Summer Art, Movies, Books

Just wanted to let you know what I’ve been up to. Art, movies, books, birds and more.

Working smaller these summer days, exploring outside and inside.

Going small can mean walking outside with binoculars, ready to see what I can see.  Since  my artwork is devoted to animals and the natural world the inspiration is limitless.

Here’s a little sketch I’ve been working on for a new painting. Hummingbirds are one of my very favorite subjects. The tiny jewel like birds can only be found in the Americas. 

With their brilliant iridescent colors, amazing flight abilities and fearless personality, they are charismatic, popular subjects.

My recent work is a series of small studies where I am blending my realistic and playful styles, pushing and stretching boundaries, seeing what happens.

Next week is hummingbird week for the Cornell Bird Lab and I will be working on this favorite, charismatic subject.

This is Ruby Garden, watercolor & gold ink on watercolor paper.

Ruby Throated Hummingbirds, male & female :~)

Ruby Garden, watercolor, gold ink. Sue Betanzos.com

🌸 Summer Movies & Books

Some movies and books are like old friends. I like to revisit them, getting the uplift each time of the pleasant and familiar.

Audiobooks for studio work and movies to wrap up the day with a glass of wine :~)

Here are a couple of YouTube trailer links for a very special, favorite movie I have always enjoyed; The Secret of Roan Inish.

This classic really captures the traditional oral storytelling that was how folktales and history were passed down. The generational families and their relationships with the land, sea, history.

Stories about stories, about the value of stories and how they unite us. How stories have power and meaning; whether they’re true or not (fairies anyone?)  

Here are links to trailers for The Secret of Roan Inish:

The Secret of Roan Inish Trailer 1

The Secret of Roan Inish Trailer 2

The Secret of Roan Inish Soundtrack (love the music)

Audiobooks I listen to are an eclectic mix including; urban fantasy, romance, mystery, thrillers, sprinkled with biography/real. All are from my local library. I LOVE libraries. There are usually a few nature & art books on my desk just because nothing beats the tactile pleasure of holding a book. 

Current beautiful book on my desk is by artist Jackie Morris: The Lost Words. I look at it daily :~) 

A few audiobook titles I've recently enjoyed: 

The Light We Carry, Michelle Obama • Lassiter, J.R. Ward • "N" is for Noose, Sue Grafton • "O" is for Outlaw, Sue Grafton • Shanghai Girls, Lisa See • Sleep No More, Jayne Ann Krentz • Bittersweet, Susan Cain • Together, Vivek H. Murthy • Chatter, Ethan Kross • Undercurrents, Nora Roberts • The Awakening, Nora Roberts (Dragon Heart Legacy) • Neverwhere, Neil Gaiman • Anansi Boys, Neil Gaiman • The Music of Bees, Eileen Garvin • All Single Ladies, Dorothea Benton Frank • Safe Haven, Nicholas Sparks • Lucky, Marissa Stapley • Moon Called, Patricia Briggs • A Court of Mist and Fury, Sarah J. Maas, • A Discovery of Witches, Deborah Harkness 

Beautiful Tucson sunsets. Extreme heat, thunderstorms in the late afternoon, sometimes leading to intense quenching rains - and rainbows!

Small Treasures Miniature Art By Sue Betanzos

Hey there friends,

Just letting you know what I've been up to in the studio. A new collection of small paintings and mosaics are available on my website. 

I've always enjoyed making these tiny masterpieces and now they have their own gallery.

Small Treasures Miniature Art by Sue Betanzos

The miniature artworks are usually under 10 inches.  I like the way small works invite a closer examination of details.

As a multimedia artist I find each medium informs the other and I enjoy the process of creating.

I tend work in series which are then put into collections based on media, theme or both. 

When an idea takes hold, like a seed it grows in my sketchbooks that then turn into artworks.

🌀 The Small Treasures collection includes Mosaic Spirals of Life on stone and miniature wildlife paintings.

Spirals are one of the ancient and universal symbols found in all cultures around the world.

Mosaic Mirror Spiral of Life on Stone by Sue Betanzos.com.  

They can be found in nature, art, architecture and religion. Spirals represent growth, change, evolution and progress. 

The spiral of life can be thought of as a metaphor for the never-ending cycle of growth and change that describes the journey that each of us takes as we move through life.

There is a quote I return to for inspiration by Douglas Wood: 

“The farthest journey has but one destination; Your True Self.” 

Mosaic Spiral of Life with I LOVE YOU
in morse code on stone by Sue Betanzos.com

Every day brings new experiences and challenges, which help us to grow and learn about ourselves. 

As we face these challenges, we also have the opportunity to choose how we respond to them.

We have the power to create our own destinies through the choices that we make Every Day.

This is the message of the Mosaic Spirals of Life series; to remind ourselves that change is constant and You Got This, Keep Going!

A book I liked and recommend on this is Michelle Obama's The Light We Carry.

Celtic Spiral Glass Mosaic on Stone by SueBetanzos.com

Some will have a secrete, personal message in Morse Code (an element I've used in past projects). Or even an astrological star sign - just playing with new ideas! 

🦋 The smaller mosaics and wildlife paintings have their own Miniatures gallery.

HERE

Paintings of Migratory Monarchs, birds and more are painted on birch wood hearts with gold embellishments that softly gleam. 

More tiny masterpieces are on the way with new glass miniature paintings!

Golden Quail Heart Miniature Painting by Sue Betanzos.com  

Monarch Butterflies are currently endangered and need our help.  5% of all Monarch butterfly painting purchases are donated to Xerces Society and Save Our Monarchs.

Monarch Butterfly Miniature Painting by Sue Betanzos.com

This small golden heart painting is from the beloved fairy tale The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupery. 

Tiny Fox from The Little Prince by Sue Betanzos

It is a very famous quote from the book; "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye."

The style belongs to my whimsical collection and this tiny fox is included in many of my custom St. Francis pet portrait paintings. 

Painted on a birch wood heart with the wise fox, silver star and a special tiny red rose on a gold background. That is an American quarter on the right for size reference.

For me, the quote perfectly describes the relationships between people and their furry companions (and each other!). 

The collection of small artworks will be growing and I’ll post them on my Instagram,  FB and on my website. Stickers and Labels are also being designed.

Tiny Rufous Hummingbird Painting

More miniature paintings, studies of favorite subjects. This tiny Rufous Hummingbird is migratory.
I like using metallics, especially gold in my paintings and artwork. All of my glass paintings have touches of gold.

Rufous Hummingbird Gem - SueBetanzos.com

I have used gold paint, rather than leaf for years. It looks beautiful without the mess of applying leaf. However, I'll be placing an order of gold leaf with LA GOLD this year and play with it.

Golden brand of acrylic paints is my favorite gold paint. I have tried several metallic paints, and so far prefer this one for bright, opaque consistent gold. It does not require shaking to mix.

Lately, the trend I have seen is using gold leaf. Many artists are using it in their paintings. The term for using metal leaf on glass is Verre' Eglomise'.  French for gilding on glass. I found more artists in the UK and Europe using this method than in the USA.

Plenty of sign painters, but not much fine art. In the UK however, I follow several fine artists that use glass gilding as a fine art. A trip across the pond is in the planning, saving to visit the artists whose work inspires me!

Wild Reflections Art Exhibit by Sue Betanzos

* November 1 - 30
Kirk Bear Canyon Library.*
My new solo show, Wild Reflections is up. Just in time for some holiday shopping

❤️ A multi-media exhibit - my visual poetry to wildlife ❤️



*November 17, 2 - 3 pm
Wild Reflections Art Talk*
Bring your art questions and enthusiasm and join me Sunday Nov. 17 at the library.

I will talk about my techniques and inspiration and show some of my source material for creating this exhibition.  Small available artworks will be displayed. The 8" x 10" and smaller. Plus a few new pieces if I can finish them in time.

This exhibit features original artwork and prints of the natural world in beautiful Tucson Arizona at my favorite place, the Kirk Bear Canyon Library in northeast Tucson.

Books and art are such a big part of my life and I am honored to share my art at my favorite place.

There are familiar pieces from my exhibit earlier this year as well as new ones. All will be posted in this gallery as I finish them.

Stop by, enjoy the new artwork and check out a cool read while you are there. Drop me a line to let me know what you think!

Little Visitor Reverse Glass Painting

Reverse glass painting of a Verdin in a Mexican Bird of Paradise for my solo show Wild Reflections this November.
11" x 14" painted on the backside of the glass, backwards, using glass enamel paints.

Hints of gold softly gleam in the painting, just enough to add magic and interest when viewed in certain light angles.

This tiny bird is one of my favorites along with hummingbirds. Verdin are often hidden in dense shrubs and trees, but you can hear their calls. They are a soft warm grey with rust shoulder spots. The males have yellow heads which are brighter in the spring breeding season. (They are about the size of the Lucy's Warblers for you bird enthusiasts out there).
Can you tell I enjoy bird watching?

Somehow, I will finish this painting in time for the Oct. 31 installation at the Kirk-Bear Canyon Library. Just one week to go - at the finish line!

Little Visitor reverse glass painting by Sue Betanzos.com

Marigold Desert Jackrabbit

Reverse glass painting of a desert hare for my new solo show Wild Reflections. The painting is done on the backside of the glass - backwards. The painted panel is then inserted into a shadow box frame.
It is available along with additional new work in the Wild Reflections Gallery HERE

Wild Reflections exhibit 11/2019 by Sue Betanzos 

Marigold Desert Jackrabbit reverse glass painting 11"x14" available HERE

I have been wanting to do this painting and have envisioned it for months. Now it is finished, as a saw it in my mind.
The painting is done with glass enamel paints in the the reverse glass painting technique, painted backwards on the backside of the glass.

Gold metallic paint was painted on the back to softly gleam through the hare's coat by intentionally leaving areas thin or unpainted to let the gold peak in a few areas. Glass is difficult to photograph, so I usually take my paintings to a local photographer, Wilson Graham for the best photos.

This photo was taken by me and does not do it justice. Later I will get a professional photo done that shows the gold highlights.

The painting is also used for one of the announcements as you can see!
It can be viewed in person at the Kirk-Bear Canyon Library Nov. 1-30.

Hares are such distinctive creatures with their beautiful long ears, large amber eyes. They are featured in many folktales and are connected to the moon.

This is a desert Antelope Jackrabbit with black tipped ears.
Gold metallic softly gleams through the coat which is why I call her MariGold. :)

SUE BETANZOS SOLO EXHIBIT AT THE KIRK- BEAR CANYON LIBRARY NOV. 1- 30

I am excited to announce my new solo show, WILD REFLECTIONS at the Kirk-Bear Canyon Library, Tucson AZ  this November 1 - 30.

** The address: Kirk-Bear Canyon Library, 8959 E. Tanque Verde Rd., Tucson, AZ 85749

SueBetanzos, Wild Reflections Solo Exhibit at the Kirk-Bear Canyon Library, Nov. 1 - 30 2019

For those that attended my previous solo exhibit at Agua Caliente's Ranch House Gallery you will see some familiar pieces from that show.
This new collection of artworks is at one of my favorite places, my local library. There are not enough words to express my love for books and reading!

All available artwork is at the WILD REFLECTIONS Gallery on my website.

I am working hard to have new glass paintings and more for this exhibit. There are new techniques and materials that are being used in these paintings. Playing with more metallics, inks, and layering of media.

Please stop by to view my new art and, if you love books and reading as much as I do, check out a book or two!

New to Tucson? Below is a quick Screen Capture to see where the Kirk Bear Canyon Library is located! In the link above, click on Hours and Locations.

Kirk-Bear Canyon Library, 8959 E. Tanque Verde Rd., Tucson, AZ 85749

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year Dear Friends!

May this shiny, wonderful new year bring you lots of opportunities in your personal and professional lives.

Pax, colored pencil portrait inspired from the story by Sarah Pennypacker. SueBetanzos.com

I love the story of Pax. It inspired this colored pencil of Pax, waiting. Prismacolor colored pencils, Faber-Castell polychromes colored pencils, Strathmore Bristol Vellum paper, 9" x 12".

New Years Thoughts:

Please keep in mind Oprah's quote that "luck is preparation meeting opportunity".
Or Chris Guillebeau's; "How do you get to be in the right place at the right time? You plan for it, and you position yourself for the success you want to see".

I have a niece who is an expert at this and so is an academic rockstar with several full ride scholarships, degrees and more. She is the super nova example of hard, smart work.

St. Francis Glass Painting Progress

As this sweet painting has evolved, I will keep posting to document the journey of this painting on glass. When finished, the painting is photographed by Wilson Graham, who does the best job, knowing how to capture all of the metallics and color.

A tiny golden Barn Owl in the Pine tree

A happy singing Prothonotary Warbler

St. Francis in East Texas with Gus, Swiffer, Pepper, KC, Sassy. Almost there!

St. Francis and friends with blue paper preview.

St. Francis glass painting, back side. Side that is painted on.

For now, I have almost all the details of the animals finished. On to St. Francis's robe and the leaves above his head!

I fine tune the details with a very sharp Xacto knife and razor blades. Oh, and a large magnifying glass. Very Carefully scraping paint to refine edges. I will go over the painting many times doing this and adding more layers of paint.

The FolkArt glass enamel paints are somewhat translucent, depending on the color. This means that each leaf, flower, blade of grass, animals, everything, requires 4 - 5 layers of paint.
It allows for layering of different glazes of color to create depth, shadows.  I love using silver and gold metallic in my glass paintings. The metallics require 1 - 3 layers, depending on the effect I want.

Often, just before adding the final element of the sky I will back some areas with white. So the dark blue of the sky will not shadow through in the lighter colors.

In the cool winter these paints take about two days to cure onto the glass. In the hot summer, about a day. I love the bright colors, ease of use and permanence of the paints. They are fairly UV and fade resistant, but as with any fine art painting, no direct sunlight.

The sky is crucial and is carefully layered in blues, violet blues, white (stars). A large filbert is used to leave softer edges. Star trails are scraped back with a razor blade in areas. Almost impossible to correct, a one time deal.

Blue and white paper is used constantly to gauge where the details are at, depending on the detail.
That is what you see in the photo, blue or white paper slipped behind the painting.