Susan Fahrni emerges from the Columbia Valley: Success!

Artist Statement

I love nature and I love to try to capture it on canvas. Everything I paint means something special to me, whether it’s a scene I’ve tried to capture before it disappears, a view that holds special memories, or a glimpse of a part of our valley that I want to share with others who might not otherwise have access to it. The places I paint are real and as I paint I am ‘there’ be it perched on a mountain ridge, sitting by a lakeshore or standing upon a tussock of grass in the wetlands.
I generally work from photos, however, for me, capturing the images in paint on canvas gives them an importance, value, and even permanence that I feel photography can not.
I begin a piece by drawing key shapes on the canvas then washing a thin layer of paint on to block in the major features. I then start working from the background making my way forward envisioning what is behind and hidden by each slope, tree, etc. before I paint it. For me this working in layers gives each scene its veracity and depth.
Sunlight and its effects fascinate me. I have always admired the stained glass of medieval Europe and I love the way the sun illuminates it and shares the coloured glow with the world below. It is a man-made tribute to God and the world He created. However, His work cannot be surpassed as sunlight gives life and purpose to the colours of the real world giving them an “unearthly” glow.
When my work is going well, I feel a sense of awe and wonder and a thankfulness that I have been allowed to capture and recreate our beautiful world. Having said that, I am not certain how it happens and feel that I’ve been witness to magic as the work paints itself having merely allowed me to mix the colours and hold the paintbrush.
As I work, in my mind I see the birds and insects, feel the warmth of the sun, the caress of a breeze, and hear the rustle of leaves, the buzz of insects, the chirp and call of birds. I am transported to whatever scene I am trying to capture.
I have come to realize that my art represents who I am: passionate, realistic, yet orderly and a stickler for detail, and very ‘down-to-earth’.

Friday, July 17, 2009

Success!

I've finally completed both of the paintings that I worked on in May and June. 'Building' mountains is painstaking work and not to be rushed but it is a relief to have them done and ready for the show at Pynelogs in late August.

I loved working on this one. I find this view of the area mesmerizing.

Tarn at Pedley Pass

24"x36" on

gallery canvas

This second painting is a panorama of the the Bugaboos taken from the top of Chalice Ridge. This view is your reward for the two or so hours of hiking to the top.

Bugaboo Panorama
12"x36" on gallery canvas

1 comment:

Advenures in the UAE said...: Susan, I really enjoy this painting of the bugaboos. Its absolutely breathtaking to look at and brings back memories of my hike up to Chalice Creek!; August 22, 2009 at 8:16 AM

Susan Fahrni emerges from the Columbia Valley

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Friday, July 17, 2009

Success!

1 comment:

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