On my easel...new butterfly in progress

This painting is slightly larger than the recent ones I have painted - this one is 14"x18".  I am enjoying the slightly larger canvas. It felt like this butterfly just needed more space to spread out.

Hoping to have a lot of fun with the shadows in this torn beauty.

Fresh off the easel

Contemplation: Still Regal

by Susanna Pantas

oil on canvas, 14"x11"

This painting is currently for sale at ArtSource Fine Art in Raleigh, NC. 919-787-9533

Finished!

Contemplation: Monarch Dream

by Susanna Pantas

oil on canvas, 14"x11"

This painting is currently for sale at ArtSource Fine Art in Raleigh, NC. 919-787-9533

Another view of monarch butterfly painting in the works

Here is another shot of a work in progress that I took about a week before I felt the painting was done. In fact, I just finished this painting two nights ago.  Sometimes it is hard to know when a painting is "done," but I knew at the time that I took this photo that there was still a lot of work to be done! I will be posting the finished painting's image on my website and blog soon.

In progress -

The past few weeks, I've gotten a bit obsessed with butterflies. Perhaps because with the turn in weather, I'm seeing less and less of them. It seems like just yesterday that I was watching so many of the last few summer butterflies dancing across the skies. Alas, winter is coming. Here are two new paintings on my easel, in the beginning stages -

titles: unnamed (in progress)

Monarchs

Monarch butterflies are facing serious problems due to a loss of their food, the humble milkweed, and their habitat.

I found a dead monarch butterfly a few weeks ago during a walk and thought I would try my best to capture the way light shimmers through their wings. I have heard people compare their wings to stained glass windows.  So, with that introduction, here is a new painting of a monarch butterfly, fresh off the easel -

"Contemplation: Monarch"

oil on canvas, 11"x14"

For those interested, you can learn about the concerns of habitat loss and what you can do to help (hint: PLANT milkweed!) by visiting these websites:

• http://www.fws.gov/savethemonarch/
• http://www.saveourmonarchs.org/

This painting is currently for sale at ArtSource Fine Art in Raleigh, NC. 919-787-9533

New butterfly painting completed

Contemplation: Velvet Night

oil on canvas, 11"x14"

email info@susannapantas.com for purchase information

This painting is of a Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly.

Images of 3 paintings in progress

Perhaps the gray dreary weather, with the persistent rain and cold winds, is inspiring me to create some color.  Below are a selection of images I have taken over these days spent at the easel.   All of the paintings shown below are still in progress, so please do check back for updates as they become more fleshed out.

 

 

More details taking shape

Since the last photo taken, I have spent time working on calming down the background.  I know I am attempting to do something more vibrant and patterned in this piece, but I still want to maintain the feeling of calm, and I don't want this painting to be chaotic.  I also started fleshing out the butterfly on the right hand side a little more, and adding detail to the wings on the bottom swallowtail.  Those tiny dots are a lot of fun!

One of each...

As I was working to pull all of the artwork together that is heading to Hampton House Art & Framing, I noticed that these three paintings would make a great trio.  One from the sea, one from the sky, and one from the land:

From left to right:

Contemplation: Sand Dollar Pair
 oil on canvas, 10"x8"

Contemplation: Remembering of the Wind
 oil on canvas, 10"x8"

Contemplation: Box Turtle Shell
 oil on canvas, 10"x8"

These paintings and others are headed to Hampton House Art & Framing, in Winston-Salem, NC, this coming Friday.  Hampton House Art & Framing has been a staple of the Winston-Salem art community since 1977 and I am delighted to be one of their artists.  For directions to this gallery please visit their website at www.HamptonHouse.net.

One of the new little ones

Contemplation: Remembering the Wind

oil on canvas, 10"x8"

email info@susannapantas.com for purchase info

As I mentioned in my previous post, I am working on many more from the Contemplations series.  I just can't get enough of this series!  The small format of the canvases makes these paintings quick and fun for me.  This painting, above, may look familiar, as it is the same butterfly featured in another painting that is called "Contemplation: Remnants of Flight," however this is from a different angle and on a smaller canvas.  I wanted to continue to push myself with trying to create the powdery and glittery aspect of the fragile Swallowtail wings.  I just love how the edges are a bit jagged and the perfection of the butterfly isn't quite... yet the beauty still remains.

On their way!

Seven new paintings will be making their way to ArtSource Fine Art Gallery & Consultants, in Raleigh, NC, this weekend.  I've been spending time getting them ready to go - varnishing, framing, attaching hanging wire, updating my inventory lists, etc..  Though these tasks are routine and somewhat boring, this time round I have thoroughly enjoyed the work thanks to the spring-like weather we are having.  I have had the windows open and a gentle breeze has been blowing through my studio.   Having such a comfortable environment helps to banish any irritable feelings that arise from doing routine work.   Getting work ready for a show or to deliver to a gallery is always a process, but feels very good when it's all through and they're packed up and ready to go!

Here are a few of the ones on their way:

Quiet Moment from Across the Field

oil on canvas, 24"x30"

Contemplation: Tiger Swallowtail Wings

oil on canvas, 8"x10"

Contemplation: Jewel Box Shells Take Flight

oil on canvas, 8"x10"

Contemplation: Memory of Tiger Swallowtail

oil on canvas, 8"x10"

If you are interested in purchasing any of these paintings, please contact ArtSource Fine Art in Raleigh, at 919-787-9533 or email sarah@artsourcefineart.com. 

I have also recently updated my website with new work and would love to have you visit my online gallery at www.SusannaPantas.com.  

Tiger Swallowtails Alight

Remnants of Flight

oil on canvas, 11"x14"

email info@susannapantas.com for more info

When my friend found this Tiger Swallowtail butterfly in the grill of her little mini-cooper automobile, the incident prompted a bystander to proclaim "you killed magic!"  I find this hilarious. My friend urged me to title the painting, "The Death of Magic," but not being in the mood for the melodramatic.... I have chosen the title "Remnants of Flight"


I have also begun work on two other Tiger Swallowtail-inspired paintings:

The iridescent aqua color on each wing is absolutely spectacular. I hope I can accurately capture it, but iridescence is tricky!   Each little aqua speck appearing against the deep velvety black is like a dusting of chipped gemstones.  Will I be able to capture this in paint? Well, I'll try!