storefront artist project

It's with bittersweetness, that I share this news. After ten wonderful years, the Storefront Artist Project (SAP) in Pittsfield is closing its doors stating mission accomplished. "Our mission was to fill empty storefronts and forge a community of artists, entrepreneurs, businesses and residents" says founder, Maggie Mailer. There have been many wonderful changes to Pittsfield in the decade since SAP began as an experiment with a single artist's studio that grew into a community endeavor.

This coming Monday, December 12th will be the Closing Party and Final 12x12 Event, with all proceeds going to support arts education in the Pittsfield public schools. So, if you're in the area, stop by at 6:30 PM; tickets are just $25 and in addition to celebrating a wonderful movement, you'll take a home an original piece of artwork measuring 12x12 (of course!)

Thank you Maggie Mailer for your vision!

art + community = paradise

Whenever artists come together to build community, to share ideas and to collaborate, they bring a vibrancy and energy to their community that is palpable. While I've been fortunate enough to have shared in that kind of community here in the Berkshires, I'm also aware of the many ways artists can reap these benefits through online communities.

One of my favorites is the Visual Artists Street Team (VAST) through Etsy. "We are an eclectic group of artists motivated to create successful artistic shops. Our goal is to promote the extraordinary talent of artists selling on Etsy. We are excited to be able to open our doors to you and share our creative world!" Through group emails and blogging we have the opportunity to share the ups and downs of the working artist's life. We offer each other encouragement, understanding, critiques, networking opportunities, and share great tips and solutions to some of the inevitable bumps in the road.

It goes without saying really, that the blogging community is an incredible source of friendship, education, support and sharing, too. I'm thankful for the friends I've made and the generous sharing of information over the years.

Sometimes an artist's life can feel a bit lonely - working alone tucked away in a studio for hours, but through community connection, we combine the best of all worlds.

Rock It! Art Exhibit through the month of August 2011

Last week George and I hung my art exhibit at the Marketplace Cafe in Pittsfield. It's a popular spot on North Street right next door to the Beacon Cinema. There you'll find live music weekly, great coffee and food plus it hosts an artist of the month - which this month is me! It's the perfect place to show my obsession with river rocks.

I’ve always had a thing for river rocks. I love how solid they feel in my hands, how their colors and textures come alive when seen underwater in a riverbed. I’ve been known to fill my pockets from time to time with as many rocks as I can hold. Are river rocks inanimate objects or are they living things? Philosophers, spiritual leaders and scientists have debated this topic throughout the ages. Some believe all matter is alive in a cosmos of perpetual metamorphosis. Are rocks sentient beings? I’ll let you decide, but I have a hunch on this one.

 So if you are in the area, stop by to see more paintings in this collection,

maybe grab a bite to eat or just to hang out for a little while.

http://ourmarketplacecafe.com/

after the rain...

George and I spent the afternoon wandering some of our favorite country roads gathering inspiration for spring landscape paintings. But upon returning home, it was our own perenial garden that really inspired me. I love the luciousness of spring, the many shades of green, the wildly colorful spring flowers and the intoxicating smell of earth after a rainfall (of which we've had many lately).

As noted in my last post, this collage needed a few finishing touches. When I woke up yesterday morning and stumbled into my studio sans my usual cup of tea, I knew just how I wanted to finish this painting. Now it's ready to head off to its new owner.

I am working on some watercolor collages that are in their final stages - but need a little "something" before they are finished. I like the idea of repurposing old paintings that aren't destined to the framing table. Sometimes you can find a wonderful piece of a painting even when the overall painting doesn't work.

Additionally, I have just finished my latest painting in the river rocks series.

It's springtime in the Berkshires, or nearly springtime and I'm off to gather some inspiration and images for a new series of paintings.

Through the One World One Heart blog event, I met some fun, creative bloggers who offered random drawings as part of this event. Here are three women I'd like you to meet.

Regi, lives in Alabama and describes herself as "a free spirit, a gypsy, a hippie and a child of the sea". She wears many hats, including that of artist and designer - creating the most amazing one of a kind sculptures and jewelry. Regi is a wonderful story teller and her blog is full of delightful posts full of southern charm. I hope you'll stop over to visit her at http://southernooaks.blogspot.com/. Regi sent me her adorable creation, Shibee. He has found a sunny home in my art studio at Art on No in Pittsfield. Thank you, Regi!

The second blogger I'd like you to meet in Grace. Grace blogs from her home in Indiana where she writes "random thoughts of life and beading". You'll find an amazing variety of gorgeous beadwork displayed on Grace's blog, http://gracebeading.blogspot.com/. The photos highlight the intricate beading and is well worth a visit. These beautiful pearl earrings were the giveaway treasure from Grace's blog. Pay Grace a visit to see more beautiful beading. Thank you so much Grace! I'm wearing your lovely earrings as I write this now.

 The third artist blogger I'd like you to meet is Lorrie. Lorrie is a paper artist living in Michigan. She makes vibrantly beautiful handmade paper and paper mosaics. Lorrie is also an art instructor who teaches workshops on making handmade paper, paper mosaics, mixed media and surface design. Lorrie's written several articles which are listed on her blogsite too. Visit http://lorrieabdo.blogspot.com/ to learn more. Here is the paper mosaic heart Lorrie sent me. Thank you so much Lorrie for such a visual treat. I'm putting this heart in my art studio alongside Shibee for inspiration.

congratulations Christine!



Photo courtesy of Chris Schudde

I just have to give a big shout out to Christine - Whole Living Magazine's action hero for March. Check out Page 8. Not only is she an amazing daughter, she really walks the talk and has a fun and upbeat recounting of her adventures. Read more here - http://www.unspeakablevisions.blogspot.com/

and the winners are...

Thank you to all those who participated in the One World One Heart global blog event this year. I've had a blast visiting you and making new friends! There are still so many folks I want to stop by to visit, so if I haven't been by yet, I intend to in the near future.

Congratulations to this year's winners! Each of you will receive a set of art cards of your choice.

Regina - http://www.southernooaks.blogspot.com/
Nicole Campanella - http://www.beadwright.blogspot.com/
Lisa Bivona - http://www.pearlavenuestudios.blogspot.com/

Wishing you all a wonderfully creative journey and hope you'll stop by to say hello again from time to time!

One World One Heart (OWOH) Global Blog Event

2011 marks the fifth annual One World One Heart (OWOH) Blog Event. OWOH is the brainchild of Lisa Swifka - A Whimsical Bohemian who began this project in 2007 to build community among bloggers. Lisa says "The original idea behind this giveaway event was to bring bloggers together from around the world who may never ordinarily meet. It closes the gap of the blog community and enables us to interact, discover new and wonderful people, and in the process possibly win a prize or many prizes along the way." Very cool, right?!!

To join in the fun... Between now and February 17th bloggers from all over the world who are participating in OWOH's magical globel trek will display this image on their sidebar, indicating that they are hosting a giveaway. Just leave a comment on their blog post for a chance to win. Winners will be randomly selected on February 17th. Be sure to leave contact information, if it's not in your profile. Click here for a list of participants. If you are interested in hosting your own giveaway, click here for directions. Most importantly, make new friends and have fun!

my giveaways...

There will be two separate drawings. The first one is for my "Vibrant Flowers" art card set featuring fine art reproductions from my original watercolor paintings. This collection includes one card of each floral painting with matching envelopes.

The second drawing is for my "River Rocks" art cards, which are also fine art reproductions from my original watercolor paintings. This collection includes one card of each of the four paintings with matching envelopes.

Update 2/6/11 ~ I've added a third set of art cards to my giveaway, Pears & Apples.

Only comments left on this post will qualify for my random drawing. Winners will be announced on February 17th. So say hello and enjoy your flight!

xo,

Susan

When I stopped to listen, I could hear my soul, my inner wisdom whispering - it's time for a change. It's time to let go of what isn't working to make room to try something else. And yet that part of me that doesn't want to give up, that hates quitting, stood firm. It wasn't that I hadn't dealt with a lot of change, we all have. I've taken several pretty huge risks in my life, so that wasn't really the problem either. Still, I found myself stuck for a number of months without really knowing what new direction to move in, just knowing I needed to do something differently. I'm happy to report some fun creative ideas are perculating and while I'm not sure how this is going to be expressed in my art, assuredly it will be. Stay tuned. :)

a new year and a new list of resolutions...

In addition to the personal wellness resolutions I've made this year, (more yoga, exercise, healthier eating and cranking up gratitude awareness while decreasing whining) I have 3 resolutions directly related to improving my art that I'm sharing them with you. So please call me on them if/when I slip!

1. Take better photos - both for reference and of finished works. My first step was to buy a better camera, which arrived yesterday - thank you UPS for the speedy delivery. Next, learn to use it well.

2. Be more disciplined about studio time - no excuses accepted

3. Create more paintings that are either in a series or thematically cohesive

I'm thinking that reviewing these at the beginning of each month, instead of once a year, will have a positive impact on my ability to succeed.

Do you want to share your resolutions?