SUSAN'S . . . PLAYING AGAIN!

SPIRITS OF THE CLOUDS   4 1/2" x 4 1/2" pastel 8" square archival white matte, glass + gold leaf frame $150 + $15 insured priority shipping The flowing currents moved. Up, down, swirled and around the patterns crisscrossed. Alive spirits akin to ghosts ... boo!

COLORFUL JOURNEY 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" pastel Rippling and falling, the colors cascaded downward.  And a periodic bright flash amongst the subdued  palette illuminated the evening sky. So many colors, so many layers... one could easily get lost within.

MEXICAN DELIGHT 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" pastel 8" square archival white matte, glass + gold leaf frame $150 + $15 insured priority shipping It is hard to believe, but I'm really not into the  sweet icing - even though I have had great fun eating my props lately. And of course, there's the flinging of frosting across the nation  at the Contessa !   Honestly, I must say that my downfall are huge  donuts, but decided the need to put this Mexican sweet  next on my list. This luscious pastry was from the  Golden Crown Panaderia , famed for their turkey bread sculpture. Something to consider for Thanksgiving!  

GOLDEN CROWN PANADERIA When in Albuquerque last month I discovered the quaintest  panaderia with so much charm! Golden Crown borders along  Old Town and is known for their turkey bread sculpture - no lie! They make a loaf of bread shaped as a turkey. Plus they make wonderful pastries, such as the ones pictured above.  Check out my rendition in the following post (had to  take a break to eat one of these before painting!). 

ORANGE OPULENCE 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" pastel 8" square archival white matte, glass + gold leaf frame SOLD - PRIVATE COLLECTOR Love rainy days which is such a rarity in San Diego. But this has gone on for several days and have  had my fill of soups. Is the Contessa and myself still in the Cold War?   Really don't know, but what better way to lift one's  spirits than to eat a sweet treat!  This little cupcake was filled with chocolate - at least that is what my husband said - and made at Heaven Sent Desserts .

TUMBLE INTO THE NIGHT 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" pastel 8" square archival white matte, glass + gold leaf frame As I walked, the mist of rain fell onto my face. A fresh, clean scent lingered in the air. By nightfall a heavy mass of clouds filled the sky.  With an altered dark mood.

RED BLAZE 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" pastel 8" square archival white matte, glass + gold leaf frame $150 + $15 insured priority shipping Red.... so similar to a fire burning ever so bright. The illumination was blinding. It was a hot evening.

PETRIFIED FOREST & THE PAINTED DESERT By request, I delivered last Saturday a presentation to the Colored  Pencil  Society of San Diego , regarding my 2009 Artist-in-Residence  at the  Petrified Forest National Park .  Above are two plein air sketches of the Painted Desert with the third of myself blocking in the right sketch during my residency.  The request of the presentation was not only a great honor, but a  wonderful opportunity to revisit the memories of a great event!

CASCADE OF LAYERS 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" pastel 8" square archival white matte, glass + gold leaf frame $150 + $15 insured priority shipping   Layer upon layer the pastel colors glistened as the tangled, diaphanous ribbons fell from the heaven.  My eyes were mesmerized by it's intricacy.

POW! PINK BEAUTY 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" pastel 8" square archival white matte, glass + gold leaf frame SOLD - PRIVATE COLLECTOR Pssst... I heard from a Birdie to prepare for an  incoming  citrus whammy. Kelley, The Contessa is flinging frosting once again,  so ....  Duck! And now I'm sure everyone needs to sweeten their  puckers,  so here's  a pink fluff.

DAY OF DOLLS, JOEL AND FUN! Yesterday I met up with a a very talented artist and friend,  Joel Sharp and we played with dolls. Well... we weren't really playing with them, but rather  chopping them up. - Hey, ... I heard that shriek out there -  Recently I received some beautiful Japanese dolls from  my friend, Linda and have to admit I was a bit hesitant in  hacking away. But those scissors were calling me and Joel  is so fun. His imagination and creativity astounds me.  At this time my little babies are a work in progress, so will keep you updated. But for now, remember a person  really needs to play. And it's always more fun with two!

PISTACHIO PLEASURE 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" pastel 8" square archival white matte, glass + gold leaf frame $150 + $15 insured priority shipping   A petite flower nestled atop the mounds of fluffy frosting. So delicate, rich and nutty in taste.  And then the frosting began to fly in a flurry! Moans of delight with each bite of a pistachio morsel. Oh no.... in the frenzy I forgot to look. Where's Kelley ?

A PIECE OF MY HEART 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" pastel 8" square archival white matte, glass + gold leaf frame SOLD - PRIVATE COLLECTOR Can't really call this a Donut War now can we, when  we're flinging frosting on cupcakes? When I was in Albuquerque last week, I discovered  the best little shop called Cupcakeology which has little  morsels to die for. Sigh....  So I thought (there I go once again!)... Kelley,  you better watch out!  And now we're flinging frosting  back + forth with cupcakes.  But the Cupcake Contessa is a wonderful adversary  who really hits below the belt. Ouch!.... She really delivers such wonderful little cakes. Check them out at Kelley's blog . 

TUNA CLUB 10"h x 8"w pastel 14 1/2" h x 12 1/2"w gold leaf frame + glass $495 Courtesy of Tirage Gallery * * Purchase can be made through the gallery  Four participating galleries of the Pasadena Art Gallery Association will have  respective venue  receptions ,  Saturday, October 9th from noon to 5pm for the  Colors of Catalina Exhibition.    A portion of all sales will benefit the Catalina Island Conservancy. Above, the pastel painting Tuna Club , depicts the building and deck that overlooks the shores of Avalon. The Tuna Club, founded in 1898, is considered the first sportsfishing organization of the United States. The Founders heavily promoted conservation by strict fishing regulations, which is considered the Club's greatest legacy. Well known dignitaries and celebrities, such as Winston Churchill, Charlie Chaplin and Bing Crosby, were members of the Tuna Club. Today charter bo...

SUNRISE SHADOWS AT THE PAINTED DESERT INN  16"h x 20"w pastel Collection of the US Government National Parks District Saturday, October 9th I will be giving a presentation / demonstration  to the San Diego Chapter of the Colored Pencil Society  regarding  my 2009 Artist-In-Residence at the Petrified Forest National Park .   I will be covering the many aspects of a residency, as well as  on-the-spot-simplified perspective.   The entire experience was extremely incomparable, so am very  honored to have this opportunity to share. 

CHERRY + SPRINKLES 4 1/2 x 4 1/2 pastel 8" square archival white matte, glass + gold leaf frame SOLD - PRIVATE COLLECTOR What better way to restart the Donut War   than waving a red cherry. And will  Kelley be flinging more  of her infamous jelly donuts?

Oh, oh....  the Donut War is returning! Everyone thought their lives had returned to normalcy and started to  shake off those extra donut pounds (you know... war is hell).  And now.... the Jelly Queen , Kelley MacDonald strikes back! Ouch!  (forgive me, but I had to create a donut fast here...) Stay tuned to Monday for the frosting will be flying Kelley....