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

In the studio 3-30

Not too much going on in the studio today. I did start a painting tonight though. It is a faux mosaic (floral w/ a bird and butterfly) on a nice thick canvas. Similar to the painting above. The sides are painted black and I have quotes on the edges. Guess you would need to see it huh? I'll upload tomorrow.

Discovered another blog today (shocking I know). www.kerismith.com

She has a post of 100 ideas of creative things to do. I think I will share one per day with you. Just for fun.

***For one week collect the items you find on the street.

I think if you did this just for one day it would be worth a blog prize. Promising blog prizes that I had not made yet did not work so well for me, so let's see.....how about a faux mosaic easter egg painting? First one to show me their finds (in person or by photo) gets the prize. It's waiting right here on my hutch for you.

Do what you love and love what you do...

In the studio 3-29

I spent alot of time in the studio today, but I just realized I did not paint anything. I'll have to fix that problem tomorrow. I did some more cleaning, but need to spread the love to other parts of the house.

I had fun sharing ideas with a friend tonight around the art table. I've joined a group of ladies right here in Haynesville to create altered art. We have some really talented leaders and I've found someone who loves magazines as much as I do. So, we're swapping magazines back and forth. LOVE it.

The first 2 pictures are notecards I made using the same concept as the painting I posted last night. One list is mine and the other is Kirk's. What will be on your list?

The other picture is a corner of the studio. I have a sewing machine that was passed down to me. There are also 2 pieces I purchased at Thrift Stores (my new favorite hobby). The black piece on top of the sewing table was only $12 but the magazine stand under the table was only $5. Do you know there are TREASURES at Thrift Stores? Plus most are ministries. My recent find was a copy of the Giving Tree book we're using at COLOR SPLASH this summer for 10 cents ! And, the cute wire basket with the fabric...yes, that too.

So, what inspired you today? What color was it?

"Do what you love, and love what you do".

In the studio.....

Wow, where do I begin? First I cannot believe it's been so long since I've blogged. I love reading others almost daily and have been inspired to share again. I'll work on getting the pictures posted in order, but until then, hope you enjoy.

Okay, I have named 3-27-11 as my "Day of Epiphany". I'm not sure why, but the last few days creativity has been flowing freely. It could be because I'm cleaning my art room (which I'm now referring to as my studio...sounds better), or it could be because I have been working on one of my top 5 all-time favorite paintings, or better yet it feels supernatural. The Lord has blessed me with some answers I've been waiting on. A new vision for my art. So, here goes....

1. I just finished a painting that I've put off about 6 months. It is a huge sofa sized canvas filled with words. Definitely a modern piece. The background is "grungy" and the words remind me of a circle word puzzle. I used about 100 words the customer provided. Things such as favorite quotes, nick names, places, color, ...you name it. I will share my "list" soon for you to get the idea. THIS piece is the most conceptual piece I've ever done. Interactive Art. I love how you MUST stare at the work, read it like a book and figure it out like a puzzle. Even my kids want one which is um, huge.

2. I have chosen a company to submit some ideas/art for publication. I am hooked on their magazine publications and they have a new one coming out filled with children's art and project ideas.

3. ART CAMP..... I've had 2 project ideas for a couple of weeks, but on my Day of Epiphany the theme for this year's camp came to me. This year art camp will be COLOR SPLASH 2011. We will create projects inspired by the BLUE dog artist, a GREEN community project based on the book The Giving Tree, and another surprise. Think color. The dates will be the end of June through the first of July. Please contact me to reserve a spot. I will be mailing information soon to previous students, but as always please feel free to pass the information along. Join me at the ART FACTORY...where we build creativity.

4. I'm working on getting some work ready to present to a gallery. Hopefully by the end of the week I can share more information. It's something I've had on my list for a while and know which gallery I would like to start with. Just a minor change like using a thicker canvas has given my work a more professional look.

5. I scheduled 2 classes last week at the library to create Easter paintings. It was a last minute thing and I thought the classes were full, but it's a busy time of the year. Sorry if I did not get the information to you, but I did not advertise for this one. It was pure happiness for me...to see people who have never painted create something that looked better than mine.

I prefer to teach kids and therefore am not looking to do alot of these classes, but they are fun and I look forward to doing a few during the year. The next one will be late April and will be for mothers and daughters to come paint together. The floral painting somewhere in this post :) will be the subject. More information soon, but again, please call to reserve a spot or to be added to my contact list. There are also a few of us starting to go to Painting With A Twist in Shreveport if you would like to join us sometime. I'm all for anything creative and I love being a student myself.

6. I did a photo shoot with the talented Ms.Heather Lee last week. Totally out of my comfort zone as I do not particularly like having my picture made, but all artists have their picture on their website and I hope to make an artist card to include with my work. I can't wait to see what she does with them. I haven't seen them yet, but we did have some cute props and I love our locations.

I hope my post has inspired you in some way. As I teach my students, art is all around you so start looking. You'll be surprised at what you can find in Haynesville or anywhere else you're lucky enough to be.

My word for 2011 is HAPPINESS. I was going to choose something like "re-treasure", but I kept coming back to this word. After all the Lord has done for us (John 10:10) the least we can do is enjoy our life.

DO WHAT YOU LOVE and LOVE WHAT YOU DO.