Patrician DesignPatrician Design
  • About
    • About PATRICIAN DESIGN
    • In The News
    • Design Resources
    • Testimonials
  • Projects
    • Commercial
    • Residential
    • Exterior
    • Custom
  • Boutique/Gallery
    • What’s NEW!
    • About The Shop
    • Greeting Cards
    • Original Art
    • Handcrafted Jewelry
    • Designs for Living
    • Bath and Body
  • Contact
  • Patti Says…

Roden’s Pastels – Sparkle and Joy

Posted On November 6, 2011 By pattisays In art and interior design, art as gift ideas, beauty behold it /  

Watching Susan work, beginning with her blank paper/boards with their varying colors and fine sanded texture is like watching something being born – a flower unfolding, a sunset growing with fiery intensity, a precious pet or special person coming to life and the luscious pastry creations that have such delicious personality of their own.

Unlike most pastel artists, Susan doesn’t blend her colors. Rather she carefully layers them working the sticks broadly and loosely at first, then gradually details with the sharp broken edges and blunt points until she has refined the piece with her complex combinations of colors.

White isn’t white. And if it is to be, she starts with an off-white color only punctuating real white-white at the very end – otherwise she tells us, “it looks dirty.”  Her whites are actually comprised of so many diverse colors that it is upon closer inspection that her color genius is revealed. She works with many organized

From a photo, Susan works on a commission for a pet portrait.

drawers filled with hundreds of color sticks.

She further explains that pastels are a pure pigment, just like oil paints – only they have a different binder. They will last for centuries if properly protected. When a surface is completely covered with pastel it is called a painting. With any of the background surface left exposed, the piece is referred to as a sketch.

Visit Susan’s blog at susanroden.blogspot.com to see more of her fine work and enjoy her many projects. She (from her home in San Diego) is in a donut/cupcake “war” with an artist in Rhode Island. Every Monday they present to one another and the world a new painting of a confection. The point is to get feedback as to who’s piece is the best that week! She also has her “Kid’s Corner” where she works with kids from all over – anyone with children or working with children will be fascinated by her program to incorporate a child’s artwork as the background for a cupcake painting – returning the original art to the child and when her pastel sells, she sends a $25.00 stipend to the young artist as a thank-you for participating and as an incentive to pursue their love of art.

I am so honored to have Sue as a friend and participating artist in our gallery. Her paintings bring great delight and art appreciation to all who see her work. Thank you Susan for your sparkle and endless joy .

Share on TwitterTweet
Share on Pinterest Share
Send email Mail
The Art of Collage as Architectural Motifs
Feel the Felt, Feel the LOVE and Wonders of Woven Wool.

Recent Posts

  • DOWNSIZING: Part Two of Three February 21, 2025
  • DOWNSIZING: Part One of Three November 5, 2024
  • Colors and the Creamy Attraction of Latte August 29, 2024
  • Designing, Styling and Why – Finding Personal Style April 30, 2023
  • Fabrics – Texture, color, pattern, design & style – The Art of Transformation August 7, 2022

Archives

Categories

Patrician Design

Recent Blog Posts

  • DOWNSIZING: Part Two of Three February 21, 2025
  • DOWNSIZING: Part One of Three November 5, 2024
  • Colors and the Creamy Attraction of Latte August 29, 2024
  • Designing, Styling and Why – Finding Personal Style April 30, 2023
  • Fabrics – Texture, color, pattern, design & style – The Art of Transformation August 7, 2022

Get in Touch!

Come Visit Us!

216 GOLD AVENUE
ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87102

MON-FRI: 9 AM – 5 PM
SAT-SUN: 9 AM – 2 PM

(505) 242-7646
shop@patriciandesign.com

© 2025 Patrician Design. All Rights Reserved.