SUSAN'S . . . PLAYING AGAIN!

3 + FOLDS 6" x 6" pastel, glass + gold leaf frame $295 + $15 insured priority shipping May the dawn of the New Year bring  joy . . .. prosperity . . .  and happiness . . .   to one and all! Happy New Year!

BLUE + ORANGE SKY 4 1/2" x 41/2" pastel 8" square archival white matt, glass + gold frame PRIVATE COLLECTOR Crisscross the colorful clouds dashed, interlacing oranges with blues. Electric were the threads  that glowed through the night.  An evening show to enjoy!

SLIVER OF ORANGE 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" pastel 8" square archival white matte, glass + gold leaf frame PRIVATE COLLECTOR Dark the evening rolled with clouds billowing in all sizes. Tumbling and large,  an ink mass rose above slender wisps.  The air would be ominous  if not for the slice of orange at the horizon.  Color.

EVENING . . . OF MEMORIES 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" pastel 8" square archival white matt, glass + gold frame SOLD - PRIVATE COLLECTOR The evening drew near  as remnants of the clouds turned dusky.   Lingering wisps flit through the sky, akin to memories of spirits in my past . . . such a caressing touch to my heart!

MY CUP IS FILLED  7"h x 8"w pastel 14" square archival matt, glass + gold frame $295 + $15 insured priority shipping I was just attempting to write a wonderful little sentiment  about the holidays and family and friends  and then it hit me . .  . OOPS!  I forgot today is Donut War Monday!  Kelley even wrote me she won, but never entered my mind  what she was talking about. Now that is being scattered.  Too much good cheer. In fact, I'm still sipping some wine. Let's see what she posted here . YIKES - a Bismark!

THE ULTIMATE GIFT 8"h x 5"w pastel 11 1/2" h x 8 1/2" w ornate scrolled gold frame PRIVATE COLLECTOR 'Tis the Season! Wishing all a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! 

GOLD BALLS + WHITE CHRISTMAS 11"h x 14"w pastel 14"h x 17"w gold frame $650 + $25 priority shippin g Festive and fun!  Are we in the Christmas spirit yet?

NESTLED COMPANIONS 12"h x 16"w pastel 16"h x 20"w archival white matt, glass + gold frame Snuggled and fast asleep.  What ever could she be dreaming about?

THE CHOCOLATE BOMB 4 1 /2" x 4 1/2" pastel 8" square archival white matte, glass + scrolled gold leaf frame $150 + $15 insured priority shipping An oldie but goodie donut for it's a perfect,  huge,  lush chocolate goo to shot-putt  to my foe,  Kelley MacDonald ,  across the States !  Plus, don't you feel a bit like a little piggy  during  the  holidays? Right now I'm feeling plumped  up like this savory, sweet bomb. One in chocolate overload and loving it!

FRIDAY FAVORITES . . . FUN! LAYERS OF THE NIGHT 4" h x 6"w pastel Private Collector This is a past favorite sunset of mine, so decided to roll it out as a Friday Favorites . In fact, since I enjoyed  my little verse so much, am posting again too. Enjoy! At first glance, all was dark . . . subdued and moody tones coating the sky. At second glance, thin ribbons of colors were revealed . . . streaking, as hot flashes.

ALMOST A PARTRIDGE + A PEAR TREE 8" x 5" pastel + gold scrolled frame SOLD - PRIVATE COLLECTOR The Twelve Days of Christmas are approaching quickly.  And do you know of the verse? The twelfth day of Christmas, | My true love sent to me |  Twelve lords  a-leaping,  |  Eleven pipers piping, | Ten ladies  dancing,  | Nine drummers  drumming,  | Eight maids  a-milking,  |  Seven  swans a-swimming, |  Six geese a-laying,  | Five gold  rings,  |  Four colly birds, | Three French  hens, | Two turtle doves,  and | A partridge in a pear tree. The origin of Twelve Days is not known, with claims both  attributed to the French and English. The game, where the verse  is sung between children, was first published in Mirth  Without Mischief   in 1780. The first day falls on December 25  or 26th, depending on the tradition. So my little pastel - which sold recently with a big  thanks to  Tirage Gallery  -  depicts a humorous rendition  of the partridge. 

ARCHIE'S SLEUTH MOVES 6" x 6" pastel, glass + gold frame SOLD - PRIVATE COLLECTOR It's a jungle out there, yet Archie has it under control.

DONUT WAR! CHOC-O-LATE! 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" pastel 8" square archival white matt Oh, oh . . . it's Monday. And that's D-day for Donut War .  Nothing like chocolate to build a defense against Kelley .  And what is her ammunition for the week?

This sunset is a Favorite of mine and felt it warranted  another posting, since it will be featured in  DailyPainters.com's December ad.  Plus, felt many might enjoy seeing some heat  with all the cold weather running amuck. Enjoy! SIZZLE  . . .  SUMMER 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" pastel 8" square archival white matte, glass + gold leaf frame sold Scorch  . . .  Fry  . . . Swelter  . . . Heat!

A STITCH IN TIME 18"h x 14"w pastel Happy to see with the DIY craze, that so many  are hand-sewing again. Is it from eco-minded movement, joy and creativity of the craft or a resurgence from shows like Project Runway ?  Regardless it was soothing to paint the scene. So reminiscent of days passed.

A GREEN DOOR 6" x 6" pastel glass + gold frame $275 + $10 insured priority shipping The day was sunny with clouds floating high  above . . .  a glorious day for an adventure! And what better place to travel to than the Taos Pueblo steeped in history, culture and art? At my destination, I wandered down a dusty path,  with an alley that led to a weathered, green door.  Not permitted to pass, I begun to wonder what  secrets did that door hold? How many lives entered . . . how many smiles glowed . . .  how many tears shed? Only the door knows.

FREIDO 8 1/2" x 6 1/2" pastel SOLD - PRIVATE COLLECTOR Shhh . . . . Freido is a gift, so keep this under your hat. To the memories - rest in peace.

COLOSSAL! CHOCOLATE SUNDAE CUPCAKE 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" pastel 8" square archival white matt, glass + gold frame SOLD - PRIVATE COLLECTOR Watch out . . .  donuts are flying overhead! Sure Kelley MacDonald is up to her jelly gems. I'm just going to hunker down and eat my chocolate  sundae cupcake. Who's got time to retaliate? And a sundae and cupcake all in one! Love the great minds out there devising these wondrous treats.

OPENING RECEPTION AT TIRAGE ART GALLERY HIGHBALL + APPLE 'TINI * 14"h x 11"w pastels glass + gold leaf frames * Courtesy of Tirage Art Gallery Today certainly is a day of festivities and unfortunately  I can not attend all.  But what a way to jumpkick the holidays! The two pastels pictured above are part of my paintings included within Tirage's annual Holiday Salon exhibition. Think you can see I have a drink theme going on here. And man, oh man . . . were my props fun!  If any of you are strolling through Pasadena - or blowing through from the high winds - stop in between 5 - 7pm.  Click here for more information.

FESTIVE FUN! SOLD - PRIVATE COLLECTOR This spadangled brooch, Hang Your Heart , is included  within Next Door Gallery's Brooch the Subject II Exhibit. All brooches are created by artists and make an unique  Christmas gift for someone special. The opening reception is in conjunction with San Diego's  South Park's Walkabout tonight from 6 - 10 pm. That in itself is a festive, fun occasion. Click here to read more.

DROP, BLAST, GLOW 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" pastel 8" square archival white matt, glass + gold frame SOLD - PRIVATE COLLECTOR Swift was the evening as the dark clouds rolled. And the glowing sun dropped, shimmered and shot iridescent rays throughout the sky.  What a blast!