Painting of the Month- February 2021

Moonlight Moment 6”x48” $1400

““I think it pisses God off if you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don’t notice it.” ”

— Alice Walker, from the Colour Purple

I couldn't agree more with the quote above from the Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Alice Walker, who wrote the amazing novel the Colour Purple in 1982.

Purple is a colour that demands attention. It is thought by colour theorists that the colour purple both calms and stimulates our bodies, putting us in the right place for introspection and focused insight. It fosters creativity by awakening our senses while promoting the quiet necessary to make intuitive, insightful observations. Purple creates a harmonious balance of awareness and peace. More than simply the combination of red and blue.

detail of moonlight moment

I always love seeing the colour purple in the sky during a sunset and as the moon starts to glow. Especially so during the winter months as it is such a wonderful contrast against the pristine white blanket of snow below. In this piece I have let the many shades of the colour purple flow throughout the entire sky from one end of the board to the other, under the watchful eye of the still buck. The buck, like you and I, also seems to be mesmerized by the beauty of this quiet moment in shades of purple.

I have been buoyed by many of my clients and collectors who have reached out to purchase new work. I add new pieces to my online shop weekly, along with delivering new work to galleries that rep me across Canada.

Currently I am working on some exciting collaborations and new projects planned for later this year.

So please stay tuned.

In the meantime, as always I wish all a safe journey through 2021!

-Susan Wallis

detail of moonlight moment

Painting of the Month- May 2018

The Gentle Approach 24" x72"  on display at ELEVATION GALLERY, CANMORE, ALBERTA

The Gentle Approach

I must admit, I do have a hard time sometimes letting go of some of my paintings. And such was the case with this piece. The Gentle Approach is part of a new series that explores the classic fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood. It was recently shipped out to Elevation Gallery in beautiful Canmore, Alberta in time for my solo show Into the Woods opening on May 5th.

I love the scale, (24" x 72"), the composition and palette of this work. It just came together and flowed so easily from my brush. It also continues my love affair with the sky that is so lusciously translated onto the board by the molten wax. In this work, I have set the small Red Riding Hood figure in a diminished perspective amid an expansive landscape.  

It's a romantic piece — an homage to one of my favourite painters; Caspar David Friedrich (1774-1840). He was a German Romantic painter who is best known for his mid-period allegorical landscapes that depicted contemplative figures silhouetted against night skies, morning mists and barren trees.

I’m looking forward to seeing this painting again when I arrive in Canmore later this week for my opening. It's a gentle piece, hence the title and it evokes a sense of peacefulness in me along with a pride in its execution.  

Click here to see all the paintings in this new series titled Little Red.
 

– Susan Wallis

All images copyright Susan Wallis 2018

Detail of A Gentle Approach