Andy Pet Keepsake Box - Finished!

Andy's pet keepsake box is finished and on it's way.  Andy was a ball loving, squirrel chasing sweet
Coton de Tulear. These personal little boxes embellished with gold and silver highlights, each tell a story of the subject. Creating permanent memories of sweet, loved companions!

There will be a few boxes of wildlife subjects and I am thinking of pure black and white. The ink class is having me think in new design directions :)

Studio Muse Risa Girlie

Risa, 14.7 years. My studio muse and BFF.  Some days are better than others, but all are golden and make me love her all the more :)

Animal & Nature Keepsake Boxes

Playing with images on keepsake boxes that combine mixed media with hand painting and faux finishes.  Dogs, words, nature, mermaids and more will be explored.
Birds and boxes - summer studio fun.
The new Keepsake Boxes can be found on my new Etsy store Art Of Sue.

Deals for you! I'm clearing out my studio for new work in the STUDIO SALES section.

Aussie Keepsake Box, Risa StarGazer

Back in my mural painting, faux finishing days, faux/fantasy stone finishes were my specialty. Mostly on furniture.

It took many hours and practice boards to develop the techniques and I LOVE the wabi sabi of the stone finishes.

The boxes will all be different in mixed medias. They are sealed with two coats of clear sealer.

Aussie Tess Memorial Pet Mosaic

A sweet mosaic pet memorial to Australian Shepherd girl Tess. Reverse glass painting with silvery stars, moon and a singing bird add a bit of magic realism along with elements of the beach and sea such as crabs, starfish, shells and flotsam. Tess loved to play on the beach and the white stone with the tiny shell is from her cremation site. Her owner was in the coast guard and loves lighthouses, hence the tiny light house.


Though pet companions come in and out of our lives, there is always one or two who are extra special. Tess was such an individual.

Maybe StarGazer Magic

Painting in my StarGazer fantasy folk style is a new journey that I am enjoying exploring, trying new things, mixing media, letting my imagination fly.
It allows for the freedom to create a new world where there magic is everywhere. Since fantasy, sci-fi art and literature are my hobbies, it's easy to fall down these magical rabbit holes.
Oh, and my latest passion - photography by landscape night photographers who specialize in starry skies. Photographers such as Mike Taylor Photography and Ben Canales Star Photography. Both are super talented and I never get tired of gazing at the night skies.
Just subscribed to Earthsky which is where I found the talented Mike Taylor. Love to get the latest in meteor shower times, sky reports, star sightings, photos etc.
The starry night photos inspire and fuel my imagination with possibilities.

As my StarGazer style evolves I'll post them here to migrate to FB.  The style is already looser, characters less stilted, softer. Still want jewel colors and incorporate lots of color in my work.
Since my specialties are animals, folktales, myths this new style will continue developing. It's exciting to reinvent my artwork into something new, fresh (for me anyway).
This is the boxer Maybe from CA on a starry night in a magical meadow. 12" x 12" acrylic.
I'll make new headers for my FB page with starry images soon!

Millie Finished

 I know I was supposed to show the in-between stages of the painting but it has gotten pretty busy and no time! So here is little Millie a sweet little dog who is so endearing that it's easy to overlook her little habit of stealing and hiding things.

Owner Laura was telling me the story of Millie stealing and chewing up some pretty expensive hearing aids and as I sat looking and Millie's sweet, innocent, bright eyed little face I could not help but laugh.
We all have met people and dogs who can get away with almost Anything! It's hard to stay annoyed with them and we end up laughing instead knowing we should be upset, but finding it easier to laugh.  O.k.  - lesson there - don't hang on to your anger and hold grudges! It takes more effort to stay mad and gives you frown lines - Very unattractive.
Plus, everyone wants to be around Happy people who are easy to hang out with instead of those heavy personalites - yeek!
Dogs have an lot to teach us, just pay attention and Go Play "~)
Because Millie is so cheerful and bright, that stupid OLD rhyme tune goes thru my head "Millie, Millie, mo Millie, banana fana fo fillie me mi mo Millie - Millie!" It's great that our dogs like our silly song and dances - knowing it's just for them LOL  :~D

 Hi Millie, Hi Laura!

"You had me at Hello"

Loved Companions 

Honoring our loved companions that had us at the tail wag "hello". From the first look, lick, tail wag or bark, they have our hearts and give unconditionally of themselves. For this and so many additional reasons I do not tire of portraying the love. Doing my best to reflect and capture the spirit of the bond that owner and dog have.

I have only seen that look of innocent, trusting love and devotion in young children. Oh, and my Risa every day when I return or speak to her "~)

Retriever Bonnie

Bonnie was a wonderful Chespeak Bay Retriever. Lively and always ready for action, these sporting dogs are strong swimmers and have a lovely, curly coat that comes in two colors. This is the light cinnamon and it was fun to paint the curly hair. A nice memorial portrait of a sweet girl who lived a long, wonderful life.

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.

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.

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".

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.

"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!

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.

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.

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 ...