SUSAN'S . . . PLAYING AGAIN!

SHADED PORCH 4"h x 6"w, glass & natural wood frame I'm still traveling by relishing the memories of the Taos Pueblo. The blue sky is so bright, that at times one needs to seek a shaded porch for a reprieve. And there is always shopping as soon as one steps through the doors.

3 STOVES 4"h x 6"w Well I'm still traveling in memories here with my 2 trusty fingers, happy as clams while typing out my thoughts. Once again I'm back in Taos at the Pueblo, which dates back to the 8 & 9 th centuries. Inhabitants live the ancient-way, that is with no electricity, running water, phones or indoor plumbing - all everyday conveniences taken for granted. The Native American Indians also cook in hornos , which are outdoor adobe stoves fueled with fire. The bread dough is placed in the hornos once the fire has been extinguished upon reaching the correct temperature. Typically the women are out baking and selling the bread when tourists are visiting the Pueblo. The smell is incredible and the taste is uncomparable ! There is something to be said for the simplistic way of life. I believe each day tends to become more focalized , with a greater importance placed on traditions, family and values. A taste of yesterday.

PINK DOOR 4"h x 6"w With the sun out and the sky bright in San Diego, I can not help but reminisce a bit of New Mexico. I had lived there prior to moving to San Diego and my two children still reside (okey, they aren't kids any longer, but I still think of them in those terms!). The skies are so blue and seems to travel upwards forever. Makes me feel so small, yet full of life. One of my favorite places to visit was the Taos Pueblo. I would wander around, stare at the colors and loose the time of day. The Pueblo is such an enrichment of colors, culture, landscape and food.

Have you ever noticed that clouds have a life of their own? They twist, fluff and puff. And so many times they take on shapes that resemble objects or things. Today I worked on a sky with the chain of clouds twisted and slinky, with the resemblance of the head and body of a snake. So apropos for clouds too, for they move so quick. Try catching one! As soon as the images are blocked in and I look up - oops! - the formation has changed. Tricky business we live in. SNAKE IN THE SKY 4 1/2" X 4 1/2" matted and 8" square gold leaf frame with glass $150.00 plus tax, with $15.00 for shipping and insurance

RED APPLE 5" x 5" pastel gold leaf frame - without a matt SOLD  - PRIVATE COLLECTOR Man, I must say I was feeling so smug and wicked and see where it got me? My blog appears so far as if I render just sunsets, yet I do have a varied range from landscapes, figurative and still lifes. I thought - there I go thinking again - that I would introduce petit skies and then after connecting with a few of you out there, throw out a challenge for all. Had a great idea of imposing a size constriction of 5" square, any medium with only the use of an apple as the subject matter. Then all could email me jpegs, which I would upload to my blog and maybe hold a monthly vote for favorites. Well, lo and behold, as I was scrolling and checking out other sites, I came across Gerald De Dios 's blog (check my fav' blogs) and wouldn't you know, he started a yearly personal challenge of Painting an Apple a Da y for the year of 2010. Very fun and worth checking out. So I'll ...

SOLD 4 1/2" X 4 1/2" pastel, archival white matt, glass and 8" square petit scrolled, gold leaf frame The movements of clouds seem to travel at the speed of light and then appear to explode through the skies. And then I have such a difficult time paying attention on where I'm walking, for concentrating so hard on the movement. I've really made quite a spectacle of myself by falling, which tends to be embarrassing too. But what a show (I guess you could say that of both -me and the skies)!

4 1/2" X 4 1/2" pastel, archival white matt, glass and petit gold leaf, scrolled frame $150.00 plus tax, $15.00 for priority shipping and insurance Did you ever see a bright sun bursting behind a huge chain of dark clouds? The rays of light burst downward and appear as silver strands of rain. Breathe taking!

Still may be viewed at Ray Street Custom Framing / Gallery, housed also at 3807 Ray St. Judith was so kind to grant permission in posting one of her piece's. Additional information such as size and cost may be obtained from 619-255-2022.

My still lifes will remain on exhibit at Sharp Gallery / Studios, 3807 Ray St, San Diego till April 5, 2010. Additional information may be obtained from 619-546-9546.

Wednesday evening I went life drawing. Just enjoy so much and a great chance to unwind. These are 2 of the evening sketches I completed within an average of 20 minutes each. The sessions are so short that I limit my pastels to no more than 5 colors, so focus on just the shapes.

LAKE MEAD / BOULDER BEACH I have always enjoyed creating paintings from my personal visits to the National Parks. Who would believe there is a beautiful campground bordering Boulder Beach in Arizona? Just recently I had a comment requesting more information on my residency at the Petrified Forest National Park http://www.nps.gov/pefo/parknews/artist-in-residence.htm. So I will create a continual posting that will surface sporadically, detailing my experience, plus the channels for others to pursue National Parks residencies. In note, many of the residencies are open also to writers and musicians. It's an amazing opportunity and a wonderful setting to explore and expand one's creativity. There are nearly 400 National parks, monuments and battlefields, yet less than 40 residencies. The National Parks website at http://www.nps.gov/pefo/index.htm will provide the information on the program. The general requirements in applying are inclusion of a letter of intent - where the Arti...

4 1/2" X 4 1/2" WITH A MATT AND 8" SQUARE GOLD LEAF FRAME I just love the movement and vibrant coloring of clouds. When I look up, I feel like I'm flying and my heart soars.

This pastel measures 4 1/2"X 4 1/2" and is matted with a square 8" gold leaf frame. The scene is a slice of a sunset setting from a horizon at the Petrified Forest National Park. The evenings were always so breathtaking, so hated to see the night turn black. So many colors!

It was a clear, sunny afternoon in September 2009, that I was sketching behind the Painted Desert Inn at the Petrified Forest National Park. The view of the Painted Desert was so expansive and thrilling that I decided to take a hike the following day to the floor of the Badlands.

This pastel, Blue Mesa Floor, measures just 6"h x 8"w and the collection of Alex Richardson, London, England. It's very illustrative of the stormy clouds I encountered during my residency at the Petrified Forest National Park.

Last September I was awarded an Artist-in-Residence (AIR) at the Petrified National Forest. The experience was incredible, not only for the opportunity to paint morning to evening without interruptions, but also to have a 24-hour access to such a great Natural wonder. I arrived at the ending of Park's Monsoon season, when torrential storms pounced at all times without prior notice. The rain brought out such vivid colors and a crispness to all the foliage and fauna. Many days I would paint under sunny skies, while observing massive clouds downpour rain across the distant horizon. So breathtaking!

A petit, 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" pastel, matted with glass & 8"x 8" gold leaf frame. The colors are bold and dramatic. SOLD - PRIVATE COLLECTOR

Well I am finally getting this blog together and what a process. The painting is easy, but you know some of us - like me - can be so indecisive which really lengthens production time. Then there's the little kinks here and there in the operation -please forgive me -but I assure you it will be straightened out sooner or later. As for the "easy part", my art is created in soft pastels, unblended and layered in alternating lights and darks. A bit unconventional, but there I go again, traveling against common methods.