
Thursday, May 21, 2009
THE BLUR WHICH IS MY LIFE!! NEW PIECES

Monday, May 18, 2009
DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW TO CLONE??
My only complaint is that today was downright COLD. HELLOOOOOOOOOOO....it's the middle of MAY on it's way to JUNE, and it was like 50 degrees today, with a cold wind blowing. I was sitting out there, and shivering (you all KNOW about my adversity to cold weather!)...and it's suppose to be colder tomorrow...***sigh.
I am meeting so many wonderful, cool people, and having a blast!! I really think that I have found a "home". Everyone at the market is just wonderful and nice. I am already looking forward to next week. (If I can actually MAKE a gazillion things). We started out with 3 large, very full totes, and I am down to under TWO of them full. A ton of stuff fits in one of those totes..so, I am hurting.
Well..it's time to get to work. I have already slept, and am awake, ready to tackle the day.
Live Artfully!!
Suzan
Saturday, May 16, 2009
123 ZOMBIE
Friday, May 15, 2009
TIME FOR SOME MINOR CHANGES HERE!!
This came to be because I am getting some serious Art offers, and I feel like I need a more professional image to present to the people that could further me along in the art adventure of my life. That, and I feel like I have lost a lot of you when I left mixed media and journaling behind (temporarily). When someone wants me for a show, or an exhibit, I feel it would be more beneficial to have a place to send them that focuses on my art, goals, and leaves out the Petey the Wonderdog adventures (especially the two-headed llama adventure..hehehe)....
Anyway--it'll basically stay the same HERE. Freebies and whatever comes to my mind. The good and the bad. I am just telling you about my "other" blog..(I'll let you know when it's ready) in case you want to visit that one too.
I appreciate all of you. You are all very dear to me, and I feel like I have neglected you. For that I am sorry. Things will get better around here. I promise.
Live Artfully!!
Suzan
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Good Morning!!

Yesterday was a wonderful day! My uncle came from Pensacola to visit, and we went to dinner, and had a fantastic time!! It made me so happy! I guess because I live so far in the middle of nowhere--my family rarely comes to visit, so it was a special treat. I think he had intially came to visit SHE WHO KNOWS EVERYTHING, and to tour her school (since he's paying for it), but my daughter and my uncle must not have communicated anything, because as he was leaving Florida to come here, SHE WHO KNOWS EVERYTHING was leaving here to go to Florida. She drove down and he drove up...LOL..
I also got a call yesterday from a group of ladies that wanted a private art journaling class. So, I will be giving that soon. We scheduled a day in a couple of weeks, and so I have to get busy planning something. It's been way too long since I journaled anything.
Well, that's about all...have a happy day!
~~Suzan~~
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
SUNDAY'S ART MARKET AND NEW PAINTING

Late last night, I finally did walk into the art room, and managed to do something. This block of wood was something that I had bought at that small art market that I use to do, and when I got it home, I couldn't stand it..but I liked it's basic shape. I had Nature Boy actually sand it, and I repainted on it. So, if you buy a piece of art (and I use this term loosely), in a moment of insanity--and you get it home--realize that it is crap...just sand it and paint over it..at least then---you don't have to look at it..LOL.
The Market this weekend was HUGE. There was so many people there, it was unbelievable. I was very honored when a producer of a large Folk Art Festival came by my booth, and asked me to be in the festival. Sadly though, I had to say no to it, because I just don't have enough work left to do something that big, and with only two weeks till the festival--I didn't feel that I had enough time to do the work. I have been doing the Market for 3 weeks now, and did not expect to sale all that I have. I am down to a handfull of domino pendants, and HAVE to make more this week, but don't even know if I have time to do them. I am down to about 40 paintings left, and that includes about 20 of the small ones. I did send Nature Boy to Lowe's on Monday, to get me some different sizes of wood, and a sander, and he came home with a pile of wood blocks, and sanded them all for me. All I have to do is paint. It seems that I have been painting non-stop for weeks now. But, I am not complaining!! I am very HAPPY that stuff is flying out of our booth.
Well, that's about it--time to go to work!!!
Live Artfully!!
~~Suzan~~
Saturday, May 9, 2009
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!! HERE'S SOME FACES THAT ONLY A MOTHER COULD LOVE..Hehehehe
Friday, May 8, 2009
EBEN'S LAST HOPE FAILS -- NEW PAINTING!! 3 DIMENSIONAL ASSEMBLAGE...
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
THIS ONE IS IN HONOR OF MY DAUGHTER!! I WISH I WAS A COW!
SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT...

Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Monday, May 4, 2009
I HAVE A QUESTION--and ANOTHER SUCESSFULL DAY AT ART MARKET!!
I have a question--HOW DOES ONE CREATE IN THIS MESS?? This is the area right in front of my chair, at my art table. If I move the remote--I MAY have room to do a small 3 x 3 painting..LOL..guessing I might need to clean my room, before I go to work today..heheheh. This should make all of you messy people feel special.
We did the art market in Chattanooga yesterday--and we had another GREAT day!! I love that place. It's a good thing that I have done so well, because sometime today, I have to go buy a new refrigerator...mine died. :::sigh::: it's always something.. But, the market is wonderful!! So happy that I left the one I was going to, and found this one. The people are wonderful, the atmosphere is friendly..and the FUDGE LADY is within 10 feet of me. What have I done for God to bless me so?? The only thing is..that fudge is like a drug..and it makes me wonder..how much sugar can a person consume before falling into a sugar-induced coma or something??? LOL
Well, I have some serious stuff that I have to create, I am in trouble as far as stock to sell goes, so it's going to be from sun up to midnight in the art room this week!!
DIARY 2010 PROJECT!! GET ON BOARD!!
Welcome to the third diary project
You want to participate? here are the informations and the rules:
Each page of this diary is designed by a different artist/crafter around the world. To design a page you need to have a web space from where you sell or promote your art (personal website, personal blog, Etsy, Flickr, MySpace, etc.) The diary have a total of 392 pages, so, I need 392 participants.
Basically, you design a page, you send it in, and it's published on the date you choose. Click the Diary 2010 button on the right, if you want to join in. It has all the information you need.
Live Artfully!!
Suzan
Saturday, May 2, 2009
I MADE THE COVER OF THE VALLEY PLANET!! NATURE BOY'S LATEST SHORT STORY--FLIGHT OF THE DYING MONKEY !!

Some of you may or may not know that my husband, Nature Boy is an aspiring author. We have self-published a couple of his books through Lulu.com. (Chuck Buckner). This is his latest short story--it hit the #1 spot on his writing site that he hangs out on.
Flight of the Dying Monkey
A Short Story
By Chuck Buckner
—Lies are given substance, not by the liar, but by listeners who believe them. The liar is aware of the untruth, but a listener who believes them and accepts them at face value gives them life.
—Flight, in search of the truth, is a short journey. Question what you don’t know to be fact and disbelieve those who are distorters, false praetors and skilled demons. Listen for the monkey, it screams in silence and dies at the feet of inequities.
An old woman was talking to herself and anyone else within hearing distance. They said she was crazy. Some said she was lonely. Others thought she was dying. She wasn’t any of these. She was just an old woman who knew more than either you or me. She has seen the monkey, heard his scream, watched him die and did nothing. One day she may tell you the story, but I doubt it. Even if she did, you wouldn’t be listening.
***
I saw her one time walking along a stream in Fateful woods. She was singing. Her voice reflected the mood of the forest. Not dark, but not quite light enough to see far ahead.
I was a young lad at the time and lost. I had wondered for an hour or so trying to find the path. When I saw the stream I intended to follow it. I’d either go deeper into the woods or come out at the village. I knew it lay in a low valley and the stream meandered down to the mill at its southern end. When I saw the old woman, I followed her. I knew she stayed in the village most of the time and was likely headed back there. Besides, I liked her singing.
—“Oh, forest spirits and trees of green,
lead me to the primate queen.
She is born and I must be,
nearer to her and see,
The only one who will set us free.
Oh, forest spirits and trees of green.”
She stopped singing.
“Who follows along the road to nowhere?” she asked. “It’s strange to be here.”
I waited beside a tall tree. I knew that she couldn’t see me. The darkness was closing its tight fist on the forest.
“Who is there? Only enemies of the light dwell in the darkness. Come near.”
I was afraid to move. I could just make her out, standing in the path. I remained silent.
An owl hoot from a high limb almost directly above shattered the silence.
A hand grabbed my arm and tightened like a bony clamp.
“Why are you here, lad and why are you hiding? Are you lost?”
I couldn’t answer for a minute.
“You have no reason to fear me, boy. I can lead you home or I can leave you here. There are reasons to fear the latter. Creatures dwell in these woods that I fear. You should fear them doubly. Now tell me why you are here, alone.”
“I . . . I was in the woods searching for something. I stayed too late and become lost. I thought the stream would lead me home, but then I heard you singing.”
“This stream will lead you away into a life of disorder. I know what lies at its end, death. Do you want to die?” Her voice started out high pitched and grew higher and louder. She was almost screaming.
The woods were silent again and the darkness was suffocating. Then the sound of wings beating and slapping against tree branches high above us was heard.
“Answer me.”
“N. . .No ma’am.”
“The monkey flies from our presence. Shiver in fear if you ever hear that sound drawing near instead of moving away. Now tell me. What is it you seek in these woods?”
“I. . .I.”
“Tell me and we both can search. Or, I might already know its location.”
“I was searching for a stone, the truth stone.”
“You mean this one? She held her hand out palm up. A small stone that was beginning to glow lie there.
After only a few seconds, I turned my eyes away. The light had grown so intense that it hurt to gaze on it. The entire area of the forest was illuminated in bright colors that seemed to change and blend with each other. The living darkness was driven back momentarily. After a moment the colors began to fade and blackness crept in again.
“You can turn around. I’ve put it away.”
I turned and for a brief moment in the dying light I saw her face. It was the face of a young woman. Her eyes sparkled like bits of multi-colored glass, lying underneath a bright sun. Her skin looked soft and there were no wrinkles. As the light faded, I still saw those eyes for a few more seconds then they too were gone.
“Take this stone,” she said, “but take comfort in knowing it’s not what you seek.”
I took it. It felt warm. I carried it in my hand for a while then placed it in my pocket.
***
I have carried the stone and the memory of that face since. They have traveled with me on long journeys in searches for truth, meandering streams that lead to nowhere and for tall trees where dying monkeys slap their wings against limbs high overhead. The stone she showed me wasn’t the truth stone. She told me so. She told me I could search these woods forever and not find it, but she didn’t deny its existence.
***
I could not see her face. The darkness had reclaimed it. Her voice sounded old and brittle.
“Come with me and I’ll lead you home.”
I followed her and she talked. She rambled on and on, speaking in riddles. Much of it she sang in a low voice. I understood some of what she said, but not much. Some of it I remembered for years and it has never made any sense to me.
—“Everyone seeks the truth, but it’s not buried.
It is there for all to see.
Close your eyes and walk unhurried.
You will see it very near.
Open your eyes and blindness will hide it.
And your heart will fill—with fear.
I became frightened because I didn’t know where we were going. It was not hard to follow the path we were on, but I didn’t know if we were going toward the village or away.
“When is a stone not a stone? When it’s dead. But the truth doesn’t die. It’s only hidden. Close your eyes and listen. You’ll see it.”
I didn’t know if she was talking to me or just mumbling nonsense. That was so many years ago. It seems like yesterday.
We had walked a good distance. I was growing tired. I saw lights and knew the village was there ahead of us. She changed the direction we were walking slightly to the left and away from the stream. There was a narrow path that I hadn’t known about. As we neared the village, she stopped.
“You must fly on your own now, lad. The winds are favorable for me to go elsewhere.”
“Thank you, for bringing me back here,” I replied.
I heard a noise behind me. I glanced and then looked back and the woman was gone. It was very dark. The light from the village seemed to intensify the darkness here, as if it was pulling all the light to it and leaving the surrounding area darker.
I took the stone she had given me and held it out in my palm. It felt warm but glowed only slightly.
***
Many years later I stood, as a grown man, near the same spot. My arm and hand extended with palm up. The stone glowed brilliantly. I had stood here a few other times since that day long ago, but this was the first in several years. I had returned with thoughts of staying.
I willed the light to dim. It still glowed softly in my palm. I chanted softly.
—“Oh, forest spirits and trees of green,
lead me to the primate queen.
She is born and I must be,
nearer to her and see,
The only one who will set us free.
Oh, forest spirits and trees of green.”
Something rustled in the brush nearby. A young girl emerged from the thick foliage and stepped toward me.
“Why I am summoned here?” she asked.
I was startled, but captivated by her eyes. They carried me away through time and space to places that don’t exist except in the minds of curious lads. These were the same eyes that I had lived to view again. Now, they were there before me.
I heard wings hitting tree branches. They sounded as loud as a waterfall. I didn’t understand. I recalled words from a long time ago —Shiver in fear if you ever hear that sound drawing near instead of moving away.
I wasn’t shivering. I wasn’t even afraid. I looked at the girl. Her eyes were young and the thought occurred to me that she was reborn. These eyes were not the same as I had gazed on so long ago. Yet, they were the same.
“Look to the sky,” she said. It was a command.
I raised my head and looked toward the towering trees above us. They were filled with a million pairs of diamond like stars. The eyes of the monkeys filled the forest top. Still, I wasn’t afraid. I could hear the sound of other wings beating in the distance, drawing nearer.
“You have returned home?”
“I have.”
“And your search is over?”
“I believe my search has come full circle, back to its beginning.”
“I have gained rule in your absence. My regal ancestors have departed for the starlight and I must join them. I am the last.”
“I don’t understand.”
“You hold in your hand the answers you seek, the answers that you have sought for so long. The stone you looked for in these woods so long ago is found.”
“The truth stone.”
“This stone doesn’t exist now nor has it ever existed. Was it what you searched for?”
“I searched for truth, but I wanted to find the stone and truth would be confirmed.”
“Truth has been found.”
There was an instant noise that sounded as if a million set of wings were slapping against tree limbs. I looked up and a million stars were falling from the trees. I was overwhelmed, buried in a mass of coldness. The world had gone dark and silent and it stayed this way for minutes. Then I heard the beating of a solitary set of wings flying down out of the night straight at me. Again, I looked up and I saw the monkey as it descended toward me. I was alone in the woods as I had been when I saw the old woman.
Her haunting words frightened me again as I watched the Monkey falling. I raised my hand skyward and held my palm open. The stone glowed as the monkey neared. The light illuminated the creature as he swooped and snatched the stone from my palm. It glowed brilliantly and as it sped away become a shooting star blazing through the tree tops headed back to the heavens.
I heard a voice as soft as a baby’s first breath, or, as loud.
—Lies are given substance, not by the liar, but by listeners who believe them. The liar is aware of the untruth, but a listener who believes them and accepts them at face value gives them life.
—Flight, in search of the truth, is a short journey. Question what you don’t know to be fact and disbelieve those who are distorters, false praetors and skilled demons. Listen for the monkey, it screams in silence and dies at the feet of inequities.
I knew that a magical stone that indicated when a truth or a lie was told did not exist. I had probably known for a very long time. I know that the search for truth can lead you on a long journey, but most times it will end where you started. Lies, like dying monkeys, are born out of belief when disbelief is the proper emotion.
I have heard a single whisper multiply into a sound like unending thunder. When the monkey dies the sound is louder than silence. There is truth and there is no echo but a sound heard once and gone.
I walked from the woods and into the village. I live there still.
END
Copyright: Chuck Buckner 2009
Also!! Nature Boy is now finished with his last two years of college, and will be graduating soon! He finished the last two years with ALL A's!!!!!! Way to go Nature Boy!!!!
I love you!
Live Artfully!
~~Suzan~~
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
WE DRESS AS PEARS--PAINTING ON WOOD! FEATURED ON CREATED BY HAND!!

SOLD! Thank you!!
WOOOHOOOO!!!!! This is my latest painting. Yesterday, I decided that I wanted some wood to paint on, and so off to Home Depot, I went. I bought a 4 foot x 8 foot sheet of birch plywood (3/4"), and they cut it for me in 12"x12" panels. WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!! I LOVE PAINTING ON IT!!!! I may never paint on canvas again! The wood is so strong, and textural, and smooth all at the same time. I painted it on both sides and around the edges with a black gesso, and then just started painting. It's great, great, great!!!! LOVEEEE IT!!! We also went to the back, and dug through their scrap pile, and got a TON of little pieces (approx. 4 x 4) for FREE. My little paintings sold like hotcakes Saturday, so I need to do about 20 of them a week!
The Chattanooga Market has really gotten me excited about art again! The artist market that I was previously going to was NOTHING like this wonderful new place. I never made the kind of money that I made on Saturday, the people are nicer, and generally it's a better atmosphere! Also, it's harder to leave your booth, so I am not off wasting my money buying someone else's stuff.
On the blog-front--Nancy at CREATED BY HAND was wonderful and featured me on her blog!! Thank you so much Nancy!!! Hop over there, and check out her blog, she has some really good artist on there!!
Well..back to the art room. Got an outdoor sidewalk art sale on Friday night to get ready for..(and Saturday down on our town square, and back to the Art Market on Sunday)..
Live Artfully!!
~~Suzan~~
Monday, April 27, 2009
CHATTANOOGA MARKET PICTURES--GREAT DAY!!



Just my typical stuff..I sold a lot!! I was extremely happy with how it went, and had fun in the process. Across from us was this old truck that made Kettle Corn, and omgggg --IT WAS DELICIOUS!! We had access to fudge, ice-cream, and kettle corn within a few steps of our booth. It was pure heaven!! There were a lot of artist there, everything from blown glass to handmade furniture, food vendors, and fresh produce everywhere!
I cannot wait to return next weekend!
Saturday, April 25, 2009
FOLK ART ANGELS -- 12 MORE HOURS and AN EARLY ARTISTIC MEMORY
I had a long-time friend contact me recently, and she had me thinking about my childhood, and the art that I use to create--(which was a gazillion times better than the stuff I do now, in my humble opinion)...and I thought back to when I was about 8 years old. I may have been younger, but I know it was during the "horrible salad bowl hair-do" stage of my life, and thankfully, by the time I was 9 or so, my hair had grown out, and my grandmother (who raised me), had stopped her revengeful chasing of my head with that damn salad bowl. (I think to this day, this woman had it out for me...). Anyhow--I specifically remember a picture of a horse. This picture stays in my mind, because upon burying my wonderful grandfather 25 years later.. we found this picture amongst a ton of others that I had previously drawn, glued or colored. This horse was top quality hand drawn, perfectly shaded, meticulous in every way. It was a perfect rendition of a beautiful animal. My family thought that I was a savant, I'm sure!! They must have KNOWN that I was magically gifted beyond anything that was ever imagined. The other part of this memory is that my then "partner-in-crime" (my grandfather) had bought me a HUGE pack of tracing paper one of our trips to the store. I could trace like no other. Then a teacher at school (I carried my tracing paper everywhere, it never left my side) showed me that if I scribbled on the back of the tracing paper, that I could Trace, Scribble and TRANSFER...and POOF!! I would have a perfect drawing on paper..LOL...silly family..they never knew.
Ok..enough of my childhood mentally deranged memories...I have exactly 11 hours and 45 minutes until my alarm clock goes off, and I shower, and go to the BIG SHOW. I am surprisingly very, very calm. I am still painting, and working on stuff, getting ready. Though --FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY ENTIRE LIFE--I DID NOT procrastinate myself into a TIZZY...I have slowly, but surely doing bit by bit, and now really all that is left is minor, insignificant stuff. So..I am ON MY WAY!!
Live Artfully!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
REVISION and TWO NEW PAINTINGS

I am getting nervous. The "show"..or Art Market is Sunday..and I have never done anything so big..on top of that..my husband is being a naysayer about the amount of stuff that I expect to put in the car. I am fully sure that we can carry it all--he wants to take the big truck. I hate the big truck..it bounces, and jars you around, and you feel like you are on an African Safari. It's too manly man for me. (No CD player--and I can't drive for 2 hours and depend on the radio, I would lose all sanity!!) I say tie the crap to the roof, and let's travel!
Also, one of my high school friends contacted me through Facebook--I am so excited and want to call her. But, she has a job, and would probably not appreciate being woke up at 1:30 am to talk about our past..LOL..She has become not only an artist, but also an art teacher..so, I am very excited to talk to her.
Well...I am going to force myself to go to sleep..even though I could probably just stay awake until Sunday..LOL..I hope I have enough stuff, and we will do a trial run on the set up before we go (I will take pictures, and get your opinions beforehand)...
That's all for now!
Live Artfully!
~~Suzan~~
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
SIX LITTLE PAINTINGS
Sunday, April 19, 2009
FOLK ART ANGELS
Saturday, April 18, 2009
UGLY GIRL--NEW PAINTING

I just couldn't make this girl pretty...LOL..the background is an old newpaper picture, and a sewing pattern. She has a collaged dress, hand-painted face, and the numbers are metal (painted black)...they kind of stand out a bit from the canvas).
Please don't forget to scroll down, and DONATE. Thank you!! Hugs to you all!
Suzan