Reusing Canvas

Over the years I have given myself permission to reuse old canvas painting that I myself have painted. I find it therapeutic to move forward in my work, learning from the old to create something new.  No one but me knows the developmental stages that my painting has gone through, it's my secret.  

It's akin to growing older, you have many experience that you don't share with everyone.  I find this process of letting go of the past challenging sometimes, but ultimately very rewarding in the end.  

This piece I did probable painted 12 years ago, and feel it really needs so help.

Today update looks like this, 

Now I have to let it dry overnight, while I consulate with my muse regarding the next step.  Creativity is just so much fun!

Living in Missouri

It's been a huge change moving to O'Fallon, Missouri for me.  The one constant in my life has been my artwork.  With Randy at work and Sarah off at school, I have hours alone.
No luck finding employment so I'm busying making work for myself.

The good new is I'll be teaching this fall, and will share that information later.  Here's a glimpse of some of my work.

More pictures to come,  please leave a comment.  

xxx

Susan

Christmas Commision

While at my husbands' Christmas party, I was sharing a few pictures of my calligraphic work, hoping to sell some of my fabric Christmas ornaments.  So, it was indeed a pleasant surprise to receive a commission instead.

My client had just one request, no girly / fancy script.  This request allowed for my artistic interpretations.  My challenge was finding the magic to bring these words to life.   After several attempts at different lettering styles and rough drafts I was still just looking at words.  It was during a conversation with my husband, where I was explaining that the right combinations of lettering styles and artwork would bring the quote to life.  My dear husband made a few suggestions and one of them touched my heart and I knew the direction for this piece.

When my client saw the piece she was brought to tears and had to send me this picture as soon as she had a framed.    What a wonderful Christmas present for me as well!

I love being an artist, student, teacher and connoisseur of Calligraphy - the art of beautiful lettering.

Your Creative Friend

Susan

Christmas Ornament

How time flies when your world has been turned upside down.  Since my last post we have  sold our old home, moved to a different state, purchased a new home all for my husband's new job.  Despite what life has thrown my way, my creative spirit still finds a way to shine. Here is one of the many projects going on in my studio. In the past I have made star shaped ornaments, but this year the heart shape was my inspiration.  I really enjoy making this little ornament and thought I would share the techniques on how to make them.  

Here is my supply list: 1) muslin 2) FW Ink red (pick your favorite reds) 3) white acrylic paint 4) textile medium (this helps spread the acrylic paint) 5) Pearlizing Medium  6) Fabric Paint gold color 7) Glamour Dust ultra fine glitter paint 8) Golden Iridescent Gold (Fine) a 1/2 inch flat brush, a vintage pointed nib, and uni-ball Signo white pen.  

Cut your muslin into sheets of 11 x 17, or whatever size you like.

 Then paint the fabric and let it dry.

Using your  brush, nib and pen to create texture with different lettering styles.  While this is drying,  letter the word JOY on a small piece of painted muslin, once dry add a piece of burlap and sew together

Using your heart stencil cut out your shapes, sew everything together and stuff.   

Enjoy making your one of a kind ornament this season.  You can purchase my heart ornament at my Etsy store.  

Your Creative Friend,

Susan

The Summit At Colorado Springs

This year has been very tumultuous for my family, but in the mist of all this crazy life of mine, I was rewarded with a scholarship from a wonderful organization,  The Dancing Letters Scholarship Fund.  
I submitted my paperwork, fully expecting to be declined. In fact I had to reread my acceptance email several times before understanding that I had in fact received scholarship monies to attend.  So unexpected, and thrilled  to attend The Summit in Colorado Springs this summer.

Well, that is where I will be next Sunday for a week with my instructor Laurie Doctor, who I've admired for years.  I would say that I'm most definitely PASSIONATE about my calligraphy and so grateful to The Dancing Letters Scholarship Fund for making this possible for me at this insane time in my life.

The Creative Process

Here is a glimpse into the creative process,  it's as simple as having water color paint close by to play with and I just love this travel palette.

 I start of with some water color paper, water filled brush and I begin to paint the pots.

 This palette is made by Koi, and has become one of my favorite art accessories, it goes where ever I go.

I have made my leaves and stems

 Now I have added my flowers

Finally I add the text that has been chosen using a vintage nib and my wonderful FW ink.

Have a wonderful creative week.

Susan

Fun Art Pieces

It's time to share my new creations "Believe" and "Sing".  Both pieces are painted on canvas paper using acrylic paints and FW Inks.

Hope you are having a creative week.

Susan

Next Years Ornaments

Time flies by so quickly and I know most of you have put your Christmas decorations away already, but I had to share the ornaments I just completed.

Have a wonderful week.


Susan

Happy Holidays

The last few months have been very busy and I'm now working full time.  However, I just wanted to  share pictures of ornaments I've made for an online class.

Merry Christmas 

Susan

Being Published

Along my artistic journey one of the greatest pleasures I've received is being publish in Stampington & Company magazines.  I was eager to submit my first piece, but just couldn't seem to get it in the mail.  My husband finally took it and mailed it! My shock turned to thrill and amazememt when I learned I was going to be published in Somerset Studios 10th Anniversary Issue in 2007.

The thrill of being published never dies for me, its sort of like Sally Fields when she made her acceptance speech at the Academy Awards, "You like me, You really like me!" It's priceless to me.  To add another special touch to this story, this is Somerset Studio's 15th year.  What a wonderful privilege and honor to share the pages of this magazine with so many talented artist's.

To see my artwork along with many other wonderful pieces, please go out and buy your copy of this magazine.

Your Creative Friend
Susan

Keepsake Card & Flowers

I just sold this keepsake card "For the Bride" on my Etsy store this past week.  The card is custom made using the wedding colors.

Thursday night was art class where I started and finished this flower piece.  It is true, art is very therapeutic for the soul.

May you have a wonderful weekend.

Your Creative Friend
Susan

Feel the Spray

We recently found out that Delta Airlines, our parent company has elected to shut down Comair Airlines.  My husband has worked for Comair  as a pilot, instructor, and check airmen for 23 years. All that will end on Sept 29th 2012.  My entire family is going through a variety of emotions, which include fear of the unknown, the what if's, where do we go, what about the children, etc...

To handle some of this stress I've encouraged my husband to attend art class with me the past couple of weeks.  I figured if it helps me relieve some stress, it may help my husband.  I find it allows me to put all my worries aside for a couple of hours.  In this environment we are encouraged by the instructor to create from the heart, opening ourselves to the possibilities.   I'm always transported to a place of meditation allowing a sense of  peace to enter my heart. Here's the result of our latest class, mine's titled "Feel the Spray," and my husband's pieces is titled "Bell Flowers."

This is when I realized that none of us really know our future, that fear of the unknown is normal, and that anger is a by product of fear and that's unproductive.  

The wave in the painting for me represents how life sometimes crashes upon my world/family (the rock), but the rock will continue despite all the waves that come.

Your Creative Friend
Susan

Lettering Spontaneously

Calligraphy or lettering and the magic that happens when I'm working spontaneously without too much planning gives me the most pleasure.  Yes, I feel its necessary to practice the basics, however, I find it  becomes more fun when I let myself play with different techniques, instruments, and styles. 

So I'm going to begin a series called "Lettering Spontaneously." You will see samples of spontaneous lettering.  Sure, some will be filed in the trash, others will be saved to create more structured pieces of inspiration.

Just playing with my pens, markers, paint brushes to letter everyday on envelopes for your kids, bills, anything I have to mail, has been something I've been doing for years.  It is a fun way to practice and develop my own style. Today, while I was going through my book of quotes, I stumbled on a quote that spoke to me and I just knew I had to letter the quote.   I love being spontaneous, creating unrestrained lettering in the moment, without planning it out.

Don't be shy. Play with your letters!

xxx

Susan

Art Class

I decided awhile back that I wanted to take a painting class at a local art studio.  The environment is very open and conducive to the creative process.  So far this is by far my favorite pieces to date.  I will be posting more pictures soon.

I also completed this very simple, but cute lettered wall hanging for a kids room.  I really love the blue jean pockets, the lettering, and the owls.   If you are interested in this piece, please stop by my Etsy store.

Have a wonderful weekend and week.

Your Creative Friend,
Susan

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY

Thank you to all the brave men and women who have fought and are fighting for our freedom.

xxx

Susan

Jewelry & Friends

Plans had been made for me and two of my new girlfriends, Colleen Pike and Victoria Miller, to attend the Little Black Dress event sponsored by Summerfair in Cincinnati.  Unfortunately, Colleen couldn't attend, but after seeing the jewelry she makes I asked if she would consider making a custom piece.  Colleen asked what my dress looked like, and if I liked color, pearls, bling. I had a sneak peak of the necklace and was so excited.

My necklace arrived beautifuly packaged with a lovely tag and card. My favorite part is that Colleen didn't know when she made the necklace that I love the dresses and jewelry of the 1920's Art Deco era. It's so wonderful to make new friends. Colleen somehow was able to tap into who I am and it showed in this piece.  

I look forward to wearing this necklace.  To learn more about Colleen stop by her website here: http://www.fleurishcreativestudio.com/
  

Your Creative Friend

Susan