SUSAN'S . . . PLAYING AGAIN!

DOLL + ANIMAL PRINTS tonal hand print, acrylic + pencil 6"h x 4"w Off I go . . .  for it's playtime! And today was about using a combination  of mediums to achieve varied effects. With use of imagery from my doll and animal art,  I'm hand-printing onto bristol paper, then enhancing  with acrylic washes and graphite pencil. Next I'll be experimenting with printing onto  fabric - which I have done in the past with other  projects and love the effect. Whichever I like the  most will be framed to hang with the dolls for my  upcoming shows.  Have to dash and cut up some fabric . . .  bye!

The other day I was looking for treasures, as I strolled down an alley. Lo and behold what did I spy? That's right, a lotto ticket that was only part-way scratched!  My felt so fortunate . . .  ecstatic . . .  and giddy,  as I frantically searched my pockets for a penny.  My eyes popped with visions of big fortunes,  for after all,  I didn't spend any money to purchase  it, so it must be a sign.  Ta-dah . . .  I won another ticket! The giddiness I felt, was similar to the emotion  experienced when entering juried art shows. That  anticipation is so tangible. Now you ask, what great fortune did the 2nd ticket  bring?  Ta-dah . . . not a darn thing.

3 BAGS 14"h x 18"w pastel Been awhile since anyone has heard from me. Pretty quiet, huh? Well I have been working away on  3 Bags . Here is the completed version. 

WHAT A GRAND JOB! Here is a small sampling of the sweet treats created by the  6th graders of Holy Trinity School in El Cajon, California.  And I discovered that one of the Mothers has a bake shop,  so she baked the cupcakes for this project - each one  was decorated different!

Party time! These 2 little delectable morsels are now sitting pretty at a school jamboree auction. Firmly believing  in giving back to the community and what better  way than with sweet treats?  (Psst . . .  Zoe a check is in the mail for you!)  A good friend, who is the art teacher at Holy Trinity  School in El Cajon, CA and has followed my blog, had her  students create little cupcake paintings as one of their school  projects. I received images of the little masterpieces - which I  promise will post tomorrow! I trotted over and donated these pastels after discovering this  weekend is the school's yearly fundraiser, which is themed  Hawaiian Paradise . To read more of the jamboree  and Holy Trinity School, please click here . And if anyone lives in the El Cajon / San Diego County  area,...

3 BAGS * ( CLOSE-UP  - * in progress) Still playing around with people. Here is a grouping of three, all carrying totes.  Mind you . . . this is not completed and below  are 2 views in it's preliminary stages. 

A BITE * 14" x 18" pastel *detail of painting And I'm off! Finally got a break in my hectic schedule, so going  off in another tangent with art for a completely  different series.  Isn't it refreshing?  Sure you other artists out there can relate. I've made some   changes - basically stopped creating petite daily pastels -  and focusing on larger art, as well as pieces for my two  upcoming shows (which entails my itty-bitty creatures, that seems to flip everyone out, but hey . .  everyone has their vices.) So back to my new stuff. I'm primarily focusing on figurative  work, with a different handling of the background. For years I  vowed that I do not +   would not blend, however the basis of  this background is blended. Well whip me, but I did find it  quite challenging. So I've journeyed to farmers markets,  with...

A FINAL EMBRACE 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" pastel 8" square archival white matt, glass + black frame Sold - Private Collector Reflecting as my tears cascade . . . smiles, laughter and joy without a thought of tomorrow. For tomorrow will always come . . .  right? Now tomorrow has come . . .  and gone . . .  without a good-bye.  We miss you so much Taylor!

I love gifts from my friends! One of my playmates and artist friend Nancy, gave me  this sweet little stem of a squash. We marveled over how  body-like it was shaped, so I searched for an appropriate  little doll head to go with it. Now I just need to find little hands to finish her  itty-bitty body. I do have grand visions for this little  girl, so will keep you posted! Lovely day everyone!

A SUNDAY SUNDAE * 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" pastel 8" square archival white mat Guess what . . .  it's not Sunday nor is it a Donut War Monday. But I had been feeling a bit under the weather,  so a cupcake is the best thing to pick-up one's spirit!  Thinking of you Kelley-girl!

SAN MIGUEL MISSION CHURCH 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" pastel* SOLD - PRIVATE COLLECTOR During my last trip to Santa Fe, I returned to a favorite site.  The San Miguel Mission Church is revered as the oldest church in the United States and built by the Tlaxcalan Indians in the early 1600's.  The rich adobes walls are a wonderful contrast to Santa Fe's blue skies.  To read more about the Mission's rich history click here .

SPRING AT THE DEL 10" x 8"w pastel, glass + gold frame   SOLD - PRIVATE COLLECTOR One of my favorite places . . .  Hotel Del Coronado! Recently while walking through the grounds, I discovered several garden beds. They bordered behind the back of the hotel  and tier down to the beach. So now Del is now growing their  own herbs and many varieties of vegetables.  So green!