Saturday, September 30, 2017

Day 30 - Study 20

Study 20 - oil on paper - NFS
Day 30! Thank you Leslie Byrd Saeta for posing the challenge of painting 30 paintings in 30 days & thanks to all the support from family, friends & followers. The challenge got my creative juices flowing. I have 2 large paintings already started & I will post them as they are completed. This small study has my beloved turquoise (muted) as the star of the show, but I have paired it with a grayed brown, black & a touch of bright color for interest.

Friday, September 29, 2017

Day 29 - Study 19

Study 19 - oil on paper - NFS
Day 29 of the 30 in 30. I usually shy away from pink, but wanted to challenge myself to paint with it. I have muted it, made pink the star & accented with some of my favorite colors.

Thursday, September 28, 2017

Day 28 - Study 18

Study #18 - oil on paper - NFS
Using oil paint like water color, I let the colors blend & fade in this tiny abstract. I love the color combination here. I'd love to work this into a larger painting.


Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Day 27 - First Snow

'First Snow' - 12 x 12 - oil on canvas
Here in California, in the High Sierra's, we had our first snow of the season on the last day of summer! Here is an abstracted view of what that first snow maybe looked like.

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

Day 26 - A Path Less Taken 'Study'

A Path Less Taken 'Study' - 12 x 12 - oil on canvas
Day 26 in the 30 in 30 challenge, check out the other fine artists participating in Leslie Byrd Saeta's challenge. Here I am working with shapes always trying to find the balance between hard & soft edges, dark & light, vibrant & muted. This will be a lovely large painting, stay tuned.


Monday, September 25, 2017

Day 25 - Study 17

Study 17 - oil on paper - NFS
Day 25 in the 30 in 30 challenge, Whew! This is a small corner of a 6 x 9 painting that was not successful. I cropped the photo until I got a 'painting that I liked'. Many artists will not talk about their 'failed' pieces, I look at everything as a learning experience. I did not care for the color 'marriage' or balance of shapes in the larger painting so I cropped it down. This small 4" x 4" could potentially be a successful large painting.

Sunday, September 24, 2017

Day 24 - Study 16

Study 16 - oil on paper- NFS
OOPS missed a few days, we were in Colorado visiting with friends & cheering on college football. Here is a quick textural study using mostly neutrals with a bit of zip from a bit of bright color. I can't wait to download Colorado pics of fall aspens, plenty of  inspiration there.

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Day 20 - Study 15

Study 15- oil on paper - NFS
Yesterday I tried painting a few studies on oil paper to mixed success. This one was larger, but I was not crazy about it. I cropped it for a better composition. It made the composition pretty dramatic & bold. I could see this worked into a larger painting. Thanks to Leslie Byrd Saeta & the 30 in 30 challenge, I have pushed myself to try some new ideas.


Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Day 19 - Study 14


Study 14 - 8 x8 - oil on canvas panel
Playing with a new color combo here. I like the drama of a strong dark & light combination, while still trying to use subdued colors. The dash of warm pink adds some pizzazz. Head over to Leslie Byrd Saeta's blog to see the other fine artists in this 30 in 30 challenge.
Available on my ETSY page: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SusanCiufoFineArt

Monday, September 18, 2017

Day 18 - Study 13

Study 13 - 8 x 8 - oil on canvas
Throughout this 30 in 30 challenge, I have been challenging myself to use softer more grayed tones while still using interesting color. Lucky # 13, with this small study, I hit the mark on composition, balance of darks & lights and soft beautiful color. I will be using this study to paint a larger piece.
Available on my ETSY page: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SusanCiufoFineArt

Sunday, September 17, 2017

Day 17 - Study 12

Study 12 - 8 x 8 - oil on panel
Still working with purple today. I like the composition here & I like the blending. Yellow is the compliment to purple, so it is a classic combination. I am not a huge fan of yellow, so if I work this into a larger painting, I may change the accent color to blues or melon or a different shade of yellow.
Available on my ETSY page: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SusanCiufoFineArt

Saturday, September 16, 2017

Day 16 - Study #11

Study 11 - 8 x 8 - oil on panel
Day 16 in the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge. The composition seems to be working here. There is a good balance of darks & lights & I love the splashes of extra color. I will work this one into a large painting.
Available on my ETSY page: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SusanCiufoFineArt




Friday, September 15, 2017

Day 15 - Study #10

Study # 10 - 12 x 12 - oil on canvas
Still working in grays, I decided to explore purple for the next couple days. Purple is not a color I use often, although I love the color. This painting has the push pull of darks & lights that create interest while adding some luscious color. Check out Leslie Byrd Saeta's blog to see the other fine artists participating in the 30 in 30 challenge.
Available on my ETSY page: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SusanCiufoFineArt

Thursday, September 14, 2017

Day 14 - The Guardian

The Guardian - 16 x 20 - oil on canvas
Continuing the use of browns & grays, here with the gray edging into blue. This evokes a mountain landscape to me. Funny, we just got back from a trip to Yosemite National Park & I was so taken with the enormity of the cliff formations. I guess I was channeling that feeling. Thank you Leslie Saeta for posting the 30 in 30 challenge.
Available on my ETSY page: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SusanCiufoFineArt

Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Day #13 - Twilight

Twilight - 16 x 20 - oil on canvas
My mentor, artist Carolyn Counnas, suggested that I REALLY explore neutrals, so here goes. For the next couple days I will work with true neutrals & explore the range of color, value & temperature using neutral browns & grays. I did add a splash of turquoise here for interest, but the bulk of the painting is in shades of brown & gray.
Available on my ETSY page: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SusanCiufoFineArt

Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Study #9 - Day 12


Study # 9, 8 x 8, oil on canvas

Using the same palette for the last three paintings as you can see here. Even though this is a subdued palette, I find it hard to stay away from my favorite turquoise shades. These three would make a beautiful grouping. I love the movement in this little study, can't wait to paint it larger.
Thank you Leslie Byrd Saeta for posting the 30 in 30 challenge, it really has my creative juices running.
Available on my ETSY page: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SusanCiufoFineArt

Monday, September 11, 2017

Study 8 - Day 11

Study 8 - 8 x 8 - oil on canvas
Continuing with cream, gray & blue. I kept my palette from yesterday & changed the composition while adding some vivid notes. Palette knife work emphasizes the focal point. I really think these studies will help to hasten some larger paintings. Hopefully I will get 1 or 2 done during the 30 in 30 challenge.
Available on my ETSY page: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SusanCiufoFineArt

Sunday, September 10, 2017

Study 7 - Day 10

Study 7 - 8 x 8 - oil on canvas
I am continuing my personal challenge within the 30 in 30 challenge to paint with more subdued colors. Here I have used pale cream & beige with grays & blues. I love the composition here with a few added sparks of brighter color at the focal point.
available on my ETSY page https://www.etsy.com/shop/SusanCiufoFineArt

Friday, September 8, 2017

Study #5 - Day 8

Study # 5, 8x8, oil on canvas
Day 8! Continuing my use of  ivory, here it complements some primary red, yellow & blue. I am having fun with these small paintings working on composition as well as trying to neutralize the bold colors.
Available on my ETSY page https://www.etsy.com/shop/SusanCiufoFineArt?ref=seller-platform-mcnav

Thursday, September 7, 2017

Study #4 - Day 7

Study # 4, 8 x 8, oil on canvas
For the next 3 days I will be doing small studies using beige with some neutralized colors. I will keep my palette fresh & use cohesive colors on all 3 paintings. These are studies for larger paintings in the future. Click here if you are interested in seeing the artwork by the other fine artists in the 30 in 30 challenge.
Available on my ETSY page https://www.etsy.com/shop/SusanCiufoFineArt?ref=seller-platform-mcnav

Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Study # 3 - Day 6


 Study # 6 - 12 x 12 - oil on canvas
Day 6 in the 30 in 30 challenge posed by artist Leslie Byrd Saeta. I am tiring of the grays & want to expand my neutral exploration to beige & brown. But of course I cannot stay away from my beloved colors! This looks like a desert oasis to me with little springs of water trickling down thru the rocks.
Available on my ETSY page https://www.etsy.com/shop/SusanCiufoFineArt?ref=seller-platform-mcnav

Study #6 - Day 9

Study # 6, 8 x 8 , oil on canvas
Continuing my use of  beige and ivory, here it complements my favorite colors of orange & turquoise. Does this evoke a landscape or roof-lines to you?
Thank you Leslie Byrd Saeta for posing this 30 in 30 challenge!
Available on my ETSY page https://www.etsy.com/shop/SusanCiufoFineArt?ref=seller-platform-mcnav

Tuesday, September 5, 2017

Stormy Seas - Day 5

Stormy Seas, 16 x 20, oil on canvas
Continuing my use of grays, I used the thought process & palette from my previous 2 studies to complete a larger piece. Adding green & ochre helped to anchor the painting & make it more interesting. I still consider this neutral in comparison to some of my past work.
Available on my website http://www.susanciufofineart.com/
and my ETSY page https://www.etsy.com/shop/SusanCiufoFineArt

Monday, September 4, 2017

Study #2 - Day 4

Study #2 - 9 x 12 oil on canvas
Continuing my exploration of grays & muted brights. Does this evoke a sail boat or a canyon landscape? That is exactly what I love about abstracts, everyone sees something different & it is so fun to play with shapes & color marriages. Thank you Leslie Byrd Saeta for the 30 in 30 Challenge!

available on my ETSY page https://www.etsy.com/shop/SusanCiufoFineArt

Sunday, September 3, 2017

Study #1 - Day 3

Study #1 - 8 x 10 oil on canvas
I have struggled for many years to find the balance between bold color & neutral. I have seen very few totally neutral paintings that grabbed my interest over the years. That said, I have often painted too bold for my personal taste. Part of the reason I accepted the 30 for 30 challenge posed by artist Leslie Byrd Saeta was to challenge myself to paint with more neutrals & to neutralize color without having it lose its impact. Here I have painted a study for a larger painting using lots of grey & soft blues. The orange used here is heavily neutralized & still has a lot of impact in this painting.
available on my ETSY page https://www.etsy.com/shop/SusanCiufoFineArt

Saturday, September 2, 2017

Reflections - Day 2

'Reflections' - 24 x 24 - oil on canvas
Here is my painting for day 2 in the 30 for 30 challenge posed by artist Leslie Byrd Saeta. I spend a lot of time in California's Central Coast. It is definitely my happy place. I love Morro Bay with the sound of the fog horn at night & the changing tides. I also love the activity of boats on the water in the harbor. Here you can feel the cool deep water & enjoy the dancing reflections of the sunlight & colorful boats. 
This painting is available on my website http://www.susanciufofineart.com/
or my ETSY page https://www.etsy.com/shop/SusanCiufoFineArt

Friday, September 1, 2017

Glacial Inlet - Day 1

It has been many months since my last post...argh! Writing is not my best attribute. I have joined Leslie Byrd Saeta's challenge to paint 30 paintings in 30 days  for the month of Sept. Well, guess what, it is 107 degrees here & I don't have air conditioning in my studio. So of course I am dreaming of Alaska...yes, I know it could be way worse here, we are not flooded, thank goodness & my heart goes out to all the people in Southern Texas.
My husband, youngest son & I took a wonderful cruise to Alaska a year ago & I was able to capture some great inspiration photos. I decided to do a quick finish on a painting I started a few months back titled 'Glacial Inlet', 24 x 24 oil on canvas, available on my website or ETSY page.