I SET A TIMER FOR 30 MINUTES..AND...

Last night was FUN!! I took a stack of cardboard, and I set my timer for 30 minutes (for each painting), and I painted as fast as I could! I LOVED IT!! It was so liberating..I think that not caring what you are painting seriously helps you paint better..don't like something?? Glob paint on top of it..smear it around, and keep going. One of these paintings (I'm not telling which one), took 18 minutes...The trick though..have everything you need organized, and right at your fingertips..makes it go a lot faster!  Hope you enjoy!

Live Artfully!!

WE WILL BE IN HUNTSVILLE,AL AT THE MONTE SANO ART SHOW!!

In HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA!!

ART JOURNALING--FOUR YEARS IN THE WHITE HOUSE!

How is that title? Four Years in the white house--pretty good, huh?? So..This journal page is a hot mess! I did it very, very fast--with no thought--and you know what? WHO CARES! It's mine..I'll own it...some days you just feel like making a hot mess... It was "cute" at one point..but, I just could not stop..and now..Oh well..it is, what it is..it's just a JOURNAL..and a warm up to making more art--so, it does not matter.

Here I am..I am 11 months old--and dropped off on my grandparent's doorstep...in the big, white house. We left this house when I was 4 years old, so it surprises me that I remember anything...but..I DO. My first memory was of me in a crib, and someone had tied a balloon to the corner, and as I lay there the balloon went out the window..the window that was right beside my crib...and it floated away..

I was in this house for 3 years. The big white house was attached to the back of a paint store. They sold Dutch Boy paint. I have never figured why our house was attached to the paint store..and have never asked. When I got "older", probably around 3-4..I would walk over to the paint store, and stay in there forever..looking at all the colors, and things. The owner knew me, and obviously didn't think anything of a child plundering around his place. (Can you imagine a child doing that TODAY??). I would normally leave there, and walk across the street to the dry cleaners. The dry cleaners had a magical bird..a big black bird that could talk. So, I would go to the dry cleaners, climb up on a stool, and sit there and feed the bird crackers, and teach him new words.. His name was Sam.

So..this is how I spent my days..until around 3 o'clock...That is when our housekeeper's soap opera came on, and also the very same time that the GREEN HORNET came on. I would fight every day with Tensy, she wanting to watch her show, and ME wanting to watch mine. I can still hear her saying.."Miss Suzan..you are the MEANEST child I have ever met.." I loved Tensy..she was my partner in crime, my ally...and at 3'oclock..my worst enemy! It's funny that I have no memory of my grandmother during this period of my life..but, I remember Tensy. I also remember the reason that grandpa had to fire her. One night, late..my aunt Lou had gone out, and came home. She came running into the house..yelling for grandpa (her father)..There was SOMEONE passed out in the family car. That "someone" turned out to be my beloved, Tensy..she was drunk, and passed out, and my grandfather sent her away.

I also remember the attic of that house..and the little door that lead to it...it scared me then, and it scares me now. I totally dislike attics and tiny doors. I always feel that monsters lurk on the other side..hahahah.

Life was good at the big, white house..I had plenty of attention, five of my aunts and uncles lived there too..my grandfather worked at the Naval Air Station, and every day, he would come home and bring me that little chocolate candy called "Sixlets", and we would sit outside on the big metal glider, and talk to me about his day. He would usually have buttermilk and cornbread while we sat out there. Life was good!

Live Artfully!

BACK TO ART JOURNALING!! BACK TO MY ROOTS!!

I'm LONG overdue..I want to do art journaling once again! It is where I started with my art, and after being published numerous times for it..I just left it behind. I would like to get up every day, and do a journal page, and post on here. I plan on only taking about 30 minutes to an hour, each day, to do both. In doing this--I have also decided to "open" up, and let you in on some of the things that formed me, my personality, and eventually lead me to be an artist.

So today this is the page that I painted. Took me approximately 20 minutes to do. It is about the number 11. The number 11 is significant to me because when I was 11 months old, on Halloween night, my father dropped me off at my grandmother's house to live.

I was born in Florida, in a small community hospital, in November 1964, to a crazy woman. Not just your run-of-the-mill crazy woman--you know--the kind that talks to themselves, and answers, etc. I was born to someone that was technically, totally bat-shit crazy. I know..it's not nice to talk about your "mother" that way--but, honestly..I have met the lady once, and spoken to her twice..so, we are going to forget the mother thing, and just go on with my story.

So..By the time I was 11 months old, I had divorced parents, and each had remarried, and divorced again!! I never knew either of these supposed "step-parents", but have been told that neither of them were very kind to me. I had already had a broken arm, and was very underweight when finally brought to my grandparents. My "mother" decided one day, that she wanted to go to California, and decided that a baby was not in her plans...SO..she called my father (who was 2 hours away, in another city), and she put me in my crib, and she left. Plain and simple. My father supposedly borrowed a work truck from his employer, and drove like crazy to go get me. On that night, I went from being a neglected, most likely abused baby, to a completely different life.....

I journaled this morning about the beginning. Back to my roots..back where it started...stay tuned.. Have a glorious day!!

Live Artfully!
Suzan

I'M GRATEFUL

Today, I slept late--went to bed around 8 this morning, and got up around 2 this afternoon. It was thundering outside....so, I went outside on my porch and it was raining. The rain was coming straight down, really heavy..but not pounding..The air smelled liked heaven, and there was a cool breeze. I was so grateful. I try to start every morning out by finding something to Thank God for. Sometimes, it's just that I'm alive and healthy, but this morning was truely a blessing. It's the end of August--it should be sweltering hot, but I've actually had to put on a jacket at night. I'm grateful for so many things in my life. My husband, my daughter, his two daughters, the grandkids, and granddoggie, my "adopted children" (though they are all in there mid 20's or 30's)..my friends (most who have been with me through the long haul) and my biggest gratitude goes to the ability to fulfill a life-long dream of being an artist. I am most grateful that even though the world is seemingly raging with hatred and prejudice on the outside--I have my safe little world up here on the mountain, and even though I cannot ignore what is going on "out there"..I can keep my peace of mind in our little piece of heaven.

This has been a wonderful journey--this artistic life that we are allowed to live. I have met some wonderful people, and made some awesome friends (that I hope are with me for the rest of my days). I have gotten to travel, and sell my art. I have so much to be happy and grateful for.  Please take time each and every day to be grateful for something. It brings so much back to you, in many surprising ways.

Tomorrow is Nature Boy's birthday. He will be 66 years old. He's an amazing man--hard working, loyal, funny, cute, attentive to me..I would almost say that he is too perfect to be married to ME--I am flawed beyond belief...hahaha. Happy Birthday Sweetheart (Chuck)...you are wonderful, and I love you with all of my heart!

Not everything is perfect in my world. My daughter is living in Pennsylvania, which is a long way from Alabama. She is amazing--she got a job as a traveling nurse, and stays 13 weeks in a location (hospital), before they move her on to another job. I miss her every day, but am grateful that I raised (don't know how I did it), a loving, smart awesome woman.

I have a request--I don't ever ask for much. I have a friend, and his partner had a stroke this past Friday. I've only met these guys once in my life, we are online friends--but, they are really kind, and great people. Please take a moment to say a prayer, or send out a good thought for them. I would appreciate it.

Well, that is all for today..I just felt like writing down my thoughts, as boring as they may be.

Live Artfully!!

Hello!! In TEN days and we will be heading to Bloomington, Indiana for the FOURTH STREET ARTS FESTIVAL. It will be the first time in my 48 year old life, that I have left the "South"..and we are more than EXCITED!!! Festival Hours:

10:00 am to 6:00 pm Saturday, August 31

10:00 am to 5:00 pm Sunday, September 1st

at Fourth & Grant Streets in downtown Bloomington, Indiana

Nothing much has been going on here..I've been painting around the clock, and Nature Boy (my husband, Chuck) has been working on his metal pieces.. I miss blogging, but it seems that Facebook is the way to go nowadays!

Anyway..Live Artfully!!

OH HAPPY DAY!!! KENTUCK ART SHOW--THIRD YEAR!!

 

GOOD MORNING!!  Well..today is a happy day in the Buckner household!! I got in to the Kentuck Art Festival in Tuscaloosa, AL today!! This will be my third year, and I am so excited that I can barely type!

So..my fall schedule is set now! Live Artfully!!

TONS OF NEW PAINTINGS..and the GUMTREE FESTIVAL

Well..we are in full swing of the 2013 spring show season, and I know that as long as I have waited for it to get here, it will be over before I know it. So far..it has been excellent, and beyond my financial expectations!!  Weather seems to be our only foe..hahaha..and since you cannot control THAT..well..you just have to roll with the punches.

We just did the Gumtree Festival in Tupelo, Mississippi this past weekend. Tupelo is one of the nicest cities, and the people are ALL so nice. Gumtree is one of my favorite shows, and once again, I did AWESOME there..(only a tiny bit down from last year, and not enough to make a difference). THANK YOU TUPELO!!!

This upcoming weekend, I will be in Mentone, AL at the Rhododendron Festival!! Come out and see me. Live Artfully!!

NEW BLOG LOOK!! HOPE YOU LIKE IT!!

LOCATION OF BOOTH AT FAIRHOPE

Our booth at FAIRHOPE is 3315 on De Lar Mare-- next street over from FAIRHOPE avenue!! Hope to see you there--Friday- Sunday--10am- 5pm

FOUR DAY COUNTDOWN UNTIL FAIRHOPE ALABAMA ART SHOW!!

Well..I said that I was going to stop painting, and get everything else done..but, that is not going to happen..LOL..I am like a crazy person, painted from 8am-11pm last night..finishing edges, varnishing,..etc..It's a miracle that poor Nature Boy got any dinner..I am fast at it...might have to show the rest of the pictures when I get back.

OMG..my poor house...It is wrecked. There are at least 150 pieces of art lying EVERYWHERE..need to use the microwave..move a painting, need something from the fridge..move a painting, want to sit on the couch...out of the question! hahah..It's a wonderful mess to be in. Live Artfully!!

THE BIG PAINTINGS!!

Whew!! Almost finished...I have one 4 foot x 5 foot painting to go, and I think I am done and ready!! I am so happy that I withdrew my application for another show THIS weekend, because I wouldn't have made it! It was in Orange Beach, AL..just a few miles down the road from the one that is next weekend, and we would have stayed down there this whole week, and I wouldn't be able to finish anything..hahah..

Nature Boy is busting out too, with some fantastic art of his own!! He is now doing metal quilting of sorts..hard to explain..I'll just steal a picture of his from Facebook, and show you all...

Ok..Painted background, then metal squares with actual hand-stitching ...a crazy amount of work went into this piece...but, it is gorgeous!! I have the absolute most wonderful husband!!

A woman named Dawn posted a question in comments..it was..."How on earth do you produce so many so quickly are the back ground prepared and then you get to painting?"

Dawn--Thank you for your comment first of all!! Second..I do the backgrounds first..usually the first and second layers are all done as a group, then I do each painting individually. I think that I am able to paint like I do for 2 reasons. Number 1--CONFIDENCE. I don't think things out..I just do them...If I mess up, I just keep painting..I'm not afraid of what the end result is..and Number 2--I don't have anything to do on a daiily basis except paint, no kids at home, no animals to take care of..no TV to watch..hahah...so, I am in the studio basically from the time that I wake up, to the time I go to bed. I could probably paint a lot more if I did not play games on Facebook...hahahha. Ok..I have to run to the store..out of food...Live Artfully!!

Good Afternoon...still painting away at the Buckner household...we are working feverishly, trying to get ready for the Fairhope Art Show..I am now to the point that I cannot sleep--only getting about 3 hours at a time, and then I wake up, and paint some more..I have went back to collage. I had been holding off on it for a long time, because I didn't want to tread on a friend's toes. (She only does collage stuff) ...Well..LO and BEHOLD..she ended our friendship in November (don't know why)...but, I feel liberated and FREE..I have been gluing everything in sight..The only bad thing is ..all my Distress Ink Pads have dried up, and turned to dust..so, at some point, I am going to have to purchase some mixed media collage supplies..I have already went through 2 bottles of Modge Podge...and HOPEFULLY after this first show, I will be able to do some tutorials and journal pages....Let's cross our fingers. I feel like I have exploded with creativity..(have painted 70 something paintings this year already!!!) 

I am so nervous..I really need to do shows all 12 months of the year..(Yeah, right..that is NOT going to happen)..but, after a break (especially a long one), I am like a new artist starting all over again. Combine that with the first show being a new place, and I'm stressed to the gills. But, it will all turn out ok...and in two weeks, it will be over...Live Artfully!!