Sold.

Pears from Chile

2010-03-18T16:33:00.000-07:00

I love bartlett pears. Not so much to eat but to paint they are the best. I love the shape, the soft shine, the speckles, and when sometimes they ripen with reds and yellows. But alas this is not the season for local pears so the southern hemisphere comes to the rescue with these Pretty Good Pears. Arranged on a simple plate over this colorful old cloth they work just fine. Thanks, Chile.

This piece is 8"x6" watercolor on paper. Sold

Chula Vista

2010-03-15T15:03:00.000-07:00

This landscape clearly has a long way to go but it's coming along. It is the meadow on the mountain that is filled with wild irises every summer. We've had a lot of snow this year so it should be a real show come late June.

February Show

2010-02-04T17:21:00.000-08:00

What? No picture???? This is a quick post to announce my show at the Work of Heart Gallery in Frazier Park. The gallery will be featuring one of its artists each month this year and I'm it this month. The show opens this Saturday, the 6th, from 11am to 4pm.
I've rounded up everything I have at hand, completing a couple of new ones, getting some framed and I astounded myself by pulling together 24 pieces! There is a range of large to small, watercolor and acrylic.
The show will be hanging throughout this month and the gallery hours are Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, 11am- 3pm. The gallery is located at 3020 Johnson Rd, right behind the Coffee Cantina at the east end of town.

Quiet Waters

2010-01-30T16:28:00.000-08:00

This landscape is finished. I feel apologetic to it for taking so long. August to the end of January! It is based on sketches and photos I took along the Ballynahinch River in County Galway, Ireland: one of the most beautiful places I have seen.

Landscape Revisited

2010-01-26T16:40:00.000-08:00

It's time to dust this one off and finish it. It hit a roadblock some time ago (August, I believe) and got set aside, but now is the time to get it done. It's getting very close.

Rome Beauties and Lace Finished

2010-01-23T16:59:00.001-08:00

Finished this one at last. I've been sidetracked far too long and getting this pulled together feels great. Huge amounts of snow here which always creates a whole different routine but now things are settling down.
This piece is acrylic on canvas, 9"x12".

Rome Beauties and Lace

2010-01-05T15:49:00.001-08:00

Here's a new still life that is well begun. I wanted to get the apples done first since they will eventually lose their color and glow, even in this icebox of a studio.

Holiday Show

2009-12-07T14:44:00.001-08:00

Last Saturday evening the Holiday Small Works show opened at Segil Fine Art Source gallery in Old Town Monrovia. It was a festive and very well attended show, with gallery owner Laura Segil presiding as gracious hostess. The art displayed was truly dazzling, with many of Southern California's best artists represented. I was honored to have three of my pieces included in the show, which will run through the end of the month.
Be sure to catch it if you are in the area, you'll be glad you did. Visit Segil's website here.

See's

2009-09-30T11:11:00.000-07:00

Here's a small watercolor that packs a lot of calorie-free chocolate joy. You can bet the still life prop used here is long gone. This piece is 4 1/2"x 4 1/2".

Asparagus Bouquet

2009-09-19T16:15:00.000-07:00

Here's a new watercolor of a bunch of asparagus bound with a length of twine and standing up on an old wooden cutting board. This piece is 7"x5". Sold

Cherries on Linen

2009-09-15T17:32:00.001-07:00

Here's a new still life just completed. This beautiful old linen piece has seen a lot of wear over its lifetime but still works wonderfully in still life settings. This piece is acrylic on canvas and is 8"x8". Sold.

Landscape Continues

2009-08-25T17:44:00.000-07:00

I'm glad to be able to get a few hours in on this landscape today. I've been doing a lot of varnishing of other pieces which is essential work but seems to eat up a lot of painting time. I enjoy doing a landscape in the midst of a lot of still life work, too. It sort of clears my head and makes the ensuing still life work flow more easily.

Landscape Progress

2009-08-18T17:45:00.001-07:00

This doesn't look much different than the last image because.......right! It hasn't had much work the past few days. Still, it's coming along.

Still Waters

2009-08-13T17:30:00.000-07:00

Here's the beginning of a new landscape. Posting a painting in progress at such an early stage is a little intimidating as it may tank still but I think it will work out. This is a scene from the trip my daughter and I took to Ireland a few years ago. It is the Ballynahinch River in county Galway.
I'm painting this one in acrylic on a 20"x16" Ampersand panel.

Long Shadows

2009-08-11T17:38:00.001-07:00

Here's a watercolor sketch of the hillside where I walk the dogs in the late afternoons. The shadows lengthen, creating ribbons of light and shadow. This watercolor is 5"x7".

Apple Study

2009-08-10T16:41:00.000-07:00

Here's another small watercolor as I ease back into my studio routine. I got busy doing other stuff last week but will have to get back to work this week. This apple is just beautiful to look at, but it being August I really doubt it will be much good to eat, beauty being skin deep applies especially to storage apples in late summer. Still I couldn't resist it in the market and at least it's good to paint. This watercolor is 6"x6".
SOLD

Cherries in Blue Willow

2009-08-04T13:28:00.000-07:00

This one is completed and a rough ride it was. Anyway I'm pleased with how it came out and relieved we both survived. I don't know what it is about cherries and blue willow dishes but they always seem to go so well together.

More Progress

2009-08-03T17:38:00.000-07:00

This one is coming right along and has really hit the fun stage. I did get pretty bogged down with it but another good session should have it completed.

Red Bartletts

2009-07-31T12:27:00.000-07:00

Here's a somewhat larger watercolor study. These beautiful red bartletts are available later in the year for a fairly short time and I took the reference photos for this piece in the fall. This composition will probably evolve into a larger acrylic piece. This study is 10"x8".
Sold.

Summer Grazing

2009-07-29T18:17:00.001-07:00

This handsome bay is completely at peace grazing in his mountain pasture, his coat glossy in the sunshine. This watercolor painting is 5"x7".

Pansies

2009-07-28T16:48:00.000-07:00

The pansy has to be one of the most cheerful of flowers. This watercolor is 7"x5". Sold.

Bartletts Completed

2009-07-24T16:57:00.001-07:00

It's done and was really a pleasure to work on. This one is slated for the Fenton/Stahl Gallery in WA.

New Pear Still Life Progressing

2009-07-23T18:34:00.000-07:00

Here is the first photo of my new bartlett still life, which is sharing my attention with the cherry painting in the previous post. It is actually farther along than it looks and hopefully the next image of it will be its completion.

Progress

2009-07-21T17:57:00.001-07:00

Well, progress is a relative term but here is evidence that I have revisited the stalled cherry painting. I am working on it along with another acrylic still life which is in a much too early stage to photograph. Between the two of them I have something to work on when I despair over one. They are both in that difficult stage but this one is beginning to emerge.

Bartlett Study

2009-07-20T13:26:00.000-07:00

This small watercolor is a study of the year's first bartletts for a larger acrylic gallery piece. This watercolor is 6"x6". Sold

Blue Willow and Cherries

2009-07-17T19:10:00.001-07:00

Here's a little watercolor with a lot of detail. The small blue willow plate provides an interesting background for the cherries. This watercolor is 4 1/2"x 4 1/2".
SOLD

Pear Trio

2009-07-16T13:14:00.001-07:00

After quite a few days working on local wildflowers and scenery I thought I would revisit the still life. So here we have a trio of green D'Anjou pears arranged in strong light on my favorite side table. This watercolor is 5"x7".

Another Mountaintop View

2009-07-15T18:40:00.001-07:00

Here's another scene from the mountaintop, just a little to the left of the previous post. From here you can see far below the fields in the valley below, and far beyond the faint outline of the sierras. This watercolor is 7"x5"

Mountaintop View

2009-07-13T18:12:00.001-07:00

These twisted and weather-beaten pines are on a rocky ledge overlooking the valley below. The elevation is about 9000' and the view below the ledge looks down to nearly sea level. One feels on top of the world. This watercolor is 7"x5"

More Wildflower Studies

2009-07-11T17:47:00.000-07:00

Three more wildflower studies. Red penstemon, lupine, and wild iris are done in watercolor, 7"x5".

Wildflower Studies

2009-07-10T18:59:00.000-07:00

Here are three new watercolor studies of the wildflowers blooming now. The first is Indian Paintbrush, next is a wild rose and last is the Sego lily. They are all 7"x5".

Iris Meadow

2009-07-07T18:28:00.001-07:00

Today I took the dogs up the mountain to photograph some wildflowers for an upcoming project. Once again the meadow is filled with the delicate wild iris. Hiking up higher we found larkspur, lupine, wallflower, sego lily, paintbrush, red penstemon and a great many I didn't know. My field guide is heavy enough I decided to leave it behind and rely on sketches and photos as I was lugging water for the dogs and myself as well as sketching materials and camera. Now I wish I had brought it. Oh well, I'll get back up there in a week or so when the next wave blooms. I am so blessed to live here.

Two Pears

2009-07-03T18:39:00.001-07:00

I resisted calling this one Pear Pair. I enjoyed the variety of color in these two, layers of yellows, reds, blues and greens. This watercolor is 6"x6"
SOLD

Summer Pasture

2009-07-02T18:18:00.001-07:00

Today is the one year anniversary of this blog. It has been an incredibly difficult year and painting was simply impossible for a good deal of it but now, by the grace of God, I am back in the studio, and staring at the blank paper and/or canvas is no longer a show-stopper.
The pastures in the valley are still green from the earlier rains and this mare and foal, glossy and relaxed are mildly interested in the viewer, too mellow to come over to visit but not about to miss a possible treat if offered. This watercolor is 4 3/4"x 6 3/4".

Getting Oriented

2009-06-30T17:16:00.001-07:00

As I continue to make changes in my new work space I brought in a table I have used for still life set- ups many times in the past and put it near the north window. With a few D'Anjou pears and a hard-working linen table scarf I began the process of getting comfortable with the work area. It will take some settling in but this is a good beginning. This watercolor still life is 6"x8".
SOLD

Rose Study

2009-06-25T17:51:00.000-07:00

Here's a study of a pink rose from a photo I took last summer. I had no idea how fun this was going to be playing with all those layers of soft reds. This watercolor piece measures 6"x6".
Sold.

Mountain Meadow

2009-06-23T17:21:00.000-07:00

This watercolor is a sketch of a meadow up on the mountain. Richly shadowed clouds pass over the pale blue sky and the air is rich with the scent of pine and sage.

Ducks

2009-06-23T15:18:00.001-07:00

Three mallards at the town park posed with the sun shining on the pond behind them. This watercolor is 5"x7".

Two New Watercolors

2009-06-22T15:22:00.000-07:00

SOLD

Two new watercolors today. I started the tomatoes over the weekend and finished it today along with the pear study. Tomato study is 6"x6", pears are 5"x7". SOLD

Cherry Bowl

2009-06-18T17:25:00.001-07:00

Here's the first image of a still life I just started. The bowl is my favorite blue willow one and this is going to take some time but I'll chip away at it and post progress from time to time.

Backlit Iris

2009-06-16T17:09:00.000-07:00

I took a photo of this iris about a month ago. It was an overcast day and this was the only blooming iris in the garden. Photos were coming out decidedly dull when the sun broke out momentarily, making the bloom glow with a brilliant late afternoon light. I plan on doing a larger painting of this study before long. This study is 5"x7". Sold.

June Iris

2009-06-10T16:05:00.001-07:00

This year has not been a big year for iris, at least not yet but this one blooms bravely. Daffodils and iris seem to be among the few bulbs the ground squirrels leave alone so they are a standard in mountain flower beds. This one is a pale velvety violet.
This study is watercolor on paper and measures 8 3/4"x 6 1/2".

Cherry Study

2009-06-09T19:33:00.001-07:00

This study is the first, I hope, of many cherry pieces this summer. They're great summer eating but painting them is even better. The rich colors of this batch are just over the top.
This watercolor on paper is 5"x7". SOLD.

First Columbine

2009-06-06T16:16:00.001-07:00

In the rain-soaked garden I spotted this the first of the columbine blooms of the year. They are such beautiful and delicate flowers, yet so undemanding and reliable. I've never seen them in the woods or open areas around here but these came from the eastern sierras years ago, and planted in the flower garden they have done well year after year. The rain has been one of those gentle all-night and off and on all day deals, soaking the drought-plagued forest and filling the air with the incredible fragrance of pine and sage and all rain-soaked things. Um....wet dogs too but I hardly add that one to the fragrance list.
This study is a watercolor on paper and is 7"x5".

Still Life with Glass Pitcher

2009-06-05T16:47:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I got started on doing a little work on this still life I did a few years ago. I had stripped the varnish and just needed to work on one small area but one thing led to another and before I knew it hours had slipped by and I had reworked several areas I had thought were fine. Fiddling with a finished painting can be disastrous but in this case it seems to have been just what it needed. Just what I needed too!

Wild Larkspur Study

2009-05-28T17:45:00.000-07:00

The past several days I have been moving things around and getting my studio set up after the very long and sad season of seeing Mom home. Yesterday I actually dusted off my watercolors and took a hike in the woods. Everywhere are the red paintbrush, the blue larkspur and lupine and yellow sulphur flowers. Starting up painting again is pretty overwhelming but doing nature studies of these little beauties is pleasant and is getting the art engine revved up again.

Black Crowned Night Heron Completed

2009-02-13T14:48:00.000-08:00

This painting is done and I am pleased with it. The photo would be better taken outside in more even lighting but alas there is way too much snow out there so that project will have to wait.

Heron Update

2009-02-07T17:02:00.001-08:00

I've had a little time today to work on the heron painting. One thing I really like about it is the soft mist in the background and how the fog extends to create a border. It's been snowing all day and staying home and painting seems the thing to do.

Black Crowned Night Heron

2009-01-26T12:45:00.000-08:00

My last blog entry was Oct.30? This blog is covered with dust and cobwebs. I have been out of my studio since then dealing with some major family health issues. My mom has been ill but she is stabilized now and slowly improving and I find that I have time to spend a few days a week in my studio. I don't think I have ever gone this long without painting since I began years ago and it is really strange getting started up again. I wandered around in circles, dithering over what to begin then finally settled on this one which I had blocked out last spring and abandoned for no good reason. I've put enough time into it to feel reasonably sure it will survive and I'll add updates as it progresses.
These herons live over on the coast and spend the days roosting in trees like this monterey cypress looking sleepy or cranky, depending on the mood.

Autumn Leaves: Black Oak

2008-10-30T16:09:00.000-07:00

Up until today the woods has been beautiful with the golden splashes of color from the black oaks amongst the pines. Today the wind is howling and leaves are flying through the air, so it will remain to be seen what will be left after this passes. This watercolor sketch is from a photo I took on a hike a few days ago.

Valley Morning

2008-10-21T16:38:00.000-07:00

Here is a watercolor sketch of the view down the valley the other day. The rabbitbrush is still in bloom, giving spots of gold amongst the sage.

Outlook

2008-10-09T17:56:00.001-07:00

Here is a small watercolor sketch of the outlook on the way up the mountain. Layers and layers of pine and oak and the distant mountains are faintly purple.

Completed Red Pears

2008-10-01T16:28:00.001-07:00

Well, at last here it is. I've had a tough time getting enough studio time lately but today was the day for getting this one finished up.

Red Pears

2008-09-26T17:29:00.000-07:00

Here is the red pear still life after I was able to put some time into it. Hopefully it will come together in the next couple of days.

Short eared owl

2008-09-19T15:50:00.001-07:00

Here is a study of a short eared owl, done in watercolor. These little guys are mostly quiet at night and don't spend much time this far south except in winter, so the hooting I hear at night in the woods is probably the resident great horned owl. I met this one in Idaho and snapped his picture at the fish and game event he was attending. I like the alert and serious expression on his face. Such an elegant creature. Sold.

Red Pears

2008-09-19T15:50:00.000-07:00

OK, I agree that a blog that sits for 2 whole weeks without a new post is duller than dirt. So ready or not here is an image of a new still life I've started. I'll be working on it around other projects and will post updates as it progresses.

Mono Lake Landscape

2008-09-05T17:38:00.001-07:00

Well, it's done, or at least very close. I'll look at it for awhile and see if it wants anything else before I begin the varnishing process.

Pear Tree

2008-08-28T17:17:00.000-07:00

These ripening pears are just beautiful out in the orchard. The dappled sunlight and the way the edges of the leaves picked up the light convinced me to paint them. SOLD

Satsuma Tangerine

2008-08-25T13:53:00.001-07:00

Last fall I found a batch of the most gorgeous tangerines in the local market, complete with glossy, intact leaves. I got them arranged on my favorite hemstitched linen cloth and did a major photo shoot and several drawings before the leaves dried out. This is my second watercolor study before beginning the large painting.

This painting is available for purchase. Email me for details.

Mt Pinos Landscape

2008-08-17T17:25:00.001-07:00

Here's the landscape from the hike up Mt Pinos last month. It got stalled with all the work on the Mono Lake piece but seems to be done. I'll let it alone for awhile and see if it needs anything further later on. This is my last post for a while as I will be gone all next week visiting with my daughter and enjoying some fog and even rain (!) in the northwest.

New Mono Lake Update

2008-08-13T18:05:00.000-07:00

I got busy and put some work into the landscape and it is beginning to come together. Tufa towers are blocked in and the mountain range and the far beach are done. Working on this piece takes me there in memory. It is such a magnificent place!

Mono Lake Landscape Update

2008-08-05T15:43:00.000-07:00

Here's an update on the landscape. It's been on the back burner of late and it deserves better. Mono Lake, for those who haven't had the pleasure of knowing it, is a truly unique place. Situated in the high sierras it is a saline lake surrounded by snowy mountains and volcanic cones. Creating its own climate, there is little snow on its shores during winter and with the smell of brine shrimp and the sound of seagulls it has a distinctly beachy feel for a winter-weary soul.

Blue Willow

2008-07-28T21:32:00.000-07:00

Here's a new still life I finished today. It is a simple set-up which works well with the blue willow design. SOLD.

Landscape Progressing

2008-07-25T15:14:00.000-07:00

More work on the sky to do but it is coming right along. I love this stage of a painting, when it is full of promise and exciting to work on. I'll keep posting updates.

New Landscapes

2008-07-24T14:30:00.001-07:00

The last few days have been pretty busy but what I've been working on is a couple of new landscapes. One (above) is a scene from the eastern sierra of Mono Lake, a beautiful and mysterious place I have always loved. The other is a spot on top of Mt Pinos where I was hiking a couple of weeks ago. Pine trees against a brilliant blue sky and it was getting that blue on both these pieces that I spent days getting just right with glaze after glaze. I think the word for it is pellucid (new favorite word). Anyway, this Mono Lake one is going to be a big job as the clouds have a long way to go, not to mention everything else, plus it's larger than I'm used to. The Mt Pinos one should move right along and will be good to have to turn to when I get burned out on the larger one. It's exciting to work on both of these as they are both places special to me and I know them well. Stay tuned, and I'll try to post pictures as they progress.

Coffee Percolator

2008-07-20T20:43:00.001-07:00

I rescued this old relic from bygone days from its quiet retirement in a dusty attic box. It's as sturdy and serviceable as ever, though now its job is a still life prop. I like its clean, practical lines and shiny surface. Mostly, though, I like the memories it brings. SOLD.

Wild Irises in Bloom

2008-07-02T16:44:00.000-07:00

Starting up a blog of my daily work is both intimidating and exciting. I hope to make several entries a week and maybe it will provide a nudge when I am feeling unproductive.

Last week I went up on the mountain to check the wildflowers in the meadow. Late June is always the time for the wild irises and there they were. Not as many this year as in 2006 (first photo) but as lovely as ever.

I completed the painting below within a couple of days of being there surrounded by the blooms. I haven't done a lot of florals lately and really enjoyed it. SOLD.