Painting of the Month-July 2022

"From a Distance" 24 x 72 in

"My horizon on humanity is enlarged by reading the writers of poems, seeing a painting, listening to some music, some opera, which has nothing at all to do with a volatile human condition or struggle or whatever."
-Wole Soyinka.

During these times of change and uncertainty, the importance of the arts is so crticial to the human soul. I take refuge in the time I spend creating and treasure those around me who also create through their medium of choice.

In this painting, "From a Distance" the horizon is a key element. I create depth by breaking up the horizon line. This draws the eye of viewer into the distance. What lies beyond? What does the future hold? Using a palette of soft blues and greens I hope to evoke a sence of peace. Peace with the present and with what the future may hold.

Painting of the Month- June 2022

"Summer Swim" 30 x 65 in

On the banks of East Lake where I live in Cherry Valley in Prince Edward County, Ontario I will often be graced by the arrival in the Spring by beautiful swans. These wondrous large birds float gracefully by in pairs.

We keep the banks on our property very natural which allows for the perfect setting for the swans to build their nests on our banks. I love sitting by the lake and watching them slowly drift across the lake as they dive for food. In this piece, I wanted to compare the vastness of the lake with the small size of the birds.

This work along with many other paintings are on display during my solo show LAND | WATER | SKY till July 10th at Melt Studio & Gallery.

Painting of the Month -May

"Changing Boundaries" 30 x 64 in

There are many boundaries on land. We are sometimes pushed on land by war to change these boundaries. Land boundaries also include the implementation of fences, seperating my land from yours.

The boundaries in our relationships also change. Some people respect the boundaries we lay out, some like to push these boundaries. Sometimes these pushed boundaries can lead to positive change and the relocation of those fences we create. Sometimes not and we end up reinforcing those exiting boundaries or build new fences.

In this piece I use a quiet palette and the fence as a metaphor for these boundaries of the land and of the mind. This painting is on display at Melt Studio and Gallery.

My solo show at Melt Gallery is approaching. Do drop by for a visit and see some of my new work.

Painting of the Month- April 2022

"Nature's Markings, 12" x 12" $485

With Spring comes the arrival of the bird's nest.  What a miraculous feat of avian architecture.  I am always amazed at the resourcefulness of the bird.  How it can take from the environment to build these places of refuge and yet leave  nature so seemingly  untouched. 
 The unique markings on the egg shell is made by pigments excreted by glands as the egg descends down the mother bird's oviduct.   The egg will end up speckled,  spotted or even have wavy lines.  These pigments dry on contact with air. When the egg is finally laid, the end result is a near-perfectly camouflaged egg.

This work along with others will be on display at Melt Studio and Gallery during the Renewal Show on till May 22nd.

Happy Spring Everyone! -Susan

Painting of the Month- March

HOPE for UKRAINE

Encaustic on wood framed in a solid walnut frame. Retail value $485 12”X12”

Raffle tickets $10 each or 3 for $25Like many people around the world, I am devastated by the atrocities being inflicted on the people of Ukraine. In response, encaustic artist, Susan Wallis is raffling off one of her Hope Nest paintings to support the Red Cross’ efforts along the borders between Poland and Ukraine.

"Birches Dancing by Firelight"

12" x 12" $485

I have commenced a new series of work around the theme of fire. "Birches Dancing by Firelight" is a part of my new fire series, which will be featured during the PEC Studio Tour this fall at Melt Gallery with artist and ecologist Nina-Marie Lister and Indigenous artist and teacher Janice Brant Kahehtoktha. 

The show is titled "Three Sisters, Three Artists, One Fire".
It invites viewers to explore an unfolding story and dance around the fire. Stay tuned to learn more about this exciting project over the coming months.

“My father was a Polish WWII veteran. I have seen firsthand the effects war can have on a family. My father was taken from his home on September 17th, 1939 when his hometown was invaded by the Soviets; inconsequently it was his 16th birthday. He, along with his parents and siblings, were sent to a prisoner of war camp in Siberia, Russia where his mother would later pass away. We have no childhood photos or memorabilia of his early life. 

As luck would have it, he reunited with his siblings in England after the war where they would later immigrate as a family to Canada in the late 1950s. The people of Poland and Ukraine share many similar customs, one of which is the painting of eggs for Easter celebrations. This tradition has lasted for thousands of years. ‘Pisanka’ in Polish or ‘Pysanka’ in Ukrainian symbolizes life, rebirth, and protection - a much welcome sentiment in these trying times.” 

— Susan Wallis (Susan Danuta Baran)

Book your PAUSE Nature + Art experience today.

Pause is a unique experience that encourages you to pause in nature. Learn to engage all your senses and embrace the beauty of nature. Culminating in bringing that beauty into a piece of art that you created under my guidance.

Painting of the Month- February 2022

I have been exploring the colour purple this month in my work. Light mauves to dark aubergines as seen in the sunsets over quiet lakes. Purple is said to both calm and stimulate 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. I'd like to think I have captured this in this quiet contemplative piece. -Susan

Painting of the Month- December 2021

Forest Watching 12”x12” Retail Value $485

In the spirit of gift-giving, I will be hosting a raffle for the painting pictured above, which is the first from my new series, Forest Watching. 

All the proceeds are being donated to Kenhte:ke Seed Sanctuary and Learning Centre in Tyendinaga. Their mission is to cultivate a sacred space to grow, preserve, and protect heirloom and Indigenous seeds in accordance with Rotinonhsyon:ni cosmology, to ensure the availability of healthy, viable seeds for our collective future generations.

Tickets are $10 each or 3 for $25 and can be purchased in person at Melt Studio and Gallery or online.

“In this painting I challenge the viewer to join in the scene, to take a seat by the bonfire under the night’s sky. To watch and protect the forest. To celebrate its glory and recognize and understand its vulnerabilities. Only then will the forest survive.”
— Susan Wallis

You can buy your raffle ticket here until December 21st at midnight. Winner will be drawn on December 22nd.

Detail of Forest Watching

Detail of Forest Watching

Painting of the Month- November 2021

I started working on this painting during the full moon in August around the time of my birthday.

This painting is monumental in both size and in subject matter. The large, silent moon commands attention while bathing the birch tree's bark in its light.

I chose phthalo blue for the night's sky, which I prefer to use instead of black. If we map phthalo blue on the color wheel, we'd see that it leans towards the green side.

Although the palette of this piece is simple, the message is strong. I enjoy pairing down a landscape scene to its essence. I feel it better represents the power of nature.

This painting is on display for viewing at Melt Studio and Gallery and is available through my online shop here.

- Susan

Horizon Moon 96”x 48” $7500

Painting of the Month- October

The Quiet Forest 24”x6”

"Love will find a way through paths where wolves fear to prey."
- Byron

Like many little girls of my generation, I grew up reading the classic fairy tale “Little Red Riding Hood”. I’ve realized through an absolutely full life that we all encounter those wolves in the forest, and like Little Red, we find our way through.

My Little Red series of paintings explore the evolution of Little Red as an analogy of us all. From the naïve girl skipping through the woods to Grandma’s house with a basket in hand, to the adolescent, reflective and mature woman dressed in a flowing cloak, Little Red embodies confidence as she moves forward into the woods, unafraid. 

I see my Little Red as a celebration of experience and grace, one who has triumphed over both her internal and external "wolves".  

My beloved Canadian landscape is the perfect backdrop for this dramatic tale, holding both a supporting and leading role in this tale of self-discovery.
 

-Susan

Painting of the Month- September 2021

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

Excerpt from 'Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening' by Robert Frost, 1923

September's painting of the month is "Just Us and the Moon" measuring 24 x 6 in. This painting is part of my Moon Watchers series.

Have you ever spent a moment with your significant other under the light of the moon and the stars? It can be magical. Just you, and them and the vast sky above. It's these moments of silence that we often gravitate to in our hectic lives, where the simplicity of the night sky is a welcomed diversion.

The two birch trees in this piece symbolize two persons standing angled towards one another under the light of the moon. A quiet meeting of two minds and two hearts connecting.

Enjoy the end of summer night skies with someone special in your life before the leaves fall and Winter lays down its blanket of snow.

- Susan 

Painting of the Month- August 2021

"I chased her to the pale moon,
and left dusty footprints on the wind,
and she hopscotched the stars,
my heart in her hand,
and though I climbed high, the fires burned my wings,
and I tumbled back to earth,
through the clumsy clouds --
but from the ashy rocks,
I look up again,
and in my providence she smiled and shone,
and gave me one more star for me to wish upon."

-Atticus, Canadian poet

August's painting of the month is "Pale Moon" measuring 36" x 30". This painting is part of The Moon Watchers group show at my newly opened Melt Studio + Gallery.

No matter how far you may travel, you can always look up to find the moon suspended in the night sky. The moon’s silvery light has captivated our imaginations and inspired us to write literature, create music, and make art for thousands of years.

Among the artists throughout history who have been captivated by the moon is German romantic painter Caspar David Friedrich (1774–1840). Friedrich was instrumental in transforming the landscape from a backdrop subordinated to human drama to a self-contained emotive subject.

On August 22nd we will have a full moon. North American fishing tribes called August's full moon the sturgeon moon since the species appeared in high numbers during this month. It's also been called the green corn moon, the grain moon, and the red moon for the reddish hue it often takes on in the summer haze.

At the Gallery, we will be hosting a Celebration of the Full Moon on Saturday August 21. If you would like to join us for this moon-inspired event, please email your request and I will make sure you are on our invite list.

Until then, continue to look to the evening skies and embrace the moon in all its glory.

- Susan 

Join me in the County for a unique Nature + Art Experience.

Pause is an experience that encourages you to pause in nature. Learn to engage all your senses and embrace the beauty of nature. Culminating in bringing that beauty into a piece of art that you created under my guidance.

The basis of this experience connects you to the healing powers of nature. Inspired by the Japanese tradition of shin-rin yoku or more commonly referred to as forest bathing, you’ll be led on a meditative nature walk by a local herbalist. The intention is to help increase your sense of well-being, (physically and mentally), and access the relaxing power of nature.

During this meditative walk, your nature guide will help you to connect to nature, identifying local plants, and teaching you about their medicinal and healing properties. The idea is that you will feel a sense of calm and clarity that will inspire a piece of art that you create yourself.

After your nature walk, you will then return to Melt studio, where you will compose a collage encaustic painting. Together we will create an original art piece using items that you collected during your walk, along with some additional pieces if you choose that will be provided.

At the end of the experience, you walk away with a framed ready to hang, encaustic collage.

Dates for this unique nature and art experience are as follows:

August 14th and 22nd
September 4th and 19th
October 2nd (booked) and 10th
For more details click here!

343 County Road 22, Barrack 3, Picton Airport, Picton, Ontario

Painting of the Month- July 2021

My painting of the month for July is a return to my Tree Worshipping Series and the birch tree. The birch tree is my favourite tree and was my first muse in the wonderful medium of encaustic many years ago. Referred to as the "Lady of the Woods" by poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge, the birch tree is almost always one of the first species to regrow in places of tragedy, after a forest fire for example. It can thrive in even the harshest conditions of low-nutrient soils or cold climates. It’s also one of the first trees to regrow leaves after the depths of winter bringing us into the new life of spring. It’s a sacred tree within the mythology of the Celts and is thought to have very protective influences, along with being a symbol for new beginnings. On Midsummer's Eve, branches from the tree would be hung around doors of dwellings in hopes to bring good luck and guard against any evil or misfortune. To bring in the new year with goodness, evil spirits were brushed from homes using a broom made from the twigs of a birch tree.

As our world hits the reset button and we brush away the old and embrace the new, the birch tree seems a fitting symbol of renewal and rebirth for us all.

- Susan

This painting is available for purchase through myonline shopand available for viewing at my new studio and gallery spacewww.meltstudiogallery.com.

Painting of the Month- June 2021

The painting for the Month of June is a return to my Mystical Lake Series. I love working with this limited palette. The celadon blue and green used are two of my favourite colours. I don't like using black in my work and often use turkey umber green instead. This combination of colours exudes a sense of calm and peacefulness. Something we could all do with more of in our lives and live spaces.

Inspired by the many Lakes of Prince Edward County, my “Mystical Lake” series is my quiet celebration of “the lake” and is the symbol of tranquility in my life. Being by a body of water has always been my 'happy place'. It's important in our lives, now more then ever to reconnect with nature, whenever and wherever we can. Find those green spaces, whether it be in a local park or in your garden or maybe just simply walk out onto your balcony and look to the skies and breathe.

This delicate painting is availble for purchase through my online shop.

I'm happy to annouce that my new gallery and studio space is very close to completion.
Over the next week the final pieces will be put into place.

Here is a list of our upcoming shows in this new space:

Melt Gallery:  Group Show,  Meet the Melt Gallery Artists. Spring\Summer 2021

Focus Project Gallery: Solo Show, “Think”  by Sculptor Mary Ann Grainger June 2021

In-Unison Project Gallery: Group Show  “Little Red” various works by artists inspired by the fairy tale “Little Red Riding Hood”. June 2021

Format Project Gallery:  Vanessa Rieger will be exhibiting her social art project called 
“Funeral for a building: The Coffin Factory”. June 2021.

Showroom :  Selection of art objects, furniture and editions by artisans and local creatives.

The Gallery intends to hold a soft virtual opening on June 12th, 2021 to be viewed online.

We hope to open our gallery to the public on June 18th, following covid-19 protocol and guidelines with a minimum capacity.


Looking forward to seeing you online or safely in person soon.
                                                                                   
                                                                                    -Susan

www.meltstudiogallery.com

Pause is a unique experience that encourages you to pause in nature. Learn to engage all your senses and embrace the beauty of nature. Culminating in bringing that beauty into a piece of art that you created under the guidance of an experienced encaustic artist.

The basis of this experience connects you to the healing powers of nature. Inspired by the Japanese tradition of shin-rin yoku or more commonly referred to as forest bathing, you’ll be led on a meditative nature walk by a local herbalist. The intention is to help increase your sense of well-being, (physically and mentally), and access the relaxing power of nature.

During this meditative walk, your guide will help you to connect to nature, identifying local plants, and teaching you about their medicinal and healing properties. The idea is that you will feel a sense of calm and clarity that will inspire a piece of art that you create yourself.

After your nature walk, you will then return to Melt studio, where you will compose a collage encaustic painting. Guided by an experienced encaustic artist, you will create an original art piece using items that you collected during your walk, along with some additional pieces if you choose that will be provided.

Allow yourself the opportunity to step back from the cares of everyday life and simply be.

Dates for this unique nature and art experience are as follows:

June 25th.
July 10th and 25th
August 14th and 22nd
September 4th and 19th
October 2nd and 10th
For more details click here!

Painting of the Month- May 2021

I usually try to send out my Painting of the Month newsletter as close to the 1st of the month as possible. I am a bit late this month for a good reason, which I will get into a bit later in this newsletter.

But let's talk now about the Painting of the Month. "Falling" is the first painting from a new series I simply call "Falling", a celebration of the waterfall. The soothing powers of water have always intrigued me. You can almost feel and hear the water spray in this painting.

Where I live in Prince Edward County there are some wonderful natural waterfalls, some of them in very secret locations.

I am pleased with the texture and movement I was able to achieve in this painting through the medium of encaustic. This painting along with others from this new series are available for purchase through my online shop.

Now onto to why this newsletter is so late this month. I am excited to announce that I will be trying out a new studio space up at the old Camp Picton Air Base just outside of Picton, Ontario. To those of you who are not familiar with this historic site let me fill you in. Built in 1940 as part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP), seven hundred and one acres of land on the outskirts of Picton became the home of the Royal Air Force (RAF) where many young British, Canadian, and American men trained as combat pilots. Decommissioned in the 60s, many of these barracks are now work spaces for artists, carpenters and various local businesses. Barrack #3 will be the new home of Melt Studio and Gallery.

The space will include my encaustic working studio,  an open concept Main Gallery Space,  which will showcase my work in addition to a small selection of work from emerging and mid-career Canadian artists and artisans from all disciplines.

There will also be 3 Project rooms.  Project Room 1 will be dedicated to Audio Visual and Media Arts and will be curated by my daughter,  Vanessa Rieger, a multi-disciplinary artist.  This room will be for rent to artists who practice this discipline.

Project Room 2 will also be a rental Room dedicated to solo or group shows in all mediums.  I will be curating this room with Vanessa's assistance.

Project Room 3 will be a Group Show Room that will have small group shows inspired by a specific theme.  The first show is called "Little Red" inspired by the fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood. 
There will also be a Showroom\Gallery Shop with some wonderful design ideas and gifts.

I will also be running an exciting new Experience Workshop called "Pause" from this new space,  a NATURE+ART experience.

Of course opening this space to the public will rely on when we as a community can re-open safely to the public.  However in the meantime,  I will be keep busy working in my studio and plan on providing online 3D tours of the Gallery and Project Spaces as they are completed.

Do subscribe to the Melt Gallery Newsletter  to stay in the know, or follow us onInstagram or Facebook.

Looking with hope and creativity towards the future!
                 
                                        -Susan

www.meltstudiogallery.com

Hope Nest Giveaway

Well here it is, my Easter gift to you! When I started these Hope Nests last March 2020, I had no idea we would be in a 3rd wave of the pandemic this Easter. However one thing hasn’t changed. Hope. We have many reasons to be hopeful. So to celebrate hope I am offering this painting simply called “Hopeful Spring”, 10”x10” at $450, AND if you purchase this painting by Easter Monday you will get “A Gift of Hope #4”, 6”x6” for .....are you ready.……FREE! Retail Value $285. Both paintings are framed In a solid custom walnut frame. Shipping extra. Click here to purchase.

Painting of the Month- April 2021

Well it was pretty easy to choose which painting for this month’s painting of the month. Read on and you’ll see why. Over the last month or so I have been conversing by zoom with local naturalist and writer Terry Sprague. Terry and I have never met in person until just recently. Through a a initiative called “the Art of Conversation” a collaboration between the Prince Edward County Arts Council and Community Care for Seniors, 15 pairs of local seniors and artists engaged in a series of conversations (via phone or video) with the aim of reducing feelings of loneliness and isolation. This resulted in a virtual exhibit of 15 new works inspired by these conversations - which explored the senior’s past, present self, or possibly future aspirations.

I was thrilled to be paired with Terry Sprague. I have admired his work for many years and had followed his Nature column in our local paper. Terry and I had some wonderful conversations about nature, a passion we both share. Birds were a popular subject matter during these conversations. Terry is a wealth of knowledge on the bird. During one of our conversations, Terry mentioned the White Throated Sparrow. We discussed its beautiful call, "Oh Sweet Canada, Canada, Canada", hence the title of this painting. Terry shared with me a lovely, touching, personal story about his late wife associated with this bird. I felt honoured that he felt comfortable sharing this with me, and I hope this painting honours that story.

Yesterday I presented Terry with his painting. He was generous with his time and took me for a lovely nature walk on the trails that he maintains near his property on Big Island. We have plans to continue to get together for walks with our furry side kicks. Below is a photo of Terry and his painting along with a photo of Monty and me. Monty is my new furry pal , an 8 month old Blue Tick Hound.

I am excited to see how this new frinendship will inspire my art. Only time will tell.

-Susan

Looking Back\Moving Forward- Solo Show Canmore Alberta

Looking Back\Moving Forward is the title of my new show at Elevation Gallery opening March 27th 2021. During these times of isolation comes the opportunity to reflect on where we are and where we are going. As I a look back over my art practice and my journey into the medium of encaustic painting, I have taken a moment to reminisce. The new pieces in the works for this show are 'looking back' at the many series I have produced over the years. From the early years of my Birch paintings to my Mystical Lakes. From Red Balloons, Red Tents and Red Riding Hood to my Nests and more recently my Mountain and Moon series. From these moments of reflection I have created these new paintings.

Lake Passage 36”x48”

In the comfort of your home, join me for a Zoom Cocktail on Thursday March 25th with Elevation Gallery Owner, Cheryl Baxter. I will be discussing the inspiraton behind the new work and will be happy to answer any questions you may have. I will also be revealing some future plans in the works some wonderful new collaborations. Hope to see you there!.
7pm (Pacific Daylight Time) in Alberta or 9 pm in Ontario (Eastern Daylight Time).

Zoom meeting is https://us05web.zoom.us/j/2780452229?pwd=cllQc2FsdUlsbzVpOHM1UHhZbmNCUT09

Meeting ID: 278 045 2229 Passcode: ArtGallery

Painting of the Month- March 2021

“There is nothing in which the bird differs more than man than in the way in which they can build and yet leave a landscape as it was before.”
— Robert Lynd

I love this quote by the Irish writer Robert Lynd. It's easy to see what he means. All one has to do is look at the components of a nest. Twigs, grasses, straw, mud, string, hair and feathers. These are just some of the things that can make up a nest harvested carefully by the bird from it's environment. Wouldn't it be great as humans if we could practice the same resourcefulness of the bird and be more conscious of our environment and the way in which we engage with it in our daily lives?

This painting , "Waiting for Spring", gives homage to the intricate weaving and resourcefulness of the bird. I scribe into the wax the intricate lines of the nest and then build up with layers of wax and oil pigment. I show in the subsequent images below the various stages. From raw board to almost completion.

This painting will be part of my solo show at Elevation Gallery in Canmore, Alberta opening March 27th, 2021. Sadly due to Covid I will not be attending the opening, but I will be posting a preview of the show at this link, followed by a 3D tour closer to the opening.

In the meantime enjoy the last days of winter, as we all know Spring is just around the corner!

-Susan

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