News and Updates

It is my great pleasure to announce you will be able to purchase my cards, ornaments and aprons at Petal Pushers in Crescent Springs, KY.  If you live in the area please stop by for the Grand Opening, it would be great to see you.

  

I have been working on a new lantern idea, a simple design using my calligraphy, canvas, free motion stitching, FW ink, etc. My next step is to purchase the light fixture to see if I need to add any additional holes for light to shine through.    

Painting and lettering on the canvas.

Place holes in the canvas

Added fabric to wooden ring

Sewing bead to the bottom

Adding flowers

Added beads, rhinestones

Still needed to find a really large bead for the twine to go through

That's it, please leave a comment and have a wonderful day.

Susan

I was inspired to make this piece shortly after 9/11 for a calligraphy class I was taking at the time.  I
remember those who lost their lives, the families that survived this tragedy, and those who continue to fight for our freedom every day.  I love my country.

Create with Love.
Susan

Diamond in the Rough

This piece has led me on a journey of self discovery. I had a mision, and a plan for the canvas when I purchased it and started painting immediately.  Everything stopped as soon as I asked myself the simple question of "What do I do now?"  My answer was to hang it on the wall, and wait for some insight.  While flipping through my son's street art book, I found myself intrigued with a spray paint drip technique used on many different surfaces. This sent me into my studio to explore and play with this technique on my piece.  I loved the results created from the running paint. 

(Added the running, dripping technique)

Now I had to think about what quote I would use,  not just any quote.  Ultimately I was moved to express what I truly wanted to receive as an artist from my own community and the world.  The words flowed out of me, revealing the desire to be treated with the same positive and affirming praise I had seen other artists receive.

(Lettering my quote)

It is my belief that we all  desire to be accepted and embraced by our peers.  It is an added bonus when our artwork is purchased.  Not all of us are embraced this way by the world because we are seen as accomplished or threatening.  

(The yellow and orange in this piece represents the light inside ourselves trying to shine)

 Criticism can be devastating, and I struggle anytime I'm on the receiving end. Nevertheless, my desire to create was not diminished and I found myself back in my studio creating with an even stronger resolve to grow.

(Adding center lettering and gold to complete my piece)

I know this piece is far from perfect, however it is perfectly me, and to think any other way would be counter productive.  Art is an expression of ones heart, therefore, there is no right or wrong.  Creating art is my meditation. It can be my best friend, my teacher, or an expression of love.  It's my hope that this piece will be thought provoking. I'll close with something to ponder. Would praise and encouragement bring out the jewel that is the diamond in the rough?

Your Creative Friend
Susan

Bag it Abstract

Just playing around in my studio as usual,  my inspiration was stirred today by the music I was playing.


The first piece is a bag that I just had to paint, then letter and sew for my notes to the universe. This piece needs some embellishment, a tag, and whatever else I think of before I added my notes.

This second piece is an abstract in which only the background was done. At the time I completely lost my inspiration and direction.  It's been hanging on my wall for several months, awaiting my inner courage to arise and conquer the fear, while slaying away the negative thoughts.  Today, I was empowered to be free and open to new possilblities deep within myself.  Yes, I know it's a little dramatic, but what fun to have such lofty ideas floating around in my mind.  I will say that I was inspiring to reach beyond my fear of messing it up.

It's time to get back to work. Don't worry, I'll show you the completed piece.

Your Creative Friend
Susan

The Creative Connection

Well, I'm sure most of you have read "Where Women Create" and maybe even "Where Women Cook"!!  This September it's time for "The Creative Connection," 3 days of jam pack information that will motive, educate and inspire each individual that attends.  It goes without saying, I would love to attend this conference!!!!!!  In BLOGHER HANDMADE, women will learn about: social media, building community, growing your reach, using technology, creative bloggers, craft + money, and craft, passion, and sustainability.

I'm send out good vibes to the universe in hopes that I will win the 2 tickets, so I can take my little sister, who is an amazing doll maker.  We have never attended an event like this one, and probably never will due to the distance and cost, so dear Fairy Godmother spinkle some magic fairy dust in our direction.

If you have been on the fence about going,  do it, just go.  If I could I would have purchased my ticket as soon as registration was open.

DREAM BIG!!!!!!!!!!!!!

your creative friend
Susan

Decorative Bali Lantern Workshop

Decorative Bali Lantern Workshop

On Saturday, I had the pleasure of teaching how to make a Decorative Bali Lantern which is fashioned after the Balinese lanterns made for celebrations.  The twist is in the material used to make the lantern.  My student, Kristen graduated from college with an art degree, and is now teaching art to high school students.  So this was a time for Kristen to explore and be inspired and possibly teach this to her students in the future.  After talking about products, materials and doing some demonstrations, it was time for Kristen to work.  In this workshop, I gave Kristen the option to make a large or small lantern.

 demonstration with a smile

Kristen working on her background

Kristen lettering her panels 

Kristen's lantern panels

One happy student!  Love It!!

Here are a couple of lanterns I recently completed.  This quote is all mine!!!

It's also fun to make triangle shape lanterns

This is the lantern that was published in Somerset Studio Magazine

In closing, I would like to thank my dear teacher Lisa Engelbrecht for the inspirational video.

Your Creative Friend

Susan

What's New in the Studio

As I promised, I'm sharing one of the projects I'm working on in the studio.  The piece below was about to receive the finishing touches when I noticed the error I made. 

OMG.......I HAD LEFT OUT A WORD........A CALLIGRAPHERS WORST NIGHTMARE.

Back to the drawing board, and unfortunately I managed to get ink spots on the next 2 attempts.

This is a small corner of my work table, my original pieces is in the bottom right hand corner, above it is  the one missing a word, the center piece is ready for me to paint.  

My final attempt included inspiration from the previous attempts. All painted and ready for the next step, so I'm going back to work now to complete this pieces.


Alright, here it is completed.

powered by creativity

Susan