I am  thrilled to  share the news that our '2010 New Zealander of the Year', scientist, engineer and artist Ray Avery has agreed to open my October 2011 exhibition!

I am absolutely delighted that Ray has just been awarded a well- deserved knighthood in the 2011 New Year's Honours list, so he is now Sir Ray.

My exhibition will benefit Ray's international agency for change 'Medicine Mondiale'.

I am also very honoured and thrilled that our good friend Dr Jon Mayson CNZM has offered to be the MC at my exhibition! I am humbled to have these two amazing people to officiate at the opening of my October 2011 exhibition. We have a great team. It is going to be an exciting exhibition!

Ray has just released the most inspiring book I have ever read: Rebel with a Cause.

You won't be able to put it down - it is so funny, so poignant, so inspiring and so uplifting - you will want to share it with everyone! Reading this book has been life- changing for me. I have never felt that about a book before. Once read you will see why Ray is now 'Sir Ray Avery'.

You can read more about Sir Ray Avery and his incredible works and inventions for humanity as well as his book here:

http://www.medicinemondiale.org/

There is much about Jon Mayson on the internet. Jon is a highly respected businessman, CEO, Doctor, supporter of the arts and humanitarian. He also loves to paint in watercolor. An amazing and inspiring man too.

What an exciting year 2011 is going to be!

Read more details about my 2011 exhibition and see more paintings on my Exhibition Page.

"The Lighthouse"
420 mm x 600 mm - 16 1/2" x 23 1/2"
Oil on Museum grade Marine Ply
© Susan Harrison-Tustain

Richard and I were mesmerized by Sylvia Beach Hotel in Newport, Oregon USA. It is a hotel for book lovers.

Each room has a theme based on an author. I think our room was the Tennessee Williams room. It overlooked the quiet and expansive beach.

But most excitingly it looked out to the lighthouse in the far distance. Sitting on the edge of the bed as the sun came up and I knew I had to capture the feeling of looking out through the half opened window. The condensation and slightly torn lace curtains created an up close and personal feeling while the beach and faraway land spit with the light house on the point, really beckoned me and pulled my attention out of the room and across the water. I want the viewers of this piece to feel as if they are there in that room, feeling compelled and awed by the magnetism of looking out to that beautiful and serene view.

Please click to visit the Exhibiton page and see more
sneak previews of Susan's latest work

"Etched in Time"
Watercolor painting
size: 11" x 5 1/4"  - 280 mm x 135 mm
© Susan Harrison-Tustain

I seem to have a preoccupation with timelessness. My paintings have opened my eyes to this fact - rather than the ‘fact’ being the conscious precursor to my paintings.

A good example of this is my painting of a well-used door.

Do you ever ponder the people who have contributed to the history etched on such functional things as a simple door? The worn paint, the bare wood, the scratches, the inventive but crude additions all conjure thoughts of people whose feet are firmly planted on the ground. Hard-working, honest, genuine, practical people. These people were our forebears. What better tribute than to show their lives etched in the structures they created? This is a portrait that speaks of the struggles, the triumphs and the story that says they were here and they made a difference.

Please click to visit the Exhibiton page and see more
sneak previews of Susan's latest work

"La Confidente"
Oil Painting
© Susan Harrison-Tustain

I truly was humbled by the wonderful response to the Painting Title Competition to provide a title for my painting of the scene in New York’s SoHo Boom Bar. To say I was overwhelmed is an understatement. Thanks to all of you who obviously gave it much thought and consideration,   then wrote and submitted your wonderful title suggestions for my oil painting. I would love to have written to you all individually to thank you, but sheer numbers made that impossible.

We were thrilled to receive so many fantastic submissions! Often we hear competition judges say how difficult it has been to choose a winner. In this case it was nearly impossible to choose as the entries have been fabulous as so many of the titles would be ideal for this painting. It was particularly interesting to see how different people had interpreted the painting in different ways, bringing their own experiences and emotions to bear on its appreciation.

But I’ve had to choose one and my final choice is:

‘Confidente’ or perhaps I will make it ‘La confidente’

Submitted by Jorge Gonzalez. Congratulations Jorge!

The title is short but I think it conveys quite a lot about the scene and suggests some of the narrative taking place, without revealing too much. The girl with the beret has a French air about her, so I think the French spelling of the title is appropriate. But, there were other titles which were equally as suitable, including:

- Meet me at 7?

- SoHo Rendezvous

- I’ll Be There

- Quiet Rapport

- A Little Bit of Paris in New York

- Paris in New York

- Absent Friends

Congratulations Jorge. Thank you and well done to you. This is a major oil painting in my 2011 exhibition and will always carry this fabulous title you have submitted.

I am very aware of the importance of a title as it needs to challenge and intrigue the viewer, but also invite the viewer to interpret the painting themselves and apply their own history to it. I was thrilled to see so many submissions did exactly this. You are experts at this – so I may ask you all again to put your thinking caps on and help me search for that perfect title for future paintings I am struggling to title. It is lovely to see how you all rose to the challenge!

"Ducklings"
Watercolor on Arches Hot Pressed Paper 300 gsm
14" x 9 1/2" - 355 mm x 240 mm
© Susan Harrison-Tustain

Please click to visit the Exhibiton page and see more
sneak previews of Susan's latest work

And here is another sneak preview of one of my latest paintings that will feature in my 2011 'Recollections exhibiton'.

Swirling reflections created by a gentle wake belie the urgent paddling of webbed feet beneath the surface.

Water droplets caught in damp feather-down glisten and tell a story of fun and games as the two young larikins play amongst the reeds.

I loved this scene and wanted to capture the feeling of innocence, serenity and tranquility.

Can you help me choose a title for my new painting?

31 ½” x 21 “ - 800 mm x 530 mm
Oil on Belgian Linen

Do you like a challenge?

Here is a fun opportunity to help choose a title for my large oil painting of the Boom Bar in Soho, New York. I finished this oil painting of a New York cafe scene some time ago and have been trying to come up with the perfect title.  Easier said than done!

(more...)

"Liberty"
Watercolor on Arches 300 gsm Hot Pressed paper
19" x 11" (480 mm x 280 mm)
© Susan Harrison-Tustain

Please click to visit the Exhibiton page and see more
sneak previews of Susan's latest work

I thought you may like to see another sneak preview of one of my latest paintings that will feature in my 2011 "Recollections exhibition":

I love to paint wildlife. Particularly bird studies.

Let me introduce "Liberty'.

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Susan Harrison-Tustain exhibition of new oil and watercolor paintings in 2011

‘Recollection’

28^th 29^th & 30^th October 2011

More information on my Events Page on the Fine Art Site

I know many of you like to plan your overseas holidays in advance and are waiting to hear the dates of my next major exhibition of oil and watercolor paintings in 2011.

"Faraway"
Medium: Oil on Belgian Linen
Size: 22"x16" inch
(560 mm x 410 mm)

I am really pleased to make this announcement as I create my new pieces for my collection of paintings. The works are challenging and exciting! I like to think they will engage viewers to interpret and apply their own history to them. I love to see my patrons become absorbed in the world inside the frame. For me the real truth and meaning of art is measured in the long silences it creates.

I will share one of my new oil paintings here with you now.

You are the first  to see this new painting from my ‘Recollection’ exhibition.