"Birds & Bees" Invitational Exhibition - Asheville, NC

I was recently invited to participate in a group show at Grovewood Gallery in Asheville, North Carolina, titled "Birds & Bees." The show opens 2-14-15 (Valentine's Day). In keeping with the theme, here are two paintings that I have sent to be a part of the show -

 "Contemplation: Brown Thrasher"

oil on canvas, 11"x14"

This (above) is one of my favorite birds that I frequently see around Western North Carolina. The Brown Thrasher has such personality and I LOVE the speckled breast. You can find them scratching around on the ground a lot of times in the underbrush. They have striking yellow eyes, also.

"Contemplation: Rose Breasted Trio"

oil on canvas, 11"x14

I had been paying attention to the birds in my neighborhood for quite a while before I ever saw one of these beautiful Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks. The three featured in this painting are males. The first time I saw one, I remember being struck by his milky beige beak, which contrasted the black, red, and white in a very pleasing way (in my opinion!).

New nests in the works

Here is a photo of a two new nest paintings.   With the nest in the painting on the left, my eye fell for the intricacies of the bits of grass, sticks, and even small white horse hairs woven throughout.  I imagined the blue and beige patterned background, based very loosely on a geometrically printed fabric.

Reworking a painting

Tonight, I decided to rework one of my paintings of a cow in a field.  This painting originally had a more turquoise sky and a cooler green hue to the grass.  Perhaps it is the time of year, but I wanted to brown some of the grass and mute the sky. I think I'm happy with how the painting is coming along.  The photo above is a bit blurry, but you can still see the colors. 

Nest in the Works

New painting in the works!

Well, I have begun work on three new nest paintings.  Perhaps I've been inspired by all of the bird activity around the property today - lately, I have seen Indigo Buntings, Kingfishers, Cardinals, Goldfinches, Rose Breasted Grossbeaks, and more!  There is a new nest on one of the logs on the porch, and I can't wait to see little babies soon!

8 Paintings Delivered to ArtSource in Raleigh

I have still been hard at work painting, recently delivering 8 paintings to ArtSource Fine Art in Raleigh, NC.  If you're in the area around North Hills, please do stop by and check them out.

The group waiting to be shipped!

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.

Black & White Stripes

The image above is of the painting I am currently working on, a trio of lovely bird feathers.  I found the feathers on a walk through the woods last year.  I know that the two largest are from a wild turkey, but I am not sure what the feather is on the right.  This painting is almost finished, and it has been a lot of fun to paint.  I LOVE the striped patterns & get a lot of satisfaction creating them.  It reminded me of the fun I had working on this painting:

The Zebra Dream

oil on canvas, 12"x16"

email info@susannapantas.com for purchase information

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.