Sunny Nap - Pencil Drawing - Michelangelo

                                  "Sunny Nap"  Pencil Drawing  Silvana Siudut ©

This is a pencil drawing of my cat Michelangelo. He loves laying in the window seat and taking in the sun.

I had enter this drawing in the Newburyport Art Association Members Winter Juried Show 2005 - Part 1- Juror: Rebecca Reynolds.At this exhibit, I was the recipient of the Best Drawing Award and this is the comment from the juror:

"Even the staunchest dog person would find it hard not to love this feline. Siudut has perfectly captured the character and gentle soul of this beloved pet." And with her comment Rebecca Reynolds captured my intent, exactly. Well I am that “staunchest dog lover”...we own three Yorkshires, but there is plenty of love for gentle Michelangelo! And there is plenty of love for our other cat, Leonardo a year older than his brother.

We adopted Michelangelo eleven years ago, unfortunately at this time he is dealing with feline diabetes. It has been hard for a while to see him suffer at the onset of the disease. Fortunately, with medication-he requires two daily shots of insulin- he is back to normal.

Jim found a special kitty box made especially for diabetic cats,"The Smart Box” it is so great and if you need information about the box contact us.

To all the pets we love and call family, Cheers!!

Preparation- A Retrospective

            "Preparation" A Retrospective -Silvana Siudut ©

I have always loved dancing and especially classical dancing. Ballerina with tutu reminds me of a magical world: the theater, the stage, the performance, the music, and the audience. Also, I love the Degas paintings and drawings, never staged as formal scenes but very spontaneous, part of a moment in time.

     "Preparation" came about in a very spontaneous way. Wanting to do a painting of a ballerina, and looking for a model, a painter friend suggested that her daughter would be willing to pose and be photographed. So it happens. I shot dozens of photos as the "ballerina" posed in the timeless poses.
     After considering many images of the "ballerina,” I came across the one that the painting represents. To me it is very spontaneous. Viewing the intensity in which the ballerina concentrates told me that she took her love for dance very seriously. Hence, it was titled "Preparation."
     I was very happy the way the painting turned out. Besides forming the figure and making it come alive, another of the many challenges was to bring the clothing to life also.
     After studying John Singer Sargent portraits, I tried to get a sense of what I was to do with the ballerina outfit and her shoes.
     I have shown this painting in two galleries and a few art shows, always receiving many compliments about it. The painting was home from the last gallery and stored for at least six months, waiting to be shown again at some point. One day I received a call from the gallery owner where the painting was last displayed, she asked me if it was still available...and it was.
     A little girl had seen the painting while visiting the gallery with her mother months before, she loved and wanted it and could not forget about it. It was sold to them. I cannot think of a better place for this painting to end up.

"Leana" Watercolour---Horse Painting

"Leana" Watercolor

Image is property of Silvana Siudut

I met Leana a very long time ago. She had asked me to provide her with private tutoring to learn the Italian language. Leana used to come over my house for these lessons, she at that time was raising an Italian breed of dogs called "Spinoni." that competed nationally.

Anyway, Leana loves animals and so do I. The horse that she is riding (and this woman rode every morning) was very special to Leana.

Again a portrait where an animal and its owner come together to experience the freedom.

For me it was an honour to paint it. This is a transparent watercolour painting, that took me layer upon layer to create. Enjoy!

Horse Painting

"Joyce" Oil circa 1993?
IMAGE IS PROPERTY OF SILVANA SIUDUT

This is a painting that I done many years ago. The title is Joyce, do you think that it has been named after the girl or the horse? OK! I will tell, it is named after the girl, the dauther of a very dear friend. The horse name is Wendy. I absolutely love to paint horses, such a strong animals.
I have painted many horses and I will post the paintings in the future.
The challenge in this image for me was to first catch the action. Then to sculpt both bodies with paint. And in the final stage to show how animal and human, the latter one being muck more weaker than the animal that is so enormously strong and muscular, in the end they work in unison and accomplish their goal. Love the concept! Enjoy
P.S. I have a story to tell about a horse, a barn and a bench.....stay tuned!

Glimpses of Italy

It has been a lot of fun to create these miniatures of my country of origin. Some of the paintings represent a world that still has not changed. A step back to the past from the frantic nowdays life.

Relaxing views and quantied spots where simplicity is key and nature is a friend. Enjoy!

You can see more of these paitings at:

http://www.silvanasiudut.com/

Painting of Italy

In the next few days I will add my new paintings. A series of scenes from my beloved Italy!