Janice Souza Thurston

2011-11-30T21:08:00.000-05:00

The Spring Bull Gallery on Bellevue Avenue in Newport, RI is having their annual "Little Picture" show throughout December. http://springbullgallery.com/exhibitions.html The opening is Saturday 12/3/11 from 5-7. There's also a 'Gallery Night' in Newport Thursday December 8, 2011 - until 8PM. I have three 'little pictures' in this show.

2011-10-13T18:35:00.002-04:00

"It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.” ~Thoreau

Public Beach Showers

2011-10-04T18:20:00.004-04:00

16 x 18 oil on canvas
These two were done a while back, but thought they were a timely post as a nod to the end of summer. I spent untold number of summer days at this beach as a kid in New Bedford, MA. Boarded up buildings to some, personal history to me.

Boarded up for the season

2011-10-04T18:07:00.005-04:00

12 x 16 oil on canvas

Tied Up

2011-10-03T18:17:00.002-04:00

6 x 6 oil on panel
Oops, forgot this one from the Cape trip. Another quiet boat launching area in Orleans.

Foot Bridge in Wellfleet -- SOLD

2011-10-02T09:48:00.005-04:00

8 x 8 oil on panel
The following posts are a few paintings/studies I did on the Cape a couple of weeks ago. I began each day painting putting down one stroke after the other without worrying too much about 'getting a painting' out of it. For the most part I think I recorded the colors of the week, to some degree, and practice with atmosphere. The week was the second 'paint week' in as many years for a few painter friends - I'd like to think calling it the "second ANNUAL 'paint week' " will lend mojo to a series of these trips. Pack up, leave all distractions behind, shut up, paint. aaahhhh!
I'm not sure if they posted any of their Cape paintings, but take a look at the work/blogs of Kathy Weber, Ann Rozhon, and Patty Walsh who made it a week to remember.

Foggy Boat Landing

2011-10-02T09:33:00.003-04:00

12 x 12 oil on canvas
The early morning fog rolled in...rolled out...and then in again swallowing up most everything. Their was a real mental struggle between allowing the peace of the silent, moist shroud to keep and hold me; and the tension of keeping up with "fast and dirty" changes to the painting . Oh...give me these dilemmas any day.

Promising sky at rainy Nauset Beach

2011-10-02T09:16:00.003-04:00

8 x 10 oil on panel
Landscape painting has it's drawbacks - weather among them. A great big gazebo on the beach saved the day.

Little Pleasant Bay

2011-10-01T17:01:00.003-04:00

8 x 10 Oil on Panel
This was a view from the lovely, spacious house we rented. It was an unsettled day that eventually cleared up. I think before the end of the week we had all painted this same view

Coast Guard Station

2011-10-01T16:44:00.004-04:00

8 x10 Oil on panel

I went back up to Fort Hill again - I never get tired of this place.

Marsh Boxes

2010-10-04T20:46:00.004-04:00

6 x 6 oil on panel
Rock Harbor, Orleans, MA - marsh and creek - different day!

Scrub Pine at Indian Neck, Wellfleet, MA

2010-10-03T17:13:00.004-04:00

8 x 10 oil on panel
Still the series from the week on Cape Cod with Kathy and Ann.

Coastal Road - SOLD

2010-10-01T19:33:00.004-04:00

5" x 7" oil on panel
This is the road back from the old Coast Guard station in Eastham, MA. It's still the same week on the Cape with Kathy and Anne, Linda, and Ann. This particular late afternoon, Kathy was set up a few feet away and there was an army of surfers passing between us rushing down to the beach to catch some of the effects of hurricane "Igor"

Cottages on Shore Drive

2010-09-30T18:56:00.002-04:00

6" x 16" oil panel
Arguably the most painted or photographed subject east of Chatham - those waterfront cottage rows in Truro, MA It's tradition...just had to do it.

Boat Meadow Landing

2010-09-29T18:34:00.003-04:00

9" x 12" oil on panel
This was a verrrry quiet morning at low tide for most of this painting. By the time I finished the tide was rushing in covering all those distant mud flats and there were about 15 kayakers 'putting in' for what we found out was "kayak Thursday" here in Eastham, MA

Fort Hill - 3

2010-09-28T19:16:00.003-04:00

12" x 12" oil on panel
Another view at Fort Hill in Eastham, MA - such a beautiful spot. Seems you can see forever.

Fort Hill - 2

2010-09-26T19:31:00.003-04:00

6" x 6" oil on panel

I wasn't kidding about the views from Fort Hill. I just had to turn 90* to the right.

Fort Hill, Eastham, MA - SOLD

2010-09-26T18:51:00.006-04:00

6" x 16" - oil on panel
I spent a week painting on Cape Cod with some painter friends. We rented a small cottage and painted every day. Fort Hill is a terrific spot; very high with great vistas no matter where you turn. The weather was great!

The Shepard Fairey show

2009-02-16T20:10:00.003-05:00

If you get the chance to see the Shepard Fairey show at the ICA (Institute of Contemporary Art) in Boston DO IT! The show is fantastic and guaranteed to exceed your expectations. Who knew? Washington Post item

The view of Boston Harbor from the ICA is an additional perk. Thanks for the tickets Anne!

Bus #60 - Tired Student

2009-02-09T18:32:00.001-05:00

6" x 6" Pigma Micron pen
It's no wonder this student is sleeping, look at the 'baggage' she's had to lug around all day long.

Fancy Lady on Bus #60

2009-02-07T15:22:00.003-05:00

6" x 6" Pigma Micron pen
This lady is very sweet. She mostly listens to an MP player, but I like to listen to her speak - she has a New York accent - Queens I think she told me once. It really stands out in New England where we have our own accent to deal with. Anyway I got all caught up in her multi-layers of clothing, fur trim, and scarf. It was one of those really cold days.

2009-01-29T19:22:00.002-05:00

6" x 6" Pigma Micron pen
I haven't figured out how to get frontal views of commuters. I get the feeling people will feel self-conscious if they know what I'm doing -- bus riot!

Bus#60 - 7

2009-01-27T18:28:00.003-05:00

6" x 6" Pigma Micron pen
I think this guy was dozing on and off while holding his book. Good for me because he didn't shift and fuzz about or close his book. He probably read the same paragraph for 10 miles.

Bus #60 - 6

2009-01-26T18:34:00.002-05:00

6" x 6" Pigma Micron pen
This young girl was snoozing on her mother's shoulder.

Bus #60 - 5

2009-01-25T17:37:00.002-05:00

6" x 6" Pigma micron pen on paper
I'm getting familiar with some of the regulars. This guy knows a lot about sports and can talk about it for the entire commute.

Snow day

2009-01-23T19:53:00.003-05:00

6 x 10 Pigma Micron pen on paper
Beside sketching on the bus, I thought I would keep a sketch book in my vehicle to take advantage of any free moments. In this case I had a little time to kill in Bristol, RI the day after a moderate snow fall.

Bus #60 - 4

2009-01-22T20:55:00.004-05:00

6" x 6" Pigma Micron pen on paper
The hum of the bus is perfect for a little power nap late in the day.

Bus #60 - 3

2009-01-21T17:37:00.004-05:00

6" x 6" - Pigma Micron 05 pen on paper

Another day...

Bus #60 - 2

2009-01-20T19:06:00.002-05:00

6" x 6" Pigma Micron 05 on paper
Sketching people on the bus is really a very sneaky thing to do. Last week I got 'caught' by someone sitting behind me who blurted out 'hey!' and I nearly jumped out of my boots with surprise. He then whispered an apology and a few encouraging words and promised he would not be watching over my shoulder. I think he still did, but it was OK with me.

Bus #60 - 1

2009-01-19T19:01:00.004-05:00

6"x 6" Pigma Micron 05 pen on paper

Last spring I began commuting to work by bus. It takes about 50 minutes each way so I began reading fiction to pass the time. Only recently, after viewing the Urban Sketchers blog where people draw their surroundings wherever they are I began to sneak sketches of the unsuspecting. Much of the time the bus is too crowded to get a view or too bumpy a ride, but when it's not it's a great chance to sketch. So, thank you Kathy for telling me about the Urban Sketcher blog.

Commercial Street II

2008-12-06T16:38:00.003-05:00

12" x 16" oil on panel
This one is closer to what I had in mind and I think it's an improvement from the last one - it was a lot more fun too.

Commercial Street

2008-11-21T11:22:00.003-05:00

16" x 20" oil on panel

I took this photo, along with a good 50 others on a glorious late-summer day in Provincetown, MA. The main street had strings of flags traversing the street still flying from a recent festival, the sun was shining, the sky was that indescribable clear blue and the activity in the street was so stimulating I couldn't help feeling that I could bring that excitement back home to 'tell the story'. Well...this is the first stab at it and it wasn't anywhere near the fun I had that day. I think I need to simplify more and make better decisions about collecting darks and lights. That's what tomorrow is for.

Geode-ish

2008-11-02T17:12:00.003-05:00

6" x 6" oil on gessoboard

What was I thinking!?! Well I wanted to paint pears, but the pickin's weren't inspiring at the market and then I saw a basket of these pomegranates. Well I hadn't seen the inside of one of these babies in a long time but I knew they contain little shiny, jewel-like fruit. Sort of like a geode - from the outside there's no sign of the marvels that lay within. I had a good time painting this one. The contours inside the fruit were fun and the color changed a lot.

Hyacinth Beans

2008-10-26T17:51:00.005-04:00

6" x 8" oil on canvas
These hyacinth beans are one of the last things blooming in my garden. First the plant produces delicate little pink-ish purple flowers that turn into these beautiful beans of a color that defies description. They are a striking purple-ish, fushia-ish...? Later the bean pods dry out and give seeds for the following year - even the seeds are fun - they look like tiny 'ring-dings'. I struggled with this one. The set up proved too ambitious for a one-session painting so I had to edit out some of the 'jungle' of vines. In the end I was satisfied with the color and composition.

Lunch Bunch

2008-10-19T18:19:00.004-04:00

5" x 7" oil on gessoboard

More grapes. If I see red grapes in the market I just have to buy them - they are just so beautiful.

Hardcore Beach Bunnies

2008-10-13T17:35:00.002-04:00

12" X 16" oil on panel

This was an exercise in what to eliminate. Lots of detail and quite a few people were eliminated. I really liked these two ladies - grande dames of the shore!

So many grapes - so little time

2008-10-05T15:11:00.009-04:00

10" x 10" oil on gessoboard

I looked to find the unique characteristics of each grape. It was a good exercise - I spent more time mixing colors and adjusting them on the pallette before applying then worked the warms and cools, values, and intensities.

Paul's Peppers

2008-09-28T17:14:00.005-04:00

12" x 14" oil on panel

These peppers are from my bosses' small farm here in RI. We have our own personal 'farmers market' at work. I picked an assortment of the various colors especially for painting. They will end up as hot pepper jelly (maybe). I had fun painting this, it was just one fast session where you sort of lose your mind for a while and when you 'come to' there's a painting on your easel. I like the hot colors.

Early evening on Bannister's Wharf - SOLD

2008-09-21T17:32:00.008-04:00

16" x 18" oil on canvas

Here's another street scene. Newport, RI has a lot of interesting streets, allys and wharfs - an unlimited resource for interesting people paintings, particularly in the summer. I tried to play the light of the lowering evening sun cutting across the background mixed with the comings and goings of the tourists.

No matter which way you slice it

2008-09-16T19:45:00.010-04:00

5" x 7" (approx.) oil on panel

This is a bit of a cheat - Do you ever do this? It's a detail from a larger piece that ended up a bummer as a whole, but I really liked this section, the color, the directness, the defined brush marks, the fun - so before I rubbed it off I grabbed the image.

Drunken Iris

2008-09-16T19:37:00.008-04:00

8" x 10" oil on panel

There's no end to exploring color and all the different considerations. It can be both exciting and frustrating at the same time how each change is relative to the previous consideration and so on.

Lime Dance

2008-09-15T21:09:00.006-04:00

6" x 6" oil on gessoboard

I enjoy working on these small studies. I can focus on detail without overkill. I like the challenge of taking a 6 inch square and mundane subject matter and see where it goes. The green of the limes got a lot more interesting when I laid them out on the cool green cloth. The greens became noticably warmer and the fun began.

Three Ears

2008-09-13T08:25:00.007-04:00

12" x 18" oil on canvas

We ate these for dinner the same night. Does that mean these ears were multi-taskers? They were delicious.

Diet Lunch

2008-09-11T19:09:00.004-04:00

6" x 6" oil on gessoboard
I like these gessoboards. You have to start slowly because the surface just drinks up the paint for a while until it gets saturated a bit, then is gets nice and slippery.

"Main Street Parade Route"

2008-09-10T21:14:00.013-04:00

16" x 20" oil on canvas

There are unlimited possibilities and surprises out on city streets. Painting from photos is a different beast, different choices, editing, and such. I like to make notes, color sketches when possible. However, it's been my experience that the best stuff comes from fast and dirty picture taking. Times when you just keep shooting and look later.

"Fruit and Flowers"

2008-09-10T19:30:00.006-04:00

16" x 20" oil on panel

So, here's the 'finished' product. Far less interesting than the previous post in it's unfinished stages. I'd like to retain the excitement and freshness and still develop it further.

"Fruit and Flowers" underpainting

2008-09-10T19:17:00.004-04:00

16" x 20"oil on panel

This post is the early stages of a sill life when I was still excited and hopeful of the outcome.

"What a Bunch"

2008-09-09T22:44:00.007-04:00

16" x 20" oil on canvas

Be warned, radishes wilt in no time flat, work fast! This one got a little overworked. I liked it better about a half hour before I stopped painting. I have to remember to 'leave while I'm still in love...' wasn't that lyrics from a song?

"Walk a Mile in My Stilletoes"

2008-09-09T22:42:00.003-04:00

16" x 20" oil on panel

"Party Shoes"

2008-09-09T22:35:00.002-04:00

8" x 10" oil on canvas

"Chucks"

2008-09-09T22:23:00.006-04:00

8" x 10" oil on canvas

The next three posts are shoe paintings. I warned you I used things from around the house.

"Lemonade"

2008-09-09T22:04:00.006-04:00

6" x 6" oil on gessoboard
This one has something reminiscent of the way I used to paint - large pieces of color; shapes and color weighing in large over the surface with equal importance.

"DOTS"

2008-09-09T20:51:00.015-04:00

6" x 6" oil on gessoboard

This one was sort of a frantic experience. Brush flying everywhere, changing colors bing, bing, bing. It looks noisy. I was very happy during the process - sort of giddy really. It's a lot of fun to paint without regard for the outcome - of course there are also a lot of 'do-overs' with this attitude. I'd like to think that the keepers will be worth it.

"We Just Can't..."

2008-09-09T19:23:00.012-04:00

6" x 6" oil on gessoboard
I sort of liked the shapes in this one and the saturated color surrounded by whites.

"Fruit on Foil"

2008-09-09T19:15:00.011-04:00

6" x 6" oil on gessoboard
I had fun with this one. The reflections on the foil made no common sense whatsoever so I had to just lay it down as it appeared.