Warmest Holiday Wishes to One and All!

May Your Holidays

Be Merry and Bright...

and The New Year

Full of Wonderful Delights!

SuZi

The Painted Ladies

This is the group from my Painting I class, fun and wonderful group! No males this time, just us girls! And behind us is just a "hint" of the body of work we created this semester. Taking the photo is our instructor, Beth, who is the best instructor I have ever had the pleasure to work with. And I have attended many schools and classes. She gets right into your soul and pulls out that struggling artist that is within...trying to find it's way out...and she has the power to do just that. And Bless her for that...she has helped me find my way..her inspiration has lead me to be the best I can be at any moment in my art and to want to bring that out in students. So, I will continue with my studies and become a teacher, mentor, whatever... to other budding artists.

The Final Me

It is fun to do self portraits, but I discovered that you appear differently in each one...even it you are going from the same photo...no two are alike....I think it has to do with what is going on internally, in our bodies, psyche, what is externally around us...even music can set a tone...

Try one, they can be fun, and addictive.

Me and My Biggg Lips...

Forgive the unfinished canvas underneath the smaller canvases, but that was my original color study of shades and tints...I had not finished it, so for my final yesterday, I decided to do my own lips in a series of paint by number type of works that showed the color mixing that was our original assignment. Fun!!! and now I will use them as some sort of group to display, once they dry! The other canvas, it will get get the gesso treatment and become something quite wonderful.

Self...Part Two

This is the latest work on the self portrait pieces. The smaller one is more detailed and realistic in colors and the larger one is an experiment with a different style and look. Definitely not finished, but I am liking it a lot.

Tis The Season...

I make these silly bottle stoppers for gifts and to sell. These are definitely for this holiday season. I use old wine bottle corks on some or make silly hats...some look like they may have had too much of the bubbly! They are made from a lot of different materials and I paint each one and like to add a sparkly glaze for a nice finish. Cheers!

Do You Inhale...

Yeah, that's me at the Oxygen Bar at our campus today. It was called Chill Out Day and students could get into the massage loungers, get massages or inhale oxygen as I am doing ...Each oxygen station had four types of scents that you could choose from or mix them up...Naturally, I could not smell anything, having lost my sense of smell 2 years ago, but a couple of people were really inhaling it in, so I thought that must be what to do...OMG! Did I ever feel high or buzzed or something. I was supposed to be taking pictures for Journalism but decide to get into the act, so to speak. Should have tried the massage lounger, cause I ended up with a pounding headache later....I guess I'm too addicted to the everyday bad quality oxygen. Go figure!

Me, MySelf Portrait, and Eyes...continues

The smaller painting is completed and now I am into the larger one. It is to be sort of surreal with the smaller one mounted in the left corner when completed. It is so much fun experimenting with painting techniques and color...I am not sure what it will turn out to be, I have a vision, but that can change with the stroke of a paint brush!

Weird Weather Today!

Today, I swear was the wildest day for temps and wind changes...it was 50-ish degrees when I started out this morning and very still...then the clouds and 50 mpr winds caused all kinds of havoc here in WV, I am safe, but many are out of power. Lots of sirens going off...scary. I swear again....I felt like I was blown to Kansas and had to buy red ruby slippers to click my way back to my WV home. Talk about a trip!!!!

This gorgeous gift from nature was today in the mid -afternoon when I was in the painting studio on campus. You can actually see the double rainbow...so beautiful, isn't our world beautiful, even in the midst of chaos. Good thing I carry my camera with me, you just never know when something so wonderful will appear. Even if it is a smile from a stranger....

Till The Cows Come Home...FiNi

Finally... got my landscape finished. It is a farm that I pass going up the Ohio River on the West Virginia side when I go north every weekend. I am finally happy with the result...the photo does not show the richness of color used...oh, well.

Dreaming of Sugar Covered Doggie Bones....

Pinky Pooh, my 11 year old chihuahua, lives for treats. And believe me, she is probably dreaming of them right now, when not chasing the cat. She also love to sleep all wrapped up in blankets, usually all you can see is her pretty little face peeking out from under. Of course, MammaSanta has already been shopping for all my kids...so they will all be happy little furry babies on Christmas morning.

Vibrating MascarA...???

Vibrating Mascara...saw it on Oprah... do I really need to have my eye-lashes vibrate!!!??? First of all, I think it would make me dizzy...I guess it is the new thing...But vibrating eyelashes could be a waste as opposed to what they could make really vibrate..I mean, we only live once!!!

I could think of plenty of other things that I wish could vibrate...why doesn't Victoria's Secret come up with a vibrating panty ... or bra...in all shapes and all sizes...there would be a lot of women walking around with smiles on their faces.

This sweetie was created for Fenton Art Glass when I was their sculptor and mould designer. That was 2 years ago, then the economy cracked and I was out of a job. If they wanted a figurine or something like that, I would create the original in clay. But, if it was a bowl or basket, I would create it in plaster and it was turned like wood on a lathe and then I would carve in the details with a knife and other tools...Gawd, I miss those days. They were recently featured on the Discovery Channel on the show "Dirty Jobs".

If you are a glass collector, check out their web site. In the mean time, I see a lot of old Fentonites at WVU-P where we all got to go back to college in WV. (I love Gov. Manchin...!) It is an extension campus of the West Virginia University campus that I attended briefly in my much younger college years, then opted out for art school in Pgh. PA!!!!

Shhhhh.....

"Feel the artistry moving through you and be silent."

~Rumi

In The Studio

Another day, and more painting, Heaven! My cow landscape is in the background, and I was disappointed with my final pics of the finished painting!! Finally finished...Only the pics showed a glare where I applied a glaze today. But you can still get a feel for what it looks like. So, I will take more pics after I can get a view without glare to give it the justice it deserves after all this time!

Anyway more of my self portrait pics..still in the process of face-lifting it..or myself! It will eventually be framed and attached to another larger painted canvas with a frame...but I am not sure what to paint on that one yet!

The second image I added a sepia tone in AdobePhotoshop to give it a different feel... that was from the previous day of painting.

Title: Me...MySelf Portrait...and Eyes

Just started this one today and it went along so fast! I loved how it was turning out, more tomorrow. I took some pics of myself and picked one for a painting experiment, dabs and blocks of color to make the form or figure, not so much polished detail. More of an impression of myself through my own eyes, feelings. I think the color change of the sky through the glass windows is really cool. There was a beautiful sunset, but cold air coming in now.

See what tomorrow brings...I still am working on my cow landscape, too!

"Elfvis" Sightings...

It happens every year at this time....

"Elfvis" was painted late last night while the idea danced around in my head with a bunch of sugar plums. Just wanted to get something painted and now this is only a quickie study, I need to really spend some time and make him presentable for greeting cards. But I thought it was a jolly good start! And wanted to share with you all.

My home...Before and After...

Well, I have been promising myself that I would paint my door and mailbox...it was original to the previous owner...I really wanted to do something artsy, but afraid the neighborhood would not "get it". I plan to finish painting my steps in the black and will do my garage door in the spring to match my front door. I was lucky that the weather cooperated now, it is usually cold and I actually cut back to a tee shirt today...

And I am going all out (for me) on Christmas decor this year!!! I got one of those deer that is all lights and moves his head...and lighted wreaths in my front windows. And I am making all kinds of Christmas garlands and decor for my home...trying to be cozy and warm in the midst of life's struggles and loss. Wine helps, too... or egg nog..love that potion...wait for it every November...add my touches...nothing like it on a chilly night and cozying up with a good book and candles in the fireplace...

The next chapter is calling me........

Pumpkin Pie, Anyone???

This is so hysterical, my friend, Leslie sent this to me and I had to share. She is a gourmet chef/baker...worked at the Greenbriar Resort in WV...check it out, lots of important people have stayed there. Yes I, believe it or not, got to stay there for 2 nights when I was a sculptor with Fenton Art Glass. We were installing a Fenton Gift Shop there. It is so gorgeous at the resort and grounds,top rated for everything!!!

Anyway, I hope this makes you laugh...holidays can be so stressful with all the preparation, we sometimes forget to enjoy the company.

Till the Cows Come Home...

Just about an hour more and this baby is finished...a bit more sky work. Everyone that sees this piece says it is so relaxing and tranquil. I am glad...I wanted it to project that peaceful feeling.

Two Wolves...

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people.
He said, "My son, the battle is between two wolves inside us all.

"One is Evil - It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

"The other is Good - It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.

"The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather:

"Which wolf wins?"

The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

Moooooving Forward...

I worked on the areas that were bothering me...It is too wet to do any more work on...ugh! That is the only complaint about oils that I have...but when I think about it, it gives me time to get away from the canvas and come back with fresh eyes and attitude in a day or two! I just wish I could have changed what is still bothering me...ugh!

In The "Mooood"

Oh yeah, I love cows...but I am still not finished just yet.......more tweaking everywhere!

I grew up with a farm in my back yard...there is a large farm that borders every one's back yard in my child neighborhood. In fact, every weekend when I am visiting my Mom, the cows are out. This scene is not from that farm, but one I pass on my way to her house.

A Missed Birthday....

Daddy's 82nd. birthday would have been on Sunday, the 8th. of November. He went on to another life when he was just 71. Miss him a lot! Handsome and quiet, a true gentleman and reserved...grace with manners. He taught me well. And spoiled me..and I put him through the wringer!

When I was living in Pittsburgh, Pa, and working as a sculptor, he would call me every morning with the weather and to be careful, bla, bla, bla! I had to get up at 4:30 am and he was always up reading and the phone would ring. Sometimes he would tell me not to go to the gym after work, cause it was going to snow or get really icy. A couple of times I would go to the gym on those days and when I would get home that evening, he would have messages on my answering machine and I would call him and he would let me have it....even though I was in my thirties!

I sure do miss those calls. And him. My gentleman father. I celebrate you, Daddy!

Third Try...

My third day on this one. It is supposed to be finished by Tuesday's class...ugh! You can see the studio behind my easel...it is like a maze to walk through! Yesterday I worked with my "student"on her portraits of her Grand-kids. She has a form of Parkinson's and is totally amazing and determined. I just love her. She is beautiful inside and out.

I Miss My Friends...

"Friends are like melons; shall I tell you why? To find one good you must one hundred try." Claude Mermet

"Friendship multiplies the good of life and divides the evil."

Baltasar Gracian (1647)

"Friendship needs no words..."

Dag Hammarskjold.
"Friends are the sunshine of life."

John Hay (1871)
"The best mirror is an old friend."

George Herbert

I have been friends with Lynne before my first birthday, she is 3 months younger and was at my first b-day! And Nancy was in Kindergarten with me!!! Going to FL to visit my gal-pals forever was the medicine the Dr prescribed for me, as always! We enjoyed the WVU game with FL even though we were in a tornado of FL fans..and the Halloween Party on Saturday was pure magic, my Fl pals went as the seven deadly sins...next year I think we are going as insects...I will be a butterfly to match my old-as-the-hills tattoo! Nancy was the last of us to turn 50!!! Go Baby!

The Next Day...

Well, I am into my second day with this one. I had a great time at the studio with two friends painting away! We all complimented each other working together and everyone had a good day! Love it when everyone is in tune to each other and the paint.

DaY UnO~Landscape

As you can tell by my reference, this is going to change a bit....yeah, those are cows in there! I love cows and although the pic and color turned out bad, I will experiment with this one on color and style...I am going for a more impressionist style. Adding my own touch and flair! Scary! Let's see what transpires....

This is my oil wash of base color...love my oils and turp!

FINI~

Finally...this has been a work of love, for the paint, the process and the experience with my fellow artists in class. It all finally came together in one afternoon last week when I was really sick and all I wanted to do was to be in bed...but once I got started, I knew what it needed and I finally knew it was fini!

I am starting a landscape this week and it is due in one week, then we are free to paint whatever we want for our final....hummmmm.

Yesterday's Attempt

It was freezing in the studio on Friday and that made it really difficult to be there let alone paint. Anyway, this is the latest, probably looks the same to you all but there are some subtle differences, it is difficult to pick up the true look with my pics.

New Day ...More Painting...

Well, here is my painting after today, I still have a lot to do, but it is coming along ...

I will be back in the studio tomorrow working with a woman who has Parkinson's Disease and wants to paint her 3 Grandchildren while she still can, so our goal is Christmas! She is a true sweetheart and in my class, and wants extra help, so my instructor asked me and I was more that blessed.

I still have to stretch my next canvas and prep it for a landscape for next week...my photos all are disappointing, you would think with the fall colors it would be easy, but it has mostly been dreary until this week when I have been couped up studying for mid-terms! My life!!!