FIRST PAINTING OF 2010!!!

15 x 18 acrylics on wood, mixed media..not sure if I like it yet or not..hehehe.

FIRST POST OF 2010!!

2010

Well..here we are. 2010. A new year, a new chance to make things fresh and new again. I didn't do art journaling much this year, didn't do much online, but all in all..it was a great year. I had some wonderful opportunities, and basically worked my fingers to the bone to sell at the Chattanooga Market. Nature Boy became an artist this year!! That was exciting.

I have to get busy. The market starts again at the end of April. I want to do shows this year, and lots of them. I have to get some inventory built up, and I want to continue offering paintings and art online. I miss my online communities, and friendships, and can't believe 2009 is gone and done with, and so much time has pasted.

Some of the wonderful highlights in 2009...
1. Having the opportunity to sell every week at the wonderful Chattanooga Market. I met so many FANTASTIC people, whom I came to love as dear friends.
2. Meeting one of my online friends--Mary Freeman. Such a beautiful person--inside and out!
3. Being able to be part of the Slotin Folk Fest in Atlanta. (Such a mind-blowing experience!).
4. Watching from afar as SHE WHO KNOWS EVERYTHING knocked out almost all of her time through nursing school. I cannot believe my daughter is going to be an RN..I am proud of her, though I don't think it's really sunk in yet. She will always scare me, if she has a needle in her hand..hehehe.
5.Nature Boy got news that his daughter will give birth to his 5 grandchild in April.
6.I was published for my first time.
7. I had many offers --some of them I took seriously, others (you know who you are)..I simply laughed in their face. (A MAJOR company, I am talking about here).
8. I sold a great deal of my art this year. That makes me happy.
9. We purchased a NICE vehicle..and gave my car to SHE WHO KNOWS EVERYTHING. (I hope it last her for at least another year!)
10. Thanked God every day for the blessings in my life.

I guess the only real bad thing that happened this year was the passing away of Petey the Wonderdog. I still miss him everyday....but if that is all the bad that I had to deal with (not counting the flu that lasted 3 weeks)...I consider myself content, and blessed.

I don't know what I want yet out of the new year. I haven't really thought about "resolutions", or what I need to do. I will get it all straightened out in my crowded head soon. But, whatever it is--I hope you'll join me...and take the ride with me. I appreciate ALL of you so much!! Thank you!! Love, and Live Artfully! ~~Suzan~~

IT' HERE EARLY!!!! SURPRISE!!! HOPE YOU ALL AREN'T DISAPPOINTED!!

I HAVE RE-OPENED MY ETSY STORE TO OFFER YOU MY ORIGINAL PAINTINGS FOR A SHORT WHILE!! I HAVE ALREADY MADE A SALE--A MERE 10 MINUTES AFTER I UPLOADED FOUR PAINTINGS.

I hope you all have a HAPPY, SAFE, and WONDERFUL NEW YEAR!!!HERE'S TO 2010~
~~Live ARTFULLY~~

SOON..SOON...NOT TALKING ABOUT THE NEW YEAR...SOMETHING ELSE..hehehehe

VERY SOON...

VERY SOON ....

IT'S COMING SOON!!!

IT'S COMING SOON

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!! NEW PAINTINGS AND MIXED MEDIA COLLAGE!!!

DECEMBER 25, 2009!~ Merry Christmas Everyone!! It has been a LONGGGG time since I have blogged anything--and for that I am sorry! I hope this season is finding you all happy and full of the real meaning of Christmas!

I FINALLY felt like going into the art room at the beginning of this week! The flu that I had was a toughie. I think I made it worse because of some CVS Theraflu stuff that reacted very badly with me...but, it seemed like I was sick for a long time, and couldn't shake it. Then I was just TIRED. I probably needed to go to a doctor, but I am stubborn, and REALLY hate them..so I just toughed it out. I learned a valuable lesson though. Do not procrastinate getting ready for shows until the last minute..hahahahha..I really messed up the Christmas Market by not having stuff ready because I had gotten sick...I am going to work on Christmas stuff throughout the year in 201o, and at least if I get it done, then I will have it on hand.

Anyway--I have been busy this week. I even did a couple of Mixed Media pieces...The one with the large butterfly is my absolute favorite, and I love it.

The piece below is 12 x 12 on wood. Mixed media collage. It was fun glueing again..

This is 7 x 12 (or close)..and it's the one that I like so much.

And of course--I painted. This little beauty is probably my second favorite, and I really like how it came out. She's on wood, and 8 x 10.

This one was fun...(like the way her hair came out--I have the hardest time with hair)...

and my little "plumpkin"...hehehee..

Not a great pic of this one...much better in real...this one is small..about 4 x 6...

Another small one...it also looks better in real..

This one was fun, and reminded me when I use to make mixed media pieces all the time.. it's about 9 x 12...

Well, that's it...I have felt like I am still "behind", and like I have to "produce"..even though, the shows are done for the year, and I can rest..I would love to get about 200 pieces ready before April...but, as you all know--I always set my goals WAYYYYYYYY out there, and never get as much done as I would like!

Well..It's almost 2am on Christmas morning, and I better get some sleep. We've had 2 days of Christmas parties with our children, and tomorrow we have to travel to Nature Boy's sister's for dinner with the family. I hope this year has been full of love, joy and happiness for all of you!!

Merry Christmas!!

Live Artfully!!

NATURE BOY'S DOLL

Just a hit and run post for a potential buyer of Nature Boy's doll. I will be back on Monday. Every thing is good..and I am almost completely well..just tired. Hugs!! Live Artfully!

I AM ALIVE. BARELY.

Sorry to worry you all, and thank you if you have emailed me, asking if I was alright. I have had to flu. Not the sniffly, sneezy kind--the lay on the couch and hope you don't die kind. I am on the mend, and almost feeling alive again. I will return very soon. I just have to hold on for one more weekend at the Chattanooga Market, and one more art show on Dec. 13th, then I promise, I will be blogging like crazy again. Thank you again. I love and miss all of my bloggy buddies!!! Live Artfully!
~~suzan~~

MORNING MEMORIES AND A QUICK SKETCH...

Good Happy Morning!! I woke up thinking of my mornings as a child, spent with my grandparents. They raised me, and every morning of my young life, my grandfather would get up, and cook bacon, eggs, toast and grits for my grandmother and me. Every day! Can you imagine? I can barely get the coffee pot to cooperate most mornings, as I struggle to pry my eyes open. It was a sweet memory...just thought I would share. It's funny that now, I won't eat eggs, bacon(or any pork), or grits. Goodness--I bet I was 14 or 15 before I ate cereal...(which I DO eat now, but only the yucky high-fiber, cardboard with cinnamon type)....

I found some great pictures last night of Cirque Du Soleil, and sketched 3 of them out. They have inspired me, and I want to paint some of the characters, or at least use them as a basis for some paintings. I was going through my paper stash, and throwing things out. It amazes me that I have so much, and use to feel like I needed every tiny scrap, and now (a year later), I don't see any need for keeping it all around. I have to downsize. I have to clean the crap out of my life. I have always been a hoarder/purger. It is time to purge. To get rid of clutter, and to start fresh...I am afraid that the TV show--"HOARDERS"--is going to come and get me....and take me away..to where they send bad hoarders...(I can't watch that show, it makes me ill--but, I did glimpse at it). If you have a problem holding onto things, and too many things--you may want to watch it...realize that mixed media collage art has made you a sick individual and do something about it....OR..HECK, HOARD some more...hahahha..Have a wonderful day and ...
Live Artfully!!

BOW WOW BULLDOG!!

An 8 x 8 that I just painted while watching the Gilmore Girls..LOL..YES! I still watch it every day!!LOL...Live Artfully!

GIRL WITH FLOWERS

Inspired by a painting of 3 white flowers....on an orange background. I changed it around a bit, and took the orange for the girl's hair. Busy, busy. Just recieved a phone call with an invite to do a show/market for Christmas. I think only 20 people were asked. Excited, but must work like crazy. This makes the 2nd show that wasn't expected that I have to have inventory for...Thank Goodness that Nature Boy is helping make stuff too..He made a wonderful bird out of found objects this morning, and I went nuts over it!! (I will show pics in the next post)....well..back to work. The days are moving fast...Live Artfully!!!

PAINTING FAST

The above painting is called "BROKEN DOLL". It was literally painted in less than 15 minutes last night. I am trying something new--I set a timer for 15 minutes, and I paint. It isn't important WHAT I paint, just that I finish a painting in 15 minutes. It makes you stop thinking, and makes you just re-act. It also warms you up. Most people that do this excercise probably does it with drawing or sketching..but I decided to use a brush. She's not meant to be beautiful..just an excercise for my tired, worn-out, brain..hehehheeh. I kinda of like her.

I hope you all have a wonderful, happy day!
Live Artfully!

NEW

Tomorrow..I have some exciting news..tonight..I am in painting mode. Hugs to All!
Live Artfully!

PAINTINGS THIS WEEK...SO FAR..

The painting above is now my newest favorite painting. I loved the way it turned out, and the ease in which it came to be. :::Smile:::::

All of these are medium sized paintings...not small..not large. I think I forgot to show you last week's..I am missing some on here, I know. Live Artfully!

THINGS I AM SICK AND TIRED OF...

1.NCIS and CRIMINAL MINDS..I love both shows..but really, HOW MANY times a day do they need to come on??
2. ARTIST MARKETING WEBSITES. If I want to learn more about marketing than I already know.... I will buy a book for God's sake. It's easy..if you make a product worthy of selling..it sells. If you don't ...all the marketing in the world's not going to help you.
3. FACEBOOK FAN PAGES. I love you all--but Fan pages on Facebook are an overused pain in the buttocks. I get over 100 a day, and ignore them all. I am on Facebook to play games. I follow your blogs, your Flickr, and your status' on Facebook. Enough is enough. I stopped using my fan page as soon as I figured out what a huge buttock pain they are to others.
4. RERUNS OF THE NANNY. Another show that is on about 20 times a day. Why did she dress like a tramp the whole time?? I wouldn't have let her raise my child.
5. WHINERS AT THE MARKET. Damn, if you don't like something..find somewhere else to go. Don't whine to me just because I listen.
6. ALWAYS HAVING TO BE NICE ON MY BLOG. Sometimes I just want to be MEAN.
7. PEOPLE WHINING ON THEIR BLOG ABOUT THINGS THEY DON'T LIKE...hahahaha.
Oh..there is so much more........Just ranting..back to the studio to work out my angst. Maybe I can do more than paint a canvas half blue and half green.......
Live Artfully, and if you can't--just go to the beach.

WORK IN PROGRESS ...FINISHED LAST NIGHT

I have had this halfway completed for a month or so now...last night, I decided to get off of my worthless, lazy butt and finish it. It's about 15 x 20, acrylics on wood.

HOO BOY!! I AM BEHIND IN MY BLOGGING!! LAST WEEK'S PAINTINGS!

Whew..This is last week's stuff..about 9 of them, or things that I don't think that I have shown you. I am so far behind in blogging, and posting on FLICKR...I need to get my butt in gear... THIS WEEK, I have completed SIX paintings thus far..so, I am busy..I am just holding my breath until the first week of December is over, and I can have a breather, and not have to keep up with my sales at the Chattanooga Market. It amazes me that I have done 27 "shows" this year..and I can't wait for next year!! On top of the Market though next year, I hope to add about 30+ art shows...it should be interesting!Ok..back to painting..It's 1:36 AM, and I am sure that I can finish another painting if I hurry. Live Artfully!

NATURE BOY'S ART..and it's A BEAUTIFUL DAY!!!

OK..I am a slacker. I haven't made any new art this past week. I spent all of my time being a couch potato, and playing Facebook games...so I had to steal Nature Boy's pics and use them to tantalize and amuse you. It's such a beautiful day. The sun is shining, which it didn't do all last week, and I have already been outside, sitting in our new van..enjoying the warmth, and re-planning my market strategies....I hope everyone has a beautiful, happy, joyous day!!! Live Artfully!!

YOU JUST NEVER KNOW...OUR "NEW" TOYOTA SIENNA

Well, Nature Boy and I have been quite busy--we did take time off last night to go see "Where the Wild Things Are", and I have to say that it was a dissapointment to say the least. I was looking for a happy, fun "escape" movie, and it was full of anger and angst, and made no sense to me, and the ending stunk...but, that's just my opinion, and since I am not a movie critic...you might like it. Let me know. I don't want to be the only one out there that hated it.

Yesterday, we were at a gas station, which was across the street from the Toyota dealership in our little town, and we saw a really big, black truck that Nature Boy wanted to look at. We have been eye-balling "vehicles" that are suited to do big art shows...and we ended up going to look at the big truck. We did a drive-by, and realized it was just a typical truck, and went to turn around. I drove around a bunch of cars, and as I was turning around, Nature Boy said.."that's what we need"...upon further inspection, I saw that it was a Toyota. I didn't even know that Toyota made a van..LOL..it really surprised me. I don't know why we got out of the car, why we looked at this van, why we even smiled at the salesman..we were not looking to actually BUY a van yet. We were going to wait 6 months, and just make do with what we had. So, I told the man that we were just "looking", and not buying, and that we didn't want to waste his time. He was super friendly...and asked that we think about it, and come back tomorrow...etc....Well, we got up today, and went down there to re-look at the van..and well..we BOUGHT it. It was a very pleasant, easy thing, and just felt "right". We didn't NEED it today--I mean we have two good, operable vehicles..we weren't in a hurry to buy one...but the guy was SO NICE about it all..and so we brought it home. Nature Boy spent two hours playing with all the gadgets and such..LOL. It's wonderfully nice, and completely electronic, and has a sound system in it that would make a teenager happy..hehehe..The volume goes to 60!!!OMG!! I can blast the wheels off of the thing. It's beautiful. I love it. It's a great pre-owned vehicle, and we got a great deal on it...which makes me even happier!!

We are all packed for the Chattanooga Market tomorrow...with a ton of room to spare. It's gonna be different actually not being smooshed and cramped in our Corolla. I haven't done much art this week. I think I did about 5 or 6 small paintings, and that is about it...I have been lazy..it suddenly turned cold this week, and you all know that I go into hibernate mood...so, until later..Live Artfully!