Look Again

This is yet another gorgeous Rhode Island moment I captured when I lived in Saunderstown. I was walking down Boston Neck Road around 7:00 am on a brilliant Saturday morning, doing my physical therapy like a good girl. There is a road right after Casey Farms that goes all the way down to the water; the trees form a canopy over it. As I walked by that morning, this heavenly light was filtering through those canopied trees..it absolutely stopped me in my tracks. I scurried back home, got in the car with my camera and hustled back to catch the light before even a ray of it changed. That photograph was my reference for this painting.

I love that a locale that we have perhaps seen ( and overlooked) thousands of times before can suddenly become compelling, viewed from another perspective. The meditation for this painting is "The weed you curse today may tomorrow be a lilly" ( -anon). I have learned it is important to be open to the opportunity to see something or someone in a new way; it can become truly serendipitous. This oil on canvas is 11"x14" and has alot of knife texture built up in the trees. It also features luminescent oils, which have a deep, color-shifting pleasing mineral sort of quality. This work may be purchased at www.FineArtBySusiFranco.com. all work copyrighted 2001-2008 Susi Franco.

There is an amazing place here in Rhode Island, between Saunderstown and Wickford that attracts literally hundreds of photographers, artists and nature lovers yearly. In mid to late August, depending upon the weather, a truly resplendent lilly pond complete with arched bridge blooms into life. I like to think Monet would have appreciated it, perhaps even painted it.

Just seeing those majestic flowers is awe-inspiring, and every year no matter what pain or suffering or disappointment we may have endured, those magical lillies awaken and stir the poet within. This little 6"x6" oil on canvas is my humble homage to the lilly pond that blossoms only once a year. :) I have therefore titled it that, "Only Once A Year" . The meditation for this work is somewhat more lengthy than usual, but most apt....

"And I, who neared the the goal of all my nature, felt my soul at the climax of it's yearning, suddenly as it ought, grow calm with rapture". ( -Dante, The Divine Comedy)

I think too often, in the busyness of everyday living, we lose touch completely with the natural world. Man's spiritual growth and even his survival is intimately interwoven with Nature and to forget that invites peril & catastrophe to our species. The time has come in our world for us to stop the madness, take a breath, return to Nature and all Her healing; the world is too much with us all. I like to think my little lilly painting may be a small step in the right direction. You may go to www.FineArtBySusiFranco.com to purchase this work. All work here copyrighted 2001-2008 Susi Franco.

This is another of my dreamy landscapes-I enjoy creating them so much. These small works are idlyllic in nature...someplace you can deposit your cares and worries and just be, feel the glory of being alive and peaceful, if even only for a few moments. That is my goal for the work.

This little 5"x7" oil on panel is titled "Dreams Grow Here" and features heavy impasto knife texture in the buttery foreground flowers.
I like to think it leads you in, lets you breathe the sweetness of the place. :) The meditation for this work is: "Every exit is an entry somewhere else"- Tom Stoppard

We often think when something has ended in our lives that Life itself must also stop or halt. That mindset utterly obliterates every possibility that is out there waiting for you to discover it.
It is my hope this little painting may remind you to consider the infinite"what-if's" of tomorrow.
As with all my work, this can be purchased securely through www.FineArtBySusiFranco.com. Questions ?...you can write me at Circe2001@aol.com , I'll answer promptly.
Copyright 2001-2008 Susi Franco, all images

I am blessed to live very close to the ocean, less than a block away. On nights warm enough to have my windows open, I am lulled to sleep by the sound of surf crashing on the rocks. Life here at the beach is very different from life in the city; it is a slower pace, infinitely more serene ( except during tourist season :) and people smile and speak as you pass. I love walking by the sea wall every day , seeing the color the ocean is that particular day ( it changes with the weather & season), watching the cheeky gulls swoop in and out looking for someones' neglected sandwich to steal.

I know every inch of the horizon and cherish it. When I am troubled or spirit-weary, a walk by the ocean is always my best medicine. I take reference photos often and use them in my studio, and this painting was born from one of those. It is a 6"x6" oil and is titled "Narragansett Saturday"....I think I have captured the clouds and waves well, the angular rocks jutting out low into the water. This work features a bit of impasto done with knife; I very much like using that effect to suggest the foam on waves. I hope it gives you a moment of thought, of peace, a desire to see "My" Narragansett. :) The meditation for this work is:

"Trust to that prompting within you"-Ralph Waldo Emerson.

I didn't think of myself as a plein aire painter til I obeyed the urge to go to the sea wall and paint; now I derive great joy from it, something I was convinced I wouldn't like. It is important for us to listen to that inner voice...most of the time it is instructing us to utilize tools which are organic to our happiness. Any good weather weekend you'll now find me at the beach, easel up and work under way; it is a source of deep satisfaction.

As with all my work, you can purchase securely at www.FineArtBySusiFranco.com. Thanks for taking a moment to look. copyright Susi Franco 2008

Daily Painting-Prairie Palace

This little work was inspired by a trip to Arizona, where I was surprised to find lush gardens and verdant vistas instead of the vast empty deserts and cacti I expected. :) It seemed every corner of the landscape contained a jewel of a view, all potential paintings. I offer you this version of a little cabin I saw, surrounded by a wild riot of color, a bed of flowers that delighted the eye and senses. The meditation for this work is: "What we see depends on mainly what we look for."(-John Lubbock). This little work reminds me to keep an open mind and eye. :)
It is 8"x10", with sides painted so framing is unnecessary. It features heavy texture done with palette knife and the color just sparkles. You may purchase it securely at www.FineArtBySusiFranco.com.

It's All DownHill From Here-A Painting A Day

I found I had alot of paint left at the end of the day, so I used what was on my palette to create this brilliantly hued little work that just sings with color and rich texture. It is heavy impasto, lots and lots of built up layers, all done with knife. I find there are techniques I can get from a knife that just can't be delivered with a brush, LOVE that !

This one is considerably looser, much less "structured" than the other works posted here. I enjoy working this way now and then, it is a sort of purge.

This is a 6"x6" oil, sides painted ( as with most all my work) so you needn't frame it. ( unless you feel some deep conviction about framing, that is. :) This work would be such a lovely spot of color on a bookshelf, your office cubicle, on an etagere or mantel, anywhere you want some color to live.

You may purchase it securely through www.FineArtBySusiFranco.com.

Thanks for taking a look, there is more to come~

copyright Susi Franco 2008

Wishing Tree-Landscape Meditation

The tree stands stalwart against a heavenly sky, reaching upwards, always upwards, as the sun nestles into the hillocks below. A tree which invites the weary traveller to stop and rest a while, perhaps consider the many blessings we are all so quick to forget, to renew ourselves, our spirit. The meditation for this landcape is "An honest heart is the first blessing, a knowing head is the second"(-Thomas Jefferson)

I love the mood of this little work, which is an 8"x10" oil on panel. It has enough knife work to impart a wonderful texture and the color is delicious. This work can be purchased at www.FineArtBySusiFranco.com.

Hope this work pleases you as much as it does me. :)

Warmly: Susi

The Zen of Italy-heavy impasto, brilliant color

Aaaaaaaahhhhhh, there's that lovely light again ! When I was in Italy not so long ago, I saw so many gorgeous color-filled vistas like this one. I love the last remnants of a bright sun, reluctantly retreating behind stately cypresses, poplars and oaks, all poetically reflected in the water below.

It is a tranquil scene whose meditation is :"A single day is enough to make us a little larger"(-Paul Klee) I feel that is poignantly important because we so often tell ourselves " I'll do that tomorrow, or, later I'll address that". If we can consistently carpe diem, we'd likely find ourselves in the happy circumstance of realizing our dreams.
This 11"x14" oil is very heavily impasto'd and has tons of palette knife texture; it was done entirely with knife. Although the original is SOLD, you can purchase a hand-enhanced giclee at www.FineArtBySusiFRanco.com. Thanks for looking~

copyright protected, Susi Franco, 2008

The Road Home-Ethereal Light and Familiar Feelings

I genuinely love creating these lovely little works with beautiful, mysterious light, almost heavenly light, I think...and lovely little jolts of color. My pal Laureen ( an amazing artist) says they make you want to "be in them". I suppose that's what I'm going for here, little works which transport the viewer for a moment, maybe instill a feeling of peace, of quiet happiness, of thought & consideration.

The meditation for this 11"x14" work is " The beginning is always today" (-Mary Wollstonecraft). The times I get hung up in a problem or situation are almost always related to my not being fully present in the moment, worrying about some far off thing not here yet; this painting is a reminder to be grounded in the now, that each new day is an opportunity to start again.

This has alot of knife work, particularly the trees, and features a soft lavender sky; it welcomes the viewer in, maybe reminds you of your own road home. :) This work may be purchased securely at www.FineArtBySusiFranco.com. Enjoy!
Don't forget to check out my book at www.Amazon.com, "Angels With Stethoscopes", and thanks for taking time to look.~ :)
all images copyright protected-2001-2007

Lavender Farm in Provence

God, don't you just adore France ? And the sweet aroma of lavender simply transports me....aaaaaaah~ Put the two together and it is poetry. :)
This pretty little study in purples, mauve, indian yellow and white was done entirely with knife and is 11"x14", with heavily built-up texture. It has that magical sort of ethereal light I am so fond of, and features some play with perspective, always a delight for the eye.

This work gives me such an uplift...the meditation for this one is " something good always awaits at the end of the road if we can just believe it will be there". I tell myself every day to "leap and believe the net will be there". This work is another way of expressing that philosophy.

You may purchase this work securely at www.FineArtBySusiFranco.com.
All work copyright protected, Susi Franco 2008.

LandScape Meditations-Red Sky With Cypress-Daily Painting

I have recently gotten the "Landscape Bug" again, and find myself lovingly painting these sort of dreamy oils with ethereal light sources. They allow me to travel to a place in my head where everything is tranquil and beautiful, nothing ruffles or offends the consciousness.

An artist pal of mine came in and saw them as I worked and said "Suze, ya oughta call these Meditations because they are very serene". I took her advice. :) I am doing these Daily Paintings with great relish; it allows me to exorcise my painting demons. ( the one that keeps me cooped up in the house with a brush in hand, hair wild and woolly, coffee cup too close to the turp)
The meditation for this work is : "you must trust your inner knowing; if you have a clear mind you won't have to search for direction, direction will come to you" ( -Phil Jackson)

I VERY purposefully paint in a variety of schools, sometimes an Impressionistic mode, and other times, much more contemporary, slightly edgy themes which morph between abstraction and reality. See the photos I have posted for an idea of what I'm up to.

I refuse to limit myself to only one style, which admittedly can be confusing for some folks. I like to use Picasso as an example; if you take the time to look at his early works, you'd be astounded to see the portraits he did; if you didn't know it was Picasso, in a bazillion years you'd never guess it. He moved through various styles and schools in his career before he landed in one that made him a household word.

I have no illusions as to my place in the art world food chain, but I have eked out a bit of acclaim and hope to do even better. Winning two International Awards and having my work selected for decor on the TV show "Extreme MakeOver:Home Edition '08 ain't exactly chopped livah, ya know. :)

I can proudly say I am enthusiastically collected all over the U.S., something of a hit in Europe ( see Bio) and semi-resident artist in several galleries on the East Coast.

I have always enjoyed the palette knife, but have found a whole new mode of expression in it's use recently. See the series "Rainy Days and Mondays" ( soon to be posted here, currently posted at ImageKind.com, search my name) for examples.

These dreamy landscape "meditations"you see on this page all have palette knife in them, along with some brush work as well. I love building up texture, and those are usually universal features of my work: texture and intense color.
These are small paintings, all usually under 11"x14" and are modestly in price. For the most part, I am not offering frames with them, to keep cost down and make shipping less costly.
You can purchase this work through www.FineArtBySusiFranco.com.

I am not a fan of listing work at Ebay for bidding, image theft is rampant there. Just take a quick minute to visit my new site, www.FineArtBySusiFranco.com, where you can see this work and many others, available for your purchase.

It is worth mentioning that I am also a nationally published author, of the book "Angels With Stethoscopes", available at www.Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.com. If you'd like to purchase the book along with a painting, I'll include it for $17.95. ( the online book retailers charge less because they get hundreds of copies at a time from the publisher, it isn't feasible for me to do that.) The book has received glowing reviews and is a candidate for a national book award. I am fiercely proud of it~

Come back and visit again soon, won't you ?

Warmly: Susi copyright 2008, Susi Franco