Susanna Pantas - Artist Blog

Delivery of New Work ~

2011-09-02T00:06:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of visiting two wonderful galleries and delivering some new work. I went to Hampton House Art & Framing in Winston-Salem, NC, and ArtSource Fine Art in Raleigh, NC. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera while I was at Hampton House, but I remembered it by the time I got to Raleigh!

Above: with gallery manager, Kate Phillips.

She is holding:

Contemplation: Quiet Nest

oil on canvas, 14"x11"

click here for purchase info

Above: checking out "Graceful Repose", an oil on canvas measuring 30"x40"

Above: me, with ArtSource's Sarah Heinsohn and Ryan Slagle.

Ryan is also an artist - click here to view his mixed media paintings.

Above: I also had the pleasure of having lunch with Sarah Corpron, program coordinator at Raleigh's Visual Art Exchange. This wonderful organization is about to unveil their brand new location in Raleigh. I had a sneak peek, and it was awesome! From left: Sarah Corpron, ArtSource's Kate Phillips, and me.

New Painting ~

2011-08-02T16:49:00.000-04:00

Contemplation: Spiral Conch on Gray

oil on canvas, 8"x10"

For purchase information, email info@susannapantas.com

Creation of "In the Field, Late Afternoon Calm"

2011-08-01T11:57:00.001-04:00

Here is a slideshow showing the different stages of my recent painting, "In the Field, Late Afternoon Calm," an oil on canvas measuring 24"x30". This is my first attempt at photographing a painting as it is created - and creating a little slideshow - so I hope it looks okay!

Progress on the conch shell painting

2011-07-29T12:06:00.000-04:00

~ in progress ~

What I am working on this morning...

2011-07-27T12:02:00.002-04:00

~ in progress ~

New Rural Meditation Painting ~ Finished

2011-07-13T11:29:00.000-04:00

In the Field, Late Afternoon Calm

oil on canvas, 24"x30"

for more information about this piece, email info@susannapantas.com

Crows Before Dawn

2011-06-29T16:08:00.000-04:00

A flock of crows... a "murder" of crows is the correct term... starts crowing outside of my bedroom window each morning before dawn. Behind our house is a large wood, where they like to settle in for the night. I know that the sun is soon to rise when I hear their calls. They have slipped into my dreams because of this. Rarely do I wake before dawn, but my subconscious does note their early morning conversations. For a while now, I have been working on my Rural Meditation series. Since I began this series, I have been eager to paint a field with, instead of the cows, crows.

Of course, birds are not unusual sources of inspiration to me, considering my Avian series. However, so far the largest bird I have painted is a barn owl (photo above). The others in the Avian series have been songbirds and the like. I am looking forward to having the crows be the main figure in the painting, not a human, not another animal or bird. Just the jet black presence. The midnight visitor. My pre-dawn wake up call!

I'll post photos as soon as I begin ~ Stay tuned.

Second Surprise ~

2011-06-26T12:00:00.000-04:00

Sampson

oil on canvas, 10"x8"

for Shawna and Josh Brickman

First surprise of two ~

2011-06-25T12:00:00.000-04:00

Zuli

oil on canvas, 10"x8"

for Shawna and Josh Brickman

Painting Blades of Grass

2011-06-22T11:42:00.000-04:00

Still hard at work painting the green pasture this cow calls home. Here is an updated photo showing the progress:

To see more completed work from the Rural Meditation series, visit this link. Works from this series are currently on display at ArtSource Fine Art in Raleigh, NC.

Article from NY Times About Perseverance and Creativity in Creative Fields

2011-06-21T19:45:00.001-04:00

An artist I know and respect, Eric McRay, recently shared a link from the New York Times on his blog. The article talks about how the tough economic times are affecting artists in both good and bad ways. While I am rather new at trying to make ends meet through my art alone, I know that I am in the same boat with many in other fields. Friends of mine in real estate, business, graphic design, and other professions are also trying to think creatively and optimistically during these leaner economic times. The article has several great quotes that are optimistic rather than pessimistic. Here is one:

"Along with the gallery owners, I remain hopeful that the tide will turn,” Ms. Gilpatric added. “The buyers will come, just as the leaves will sprout, the roses bud, the waves roll in every few minutes, every seventh one greater than the others.”

To read the full article from the New York Times, click here.

Graceful Repose ~ finished

2011-06-12T22:06:00.000-04:00

Graceful Repose

oil on canvas, 30"x40"

I have been working on this painting for many, many hours now. Finally, I think it is complete and am glad I can share it.

Recently finished ~

2011-06-11T11:06:00.001-04:00

Into the Soft Arms of Silence

oil on canvas, 24"x18"

In keeping with the theme, I will share a poem by Thomas Hood, which I first became acquainted with through its presence in one of my favorite films, Jane Champion's The Piano.

Silence
by Thomas Hood

There is a silence where hath been no sound,

There is a silence where no sound may be,

In the cold grave—under the deep, deep sea,

Or in wide desert where no life is found,

Which hath been mute, and still must sleep profound;

No voice is hush’d—no life treads silently,

But clouds and cloudy shadows wander free,

That never spoke, over the idle ground:

But in green ruins, in the desolate walls

Of antique palaces, where Man hath been,

Though the dun fox or wild hyæna calls,

And owls, that flit continually between,

Shriek to the echo, and the low winds moan—

There the true Silence is, self-conscious and alone.

Beginning stages of a new Rural Meditation

2011-06-07T12:01:00.001-04:00

Here is one of the first photos of a new painting I am working on. This is another from my Rural Meditation series, and I am going to take a photo of each stage of the process to make into a slideshow (hopefully!).

Winsor & Newton Commercial...

2011-05-28T16:01:00.000-04:00

I just received a much anticipated shipment from Winsor & Newton... a whole box of supplies to replenish my stores. Mediums of every kind, ready to be opened and used.

Prior to this shipment, the only medium I have been mixing in my oil paints has been Liquin Fine Detail. Liquin is an Alkyd medium that actually speeds up the drying time of the paint. However, I have been itching to paint with linseed oil & solvents. I'm ready to luxuriate in the slower drying time that Linseed oil allows. More time to fiddle and blend - yay!

Two of a kind...

2011-05-20T10:00:00.008-04:00

Contemplation: Kindred

oil on canvas, 11"x14"

Late yesterday afternoon offered great light to photograph several new paintings. Above is one of them, a small oil from my Contemplations series. I feel such a sensation of security and warmth by these two small nests hugging so closely together.

Quieting the noise...

2011-05-17T13:17:00.000-04:00

The past few days have been a whirl of noise and sensory stimulation. I have been surrounded by friends of many types: familiar, newly made, four-legged, laughing, big, small, old, young. In the past two weeks, I have attended two wonderful weddings. One on the coast of NC, where my dog Luna was invited and could run and play in the salt water...

and another in Boston, where I spent an afternoon meandering through the historic streets...

Above: a photo from inside of the church where Paul Revere lit the lantern on his historic ride (you know, the one where he shouted "The red coats are coming!")

My energy has been spread thin amongst all of the travel, work, and everyday bustle of life. While all this activity is fun and stimulating, I also relish my quiet time in front of the easel. My solution to prevent burnout? Make sure to carve out time to recharge. This painting is one I have been immersing myself in:

Working on its presence has been like a journey to the quiet eye of the storm.

Installation Photo of "Fanfare"

2011-05-16T18:02:00.000-04:00

A collector who recently commissioned a vibrant painting of a peacock has sent me some installation photos. Here is Fanfare in its new home:

Fiery Strands...

2011-05-09T12:12:00.000-04:00

Painting strands of red and strawberry blond hair one by one, and adding shadows and highlights until it is finished...

Above is a detail photo of a figurative painting in progress.

Nearing Completion

2011-05-04T11:18:00.001-04:00

Well, this journey through sisal rug detail, a glittering shirt, folds of white, puckering blankets, and cascading cocoa hair is coming to an end.

I am finishing up the smallest of details on this 30"x40" figurative piece and will be posting the completed painting soon.

The Zebra Dream - Revamped

2011-05-02T10:06:00.000-04:00

When I got this painting back from a gallery and took another look at it, the background was bothering me. I didn't like reddish wood flooring in the background, and felt like it competed too much with the zebra-print blanket. I felt like too much was going on. I thought that this painting was too different from my other work and that its mood was too tense and not restful enough. So... I reworked the background. Here is the before and after:

BEFORE

AFTER

The Zebra Dream

oil on canvas, 12"x16"

In the end, I didn't hate the first version, I just prefer the second. I think the second version, with the calmer background gives a dreamier, more restful mood.

To purchase this painting, email info@susannapantas.com.

New Painting!

2011-05-01T17:26:00.000-04:00

Contemplation: Quiet Nest

oil on canvas, 14"x11"

I like the moodiness of this painting. It just came together that way, and I am very satisfied with it. Silent nest, little fragile shelter. It is remarkable to me that little squirming, clawed baby birds are held safe in such a fragile woven home. The nest I used as the model for this painting is a perfect little cup that almost fits into the palm of your hand. Round and small and delicate with a few twigs astray.

For purchase information, please email info@susannapantas.com

My own "blue period" ?

2011-04-29T00:58:00.000-04:00

The past several days, I have been spending time continuing to build a figurative painting. Here are a few photos showing some of the recent progress:

above: on the day I shot this photo, I had spent time adding the texture of the blanket

above: the day this photo was taken, I had spent the morning softening the blanket and working on skin tone

About this particular piece, a fellow artist, painter Kathryn Cook, commented on my Facebook page "Susanna's blue period." I liked her allusion to Picasso - although I know that I am nowhere near his level of artistic genius!

I do wonder about the color blue, though, and why I am drawn to it. Perhaps Kathryn was referring to the emotion of the painting above, and not the color blue in a literal sense. I am not sure. As for the color blue, I know that I use it in my work because, for me, the color blue elicits a sense of quiet, tranquility, and peace. Like a deep slumber. Silence. The sensation one gets at the bottom of a swimming pool. It seems as though the color blue has been my constant companion over the past few years. Perhaps this is my way of quieting the constant chatter in my head. (Or my attempt to stop the chatter!)

Here are a few other examples of my paintings where a person is set against the color blue:

Silent Peace Offering

oil on canvas, 24"x24"

this painting is available, please email

info@susannapantas.com for purchase info

Tangled Beginnings

oil on canvas, 24"x30"

SOLD

Anticipation

oil on canvas, 18"x24"

this painting is available, please email

info@susannapantas.com for purchase info

On a side note... back to Picasso....

While in college, I studied abroad in Paris. One of my most precious memories from that time is my visit to the Picasso museum, housed in a French mansion built during the mid-1600s. The juxtaposition of Picasso's bold, electric, colorful work against the ornate french architecture lit up my imagination and satisfied my eclectic leanings. Here is a photo of the stair hall in the museum, to give you a taste of the grandeur:

To me, almost nothing beats an afternoon spent roaming through rooms that looked like that + seeing art like this:

La Famille

by Pablo Picasso

One of each...

2011-04-20T11:23:00.002-04:00

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.

Headed to Hampton House in Winston-Salem

2011-04-20T10:02:00.000-04:00

A group of new paintings are making their way to Hampton House Art & Framing in Winston-Salem, NC, this Friday. Here is a photo of one of the new ones from my Contemplations series that is on its way there:

Contemplation: Sand Dollar Pair

oil on canvas, 10"x8"

To purchase, please contact Hampton House Art & Framing

at 336-723-8869 or www.HamptonHouse.net

Figurative piece in progress

2011-04-19T12:18:00.001-04:00

Countless hours have been spent on this painting so far, and it is such a pleasure to watch it take shape and come into focus.

Sand Dollars, Beauty in Life and Death

2011-04-18T08:00:00.002-04:00

In painting the beauty of the dried sand dollars, bleached white by the sun, I got to thinking about what these silent little discs were like when alive. I found a video online to share -

Live sand dollars are covered with velvet textured spines which help them move over the sand. By the time they are found on the beach, these spines have been rubbed off and their skin has been bleached white.

Here are a few of my recent "Contemplations" paintings of sand dollars:

Sand Dollar on Slate Gray

oil on canvas, 8"x10"

Sand Dollars on Blue

oil on canvas, 14"x11"

Works in progress...

2011-04-17T12:15:00.001-04:00

I have several paintings that I am working on these days, of which three are shown below. One is a figurative painting that features my friend, the artist Vanessa Boynton. She is an incredibly talented illustrator who works in pen and ink. She also happens to have trained as a ballet dancer, which was a plus when using her as my model. Her training instilled in her the ability to be aware of how she is holding her body, head, and arms especially. She was able to elongate her form into elegant lines.

The next two paintings are of a few of my favorite objects from nature... birds' nests:

Off to greener pastures... ArtSource

2011-04-16T22:42:00.000-04:00

April really has been bringing some showers... and storms! Today in North Carolina, we had several reports of tornadoes touching down and causing some chaos. On a much smaller and less dramatic scale, seems like a mini-tornado came through my studio recently and swept away some of my paintings. Six paintings whirled their way into existence, and then just as quickly, twirled their way to ArtSource Fine Art in Raleigh early this week. It's bittersweet, seeing them go. These ones who have been a part of my life for so many hours. I hope that they'll find new walls to grace and eyes to attract. To see the available work at ArtSource, please click here.

New Work...

2011-04-06T22:21:00.000-04:00

Peaceful Greeting On a Clear Day

oil on canvas, 24"x30"

I haven't come up for the exact name for this series. Paintings of cows and the field they inhabit. I want the feel to be spaciousness and calm. I'm tossing around the ideas of "Freedom," "Rural Time," "The Field".... but I haven't nailed it down yet. Still mulling it over, and thoroughly enjoying the process... much like, ahem, a cow chews the cud!

Summer Friend

2011-03-29T23:43:00.000-04:00

When I was age nine, my family moved from manicured lawns of Connecticut to the lush and wild Appalachian Mountains, to a little town called Fairview nestled outside of Asheville, NC. This small community has grown much since we moved there, as others have realized the benefits of a life spent in the countryside. My summers were spent roaming the woods, swinging from wild vines and splashing through cool mountain creeks. A frequent summer friend was the Eastern Box Turtle.

Contemplation: Box Turtle Shell

oil on canvas, 10"x8"

email info@susannapantas.com for purchase information

I remember that we used to catch them as temporary pets, and indulge them on the plump mulberries that grew on a great big tree on our property. I still have a pristine Box Turtle shell that was found on our land. The subtle patterning of colors on the surface are gorgeous - and I marvel at the symmetry. I wonder about the small soul who once lived within the orange and black patterned armor, and whether he or she liked blackberries or mulberries or wine berries best.

One of the new little ones

2011-03-23T01:51:00.001-04:00

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.

Busy, Busy, Busy (Thankfully: Productive too!)

2011-03-13T22:03:00.002-04:00

Things have been steadily chugging along in my studio lately. I don't know if it is the beautiful spring weather that has been adding a creative wind to my lungs or what (somehow I doubt this... considering my new Claritin regime!). I think what has happened is that I am finding myself incredibly inspired by those around me and in the creative world. Spending time at the recent opening, on March 11th, at ArtSource Fine Art in Raleigh was so much fun. Seeing old friends and new artwork has added more grease to my wheels and stirred me to paint. Here are a few images I took in my studio today:

Above: I'm working on new small Contemplations as well as several larger paintings in an as-of-yet-unnamed series. These paintings are all in various stages of completion. Sometimes it is hard to know when they're done!

Above: a reclining figurative piece that still has a long way to go...

Above: Pictures of new works in progress, including one from my Avian series in the top right hand corner of the photo.

I usually work on several pieces at once, finding that the medium of oil paint forces me to slow down and take breaks even when I want to continue. Each layer has to suitably dry before I can add a new one, so when that happens... on to the next! It's actually very refreshing and allows for a mental break of sorts. If I'm working on an especially repetitive detail or pattern, working on a broader application of paint on another painting helps to loosen my tension and paint more freely.

Also spotted in the shadows of my studio:

Luna!

Painting the Peacock

2011-03-05T10:00:00.001-05:00

Recently, I had the privilege of painting one of the most exotic and flamboyant of birds, the peacock. This was a commissioned work that was intended to hang in a client's study. She was basing her entire room around the colors in a peacock - the golds, teals, blues, and greens - and this painting was to be a focal point. A lifelong lover of rock-n-roll, this client would also accompany the painting with framed rock album covers hanging nearby. I knew this piece had to be fun, dramatic, and energetic. I used a variety of photos from the internet as references to create a piece that was truly my own.

Here is the finished painting, which is an oil on canvas, measuring 24"x30"

Fanfare

oil on canvas, 24"x30"

SOLD

closeup 1

closeup 2

Scene from the studio

2011-02-28T17:38:00.000-05:00

Little Luna relaxes next to some new in progress paintings.

A bit about my work on ArtSource's blog

2011-02-28T00:47:00.000-05:00

ArtSource Fine Art in Raleigh, NC, recently featured my work on their blog - here's a link so that you can check it out: http://artsourceinformation.blogspot.com/2011/02/curious-works-of-susanna-pantas.html

ArtSource celebrates their 20th year this year, and I am so blessed to be a part of their great group of artists!

Bird's nest = sticks + ______________?

2011-02-18T16:33:00.001-05:00

This new painting is titled "Contemplation: Woven Nest" and is an oil on canvas which measures 12"x16". It is currently for sale through ArtSource Fine Art in Raleigh, NC. The original nest actually had bits of bubble wrap amongst the sticks. My attempts to paint the bubble wrap ended up looking like an octopus tentacle was woven into the nest - which wasn't the comforting bed for baby birds I was striving for - and thus I decided to omit it. Thus.... no bubble wrap in this painting, but a charming little nest still the same :)

Contemplation: Woven Nest

oil on canvas, 12"x16"

SOLD

This painting is currently for sale through ArtSource Fine Art

in Raleigh, NC. Email sarah@artsourcefineart.com for purchase information

On their way!

2011-02-16T14:14:00.000-05:00

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.

Hours and hours painting the sisal rug

2011-02-08T15:55:00.000-05:00

The cold weather is still outside these days, so it is fitting that I seem to be spending a lot of my time painting blankets and heavy rugs. Hours and hours have been spent working on a large 30"x40" figurative piece, and I have spent the last few sessions focusing on the sisal rug (shown above). I call it an exercise in patience! Slowly but surely, though, the rug starts to take shape and will eventually come together. Similarly, I am in the "awkward middle" stages of a commission of a peacock. There are, it seems, thousands and thousands of feathers in this peacock! Painting details like this drive me insane at times. Yet, on the other hand, painting incredibly detailed patterns is a strangely satisfying experience. Not sure what that says about my personality! I have heard that crocheting and knitting is the same way, for any of you who knit.

For the lovebirds, Erin and Paul

2011-01-23T11:00:00.000-05:00

Two dear friends, Erin Shannon and Paul Pascarosa, recently wed. As their present, I surprised them with a painting of the humorous fluffy one in their life, their dog Oscar:

It is a scene of Oscar at Wrightsville beach, North Carolina - the place where Erin and Paul fell in love. Erin's twin sister, Amy, helped provide the photos for me to use as references, and I hope that they enjoy this painting as much as I enjoyed painting each strand of black, white, and gray fur. I delighted in Oscar's soulful amber gaze. Painting this little guy was actually such a joy and hope that people will commission other similar paintings - I won't call them "pet portraits" (a bit cliche, don't you think?) - I'll call them "paintings of your beloved furry ones." If you're interested, please email me at info@susannapantas.com and we can get started!

Little Cows, Coming into Focus

2011-01-20T15:37:00.000-05:00

The cow painting is coming along...

Here is a recent photo of one of their faces that I am working on:

above: detail of work in progress

Loss of the beautiful Willow

2011-01-19T02:36:00.000-05:00

So far, 2011 has brought a few heartaches in my life, the biggest of which has been the sudden death of my beautiful Willow. Tragically, she slipped out of her collar, ran away from our friends who were petsitting, and was killed by a car on the highway. We were out of town, 9 hours away, at a wedding, and this whole experience has been overwhelming in the feelings of helplessness. I am devastated, truly devastated, and just trying to put one foot in front of the other. However, I know that I am lucky to have known her, and she certainly has been a bright light in my life over the past 6 months. Truly a shining star.

Here is one of the last photos I have of our dear sweet girl, taken while in the mountains near Asheville, NC, over the New Year. Aren't her ears just fabulous!!? The fluffiness and silkiness of her fur was divine.

Willow, above, checking out the cows during a walk in the country.

Over the past few months, I had decided I wanted to create a painting of some cows, so the day that this photo was taken, we were taking a walk so that I could capture some photos to use as references.

I began my painting, below, soon after returning from the New Year's vacation. Below is the work in progress:

I currently have about three paintings in the works, but this is the only painting that I have touched since last Friday when Willow died, the only one I really want to work on right now. Perhaps because it is was a moment that I shared with our little girl, our beloved Willow.

Grays from the Ocean Blue

2011-01-13T12:00:00.001-05:00

This painting is of a Florida Surf Clam on a worn wooden background. This clam is from my mother's vast collection of seashells collected over her lifetime. This one in particular was found along the white sand beaches of Naples, Florida. It was so interesting to paint all of the striations of color. Slate blue gray is one of my favorite colors, and it works well with the warm tans and beiges of the clam's ridged and dappled surface.

Contemplation: Surf Clam in Grays

oil on canvas, 8"x10"

email info@susannapantas.com for more information

Three Recent Commissions -

2011-01-11T15:29:00.000-05:00

The following three paintings were recently commissioned as Christmas presents. Each small oil painting only measured 5"x7" - I used lots of tiny little brushes!

Luna Moth

oil on canvas, 5"x7"

SOLD

Olive Shells

oil on canvas, 5"x7"

SOLD

Pansies in Silver Cup

oil on canvas, 5"x7"

SOLD

Bonne Année

2011-01-01T23:52:00.000-05:00

Ringing in the new year with friends and family in the snow-covered mountains just outside of Asheville, North Carolina, was divine. There were many hours spent curled up beside the fire, reading, feasting, and playing with various furry four-legged companions (both of the canine and feline variety). It has been a time of re-energizing about the future and contemplating the events of the past year. I am especially grateful for all of your kind words of encouragement about my art. I am grateful that you chose to spend your time soaking in my paintings, (and am grateful for your eyes!). Thank you to my wonderful galleries - especially ArtSource Fine Art in Raleigh, with their fantastic staff, energetic ownership, and glorious new space.

Thank you to those of you who chose to purchase my paintings. I know that art is not a "neccessity" as food, shelter, or water ~ and knowing that you spent your pennies on my work means so much to me. Showing your appreciation through the purchase of my work, because you felt it was beautiful... or because it touched you emotionally.... or for a reason that was yours alone, was a gesture full of optimism and love. Thank you ~ and have a joyous, prosperous, and peaceful 2011. I will be posting new paintings very soon, so please visit again soon.

Tiger Swallowtails Alight

2010-12-25T11:00:00.005-05:00

Remnants of Flight

oil on canvas, 11"x14"

email info@susannapantas.com for more info

When my friend, the illustrator and robot-fanatic Vanessa Boynton, found this Tiger Swallowtail butterfly in the grill of her little mini-cooper automobile, the incident prompted her boyfriend Eric to proclaim "you (Vanessa) killed magic!" I find this hilarious. Vanessa 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"

Having recently re-watched the first of the Lord of the Rings movies, I like to imagine this butterfly's shadows as the ring-wraith's flowing robes, albeit less haunting and much, much more benign.

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!

Bundles of twigs, horsehair, and bubble wrap = baby bird abode

2010-12-23T17:42:00.001-05:00

Ah, winter. My easel and cushioned chair welcome me each day, aglow under the lamp light. Chilly and cold, this weather prompts me to bundle up, snuggle under blankets with Willow (who is becoming especially furry these days), drink hot Earl Grey tea, bake banana bread, and paint tangled thickets of nests. With each brush stroke, I am like the little bird weaving my own nest. Burnt sienna here, ultramarine there.... little branch here, bit of pine needle there.... the little birds and I are on missions to build, layer by layer.

Here are two in the works:

This painting, above, is the larger of the two paintings. Woven within is actually a bit of bubble wrap amidst all of the pine tree twigs!

This second little nest includes a few strands from my old horse, Charlemagne. A gorgeous chestnut Arabian horse, he passed away and left this world last spring. I am touched that a bird decided to add a few of Charlemagne's russet strands of mane to its home. The bird also chose a few strands from Charlemagne's pasture-mate, a little plump white Appaloosa mare.

Pine needles, horsehair, and a few bits of fuzz make quite the welcoming bed for baby birds I'd say.

Work in progress ~

2010-12-15T14:18:00.000-05:00

Here is a new large painting (err... large for me) that I am working on. This painting measures 24"x30" - I am enjoying pushing myself to work in this larger scale. Inside the painting, outside of the window, will be a flock of swallows.

New diptych finally finished!

2010-11-30T18:02:00.000-05:00

I have been working on this painting for months and am finally.... finished! Satisfied. This painting is a diptych, which means that it is actually two paintings that are meant to be hung side by side.

Verdant Morning

oil on canvas (diptych), 20"x40"

click here to see a larger version

This painting and several others are on their way to a possible new gallery tomorrow. We'll see how it goes! I'm also working on a few commissions that (hopefully) I will post later this year.

Stages of "Contemplation: Olive Shells"

2010-11-14T21:51:00.000-05:00

Above are some photos that I took of "Contemplation: Olive Shells" in progress. The last one is the finished painting. To find out more information about this particular piece, please click here to visit my website.

Arrived in the Mail - from dad, with love

2010-11-10T19:20:00.000-05:00

Today, my dad mailed me a drawing he came across while cleaning his studio - a drawing I did aged 3 and a half - of a turtle!

Speaking of my dad, he is an amazing artist who has no doubt been a gigantic inspiration in my life. His new website is:

www.LeePantas.com

His current body of work is of a fantasy underwater coral reef called "Liza's Reef" - a fantastic group of paintings depicting a colorful underwater realm full of rainbow colored angelfish, a jewelled Octopus called "Queen of the Reef," delightful sparkling seahorses and more! Do check out his work - it is so creative, fun, and wild!

Here are a few samples of his work from the Liza's Reef project - aren't they amazing?! :

Areti - Little Wave

by Lee James Pantas

Heart of the Reef

by Lee James Pantas

New Painting from the Contemplations Series

2010-11-08T11:55:00.001-05:00

Contemplation: Anemone

oil on canvas, 8"x10"
SOLD

This painting will sell for $350 at ArtSource Fine Art in Raleigh, NC. A fantastic gallery, ArtSource has been voted "Best Place to Buy Art" by Metro Magazine, an arts and lifestyle magazine covering NC from the capital to the sea, for the past 5 years!

If you are interested in purchasing, please contact Sarah at ArtSource - sarah@artsourcefineart.com or call 919-787-9533. This painting is part of my "Contemplations" series of work - small oil paintings that focus on objects from nature. This anemone was found on Wrightsville Beach, NC.

New Painting from the Contemplations Series

2010-11-07T10:00:00.002-05:00

Contemplation: Imperial Moth

oil on canvas, 8"x10"

This painting is of an Imperial Moth that I found on a walk one day. This painting is currently on its way to ArtSource Fine Art in Raleigh, NC. It will sell for $350. If you are interested in purchasing, please contact Sarah Heinsohn of ArtSource at sarah@artsourcefineart.com or 919-787-9533.

This moth has appeared in another of my paintings which was a part of my Treasures Series. I find this nocturnal visitor incredibly beautiful with its golden and brown tones - and it is large too!

Here is the other painting in which the Imperial Moth appears:

"O Time, Suspend Your Flight! (Black Swallowtail Butterfly + Imperial Moth)" SOLD

New Painting from the Contemplations Series

2010-11-06T10:00:00.001-04:00

Contemplation: Olive Shells

oil on canvas, 8"x10"

This painting is on its way to ArtSource Fine Art in Raleigh, NC. www.ArtSource-Raleigh.com

This painting will sell for $350. To purchase, please email ArtSource's Sarah Heinsohn at sarah@artsourcefineart.com or call 919-787-9533.

P.S. - Here's a photo of my sweet dog, Willow, hanging out in the studio.

New Painting from the Contemplations Series

2010-11-05T18:00:00.002-04:00

Contemplation: Blue Jay Feathers

oil on canvas, 8"x10"
SOLD

This painting is on its way to ArtSource Fine Art in Raleigh, NC. www.ArtSource-Raleigh.com

These two feathers are such delights - the colors are vibrant and the feathers are so soft. I found them one day while on a walk in my neighborhood in Winston-Salem, NC. This painting will sell for $350. To purchase, please email ArtSource's Sarah Heinsohn at sarah@artsourcefineart.com or call 919-787-9533

Stormy night...

2010-10-27T00:02:00.000-04:00

It was a windy evening, which turned into a stormy night. I don't know whether all of the energy outside inspired me to begin 3 new paintings tonight or what. With Halloween right around the corner, I think it is fitting that the first of the three I began is going to be of a moth. Frequent nocturnal visitors, I think moths are a bit under appreciated - then again, people don't like holes in their sweaters! This moth in my new painting is a gorgeous yellow and brown "Imperial Moth" which I found while taking a walk one afternoon in Raleigh, NC. It is quite large - at least 3 inches wide - as big as a butterfly.

The next two paintings are inspired not by the sky, but by the inhabitants in the depths of the ocean. Two olive shells rest together in one painting, and a lone anemone in another. In our busy lives where we jump from one subject to the next and where our senses are bombarded in so many ways by advertisements, people, and ACTION, I hope that this series of works will offer a respite from the "busyness" of the everyday. This series has been an exercise, for me, in really observing something. Letting all of the different shapes, colors, and emotions sink in.

Contemplating the "Contemplations"....

2010-10-07T18:17:00.001-04:00

I have been thinking about this new series I have been working on. Inspired by small objects in nature, I am going to call these small 8"x10" oil paintings my "Contemplations." With all of the complexities and transitions in my life these days, these small works let me breathe. I exhale when I am working on them because they are fairly straightforward compositions without many problems to solve. I enjoy getting lost in their beautiful details.

Here is the latest finished piece, of a moon snail I found on Masonboro Island near Wrightsville Beach, NC:

Contemplation: Solitary Moon Snail

oil on canvas, 8"x10"

email info@susannapantas.com

for purchase info

One that is still in progress, of two Blue Jay feathers:

This drawing got me started on the entire new group of paintings:

This pencil drawing of my beloved small nest is only about 5"x5". I remember drawing it late into the night last winter. I enjoyed working on it so much that the memory of doing so has spurred me into starting the "Contemplations" paintings.

In Progress... moon snail

2010-09-15T18:00:00.001-04:00

I am working on a series of small oil paintings. "Contemplations" is what I am going to call this series. The photograph below is an 8"x10" painting of a rather large moon snail shell that I found on Masonboro Island near Wrightsville Beach, NC. This shell feels so lovely in the palm of my hand! I will be sure to post the finished painting once it is complete.

Just finished

2010-09-14T01:14:00.003-04:00

Contemplation: Small Nest

oil on canvas, 8"x10"

email info@susannapantas.com

if you are interested in purchasing

update: SOLD

This little oil painting, one of the first of my "Contemplations" series, is a study of the beautiful details that are found in small, unassuming objects. I found this wonderfully shaped bird's nest, measuring only about 4" in diameter, along a shady path in the mountains in western North Carolina. It had blown out of a tree.

Recent addition... and new "In Progress"

2010-08-17T00:19:00.000-04:00

I am so glad to be able to welcome a new family member! Willow just joined us from the Collie Rescue of the Carolinas! She has been with me a week now, and I couldn't be happier. She is absolutely loving hanging out in my studio, and hasn't seemed to mind the loud Bob Dylan music one bit! This rescue group does an amazing job helping out the needy furry ones of the carolinas - their website is www.collierescue.net. We aren't 100% sure what Willow is a mix of, so I sent off for a dog DNA test. We swabbed her cheek, and the results should come back to us within the next 2 weeks. I will keep you posted. I am sure this little girl will show up in some future paintings too!

Even with the new pup, I have found some time to begin a new small oil. This painting is of a bird nest that I found around the western NC mountains, on my parents property near Asheville, NC. I have painted it several other times - I just can't get enough of it. This little nest is so cozy to me, if I were a bird, I would surely make it my home.

News About Gallery Representation

2010-07-29T18:04:00.002-04:00

I am pleased to say that my work is now being carried by The Frame Gallery in Winston-Salem.

Frame Gallery

2830 Reynolda Road

Winston-Salem, NC 27106
www.framegalleryws.com

336.724.0904

The owners, Mike and Debbie Shea, are really friendly and knowledgeable. They currently have 8 of my paintings, so if you are in the area, stop by and say hi!

I also have dropped off one of my largest works to date, the oil painting Tangled Beginnings, at ArtSource Fine Art in Raleigh, NC. If you are in the capital city, please do stop in and say hello to the wonderful gals (and guy!) at ArtSource. ArtSource recently expanded their gallery space and almost doubled in size! Their staff is always cheerful and ready to help. In fact, I used ArtSource's own gallery manager, Kate Phillips, as the model for my painting The Zebra Dream!

ArtSource Fine Art

4351-101 The Circle @ North Hills Street

Raleigh, NC 27609

www.artsource-raleigh.com

919.787.9533

PS - While you're visiting ArtSource - you might want to check out some of the latest works of a dear friend and fellow artist, Jane Faudree, of Wilmington, NC. I met Jane while working at Spectrum Art and Jewelry in the coastal town of Wilmington, NC. Jane loves to paint the landscapes of eastern North Carolina, and here is one of her recent paintings that is currently on display at ArtSource, titled Evening Reflections:

New studio space!

2010-06-22T18:55:00.000-04:00

We recently relocated to Winston-Salem, NC, and have been busy getting settled in. My studio has three nice windows which offer nice views of our shady yard. Throughout the day, I hear lots of birds chirping and rustling around in the ivy that grows below my window. We live in a quiet neighborhood and I get to glimpse the occasional neighbor walking by with their dog, off to go play in the park.

above is a new diptych which I am in the middle of painting.

tools of the trade!

and of course.... books!

Recent Happenings...

2010-05-28T12:00:00.002-04:00

I have been mulling around an idea of a new series. With spring in full force here, I've seen robins on the nest and waves of floating pollen breezing off the trees in clouds of yellow dust. An abundance of life. Lets just say that all of this life will be a main element. More about my new series as it begins to take shape...

In the meantime, I just finished a painting from my "Moments" series:

"Daydreams of Flight, Silent Spaces"

oil on canvas, 16"x12"
contact me for purchase info

The "16th Annual Fine Arts League of Cary Juried Exhibition" is right around the corner, with the opening on June 4th at Halle Cultural Center in Apex, NC. The juror was Linda Fitz-Simmons, head of the art department at Meredith College in Raleigh. I feel so privileged to be have one of my pieces, "Tangled Beginnings," chosen for inclusion. There were 69 pieces selected out of 379 entries - whew!

Wooden Boxes, on Shelf with Owls

2010-05-27T22:19:00.000-04:00

"Wooden Boxes on Shelf, with Owls"

oil on canvas, 16"x16"
email info@susannapantas.com for purchase info

This painting was originally painted on a 20"x20" canvas, but I felt that there was just too much negative space. I cropped it down to 16"x16" and am much happier with the end result. Initially with this painting, one of the boxes on the shelf was a small wooden box (purchased by my great-grandmother on a trip to Capri in the 1950s) that had a Madonna and child painted on its lid. However, the composition just wasn't coming together for me, so I decided to paint two Barred Owls on the wooden box instead. Sticking with my love of all things feathered, and recently attending an Audubon Society meeting about urban Barred Owls in Charlotte, NC, I just couldn't help myself! Here's a link to the research being done on the Barred Owl population in Charlotte: http://www.bioweb.uncc.edu/bierregaard/barred_owls.htm, which is quite amazing actually - these owls really are thriving in a suburban setting.

Starry Eyed Memories...

2010-05-19T23:52:00.000-04:00

"Starry Eyed Memories"

oil on canvas, 16"x16"

click here to visit my website and see a larger image

email: info@susannapantas.com to purchase

This painting is a part of my "Treasures" series, which I describe as:

Warm wooden boxes, owning intricate patterns of wood grain, balance against the smooth luster of milky porcelain. Combinations of beloved objects, both man-made and natural coexist in this series. Treasures offers explorations into the sensitive beauty of small objects. These small tokens, while diminutive in size, are still capable of emanating a powerful presence filled with layers of time, history, emotion, and complexity.

The Zebra Dream

2010-04-18T01:30:00.000-04:00

"The Zebra Dream"

oil on canvas, 12"x16"

email kate@artsourcefineart.com for purchase info

My most recent painting is "The Zebra Dream" which I painted for inclusion in ArtSource Fine Art's exhibition "Human Nature: The Figure in Art." This exhibition explores how different artists interpret the human form and is on display at their North Hills gallery from April 16 - May 10, 2010. For more information about the gallery, please visit http://www.artsource-raleigh.com/

As I look over my work from the past two years or so, I have noticed that people at rest is one of the common themes of my artwork. Perhaps this is so because I absolutely adore to sleep - so I can relate to these peacefully slumbering figures. I love the hazy moments between wakefulness and sleep where one is unsure what is real or what is inside the mind. I am constantly trying to unlock the mysteries of dreams - and thanks to all of my friends and family who are often on the receiving end of my stories. I am grateful for so many good-humored friends.

When I was working with my model for this painting, I saw that she had this fantastic zebra print blanket at her home. I just knew that I had to incorporate it into my work. I get completely absorbed when I am painting patterns and these zebra stripes and zig zags just drew me in. I can only imagine the exotic dreams that would come forth after resting on such blanket!

Of vultures, senile dogs, and perseverance

2010-03-24T19:43:00.002-04:00

Despite spending more time that I'd desire chasing after my senile dog (who is now perpetually getting stuck behind furniture with his head wedged in the legs of chairs or my easel) instead of working in my studio, I have still managed to put some finishing touches on "Fleeting" (shown in a previous post) and to begin another small figurative piece. It is okay, though, because I love my old dog Pirate, and he is worth every ounce of attention he gets! Here is a photo of the beginning of my latest painting:

It is a true labor of love with each painting. Some days, my work offers a peaceful break from the worries of the day and I get lost in each brushstroke and layer of paint. Other times, it is like I am trying to climb a mountain better left for another day. Being an artist really requires perseverance and each day you have to remind yourself to commit to the studio. The rewards are great, though, once you get in the groove and lose track of time.

It is definitely spring here in NC! Yesterday I was blessed to spend some time in the woods at the base of "Mores wall" where my boyfriend, Matt, loves to go rock climbing. It has been over a year since I have been outside climbing myself, and yesterday proved to be one of those frustrating days where the mountain did turn out to be too much. While I didn't make it to the top - I barely made it off the ground in fact - I did have a chance to quietly observe some awe inspiring moments in the average day of a turkey vulture! Our spot at the base of the cliff was already almost in the canopy of the trees, and every few minutes an enormous black feathered giant would silently soar by. It was dizzying to look over my shoulder and watch these huge birds. I felt so close. I can only imagine how they feel soaring over the valley. What freedom and sensory delight! I'm glad it was a breezy day, though, because I have heard that these scavengers can be quite smelly up close.

Tick-tock, tick-tock......

2010-03-01T16:37:00.004-05:00

I am still working on this painting, an oil measuring 24"x30", but I'm starting to feel like it is nearing the final stages. I am trying to finish up details and work on making the colors more saturated.

Fairview Town Crier Article & Musings About Childhood

2010-02-20T02:13:00.001-05:00

Recently, my work and I were featured in the February 2010 issue of The Fairview Town Crier. To read the article on my website, please click here.

If I haven't already told you, I spent the latter part of my childhood living in the mountains of western North Carolina. My family moved to a little town called Fairview, located just outside of Asheville, NC, when I was 9 years old. It was a fantastic place for a kid to grow up - summers were spent splashing through streams in search of little creatures, racing horses over fields, and picking wild berries (wild blackberries and wine berries, along with the multiple varieties of my father's raspberries).

My parents still live in the log home that they built on the side of Garren Mountain, overlooking the beautiful valley below. Their home is a haven for all sorts of birds and wildlife. In fact, not too long ago, they came home to a surprise visitor in their guest bedroom - a woodpecker! It had flown in through an open door, went up the stairs, and was proceeding to peck apart the windowsill in an attempt to escape!

Ironically, I had painted my painting "Silent Dreaming, Interrupted," not too long before the incident (shown below) - go figure!

above: Silent Dreaming, Interrupted

acrylic on canvas, 24"x36"

My Model Jami Kunkle

2010-02-10T23:41:00.000-05:00

A fellow artist, painter Jami Kunkle, has been my model for several of my recent paintings including "Silent Peace Offering" (finished) and two others that are in the works.

I first met Jami while she was interning at ArtSource Fine Art in Raleigh during 2009, although she currently calls Charleston, SC, her home. A graduate of East Carolina University's art department, Jami was recently awarded with a solo show in NYC at the Berkeley Gallery.

above: "Veiled Within A Woman's Soul" by Jami Kunkle

Her paintings depict renditions of abandoned buildings, captured by Jami's sensitive eye to color and nuance. Her work conveys the layers of complex emotions and memories that these forgotten places hold. Abandoned homes that have been destroyed by time, weather, and neglect are her primary subject matter, as Jami finds the layers of history as intriguing as the layers of paint she applies. Her website is http://www.jamikunkle.com and she also has paintings on display at Charleston's Mary Martin gallery.

Here is my most recent painting where Jami posed as my graceful model:

above: "Silent Peace Offering"

oil on canvas, 20"x20"

this painting is currently on display at VAE in downtown Raleigh

email: info@susannapantas.com for more information

Solitude - Oil on canvas, 10"x10"

2010-02-07T02:37:00.000-05:00

above: "Solitude"

oil on canvas, 10"x10"

This small oil painting is a study in subtlety. The empty space, the quiet variations in color on the blouse, the small details of her features and hair all help to create the atmosphere. Many of my paintings display this quiet mood which has, no doubt, been influenced by my upbringing and my relationship with my mother. My mom, Elizabeth Pantas, is a discalced carmelite which means that she is a member of an order of Catholics who devote a portion of their daily life to prayer and quiet contemplation. I truly believe that her peaceful spirit has influenced me in my artwork. Over the years, observing her daily devotion to the development of her inner strength and spirituality has led me to wonder about the inner emotions and thoughts of others. I am constantly imagining what stories these silent moments hold, what mysteries, what emotions.

For purchase information about this painting, please contact ArtSource Fine Art. You can call 919.787.9533 and ask to speak to Sarah Corpron or email her at sarah@artsourcefineart.com.

Still Lifes Coming Along

2010-01-31T01:07:00.000-05:00

Here is another photo of two works in progress. You can see the changes from photos I took a while back.

"Silent Peace Offering" headed to VAE's "Imagine" show

2010-01-25T16:55:00.000-05:00

above: Silent Peace Offering

oil on canvas, 20"x20"

Well, after much internal debate, I have finally decided to submit "Silent Peace Offering" to the Visual Art Exchange's Imagine show, which opens February 5th and runs through February 25th. The theme of the exhibition is surrealism, and I was weighing this painting against another one which I am still working on. The other one isn't quite finished, though, and I am not comfortable sending it off when I am not satisfied with it.

About this painting: Several years ago, I had a very vivid dream involving an owl. In my dream, I was chasing an owl through a city, up and down staircases, through abandoned buildings and on and on for what seemed like days and days, never able to reach it. I was crying in my dream, so upset that I could not capture my owl. The next day, I was lounging around my house watching television. It was one of those times where I was just mindlessly flipping through the channels of the tv, bored. I remember this exact moment of what happened next because it was one of the strangest moments in my life. As I was flipping through the channels, I was thinking to myself, "you know, Susanna, you should just turn off the tv and go do something else"... but I didn't. I just kept flipping through, not giving any channel more than a second or two of attention. Then, for some reason, I just stopped on a channel that was completely pitch black. I even remember thinking, "why am I stopping on this channel?" I stayed there for probably 30 seconds when - and I am not kidding you - an owl started flying from out of the blackness and just landed and stared directly out from the screen. This owl on the tv looked identical to the owl from my dream. Unknowingly, I had stopped on some documentary about owls. However, the similarity between the owl from my dream and the owl on the tv the next day was so bizarre and scary to me that I immediately turned off the tv, threw down the remote, and ran out of the room! My pulse was racing and I was shivering. Call this deja vu to the max. It was so bizarre to me that I called up my parents and friends on the phone to retell my experience. Call it a coincidence or call it whatever you might, but it was such a surreal experience for me. Perhaps this painting is my attempt to make peace with the owl, or vice versa... to have the owl make peace with me.

My friend, artist Kathryn Cook, has a new website

2010-01-20T19:16:00.003-05:00

Check out the fantastically imaginative paintings of my friend, artist Kathryn Cook:

www.kathrynarts.com

She truly believes in her work, breaking free of boundaries, and pushing people to think outside their comfort zone. Not to mention, she puts together some very interesting and thoughtful compositions. Check it out!

By the way, she recently took home first place at the Visual Art Exchange's 20th annual "N.E.W" show, a juried show that I also participated in in 2009.

Inspiration Comes in Many Forms

2010-01-18T12:45:00.000-05:00

My grandmother gave me this adorable porcelain & wool sheep for Christmas, after we had seen it at a shop in Old Salem. It turns out that the artist who created it actually lives in Asheville! Here is a link to his website, where you can see his fantastic collection of wooly creatures (especially breeds of sheep from around the world): www.colinscreatures.com

I have been mulling over the idea of painting some domesticated animals for about 6 months now... not sure exactly how or when... but it is an idea that I'm letting ruminate.

P.S. - Yes, that is Pirate in a sweater on my computer's desktop!

Two Still Lifes in Progress

2010-01-12T16:05:00.002-05:00

Coming along.... I am really starting to have fun with these two paintings. They're oils measuring 20"x20" and I am especially enjoying working on the one with the parakeet in it. A screen print by artist and friend Kacie Rushton, her print features a parakeet and was made on an antique book page. She and her fiance, photographer JP Corr III, owned the model - a sweet little budgie named Buster who recently passed away. Her print is so colorful and his expression so inquisitive - I couldn't stay away from using it in a painting!

Works in Progress

2010-01-05T08:00:00.026-05:00

The photo below is a detail from a painting that I have been working on over the past several months. The actual painting is fairly large for me, 24"x30", and the more I work on it, the more excited I become. The theme deals with time ... which is fitting considering it is the beginning of a new decade.... but that is all I'll share for now.

I have also been continuing to paint pieces for my Treasures series. In the current group of paintings, I have chosen to rest my beloved objects on a beautifully carved wooden shelf, which I adore for the subtle curves and shades of white. Here is a photo of one of these paintings that I have been working on over the past week or two:

My New Website

2010-01-03T16:06:00.001-05:00

Finally online! During the last several months of 2009 I undertook the task of building a website from scratch, never having done it before. Whew! What a task. Unexpectedly, it became a pretty satisfying job once I got in the groove. It is such a relief to have it up and running in the new year. I will be posting paintings to the site as soon as they are finished, so make sure to bookmark the site, www.SusannaPantas.com, and check back regularly!

Snuggled Up in the Studio -

2009-12-26T19:38:00.000-05:00

My little dog, Pirate, has been with me almost 11 years now and it astonishes me how quickly the time passes. His little old body can't keep as warm as it used to in the wintertime, and rather than sitting around shivering, he prefers to spend his time nestled under his warm Christmas blanket on his dog bed. Oh what a life!

Memories of Washington

2009-12-18T18:30:00.006-05:00

This little oil painting, commissioned as a wedding memento, measures only 6"x6" and was a treat to paint - although I craved sweets the entire time!

above: "Memories of Washington"

oil on canvas, 6"x6"

I am available for commissions - to learn more,
please email info@susannapantas.com

Me, Age 8

2009-12-15T02:17:00.001-05:00

I spent so much time in my dad's studio as a little girl - and have this great photo to remember all of those afternoons spent drawing...

Photos from ArtSource's Holiday Reception

2009-11-22T15:20:00.000-05:00

November 19th, from 7-9pm, was the holiday reception for ArtSource's show "Under the Tree, Onto the Wall." It was a fun night to mingle with other artists and enjoy such a wide array of different artistic styles.

above: me (far right) with, from left:

ArtSource's Kate Phillips, gallery owner Nancy McClure, and Artist Liasion Sarah Hart

above: my oil painting Solitude is currently on display at ArtSource's North Hills Gallery. This painting measures 10"x10". For more info, please email Sarah Hart at sarah@artsourcefineart.com

or call the North Hills gallery at (919) 787-9533.

above: ArtSource's Kate Phillips and me

Welcome to my blog!

2009-11-18T19:39:00.009-05:00

Here are a sample of some of my most recent paintings:

above: "O Time, Suspend Your Flight

(Black Swallowtail Butterfly + Imperial Moth)"

oil on canvas, 10"x8" 2009 SOLD

This painting includes a quote from French poet Alphonse Lamartine's "Le Lac. The translation, from french, is something along the lines of:

"O time, suspend your flight! And you, precious hours,

stop your course!"

When I was in Paris at the Sorbonne, I spent time studying some beautiful french poetry, and I still read from my anthology of french poems. Butterflies and moths are fleeting creatures, so beautiful and brief upon our earth, and I felt this quote was especially fitting.

above: "Anticipation" acrylic on canvas, 18"x24" 2009

For more information about this piece,

please contact ArtSource Fine Art in Raleigh, NC.

(919) 787-9533, or email sarah@artsourcefineart.com

Earlier this fall, I was honored to have Anticipation be included in the juried N.E.W show at the Visual Art Exchange in downtown Raleigh. The oldest non-profit in North Carolina, VAE hosts an annual "N.E.W" (never exhibited works) show, said to be their most anticipated show of the year. I was honored to have my work chosen.

above: "Stolen Moment, with Cardinals"

oil on canvas, 16"x20" 2009 SOLD

This painting, Stolen Moment, with Cardinals, was one of my first paintings completed in oil. I have been relishing in this medium, and am learning more everyday. Continuing with my Avian Series of paintings, this piece explores a dreamscape in which humans freely mingle with birds, where there is a connection with nature.