One fish, two fish….

March 21, 2013 By

Red Fish, Blue Fish!

Fish Collage

I’ve just gotten back from a little  much needed R&R in Cozumel, Mexico!

Ahh! Sunny days, warm ocean breezes and pina colada’s on the beach, now that’s my idea of a vacation.

So what’s a girl to do on a tropical island – PAINT of course!

I love using time during my vacation to get my sketchbook out and record all of the beautiful surroundings on my travels.

There is always something new to see and it becomes a great way to remember where we have been and traveled to.

This trip was with a great group of scuba divers at Dolphin Dive from Athens, Ga. Check out their site  to find out about all of the great trips they have planned and how you can learn to dive too!   What a super fun group of people, we had a blast!

So what would be more fitting than some hand painted cards with charming fish inspired by all the bright colors of Mexico.

The small size of the ATC’s ( artist trading cards) are perfect for when you are traveling. I package up a bunch and put them in a plastic lunch bag to keep them clean.

So easy to paint when you are lounging on the beach! Then when I get home I put them together to make the cards.

I love being able to send these for birthdays, thank you or I’m just thinking of you! What happened to those hand written notes??!

pink flip flops

You can find an assortment of handpainted cards on my Etsy shop!

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Back from the dead

March 5, 2013 By

Well, if you’ve been missing some posts here from the Creative Spark that’s because I’ve been hit with some of this crummy winter illness that has been running around like crazy. And I have to admit, I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired. That’s it- I’m done, kick that crap out of here.

Probably the worst part of not feeling well was not even feeling like painting. So when I actually got back to the studio even just to sketch a bit I knew I was on the road to recovery.

Basil leaf Basil Leaf- from the Sketchbook

I used a simple basil leaf from the kitchen to compose a page in the sketchbook here. I also showed how I mixed the green colors that I used. I never use a green directly from the tube, always mix your green to get a more vibrant color and one that resembles nature. We all know that yellow and blue make green but there is an infinite number of combinations to create glorious greens. And let those colors mix and mingle  right on the paper instead of mixing them together on the palette. It looks so much more interesting than just a flat color.

Well, now that I’ve done a bit of sketching I think I’m ready to work on some of those larger paintings that have been calling my name….

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From the Sketchbook

February 4, 2013 By

Lemon Pear

 

“Lemon Up” and  ”Paired Up” © Sue Grilli

Painting and creativity doesn’t need to have to include a huge amount of time with setups, lighting and materials.

I truly enjoy my time when I take out the sketchbook and just use ordinary objecsts around the house and get some brushwork in.

This day I was using some fruit that I had. I simple set the fruit on white paper so that I could see the shadows better.

The one on the left I added a bit of a design element with the purple checkered background to add some interest on the page and to break up the color a bit.

And adding a title gives it a punch with fun!

So dust off that sketchbook and get out there- and get creative!!!

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Off to the Market…

July 20, 2012 By

“Red Radish”©Sue Grilli

All around small towns and even big cities, Saturdays are becoming the day to shop at the Farmers Market. Get up early, get your recycled shopping bag and head out to market looking for fresh fruit & veggies.

For me, it’s more than just a shopping experience, it’s become a visual treat for the eyes. Colors, patterns, shadows forming in negative spaces, all sorts of design elements to experiment with.

Last week I just took my travel paints with me and my sketchbook and found a quiet spot to capture these bright radishes.

Do you have a favorite fruit or vegetable?

Be on the lookout, you might find your local artist capturing the scenery at the Farmer’s Market tomorrow!

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I’m traveling to Ireland

March 15, 2012 By

Well, let me clarify that- I’m taking an ” Imaginary Trip” to Ireland with artist Laure Ferlita. How cool is that!

Laure offers a very unique e- course where you take a virtual trip with your sketchbook. All of the practice of sketching but in the comfort of your own home.

I enjoy this because it gives me a focus and a commitment. I look forward to each week’s “assignment” and hurry to get my watercolor sketches done. We share them among the group for feedback.

This is a wonderful way to get some brush mileage in your sketchbook and work on your skills, plus you get to “visit” some new places!

If anyone has any photos of Ireland that you would like to share and have me include in my sketchbook, I would love it if you would send them along.

We started our journey across Ireland in the town of Cashel, between Dublin and Cork. There was the Rock of Cashel, ruins  of a cathedral. Once I saw that huge door I knew that was what I needed to paint. ( you know how I love doorways!)

From there, were went on into the picturesque town of Cashel, with it’s quaint shops. I just had to get a quick sketch in of this brightly colored cafe.

I’ll see you next week as I continue on my “travels” through Ireland.

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It’s a New Home

February 17, 2012 By

Well friends, I’ve been working and slaving for the past month and FINALLY the new home of Sue Grilli Studio has gone live.

Now that’s not to say I still don’t have finishing touches and more photos to add but I’m 90% done and really really wanted to share this with everyone.

I’m soooo excited to be able to have all of my online ventures in one place to make it easy for you all to find me. I will be able to share my newest paintings, chat about creative, artsy adventures in my blog and share my artwork that is for sale. Yiiippee!

I’d love any feedback you might have, so please leave a comment and of course you can sign up to get all of this creative inspiration in your mailbox.

I’ll leave you with a painting out of my sketchbook, working in a smaller format is great for me at times since I’m working during the day I don’t always have enough hours to dedicate to a larger painting. I’ll also use them for studies for a larger piece if I’m happy with the design.  Enjoy!

                                      “1-2-3 Pears” ©Sue Grilli Studio

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