In the studio 4-27

I'm hooked on creating these mini designs in black and white. I had some scraps of nice paper that I did not want to throw away. Plus, a friend asked me to create some give-aways that would fit in a 3-1/2" square box. They need a name....help Erin.

Even my students are excited and I think they are lovin' it as much as I am. If any parents are reading (or anyone who wants to try these mini's) ...there is a special pen at WalMart. I'll add a picture. These are probably in the scrapbooking section and are permanent, acid-free, etc. I'm using a .01 tip size but anything small will work.

I also spent a couple of hours at the photo kiosk at WalMart. I knew I wanted something resembling a business card, and I ended up doing a collage advertising the "Write-Ups".

Hope you enjoy all of the pictures tonight. I encourage you to look for ART all around you. Make a point to recognize it and appreciate what the Lord has created just for us. He's the Maker of all things....

Suzy

In the studio 4-19

Not much happening in the studio this week. Judged some local art (not my students) for the first time yesterday. So impressive. Have I mentioned how much I LOVE children's art? Pure imagination.

I received some pictures today from the talented photographer and former student of mine, Miss Heather Lee. I'm not crazy about having my picture taken, but I do love the props and backgrounds. I'm working on some artist cards and an artist bio so I needed a creative picture or two.

I came across something cool this week called a "Zentangle". Check them out at zentangle.com. I'm stuck on creating these zentangles whenever I have a little bit of time...like waiting on a coke at Sonic or something.

So, you start with something called a TILE. This is a 3-1/2" x 3-1/2" square piece of paper. Something nice and thick. Then you draw a STRING. The idea is to quickly draw a line without thinking to get you started. Imagine if you dropped a string on the paper, how would it look? Draw it. Real quick.

Then you basically doodle patterns and designs to form patterns to fill up the tile. The overall piece is called a zentangle. Zen represents the idea that these should be relaxing. A tangle is the pattern.

Here are a few pictures to give you the idea. This is a perfect example of a project that looks really hard, but it's not. They are fun. Try it.

Do what you love and love what you do.

Suzy

In the studio 4-13

Sothankful after being disappointed today with student behavior

that I can come home to my studio. (Bedroom at home turned into an Art Room which I now call my Studio)

I need to practice my 2011 word: happiness. My studio makes me happy. My "write-up" paintings make me happy. Therefore, I'm showing pictures of these 2 one more time. I had to um, CORRECT the spelling on my purple one. Then I finished adding the last few lines on the Go Green Write-Up yesterday afternoon.

Here's a couple of up-close views too. Have you "read" these yet?

Next there is a photo of my bookmarks in a display piece I re-purposed. This was a Home Interior basket with apples on the label.

I also had a spice rack to match. Ran out of room in my kitchen and it dawned on me the other day to re-paint the labels with chalkboard paint. So, voila.

My altered art instructors always issue a challenge for us at each meeting. Last month they gave us a baby food jar and an egg. We can make anything we want. I'll let you know how that turns out...

I'll leave you with another idea from the list I mentioned a few posts back. The website is www.kerismith.com. I'm lovin' it.

*** Glue an envelope in your journal and for one week collect items that come your way ***

Do what you love and love what you do.

Suzy

In the studio 4-12

"GREEN JEANS" is the title of a new exhibit my students are working on. The picture shown here (sideways) is a pair I painted as an example. I'm working on my photo editing skills but until then I figure a sideways picture is better than no picture at all. Maybe. All of the green talk gave me the idea to use that as a theme for a new word painting. Thanks again to my friend for coming up with a name for this. It helps to have a Creative Writing Teacher nearby. Today was her birthday and she managed to give me a gift of inspiration today. I owe her big time. Thanks for sharing 3 life-changing books also. After going back and forth, I've decided to call these "Write-Ups". I finished this Go Green Write-Up today so this will hopefully be heading to the gallery in Magnolia soon. I managed to complete some paperwork today and still remain inspired. I had a student work in the studio with me today after school. She is so creative and is working on a special piece to send to the Governor's Mansion. Then, I headed to the library in Homer with Linda, Maxie, and Martha. Dr. Weber from La.Tech was giving a presentation/review on Folk Art. There was even a show-and-tell where I shared a few of my students' paintings and stories along with some other folk art pieces I have. It turned out to be a very interesting and fun night. Speaking of Going Green and using our resources....USE our local libraries friends. I'm sure you are like me and forget to go there very often but you'll be amazed at what you find. Do what you love and love what you do. Suzy

In the studio 4-8

Didn't get to spend much time in the studio today, but a very productive day creatively speaking. First, I had to be in Shreveport by 8am. Yikes. Funny how I can make it all the way to Shreve City by 8, but struggle to be at school by 7:30. I attended a training today to become an assessor for Talented Art. Pretty cool and it gave me a new perspective on some things.

Since I was alone afterwards, I went to Hobby Lobby. For two hours. I didn't want to hurt Michael's feelings so I went there too :) I found the cutest iron-on. It is an owl w/ a "go green" message. Did you know Michael's t-shirts are 5 for $10.00 ? And, they're good shirts. Any color. Any size.

Made it home about 6:00.

That left just enough time to read a new magazine and add some new ribbon to the rest of my bookmarks.

On a random note...beware. The snakes are out. I ran over FOUR snakes on my way to mom and dad's today. That is more than I usually run over all summer. Gives me the creeps.

Later peeps...

Suzy

In the studio 4-7

I've been working in the studio this week starting several projects. Until today...when I finished several projects. I have an order for bookmarks and I'm making some for The City Wide Sale coming up in May. I also would like to sell them in the gallery which means I'll be painting Razorbacks, Muleriders, and Panthers for the first time :)

ILOVED loved the owl window so after I cleaned the other one up I painted a floral design on it. Added some glitter glaze which is always yummy. I think they're cute together. Now I'll have to be on the lookout for more windows. I started a new Word Painting today and finished tonight. I just used some of my words relating to art. Wonder if you could figure them out...? Picture does not do it justice. I've decided to sign these pieces by stamping the last 2 letters of the painting with my initials SA.

Soon I'll be working on the windows for the fire station. It has been a year since they asked. Hopefully they will understand because I have no good excuse. Also I'm working on a design for a chair to be auctioned off to raise money for the Claiborne Jubilee. Any ideas for a good design? My students are doing one too.

I'm so, so busy at school. There are many things I need to get wrapped up and done before school is out.

Do what you love and love what you do.

Suzy

Pictures from the studio 4-2

In the studio 4-2

This has been one of the most creative weeks I've ever had. Did I mention that already LOL? The week began with art camp plans. All along I've been thinking that I HAD to do art camp...I miss it so much and I had great ideas coming together for the Color Splash 2011. But then, I worked more and more on the Word Painting you see in an earlier post and I am hooked. I LOVE everything about that painting. I was about to send it home with it's owner and I knew I wanted to show it to the gallery. I went to Magnolia on Friday and it could not have turned out any better. The gallery loved the piece as much as I did. There were already customers picking out their words. It was a big hit and THE BIG NEWS IS: I was accepted in to the gallery and will be selling my work there. My first gallery. That is big. That is a dream come true. And, to top it off, this was the one I've admired for some time now. It is the COSMOPOLITAN LADIES CLUB on the square in Magnolia. Stop in and look around one day. They are also on facebook. So with that said, and after much prayer, I believe it is time for me to use this summer to paint for myself in my studio. This is probably the last summer both boys will be at home and I want to enjoy long, lazy days of summer with them. There is just so much to do and we have several trips planned. I love teaching kids. It's who I am. But, I do that for 9 months and now I just want to paint, paint, paint. Remember I told you there are treasures at yard sales and thrift stores? Well, yesterday I found 2 old windows. I have taken one and painted the trim blue and put a huge owl and a whimsical tree on the glass part. It is inspired by some Pottery Barn bedding. Are you reading this Sue M? Trash to Treasure. I also made some facebook signs. The black section is chalkboard paint so you can write in chalk (and erase) how many friends you have. Spring Break is winding down. Going to bed earlier and switching gears. I have enjoyed every minute of this one. It has FELT like a long break. The boys were home and we played Yamslam. It felt like those long summer days. Good feeling. THEN early in the morning the race starts again. I'll be knee-deep in paperwork and I have ALOT of things to wrap up before the end of the year. Grades due this week. Projects we need to finish. One thing coming up is a project I'm calling "GREENJEANS". The students are taking baby blue jeans and altering them using anything green to communicate a "GO GREEN" message. Jeans will hang on a clothesline for display and will encourage the message: "reduce, reuse, and recycle." I would like for the exhibit to travel to locations interested in spreading the message if you know of anyone involved in recycling campaigns. Today Kirk and I rode around the lake. I cannot believe we sold our lake house years ago. I wish we would have kept it. Here's a picture of Kirk in the car with me today. I am SO proud of my boys. They just bless my life. We're taking a few trips this summer. So again, I feel led in a different direction. It's a hard decision for me, but I will not have an art camp at The Art Factory this summer. I'll leave you with another challenge from that list I mentioned in the last post. *** Illustrate your grocery list this week. Just a little doodle. Try a sunflower or easter eggs. Do what you love and love what you do. Suzy