Welcome, Bienvenidos!

The Girls







Well I have been so busy that I neglected all the posting :~(. Here is my last commission I was able to squeeze out just a week before Christmas. I love the way it turned out.
Lately I have been painting more that mosaics. Had some personal and financial setbacks and now the painting is easier on my hand. Since I am a dog and animal lover, painting them is one of my favorite things! Will be getting back to a mosaic I started and can now work on again. Can't wait - I have really missed my mosaics!!
This is a 24x36" acrylic of Jordi, Maci, and Dani - The Girls. Painted on museum quality gallery wrap canvas as a surprise gift for a very lucky husband.
Tip: I use mirror/picture boxes from moving supplies that fit up to this size perfectly for transporting. Nice, sturdy box for 5.00.


Tina Humphrey Crufts 2007

The relationship between these two is so special. They deserve so much credit! It is exhausting to watch, yet amazing. Memorizing such a long routine is NOT easy for human or dog - extraordinary!!!

GIRLtopia

I liked what this video had to say and would love to get involved in next year's Girltopia event. What a great concept to empower our nieces, daughters, granddaughters, students.

Saving Grace





Gracie the greyhound is one of the lucky ones who found her forever home thanks to the dedicated caring staff of greyhound rescues. She did not win all of the races, but she did win the hearts of her new owners. She will be featured in the Nov. 5 AZ Greyhound Rescue Fall Festival.
Gracie is 12" x 24" acrylic on gallery wrap canvas and comes ready to hang. She is also available on my website www.suebetanzos.com.

National Geographic BioBlitz 2011 Wildlife!









This weekend I attended and participated in this year's special event BioBlitz sponsored by National Geographic. Each year a different national park is selected by National Geographic for an intense two days of collecting, identifying and recording the flora and fauna of that area. As the environment is always changing, adapting, the natural world is adapting and evolving new species from fungi to new insects, plants, animals.

Saguaro National Park was selected for 2011 BioBlitz. It was an honor to have three of my wildlife pieces chosen and displayed in the visitors center of Saguaro National Park at this amazing and special event. I can only hope that through my wildlife artwork the public will gain an appreciation of the beauty and frailty of our natural world and above all the message that everything is connected in a vast skein - a network of life. Every thread that is broken weakens the whole.

Get ready for some serious glass mosaic - I am also working on a large mosaic sign for Tucson Wildlife Center. They are a non-profit organization who's mission is to rescue, rehab and release wildlife that has been injured or suffered the impact of urban encroachment. Let's face it - we already know that wildlife habitat is shrinking at an alarming rate and with it the bio diversity.

My goal - that my artwork will help change perceptions. Next time people look at one of my bat paintings, or Gila monster mosaics their perception of that species will change from "Eeeww, ickk!" to " Oooh, beautiful, fascinating animal!"



Queen of The Sun: What Are the Bees Telling Us? - Official Trailer [HD]

An Excellent film I plan to watch.
In Tucson AZ we have an increase in the aggressive, African Bees. These are not the sweet, industrious bees described in your story. They are aggressive and will sting in force. They are difficult to distinguish from regular bees.
I recently got rid of an angry hive on the back side of my house due to the danger they posed for my animals and neighbors.
The sad part is that they are slowly outnumbering the nice, native bees. The African Bees Are NOT native to the US - they are an Invasive Species that are now established and spreading, taking over native populations and areas.

Siempre - Always


Siempre - Always is what I know - that our pets forever remain in our hearts. My aussie Risa is gazing at Kitty Kat in the mesquite tree.

This leash rack is inspired by the love we keep for our pet companions.
Custom orders are welcome. You can contact me here and at my website www.suebetanzos.com

Mosaic mixed media on recycled cabinet door 13x9".

Ready for the Holidays?

Any day now we will wake up and BAM! Thanksgiving, Christmas music and displays everywhere. Seems like a whirlwind of activity that is both exciting and stressful.
My work will be exhibited in three small, but well attended venues so I am really excited and looking forward to new commissions.
Every penny is being saved for Risa's medical expenses coming up and travel $$ to visit with my family for the holidays.
There will be new offerings of prints and notecards. It isn't easy to choose images for the notecards - never know what will sell.
Oh, I will start to post pictures of a cool mosaic sign I am working on for the Tucson Wildlife Center. Had to adjust the design to fit the words because the frame was made a bit too small.
PLUS - I am making the glass charms with images of my work. They are pretty cute and can be worn on a chain, put on a key ring, zipper etc.
Ordering glass tomorrow.
Well here it is, finished at last.
I love Border Collies and Aussies! This painting is in acrylic and is 24 x 30".
I chose to glaze a jewel toned turquoise over parts of the painting for vibrancy.
I love the way it turned out and hope everyone else does too.
So far my efforts to join the dog communities has been more of a challenge than I anticipated. thug I have sent out over a dozen query letters to various dog organizations the response has been slow or none. Wonder if it's me... My letters are short and pleasant explaining who I am with a few images and links to my site. My follow up calls and messages are sometimes answered.
Well I got a break this November when the AZ Greyhound Rescue was kind enough to squeeze me into their fall festival. It is a very nice, short venue and I am pretty excited and glad to be included. Plus just had an interview with Tucson Lifestyles Magazine - Yipee!! I am looking forward to more commissions doing work I love. My new Vets are interested in purchasing some of my work so that is really cool too.
After a long slow hot summer it feels good to speed up again. Now back to work!
Oh Sweet Risa says Hi!

La Sirena - the Mermaid


Slip stream quick sliver sure, The Mermaid of the Sea of Cortez glides thru her forest of kelp and coral reefs. She is friend and guardian to the sea life in her home.
Folk tales of fantasy have always attracted me. Mermaids, dragons, elves and unicorns - magical beasts and beings.

I always felt that everything has a spirit. Trees, rivers, wind. The ocean must have its guardians too. La Sirena that lives in the Sea of Cortez is the color of her consorts, the garibaldi. Though her home is the kelp, she is connected to everything that happens - she can feel the happiness, pain, fear, joy of those living in her home.

This is a reverse glass painting, 16x20". There is more silver and gold than is shown in the painting. Tiny silver sardines gleam and surround her as she speaks to a butterfly angel fish.
Moon jelly fish float overhead and a ray glides off into the distance. Golden sea turtles slip through the colorful coral with their entourage of tiny yellow angelfish.
I Never get tired of looking at this painting.

Crafty Chica Day Of The Dead Faux Pastries

Sending this because I DO love mexican pastries!! This has been the year of the doughnut for me which is why I no longer fit in my size 4 jeans :~(
But this Might save me - or not... part of the appeal of the doughnuts is their apperarnce, so cheerful behind their glass case. Anyway, this made me laugh and maybe I will make one or two in mosaic or 3-D. I like using paper mache' clay but this is a cheap alternative that also works well.
Yeah, peace, love, and glitter! LOL Over and out!

Best Friends Forever - BFF




I love the friendships that dogs form not only with each other, but with others. It is a privilege to be in their circle of friends. This 24" x 30" acrylic painting is of two inseparable friends. their joy bounces off the canvas.
My Risa is still as playful as ever at almost 11 years old. Animals have so much to teach us when we listen!

This is the progress of the painting so far. I like to play with underpanting so the color peeks thru. This one in a series called BFF. I like to work in series or sets to thoroughly explore a subject.

Gonna Get Over You

Here is a fun little video. Dancing in a mexican grocery store. I liked it even if the dancing was a little cheesy, it was a fun, light hearted way to start the day courtesy of Crafty Chica Cathy Murillo. For everyone out there who wants to laugh at a break up instead of cry and feel sorry for themselves! (pity parties are o.k. too as long as you have your friends with you :~)

Elephant Walk Mosaic


A new piece for my mini mosaic abstract series. I started off with the nebulas and as usual, the artwork morphs back to representational. Art has been as much a discovery of self in the work. I am the work, it is an extension of myself.
I love abstract and contemporary pieces, but have found they do not come as easily and I actually have to work Harder to make a satisfactory abstract piece.
This little guy is 6x5" and made with stained glass, tempered glass, stones, vintage bugle beads. Just bits and pieces I have had. While I would totally deny being a "pack rat", a glance in my studio says different. Little stashes of stones, beads, fossils, etc.."Stuff" - stashes for the next special midnight project!

Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick

One of my Very Favorite authors. His passion shines in his work. The books are wonderful for Any age. The Invention of Hugo Cabret is so captivating - both the audio and the book itself. In the audio you are drawn in by all the sounds, as if you are right there. Highly recommend listening as well as reading these books!

Betsy the Border Collie


This painting is dedicated to Betsy the amazing border collie in Austria with a vocabulary of over 300 words! In this three minute video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcV8hMX_npA&feature=player_embedded you will see just how wonderful the intelligence of animals is. Betsy is an exceptional to the world of dogs. I know this is why I love animals, nature and do not get tired of representing them in my work thru different media.
There are not enough hours in the day to do all of the creative work I want. Need to work faster or sleep less!


Olivia - Australian Shepherd

Olivia's charismatic photos were found while I was browsing Aussies on Flickr one evening. As soon as I saw those arresting eyes, that face, I knew I had to paint her. Who was she? Where was she?
I contacted the photographer and sadly, Olivia had passed away months ago. She was 11 and had contracted vestibular cancer.
The photographer graciously shared not only photos of Olivia, but a moving memorial slide show that had me sniffling.
My own aussie Risa is the companion I love to be with and spoil. Risa is now 10 1/2 and I am enjoying every golden day with her.


Dog Sees Mom, Just Home From Afghanistan

Stuff like this always makes me mushy! "Nobody can tell me that dogs don't have souls. Any being who can cry like that from being reunited with a loved one has a soul."

Sweet Golden Retriever Niki has found her forever home - Yeay! It's so hard to see the wonderful dogs that deserve a great home and are in shelters because for some reason the owners do not/cannot keep them. Seniors going into a home cannot take their pets, the apartment pet deposit is too much for some, no room in the family, too old etc..
Spaying and neutering is a big answer, but so is thinking way ahead before people decide to get a pet because of all of the responsibilities that go with it.

O.k. I'm done - for now...

"Sand Skin"

Woody. 8" x 10" acrylic on canvas.
The Shar Pei is an ancient Chinese breed and the name means Sand Skin which refers the the bristle like coat.
Loyal and protective, the Shar Pei is for personalities that are leaders as they have dominant personalities.
Like Chows, they have a blue black tongue and make wonderful companions when they are socialized early.
Love the background color the client chose!

Take Control of Your Health Care

Speaking out on taking control of your health care by asking for all of the raw data and information in your charts. Watch this and recognize if you are/ have been or know of someone who has been at the mercy of our health care system then this 3 minute video will inform and help with websites and places to get support from other patients.


In January of 2011 my mom was diagnosed with an aggressive uterine cancer and underwent surgery and aggressive post cancer treatment involving chemo and radiation. The treatments were awful - very debilitating. Mom already had advanced Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and had misdiagnosed medications a few years ago which damaged her liver and kidney. Her body/immune system was already so weak. The side affects - weakness, neurosis of the feet and hands - will remain indefinitely.

The lengthy, extreme post treatments did not guarantee total cure.
If mom had refused some or all of the treatment they said "it could come back". If she did all of the treatments they could not guarantee total cure - "it could come back." Health Care here is a business first. Doing all of the treatment means more insurance dollars. I did not hear of any suggestions or action for alternative treatments/medications.

As of today my mom can shuffle walk, has precarious balance, two wigs, a cane, and can only take Tylenol for her RA. She is 72.

I wish my parents had seen this video. Would it have changed their patient behavior? Maybe. They are old fashioned and believe the doctor is Always right, even though it has been pointed out that the family doctor they have had for decades has made some seriously poor decisions/calls. Change is not easy. Gets harder as we age, especially when health is compromised and fatigue is a constant companion. No energy left to protest or research.

But for those of us who are born fighters/Warriors/Rebels, we do not go quietly into the night. We have energy reserves of stubborn defiance. We are always asking Why and listen to our intuition and then ask MORE QUESTIONS. Behavior which governments and institutions such as our health care system find vastly annoying. They try to ignore us, give excuses, then tell us to Go Away. I am so glad there are individuals out there - Rebels - who will speak out and question traditional medicine and demand better answers and care. Patients taking control of their own lives/health.

Sweet Lucy is a border collie. Done for a border collie rescue in acrylic on canvas panel.
Because Border Collies and most of the herding group of dogs are highly intelligent, high energy dogs they need owners who understand and work with their special needs.
These working dogs need J-O-B-S. Due to their high intelligence, they will become bored with the mundane and are not the couch potato types!
Before getting this breed people need to really look into what their energy level is. I Highly recommend a book called The Perfect Match by Walkowicz. Great help in choosing the right companion.

Spinach, Strawberry & Goat Cheese Salad with Pomegranate Vinaigrette |


Spinach, Strawberry & Goat Cheese Salad with Pomegranate Vinaigrette |

Here is a link to a wonderful, fresh salad. I chose slivered almonds instead of whole ones to toast. It was Soooo good!
Yes, I love to try new recipes and pairings with wine/beer.
Enjoy!

Clyde


Clyde is such a cutie I could not resist! 5" x 7" acrylic on canvas panel. Unframed.
Want your companion's portrait done? Commissions welcome.

Smoochie Poodle

Smoochie is such a sweetie and lives up to his name. Like many poodles he is full of bouncy energy and always happy to see people.

My love of animals and especially dogs has been with me since I can remember. Dogs have always been a part of my life and my current companion australian shepherd Risa is the love of my life. In fact I am focusing on aussies as subjects for many pieces. My commission work, like Smoochie is an extension of my passion for dogs.

This acrylic is 8 x 10" and part of my series of dog portraits.

Golden Retriever puppy learns to bowl

Ronan came into Colleen’s life while she was recovering from hip surgery. She had recently lost her older dog, Haley, the previous year, and with this available time at home, she decided to bring a new Golden into the family. In her spare time, she was able to train Ronan how to perfect his tricks and she even acquired new employment at a local dog training facility due to her extensive work with Ronan. “I sent the video of Ronan to the gentleman who will now be my new employer, so in essence, Ronan got me the job!” said Colleen.


Mosaic adventure with Laurel Skye

Be inspired by the music in this video and the art of Laurel Skye - amazing mosaic artist. I want to see that house in person!!

10 self promotion tips that aren’t sleazy

With all of the talent out there it takes imagination and a bit of thinking, planning to promote wisely. This post by Passive Panda makes some good points that are worth reading - even if it's stuff we have already read before.
We all want our creative voices to be heard in a way that draws instead of repels!
So read on and let me know what you think!

Jewels of Nature


A couple of little gems for an upcoming show on hummingbirds at Tohono Chul Park. They are fine art contemporary wildlife paintings - my favorite!
At 2 3/4" x 6 3/4" for the green and 4" x6" for the violet, they will need custom matts.
With all of the fires raging in Arizona I just know the wildlife as well as people are struggling. My heart goes out to them! Sending vibes of love, hope and courage their way!

Carabobo Fire


This is in memory of Carabobo, the sweetest kitty. She had dignity, poise and grace - a classy cat.
A sunset background with bits of green to suggest the green of her amazing eyes.
On another note - Arizona is on fire. The smoke from fires in the area have caused so much damage. My heart aches for the people and animals caught in it. Today I just heard Mrs. Green's cabin in Greer AZ was burned to the ground.
I stopped by to introduce myself again to Mrs. Green, the radio celebrity environmentalist. The buzz of activity I encountered when I arrived at Renee's Organic Oven was totally unexpected. Apparently it was a soft grand reopening of the restaurant that specializes in an organic and gluten free menu. Everyone was rushing around and I wondered for the 'inth' time how i lived in an alternate universe - unaware of the goings on. Though my work has hung in the cozy eatery, I tend to happen upon events - an unintended party crasher - again. Where is that inside loop, the 'in crowd' so I can join too?
There was an open house sampling inside the new and improved interior, another sampling outside via Yelp, and a radio show all at the same time. Kudos to Renee for pulling off the hyper busy events.
Mrs. Green graciously included me in her radio show and I got a few minutes to explain what I do and say my name and website. She's a gem and very simpatico, sincere.

Lastly, for all of those out there who have asthma, doesn't the smoke from the fires makes breathing feel like your lungs are two sizes too small?

Risa - Belly Rubs, please?


Risa asking for even More belly rubs! She is so easy to spoil. This is a rich red, which I loved working on. Now for the next one, another aussie since I am in an aussie painting mode. I love the breed and am really working to get more exposure in this genre of dog painting/portraits. I love dogs, but aussies are my passion - intelligent, intuitive, quick to learn & respond, a pleasure to train.
Stay tuned for more paintings and a very cool mosaic project. Hint, it has to do with a wonderful wildlife organization ...

"We Are Tucson Wildlife Center" - start of our monthly film series

I will be doing the sign for their gate. I LOVE this organization for what they do. As wild areas are shirnking and urban encroaches, wildlife incidents become frequent and this is an organization that is helping the injured and rehabilitating them so they can be released back into their wild homes. Completely donor funded. I am so glad to do what I can for them.

Risa - A Pearl of a Girl

Here is my K9 aussie companion Risa at her smiling best. The pink and pearls are so Her and the piece is getting a lot of positive comments. It was easy to do once I started to translate my feelings about her into glass.
When you love what you paint/mosaic it shows in the work. This piece shines with Risa's vitality, happiness and enthusiasm for life.

Animals enrich our lives in so many ways as studies have proven. How fortunate we are to have them as part of our lives and family.

I put this piece as the new home page image on my site www.suebetanzos.com

Now, to grout or not... ?

Saad R Mikhaiel 09 The Micro Mosaic Master - VOA

It's great when an artist can share the beautiful pieces he makes with the public. So much wonderful art sits in a collectors private collection never to be seen by the rest of the world.

Risa Star Gazer

"The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion that stands at the cradle of true art and true science. Whoever does not know it and can no longer wonder, no longer marvel, is as good as dead, and his eyes are dimmed" -Albert Einstein-

Risa and I (not pictured) wondering at the cosmos;
"Why are we here, what else is out there?"
"How beautiful."

Forever Home





Kitty Kat is a rescue that was abandoned when the owners moved. They took the dogs but left him behind. He waited a month under the shrubs at the house and a neighbor fed him and told me about him. I took him home (he was NOT happy the first week) That was 12 years ago, almost a year before I got Risa. Today he is the most loving sweetie. This is his forever home where he is treated with respect and love.

Sweet Risa Mosaics



I am reposting this favorite series because I am starting a couple of new pieces. I immersed myself in mosaic sites to get jazzed about doing a new more 3-D piece involving paper clay or foam. I also am starting a couple of portraits of my Best Girl Risa. She is having a few health issues that come with being 11. It's so hard to watch our companions age. So I am doing what I have been Meaning to do for years - her portraits. I have designed them several times already - well now I'm doing them.

Manifesto

Why don't we each write our own manifesto? According to Wikipedia, a manifesto is a public declaration of principles and intentions. It's as simple as a list of goals and guidelines to help you focus on your life's big picture destination.
Last week I attended a writing workshop at the Tucson Festival of Books and one of the speakers told us the importance of always having a destination in mind in everything we do. Every day we are moving forward, but where are we going, what are we looking forward to? It made so much sense to me. Life shouldn't be about getting through each day, it should be about living with adventure, capturing moments and memories as we make our way to the finish line, whatever that may be. A manifesto is a sort of a reminder to stay on your very own yellow brick road.
If you were to write your own manifesto, what statements would you include? (Psstt...if you aren't into all the work, then just buy the poster!)

**this is from the Diary of a Crafty Chica daily newsletter I get - Glass jars.

Backyard Friends!

Posting the front cover of a children's coloring book I did few yeas ago thru a grant with the Tucson Botanical Garden because I just signed and gave a copy to a very dear little friend who wants to write books someday.
It's a story about how to attract wildlife into the garden.
The book is bilingual with story by Rita Magdaleno, illustrations by me and my parents did the spanish translations, isn't that cool?!

x

Birds of a Feather Mosaic Together

One More Thought For Today

A while back I said I would post a quote every day because I love literature and to keep me in the habit of posting! Well as you can see - I will try it again. So here is a quote I really liked:

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It's not just in some of us; it's in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

Used by Nelson Mandela in his 1994 inaugural speech

Thinking Abstract



Here are some new pieces from my abstract Nebula series. They are fun to do and I am lucky enough to have a friend who makes the frames.
I'm doing them in color groups; jewel tones, desert colors etc. These babies are some of the jewel tones.
They range in size about 5 3/4" x 9 3/4" and come signed on the back and ready to hang.

Nature Vision Mosaics

I am reposting this in a larger format and because it is part of my abstract nature series and these were voted favorites by my fellow artists this weekend. The abstracts are a direction my work is going in lately and I am designing the tempered glass tiles with bits stained glass.

Desert Impressions

New desert color samples for my contemporary tempered glass mosaic pieces. Impressions of mexican sage, southwestern sunsets, golden browns with greens. Some have natural stones and minerals added.
Applications for the samples: back splashes, cabinet door insets, and anywhere your imagination can dream of. I like to incorporate the technique with traditional mosaic in abstract and contemporary interpretations of the natural world. Autumn Shimmer and Heart Song are good examples of this.
Pictures coming soon!

Hawk Dreams Sold

Well I just have to say it. When a favorite piece sells I wonder if I should have sold it and then tell myself to stop being so ridiculous. After all, that is my business and I should not get so attached to my work. I think as artists, we all have certain pieces that we fall in love with and hang onto for a while.
This piece held a special place in my heart and I was glad it found a good home. It's one of those pieces where everything felt so right and it was a pleasure to gaze on it every day.
Reverse glass painting mosaic with stones & mirror.
Red Tailed Hawk 10"x 27"

A little more Amore






Here are more of the little love note tiles. The nebulas which are actually experiments in different application for the contemporary tempered glass series are almost finished.

Love Notes


Here is the first finished mini piece for the February show Love Notes. Only 11 more hearts and 4 nebulas to go. I am displaying my work at a favorite restaurant Eclectic Pizza that features organic ingredients and fabulous food. I like the venue not only for it's cozy intimate atmosphere and great food, but also for the enthusiasm of the owners. I think above all, live what you love.
Just sent out my first press releases - woo hoo!! Have sold two pieces and received some very nice emails. Possible commissions for sure.