I Did a Big, Scary Thing

I applied to be represented in an important regional institution. It took me all day to get all the photos, bio, CV, etc., together in a professional manner and I made myself sick to my stomach for a bit. Must mean it matters a lot to me. Now it is done and I'm ready to enter the next big thing with less fear; I hope.

In celebration of this feat, I give you "Dahlias in Mexican Vase." 

$50 Art Sale Starts Thursday

Fun Show to Sell All work for $50, framed: "88 Strong":  Eighty-eight artists were each given eight 8x8" panels and 88 themes from which to choose. Sale of 500+ works starts Thursday at Goodfoot Lounge & Pub, 2845 SE Stark Street, at 5 p.m. I had fun experimenting with these pieces. See all themes at http://thegoodfoot.com/gallery/

 "His Faith in Humanity was Being Tested" - Everything Will Be F***ed theme 

 "Set to Music" -  Excavations theme

"Impressionist Heron" - Put a Bird in Me theme

"She Loved a Boy from the Other Side of the Tracks" - Other Side of the Tracks theme (sold)

"Irises in the Field" - Magic Gardens theme

"Love Song for a Crow" - Put a Bird in Me theme (sold)

"After the Derby" - Bourbon theme

"Lingerie in the Window" -  Roadside Attractions theme (sold)

Spring!

"Waiting for Her Moment" 14"x14", Oil on Canvas, Quin Sweetman

Lovely weather is upon us and I am happy to report, I am working on a couple of commissions for new customers. Have you considered having something special painted for yourself or a loved one?

A recent portrait now showing at Broderick Gallery in Longview, Washington
Broderick offers lovely custom framing

Works in Progress

Happy St. Patrick's Day! I've been remiss in posting on this blog lately but I assure you, I have been making art ... or attempting to do so. In winter, I tend to focus on painting still-lifes and figures from life model sessions. I hope to capture my subject's unique essence in a short period of time and the models often move but I try to stick to what struck me in the original pose. For those interested, here are a few works in progress which are nearly complete.

In my studio ...sunflowers 24x18", dahlias 14"x11"

Men can be beautiful too! Loved the graceful way our model posed

 (finishing right side of canvas/patches on figure)

24x18"

                                                      "Elizabeth in Repose" charcoal drawing, 17x14"

...Oh yeah, I was in the newspaper yesterday. Here's a link to fun portrait I did quite a while ago:
Duluth News Tribune Life Section.  I love to paint portraits of people and animals ... and it pays for more paint supplies/painting trips, so let me know if you'd like me to paint one for you.

Top of the afternoon to ya!

Quin

The People of Peoples Art

There is a very cool show coming up; one that honors the people who make Peoples Art of Portland Gallery happen. I am honored to be considered one of them.

Bridge City Night, Oil on Canvas, 6" x 8" (11"x 13" w/frame), Quin J. Sweetman

Bridge City Night is one of the many paintings I created from life, not a photo. It's a bit "messy" because it was painted quickly, at night with very little light on my palette. I chose to let it remain this way as a bit of a journal entry. Take it or leave it; it has life and represents a fun evening painting from the St. Johns bridge in my neighborhood. Ordinarily, one would not be able to paint on this bridge as it sways quite a bit with the heavy trucks and traffic, but on this night, the bridge was closed for maintainance and we took full advantage of it. Four other painters joined me and in addition to painting, there was wine, snacks and even cartwheeling! Perhaps this painting should be called Good Times.

See this painting and others at:  Peoples Art of Portland Gallery
                                                  January 18 - February 9
                                                  Downtown in Pioneer Place Mall (3rd Floor)
                                                  Reception, Sat. Jan. 18, 5-9 p.m.

Solstice Paintings Sale on Etsy

Dear friends and supporters of my art, Happy Solstice!

Tiny Dancer, 3" x 3", oil on canvas, Quin Sweetman

Here's one I just painted just for fun recently. There are many more on my Etsy shop: www.quinsweetman.etsy.com. Get 15 percent off thru December 31 by using the coupon code: ARTSY.

I've been busy painting!

 "After Edgar Payne's Eucalyptus Grove," Oil on Panel, 8x8", Quin Sweetman

"After Robert Henri's Catharine, 1913", Oil on Panel, 8x8", Quin Sweetman,  2013

 Stream, Crown-Zellerbach Trail, Oil on Panel, 8x8", Quin Sweetman

"After Monet's Bodmer Oak, Fontainebleu, 1865" Oil on Panel, 8"x8", Quin Sweetman, 2013

Polka-Dotty, Oil on Panel, 8x8", Quin Sweetman

Female Figure, Oil on Panel, 8"x8", Quin Sweetman

"After Renoir's Woman with Cat, 1875", Oil on Panel, 8x8", Quin Sweetman, 2013

Mt. Hood from the Wildlife Refuge, Oil on Panel, 8x8", Quin Sweetman

"Tualatin River Wildlife Refuge", Oil on Panel, 8x8"

"After Nicolai Fechin, Father", Oil on Panel, 8x8", Quin Sweetman

Male Figure, 18" x 14", Oil on Panel, Quin Sweetman (In Broderick Gallery)

Sunny Side Up, 11" x 14", Oil on Canvas/Panel, Quin Sweetman (in US Bank Show)

Okay, those were a lot of work; to make and to post! Let me know if you'd like to know more about any particular piece.  Please see them in person, if you can:

1) Broderick Gallery, "Holiday Shindig", Sunday December 8, 1416 Commerce Av, Longview, WA, 2-7 p.m. Join us for the party and sale.  Show remains up through late December.

2) US Bank, thru December 28, NE 16th and Weidler, Portland: Open M-F, 9-6 p.m., Sat, 9-2 p.m.

3) Peoples Art of Portland and Mark Woolley Gallery  "Big 400" Show, $40 8x8"Art, Cash/Carry, December 14, 2 pm, Pioneer Mall, Downtown, Portland.

All my Best,

Quin