Sue Ketchem
About the pastel painting, Field Flourish, Ming, Sue Ketchem says, “It is a good example of why I love painting still life. Color … texture … value—these are the keys that turn my creative engine.” Sue, whose studio is full of interesting props, takes this vase that has a rich deep color and “is a dream to paint.” It is painted in the autumn, and everything in the pot came from the field next to her house, thus the painting's name. She says, "How can someone not be excited about the crisp texture of the leaves, the softness and delicacy of the milk weed pod bursting open, and the lushness of the wild grape, which just throws itself over everything by the time fall has come. To paint something is to really see it, not just look at it, but see it." To see more of Sue's brilliant pastels, and read about the tremendous reception in juried shows she has received over the years, visit http://www.susanketcham.com.