The Year of the Horse: Qianli Ma

Qianli Ma © samos 2014

 My maternal grandfather came over from China when he was a young boy. I have few memories of him because he left this life when I was only 6, but what I do remember is his smile. He was always smiling and I love that about him...

A couple days ago my ancestors celebrated the Chinese New Year which happens to be the year of the horse. As many of you know, I LOVE horses. They have been a large part of my life since I was a little girl. Lately I have been painting them and Qianli Ma is my latest creation. 

The spirit of the horse is recognized to be the Chinese people's ethos – making unremitting efforts to improve themselves. It is energetic, bright, warm-hearted, intelligent and able. Ancient people liked to designate an able person as 'Qianli Ma', a horse that covers a thousand li a day (one li equals 500 meters). 

If you are interested in purchasing this painting it is available in my ETSY shop. 

what's new

I've been working on a couple projects...started a large new horse painting (4'x4') and getting into a new routine with my pottery. I'm hoping to develop some studio hours that I can stick to in order to produce the amount of quality work I'm striving for. 

Here's a sneak peek at how the painting is coming along. At first it had three horses, but the only one I liked was the middle one. As you can see, now there's one....

work in progress © samos 2014

In the pottery studio, I'm waiting for a batch of pots to dry. I've been thinking of new designs for this year and possibly changing brands on glaze. If I remodel the studio before summer, I may even start making my own glazes. Most potters do, but I really enjoy working with the commercial ones because of the brilliance in their colors. 

...in other studio news....

I applied to a sculpture art walk for Douglas County this year and entered Night and Day. I should know by the end of February if I've been accepted or not. In the meantime, I'm looking to enter a couple exhibits with a few more of my sculptures, paintings, and photographs. 

Until next time...Have a wonderful week!!! 

in the making...

sculpture (in the making)

A dear friend of mine asked me this morning what new creative pieces I've been working on. Well, here are a few of them...As we near the end of 2013, I often find myself thinking about next year already and what it is I'd like to accomplish and what it is I need to finish before it arrives. 

How about you? 

dinnerware set (in the making)

horse painting commission (in the making)

Painting a Horse

I'll Always Be with You
© samos 2013

As an artist, one of the tricks to a good piece of work is knowing when to put your tools down and calling it "finished". I know I can always find something I want to fix or make look better. So in my reality, a work is hardly ever done. Here are a few images of my latest painting called I'll Be with You Always...

© samos 2013

© samos 2013

© samos 2013

 Can you see all the changes?

warrior paint

painting in progress © samos 2013

warrior paint © samos 2013

  © samos 2013

Double the Fun



Double the Fun © samos 2013

This has been a fun week for me. I've been real busy in the pottery studio, but still finding time to paint before I get all muddy...

I had so much fun painting the Desert Paint that I had to double the fun with these two little ones. This original is a 16x20 watercolor on canvas. I'm thinking about going real big next time around!

Have a great weekend everyone!

i see you

© samos 2013

This morning I was checking in with a client to see if she had received her painting and how she liked it. Before I could send her an email there was one in my inbox from her saying how much she LOVED her painting! Of course this totally made my day and  inspired me to paint a new one. I'm working on a diptych, each canvas measuring 16x20. The first part of the painting is almost done. I liked the stage it's in right now and made a print. I'm excited to see how the piece looks when it's all finished! 

Saying Goodbye

Ghost of a Horse © samos 2013

 

 



Saying goodbye to a piece of work that you've created can be bittersweet. I don't know about anyone else's feelings but my own and I usually feel happy, excited, and sad all at once! It's always fun to make a sale. It means someone actually likes what you do other than you, right? But it's a part of you that is leaving and will never return. And that, my friends, can be the sad part if you let it. So today, I am HAPPY to be sharing a part of me: my passion for painting and my love of horses with someone I've never met. Today Ghost of a Horse will have a great new home back east.

In the Works

purple cosmo planters © samos 2012

 

So much has been happening lately, I don't know where to start! Last week I was reminded that the holidays were fast approaching. It's obvious to most people, but I'm one of those that is off in lala land most of the time busy doing my own thing and not paying much attention to important things like holidays. Anyways, I felt a rush of panic and started thinking about new pieces of pottery I want to make, paintings I'd like to start, and then there's that compost that I want to get made before it snows too!

But first things first...

Mark your calendars because I am having a first time ever Holiday Pottery Sale in Salida on November 17th! I'm very excited about it! I'll be hosting it at my parent's house and will have lots and lots of pottery + lots of yummy treats + lots of fun! So don't miss it! I'll let you all know the closer the date gets, but for now, SAVE the DATE!

 

I've benn working on my website too. I was tired of the old look and needed something fresh and new. Have you been by lately? If not, please stop in and take a look! Let me know what you think. I love feedback. Good or bad. I can take it. *grin*

 

My artist friend Robin Norgren mentioned a website the other day for painters called daily paint works. Of course I just had to check it out. And, well, I joined. I couldn't resist the challenge. So if you noticed, I added another page to my blog called Daily Paintings. Each day I complete a new painting, I'll post it on that page. Those paintings will be for sale and can be purchased several ways:

through ETSY, Daily Paint Works, or by emailing me directly.

desert horse print © samos 2012

I hope everyone has been having a wonderful fall!

I look forward to hearing from you!

xo

samos