SUSAN'S . . . PLAYING AGAIN!

SENTRY AT SUNSET 14"h x 10"w pastel - 20"h x 16"w gold leaf frame Amazing how quickly the days roll by. And with a long holiday weekend, it seemed to go by quicker than usual. Is it from too much good friends, fun and food? I believe this painting, Sentry at Sunset is appropriate for the holiday has come to an end, as the sun sets at the end of the evening. I do hope everyone had an enjoyable time.

A SUNRISE 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" pastel 8" square archival white matte, glass + gold leaf frame It's a holiday weekend and so many are out having a party, yet I had to shuffle off to work. I really didn't mind. I walked to today's job, which was over a three-mile jaunt. Once setting out, I get very absorbed into my thoughts and then the time flies. Actually this is when I get my most creative thoughts for have nothing else to distract me - except for the cars whizzing bye! But my mood gets very somber, for I concentrate so intensely. Very similar to this pictured petite pastel. Sunrises are unlike sunsets for the colors are more subdued with the highlights at the top of the clouds. With a love for color, it takes quite a bit of patience to execute one. And when I returned home, my husband had grilled pork ribs ready to eat!

BREWING 11"h x 14"w pastel The other day as I was listening to the radio while painting, overheard a commercial from an office supple store. Blew me away for they claimed clouds were scary. As you all might guess by now, I love clouds. After all if I didn't, I wouldn't be tripping over my feet all the time as I gaze upward while walking. (Sure could have saved me some skinned knees too!) Anyway, back to the clouds... they are as unique as people. A cloud could be skinny, wispy, chunky or puffy and range from white to black and every other color in between. No two are alike and are so fascinating. And they move quicker than you can spit! You really notice that when you try to paint them for they never sit still. So lately I have been plugging along creating art for my solo show, Frayed , opening June 10th at Ray Street Custom Framing and Gallery in San Diego. (This is where I will be also exhibiting the baby dolls, which I promise will show you at a later date.) The pr...

2 BARNS 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" pastel 8" white archival matte, glass + gold leaf $150 + $15 insured priority shipping Our little trip today is back to Catalina Island. I was originally on a search for those pesky wildflowers. During my hike - and dragging all of my art equipment - I spotted some horse barns. Several were nestled in a field surrounded by shrubs and trees. The storm had just passed and the sky was almost void of color, while the air was crisp. But where are the horses?

BALBOA PARK 11"h x 14"w pastel Today was another day of racing around. Even though I am out of breath, am delighted that I haven't been stumbling over my feet as usual. So what was I taking care of? .... running for an estimate to get my little truck repaired. Happy to say, it's getting closer to the shop! So after trudging along this evening with some petites , decided I was loosing steam and better give it a rest. There is always tomorrow, huh? With that said, I'm posting a painting that is in Tirage Gallery's hands, but still can be appreciated. The image is of Balboa Park, which in an earlier posting I wrote that this Park system houses a large number of the City's museums. This is a view across the lily pond as one looks towards the Visitor Center. A wonderful place to spend a day!

STORM APPROACHING 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" pastel 8" white archival matte, glass + gold leaf frame SOLD - PRIVATE COLLECTOR Wasn't that a wonderful game for road trips? Now it seems all young children sit with game boys and PSPs. And what do I spy? It's blue, purple and moving faster than you can count - storm clouds! And the rain is following fast.

WISPS + CLOUDS 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" pastel 8" white archival matte, glass + gold leaf frame SOLD- PRIVATE COLLECTOR Do you ever get have a day where you are going 100 miles per minute and just can't catch your breathe? That was today. I even managed to throw an accident into my daily routine! Today I raced to the post office, then patiently stood in line to buy stamps, while I tapped my toe to a snazzy tune - hey, anything to tolerate the wait! Then the postal worker insisted on figuring the costs in her head, when she had a perfectly good calculator sitting on her desk. Finally got the stamps and off I went. As I got to my truck, two men raced up to me and said they saw someone hit my truck and was parked at the end of the lot. Here I was in an accident and not even in my vehicle! All in all, the damage wasn't too bad, swapped info and off I went again. I was home just a couple of hours and received a call from my Mom in North Carolina asking me if I was okey af...

CORONADO SHORELINE 8"h x 10"h pastel glass + gold leaf frame PRIVATE COLLECTOR The sun is out, yet there is a chill in the air. So much nicer than rain! So today I thought it would be nice to visually travel to Coronado and picture a sunny, warm day. The day I visited, it was also a bit chilly, yet with the sound of the crashing waves, one forgot it was so cold. And a bright sun just warms the soul so well!

MOODY NIGHT 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" pastel 8" white archival matte, glass + gold leaf frame SOLD - PRIVATE COLLECTOR It really looks like I'm on a wild streak here. Thought I woke up in a good mood, but sure created a sunset with an attitude. Once the pastel was completed and I stepped back, saw that the loose strokes added to the aggressive nature of the scene. Whoa! I think I better take a break and have a glass of wine. Join me?

2ND ANNUAL SMALL WORKS EXHIBIT PASTEL SOCIETY OF NEW MEXICO MEMBERS' ONLY SHOW NOV 5- 28, 2010 With great honor I was requested with the other two fellow Distinguished Pastelists, Maggie Price (http://www.maggiepriceart.com/) and Terri Ford (http://www.terrifordart.com/) to jury the upcoming 2nd Annual Small Works Exhibit for the Pastel Society of New Mexico (http://www.pastelsnm.org/). The competition is open only to members and held concurrently with the PSNM National Show at the Hispanic Arts Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico. The show will run November 5th to 28th and all work must be hand-delivered. Paintings must be at least 80% soft or oil pastel, completed within the past two years, original and available for sale. Maximum image size is 48 square inches or 6" x 8" with the outer dimensions of the frame not exceeding 12" x 14". Additional information can be obtained from Enidls@comcast.net. I can't wait to see the entries!

ART EXHIBITED AT STRANDZ My daughter-in-law, Angela Franco-Roden is a licensed cosmetologist and has set-up shop! She also has on exhibit an assorted collection of my pastels for sale. If you live in Albuquerque - or passing through- stop by Strandz for a wonderful cut, color or style and view some art. Her studio is at 2929 San Mateo Blvd SE, so call #505-872-2555 (shop) or #505-203-3872 (cell) for an appointment and tell her Mom sent you.

HIDDEN BEAUTY 25"h x 17"w pastel The reception for the Pastel Society of New Mexico's Signature Members Exhibit will be held Saturday, May 22nd from 2PM to 5PM at the Millicent Rogers Art Museum , Taos, New Mexico. Unfortunately I will not be able to attend, but do hope anyone living in the area will. There will be 40 paintings by 40 Pastelists on exhibit till June 27th and all work will be for sale.

TURMOIL 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" pastel I always take different routes when walking to see what kind of treasures I can find to work into my three-dimensional art. My husband is always dumb-founded over what I drag home, but you would be surprised what is laying around in the streets! And today as I was walking, decided to take a stroll down a back alley that borders close to my home. I don't frequent down there too often, so was shocked when I saw graffiti on many of the buildings. I had heard rumors that the gangs were marking their "turf" and it definitely was colorful in that alley. I must say that today was a very sad day, for my 'hood lost it's magical look.

KITTY Collection of the Estate of Peggy Zuris pastel I am honored to be selected as juror for the upcoming Fourth Annual Fine Art Catnip Connection . The event is at Gallery 21, Spanish Village Art Center of Balboa Park in San Diego, CA. Unfortunately all work has to be hand-delivered and exclusive to San Diego Artists. The show runs from June 9th to the 21st. Additional information can be obtained from Vicky DeLong at vbde@cox.net. Kitty was a merit award recipient with the Third Annual Pastel 100 of the Pastel Journal Magazine . The pastel is in Peggy Zuris Estate Collection. So all of you San Diego Artists, roll your kitties out for a wonderful exhibit!

PURPLE SUNSET 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" pastel 8" white matte, glass + gold leaf frame PRIVATE COLLECTOR Bet you thought I would be traveling to Catalina Island again. Well today I'm off to Boulder Beach, which is part of the Lake Mead Recreation Area and the National Parks. I have been there several times and have thought it so peaceful and tranquil (unless there was a RV generator buzzing away next to your tent). Anyway, I got off track there. So Lake Mead actually spans between Nevada and Arizona, with the border running through the Lake. The recreation area covers 1.5 million acres of land. The area is so diverse for there are mountains, beaches and deserts. This sunset reflects a small portion of Boulder Beach - which is in Nevada - with a mountain backdrop. Our campsite faced out to the beach and watched as the sun dropped. A beautiful evening....

PRICKLY HILLSIDE 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" pastel 8" archival white matte, glass + petite gold leaf frame $150 + $15 insured, priority shipping I'm still rambling around in my mind at Catalina. Maybe because San Diego has had several overcast days, which is so similar to the Island's drizzly atmosphere? Nevertheless the one day I was trudging and dragging all my art equipment along, I spied a wild growth of prickly pears while searching for those pesky patches of wildflowers. A thing of beauty on a small hillside and backdropped by colorful clouds. And as so many things in life, if one gets too close to a thing of beauty you could be pricked by tiny thorns. Hey, this could be a good metaphor relating to life! Beware...

TOWN OF AVALON 4 1/2"x 4 1/2" pastel 8" white archival matte, glass + petite gold leaf frame SOLD - PRIVATE COLLECTOR I decided to stay a bit longer in Catalina, especially since the day was so overcast here. No rain, but sure felt like it. Santa Catalina Island is one of the four Southern Channel Islands and approximately 22 miles Southwest of Los Angeles. The Island is 22 miles in length (coincidence in the numbers, huh?) and encompasses nearly 75 square miles. The Town of Avalon measures one square mile, so all is in walking distance. The houses are nestled around the harbor and follow upward along the mountainside. Since the town is petite, space is limited and the homes are very close together. Nestled Homes is a scene in the late afternoon just after a misty, rainy day. The sun broke through and shone at a few spots where the rest was overcast. There were about two hours remaining before sunset, so time was limited to enjoy the rays. Just a quick sunny thril...

1, 2, 3 .... DINGHY 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" pastel white archival matte, glass + 8" petite gold leaf frame SOLD - PRIVATE COLLECTOR Since I am on the topic of the Ocean, decided to create this petite pastel. The scene I captured is from my recent trip to the Town of Avalon at Catalina Island in search of wildflowers. The tiny beach has a few docks with dinghies tightly roped and crammed together. If you remember - and do hope someone is out there is reading this, with many thanks - it rained nearly the whole time I was there. There were such wonderful clouds between the rain drops, yet overcast the majority of the time. And it was very overcast at this point, so I attempted to brighten the painting with splashes of bold color. One good thing about a dinghy - there's no need to dog paddle!

A SLICE OF THE SEA 18"h x 12"w pastel $575 + $20 insured, priority shipping I seem to write about water a lot, but perhaps that is typical when living next to the Ocean? Come to think about it, I have lived near water much of my life. I spent thirteen years in Houston where I traveled frequently to Galveston and grew up near Lake Erie in Ohio. Funny thing is that with a love for water, amazingly I don't swim well. In fact, my strokes are limited and efficient with just the dog paddle movement. But it does get me where I want to go - slowly, but surely. Yet I do love the roll of the waves and how the water sparkles when the sun hits it. And the sound of the waves are deafening, yet mesmerizing. Almost as fun as clouds!

RAINDROPS COMING 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" pastel white archival matte, glass + petite gold leaf frame SOLD - PRIVATE COLLECTOR Even though it was a sunny day in San Diego, I begun to reminisce of my last September residency at the Petrified Forest National Park. And you guessed it - this was a day it rained! (similar to Catalina Island, huh?) Here I was looking up at the blue, blue sky of San Diego and my mind begun to travel. I was seated and working on a pastel on my featherlight easel on the Painted Desert Rim Trail that stretches between Tawa and Kachina Points. The trail is about one mile in length and had views of the Painted Desert and the woodland rim. That day there were fabulous, white clouds in a rich blue sky, so I decided to create a woodland rim painting. I was so absorbed with the scene and then out of nowhere, huge dark clouds erupted. But what was so strange, is that the blue of the sky didn't darken and in matter of 10 minutes raindrops begun to fall. I had to...

SUNSET BEYOND THE HOUSE 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" pastel Well I did get some sleep, but guess not quite enough. I actually had fallen asleep with a book in my hands - and for nearly 4 hours! Now that's being tired. So with that said, I'm still in my blue stage and getting rather fond of it. Kind of peaceful too.... which everyone needs at times. Isn't it amazing that a colorful sunset transposes a scene to a magical place? This is outside my door in the 'hood. Quite a bit of construction going on and a few empty, foreclosed properties here and there. Yet at night it actually looks inviting.

I am pleased to announce that I have just been extended a membership to the Daily Painters International Art Gallery . My pastels and artwork from Artists around-the-world are profiled on their blog. It's a great honor and looking forward to a wonderful relationship!

BLUE + ORANGE DAY 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" pastel glass, archival white matte and petite gold leaf frame Last night was an evening of work. I just kept plugging along and the time flew. It was 4AM before I knew it and lo' and behold I was still awake! Almost like a pj party without the giggly girls (But I was in my pj's by the end of the evening). Did get a lot accomplished, but today I have been dragging my butt along, so was it worth it? At this point I determined it definitely wasn't a day for hot, red sunsets - sorry Alex.... Considering all, decided I was in the market for a nice, calm, peaceful blue and orange sunset. Pretty somber. Think I will feel much better tomorrow.

RIBBONS OF RED 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" pastel 8" square archival white matt See Alex? Here's more red! Decided I had to create at least one more red sky.  I do have to admit that the red gives the impression  that  the sky is on fire.  A bit of zing for the evening.

HOPE 12"h x 9"w, pastel + gold leaf Collection of Noah & Angela Roden Today is Mothers Day, which I look at as not a day for adoration of Moms, yet a day for me to give thanks. I marvel at my blessings in having two wonderful children, Becca and Noah and very proud of their maturity and the individuals that they have become. I admire their families and the values they instill. And I feel a deep appreciation in knowing that they would both be by my side in time of troubles. Thank you.

HIDDEN BEAUTY 25"h x 17"w pastel- gold leaf frame Hidden Beauty is a pastel of Lucky (Elias Jackson) Baldwin's house, a prime example of a Queen Anne Victorian home and located at the Los Angeles County Arboretum. Lucky who lived from 1828 to 1909, made his fortune from mining and well-known for founding the Santa Anita Park racetrack. Having been married four times, Lucky was quite the character. It is assumed this cottage was built as a honeymoon gift to his 4th wife, sixteen-year-old Lillie Bennett. Yet they separated in 1885 after one year of marriage, which then the house was converted into a memorial to his third wife, Jennie Dexter. So today I have been packing to ship the painting to Millicent Rogers Museum in Taos, New Mexico, for the Pastel Society of New Mexico's Signature Members Exhibition & Sale. The show will be on display from May 21st to June 27th, with the reception on Saturday, May 22 from 2 to 5 PM. Unfortunately I won't be able to attend...

A GRANNY 5" x 5" pastel gold leaf frame + glass $125.00 + $10.00 insured priority shipping Today I went to Artist Valorie Barnard's home to paint. We always have such a great time painting side-by-side, as I instruct her of my untraditional technique with pastels. Naturally we take mini-breaks to munch on food throughout the day. The hours just fly by and I believe that the food props entice us to take many more than necessary. We worked diligently on apples and here is my completed colorful green, granny apple. Thought we're two health-conscience Artists? Ha - fooled you! I actually took along a bag of mexican donuts and pastries, but we ate the majority of them before much painting could be done. I do have to say, we moved quickly from the sugar rush.

RED SKY FOR ALEX 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" pastel, white archival matte, glass and petite gold leaf frame $150 + $15 insured priority shipping Red is so hot! And one color which I rarely use, with the exception for accents when needing some zing! i n my painting. The color can be quite ominous too, especially in skies. It breathes of fire and carries such a pretty glow, that I'm thinking I really should appreciate it much more. So here I was playing in my studio with my friend, Alex Richardson. He decided he wanted to learn how-to paint. Nothing big he says and probably 20 minutes worth of time or 45 tops. Ha! Little did he know how long my pastels take. But determined Alex was and he wanted a RED sky. Told him how pretty blue skies were, but he just didn't want to hear it, so red it was. We worked side-by-side with each creating the same image. After 3 1/2 hours Alex held his pretty, glowing red sky in his hands. And with that, I leave you with a little zing!

TOUCH OF RED 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" pastel, glass, archival white matte & 8" square gold leaf frame SOLD - PRIVATE COLLECTOR I think I'll still hang around awhile in Catalina since it was so fun to get away and had caught myself daydreaming of my trip the last few days. Notice the sunny sky and white clouds? Perfect weather to be traipsing around the countryside. Of course I wasn't exactly skipping while I was lugging all my gear. Who would think pastels are so heavy to carry? And can't forget the paper towels! A whole roll none the less, even though my face and hands were smudged for most of the day. Some day I'll learn to be a lady, but till then.... I did spy prickly pear and a wonderful tiny patch of red flowers nestled underneath a tree - such a grand splash of red!

PEEK OF THE OCEAN 4 1/2" x 4 1/2"- pastel, white archival matte + 8" square, gold leaf scrolled frame SOLD - PRIVATE COLLECTOR While staying at Catalina, I spent the entire second day hiking, painting and a whole lot of photoshooting because of the rain. And the view was mesmerizing! The Conservancy's nursery technicians gave me a ride to Middle Ranch Road, centrally located within the Island. Senior technician, Peter Dixon suggested a route to follow to view the wild flowers. He also commented by following Eagle Nest Road to the peak, I could view the Ocean. It was really amusing, for several hours passed while I dragged my equipment, stopped to paint or shoot before I arrived to this location and by then had forgotten I was on an Island! As I was searching for wildflower patches, I turned and stopped in my tracks. What a sight! And this is the petite pastel that I created of the scene.

GREEN PLEASURE PIER 6"h x 8"w, pastel After returning to the everyday, hectic pace of life, I'm really missing my small jaunt to Catalina Island - even with all the rain I encountered. So I decided to paint a small reminder of what it looked like between the drops. Jutting out at Avalon's tiny beach is the Green Pleasure Pier . Here one can sign up and catch the scenic tours, grab food, sip a beer and watch fishermen weigh their catch. Off in the distance one can glimpse the anchored Cruise ships along the horizon. The pier is always busy and a great place to people watch during the day. This scene captures the end of the pier after a small rainstorm and just before sunset. The pastel is executed on La Carte Pastel base and larger than my petite skies. Do hope you enjoy!