News: Inland Empire
Featured Artist for the month of August: Susan De’Armond
Featured work: “Crescent”, Oil on Raymar canvas panel, 6″ x 6″ . The low sun hit high on the cliffs near Escalante, Utah as the moon rose.
Congratulations to the Inland Empire CAC Artist for the month of August, Susan De’Armond!
“Please tell us about your art.
Plein air painting by nature is done on location and is a special part of what I do. I enjoy it the most, although I do studio painting as well. Before I start painting on location, I like to get a sense of place, observe the light and atmosphere. I spend some time wandering around, sizing it up and coming up with a plan for the chosen view.
California, from ocean to mountain to desert to urban life, offers endless inspiration. Beyond that border, I have especially enjoyed our national parks like Zion and the Grand Canyon. The overwhelming scale is enough to humble anyone. I hope the take away for the viewer of my painting is that of respect and awe for these places that are like nowhere else on Earth!
It has occurred to me that our national parks and the beautiful wild places I visit are not guaranteed to be here in perpetuity. When I visit these places, it’s more than a desire to record my impression. I hope that I can show people the unique beauty there. I hope it will remind them that these places need our protection. Life is fragile, and so are these places and the life within.
As an artist, how do you define success and what quality or characteristic do you feel is essential to success as an artist?
First, on a personal level, I really enjoy the process of creating. In watercolor, I love directing the flow of the pigment and coaxing it into what I want. I enjoy the challenge of capturing a scene before the light changes too much.
If a landscape or a scene, I hope it makes the viewer want to go there or wish they were there at that time. Still life, object or flower I hope it makes the viewer take a closer look. Maybe notice the curve of a petal, the color reflected on a building, light glowing through an umbrella or colors hidden in the shadows. Whether the viewer consciously knows why or not if the painting brings them joy or stirs their thoughts, it is a success.”
Excerpt from her July 2nd, 2019, interview on VoyageLA. Find the full interview here.
Artist website: www.susandearmond.com
“Canyon Spotlight” Oil on canvas 36″ x 48″, A break in the clouds put a spotlight on the Battleship formation in the Grand Canyon.
