A new owl painting !
Flying High!
New work begun today, trying to work with minimal equipment as I had to work from bed. I used ingenuity and a Zimmer frame to reach my paint box which was somehow across the other side of the room... And used fingers instead of a paint brush. Where there is a will there is a way. I have bought a new easel that fits in to the table and drops down to accommodate bigger canvases, so I think I'm fully ready to get back to work. Tomorrow I'll sit in the chair to finish this piece( hopefully)
#barnowl #animalart #birdartist #suegardner #licensedartist #newart
Easter Gift Guide
I thought it would be a lovely idea to put together a useful gift guide for smaller items in my print shop this month. I have some lovely bags and little books and prints which may fit the bill. Check it out here and if you enjoy it please feel free to share or Pin the page!
New Beginnings
I thought it would be a lovely idea to put together a useful gift guide for smaller items in my print shop this month. I have some lovely bags and little books and prints which may fit the bill. Check it out here and if you enjoy it please feel free to share or Pin the page!
Geese in Bed
Having been hospitalised for six weeks after my accident, I'm now making a good recovery and hope to be walking again in the next week or two. For now, I am sketching in bed and planning a new, bird-themed collection!
Sketching with pens
The goose is one of hundreds I photographed, while we were on holiday at Dunster Beach last September. He was making a display of himself in the sunshine after they all landed as a flock. Each morning they would land in small squadrons until hundreds of birds were gathered on the lake. They chased about for an hour, cackling, gossiping, socialising. Presently they fell to preening, and washing, and then dozed peacefully for the rest of the day.When evening came, they took an hour or so to form again into their groups, tension gathering. Suddenly as if on a secret signal, they began to lift into the air, group by group, a cacophony of honking and the tremendous beating of wings. I stood on the bridge each night and watched them leave, flying so close overhead you could almost touch them. Even after they were tiny dots in the distance, their voices continued to ring in my ears. I loved it! And I wanted to create a series of paintings inspired by these wonderful birds.
Perhaps I'll start it now, from my bed! and dream of those beautiful Summer evenings as I get out my sketchbook...
Watch the geese here!
Woodland Stag Art Workshop - my first date back!
Create your own colourful Stag painting!
This fun and absorbing workshop has three spaces still available! Dont worry if you havent picked up a brush since school! Step by step instruction and lots of personal attention enaures that eveyone takes home an amazing unique piece of art like this lovely one here!
Click here for booking details Paint a stag!
Temporary contact for Sue
My regular email is having technical trouble so I have set up a new email as a temporary measure. I can also be contacted via my Facebook, Instagram, Linked-in accounts. The new email address is hellosuegardner@gmail.com. Please note, responses may take a little longer than usual while I'm in hospital.
A bit of a set-back
My partner and I had been looking for a fun form of exersize for ages, because we both need to lose weight and get fitter - Drs orders. I suddenly thought about Pickleball and so we went along to a session with our local club, as a sort of trial.
It was great! Fun, funny, challenging but low impact. Great! Unfortunately just before we finished I was stepping forward to stretch for the ball and my leg hyper extended and broke, and down I went.
So I've been in hospital since the 27th Jan working my way through a sea of pain, faintness and sickness. Initially the foot was in danger because the artery was damaged in the accident, so I had a major operation involving the orthopaedic and vascular teams. I have four pins into my leg bones. I'm screwed into an external frame which is holding those four pins steady and safe.
Soon I'm hoping to transfer to a rehab unit and from there, home. I will be off my legs for another six weeks then will begin the process of getting upright and walking. At some point I will need an operation to reattach my cruciates, but not now.
I simply can't wait to get home to my dogs, I have never been away from them like this, it's awful really.
As regards work, I'll have to find new dates for my February and March workshops, however I have plenty of spare weekends so this shouldn't be an issue. I'll get in touch with everyone over the next week to confirm changes.
I'll have to adapt my painting practice dramatically while I am immobilised.
Mark and I have decided to hold a very big sale of my existing art originals to raise funds to support me while I cannot work. This is going to involve very big discounts, so might be an ideal opportunity to acquire an original piece. At the same time helping me get over this set back, so I can continue to do the work that I love.
I'll release the special sale to my email list first, so please join it if you are interested 😊
Creamy White Cow Canvas Print - New Release!
Peachy Queen Canvas Prints are Available
Mixed media oil painting and digital painting, from my original piece and now available as a beautiful canvas print. My canvases are made for me by an expert picture-framing team, using sustainably-sourced materials. The water based inks we use are guaranteed to stay vibrant and gorgeous for 100 years
Mixed media oil painting and digital painting, from my original piece and now available as a beautiful canvas print. My canvases are made for me by an expert picture-framing team, using sustainably-sourced materials. The water based inks we use are guaranteed to stay vibrant and gorgeous for 100 years
'Fast and Free' Hares- Painting Workshop at White Dove Gallery, Shenton!
March 9th 10 am - 3 pm £70.00 Booking is through Tim at White Dove Gallery Phone: 07890 002127
At the White Dove Gallery, Shenton
Address: The Old Village Hall, Shenton CV13 6DP
All the materials needed for the day are provided, Spend the day with me painting, learning and socialising with a small group of friendly artists and take home your own unique and beautiful hare painting. Tea. coffee and cake included!
This workshop is suitable for beginners and seasoned artists alike. The focus will be on creating a painting with looseness and movement, using acrylic paints and acrylic inks. Simplify, free up your style and let the paint do (most of the) work! I will demonstrate the steps of my process throughout - I work in layers, so while I encourage you to paint spontaneously- there is plenty of time to relax in between layers. Hares are so beautiful: Shaggy yet elegant, scruffy and sleek, lollopy and engaging- they lend themselves very well to this type of painting technique.
A beautiful location in which to paint, light, warm and airy surrounded by inspirational art! This is a lovely opportunity to relax away from it all, whether you are already an experienced painter or someone who fancies trying out a new hobby.
Wear clothing that can cope with an accidental splash of paint, and get ready to have fun, relax and learn.
This workshop is suitable for 18 and over. Please be advised that the workshop is upstairs at the gallery.
Ready To Run - A New Hare Painting
Ready To Run 20 x 16 “ acrylic painting on stretched canvas
Link to watch the painting taking shape
Here is my first painting for 2024, now available for sale £600. This guy features in my first video of the New Year ‘A Painting Makeover’ which can be found at the above link. This piece will be on my website very soon.
Big Lion Painting - Aurelius!
A Roaring Success!
I love this big guy - he dominates any space. When people see Aurelius for the first time, their first reaction is ‘Wow!’
He has been exhibited at the beautiful Atkins Gallery this month and, while I was there, I enjoyed seeing a group of visitors taking turns to have a selfie with Aurelius.
Although the overall scheme of this piece is cream, gold, black and brown, there are little touches of blue and purple here and there in his coat, which is picked up here by the grey-blue furnishings.
A hare and a video!
New!
Every layer I do on this hare is more enjoyable than the last. I have video of the process, on my YouTube channel. Beware I am new to creating these types of video and they are bound to suck quite alot until I get proficient! Parts 1 and 2 of this hare are on there, and Ill uplad the final part tomorrow. (@suegardner on YouTube)
Painting in progress - colourful sunset owl!
New Owl Painting
This is the painting that I was demonstrating at the Atkins Gallery this week. Almost finished, I will see whan I go an collect him, whether he needs any more work. I love the colours in this piece. Hope you do too.
A lovely review for my painting workshops!
‘The teacher was very good. Extremely knowledgeable and encouraging in a laid back way. Making you feel comfortable at all times.
The venue was nice and cosy, with small numbers that gave a more personal and attentive atmosphere.
Lots of tea, coffee and refreshments on offer.
A very productive, enjoyable day.’
A beautiful review left by Sue Woodcock who recently attended my ‘Big Cats ‘workshop. Thank you so much Sue, I loved reading this comment, it made my day! Glad you enjoyed it!
Dante - Wild Stag Oil painting -Newly Available
Dante - Wild Stag Painting
In a beautiful vibrant palette of greens and teal, this new original oil painting is now available to purchase here on my website.
Find out more here
Art Gift Vouchers
Gifts for Art and Animal Lovers!
If you are looking for the ideal last-minute gift for art lovers and animal lovers, consider one of my gift cards. These are digital and instantly accessible.
Workshops - I have vouchers available for my painting workshops here https://suegardnerstudio.com/workshops/workshop-gift-certificate And for my prints and giftware here https://suegardnerstudio.co.uk/products/gift-card-sue-gardner-studio
Fox oil painting for sale
My original fox oil painting is now available for sale. Sold unframed, on gallery-wrapped canvas, so he is ready to hang immediately. The colours are stunning, teal, turquoise, purple and green creating a Twilight atmosphere. Tiny touches of these colours are reflected in his watchful eyes.
This painting was created from many layers,first of acrylic followed by oil paint. This gives a very deep and vibrant glow to the piece. And because of these layers, the painting looks different according to the light.
He is available to buy now from my website and will be heading to a gallery at the end of the month.
Painting Demonstration at The Atkins Building
I had a wonderful day at the gallery this week, painting a sheep in oils, and chatting to all of the lovely visitors. Fiona Marks was also in attendance, telling the stories behind her beautiful paintings that feature important women in history. We enjoyed it so much that we are going to do it again on the 19th Dec! See you there? See previous post for all the details.
Fun at the Atkins Gellery in Hinckley
Art For All
Isn't this lovely? Children's activities at the Atkins Building getting everyone involved in the exhibition
The exhibition is on until the 5th January, with Meet the Artists and painting demonstrations on the 19th and 21st December
Come on down and have a selfie with the Lion!
Solo4Collective Exhibition at The Atkins Gallery
The Atkins Building
Lower Bond Street, Hinckley
Leicestershire. LE10 1QU
