Midnight Inspiration

Risa - Wise Companion, Loyal Friend, Keeper Of My Heart.
Acrylic on Canson Illustration Board.

Could not sleep with storm brewing that made Risa very anxious. So used some of my scraps for mini artworks called ATC or Artist Trading Cards.

Sing Your Song

New collection of painting with song birds and nature themes.

Paired with the birds will be a selection of copyright free quotes, words, proverbs. 

As a lifetime collector of books, words, literature, quotes and proverbs, this is a project I've really been wanting to do.

Let's see how much I can get done!! 

I Love the days that always start with the singing of birds. 

The meadowlark is known for it's beautiful song.

Song birds sing for identity, territory, mating.
Lucky us that can listen to their song!

How I preserve my Artist brushes

This is the method I have used for Many Years to preserve and dry my brushes. Brushes are an investment for many artists. Although they eventually wear out and get downgraded as they wear down, a few simple steps can greatly extend the life of your favorite brushes.

1. Don't let the paint dry on the brush. Clean them whenever you are going to be away for more than an hour.

2. The anatomy of a brush and why you don't want to store them brush up when wet. The glue in the metal part called the ferrel should not be soaked or sit in water. Brush hair will start falling out.
Laying the brush on it's side does not do as well as hanging the brush head down so the moisture drips down and out.

3. Brush Washer. Hobby Lobby 6.00 or get it from Michaels, Dick Blick etc. Super handy - get a couple. I remove the metal screen at the bottom, don't need it.

4. Plastic coated mesh screen to put in your water container. Swishing the brush over this screen gets a lot of paint off and keeps it off while you paint. Don't stand the brush in it though - it separates the hairs too much and bends them.

5. Brush cleaning soap. Wash your brushes in the special soap thouroughly, reshape and hang Hair Side Down from the brush washer so the water drips off the ends of the brush, not back into the ferral.

6. When dry, store brush side up in a container and put a plastic zip over them to keep the dust off. Note: the spring/brush holder on the brush washers from H.L. too thick/stiff. Brushes tend to pop off,  but it can be replaced.

Mosaic Finished and Installed at TWC

 Opening day and Wilber the mascot logo mosaic is installed in Tucson Wildlife Center reception office. Looks nice and Lisa Bates (next to me) president CEO has done an awesome job not only establishing this wildlife rescue center, but also opening the Sam Goldman Wildlife Hospital, the only state of the art wildlife rescue hospital facility in AZ  with ultra modern medical equipment, surgery room and much more.

She is nothing short of amazing. Check out their website, donate anything (they have a wish list of things they always need as well as $$) and tune into their Facebook page for current rescue stories.

Tiny Gems

African Bee Eaters - Sold.  Allen's Hummingbird - Sold.
The first, a small, sweet gouache of a species of birds that (some) makes it's nests by burrowing in sides of river banks in large colonies.
The second, Allen's Hummingbird below it is small but fierce in guarding it's territory.
Thank you to Denis and Noreen for facilitating these sales XO!!

Last year I did a small series of a favorite subject - hummingbirds.  I like a contemporary feel to them because they are so energetic, fearless and gem like.
Originally they started out like many - studies for a new direction of work. I never know how they will turn out since I just play with backgrounds until it feels right.  An intuitive process of experiments in (new term I just learned and Love) "Imaginary Realism".

Reading facts/information on each new subject is a part of the job that I enjoy as much as the painting.

All have sold, so I know it is a good direction. Now it's a matter of choosing and inventing subjects based on reality, animals & nature to satisfy my inner visions. Constantly works in progress with some touching on fantasy like unicorns, mermaids, sphinx, elementals and more.

African Bee Eaters - Gouache

Keepsake StarGazer Box

The first in a new series of little boxes done in a style I used to call fantasy art, but now have a new, richer term: Imaginary Realism.

Subjects of imagination, myth, folktale and more will be featured as this direction is explored. Some playful, some fey and wild, others completely new. My new StarGazer style isn't really so new since it has been used for all of the glass paintings.

Next year it is being expanded to include the boxes and other functional 3D art.

Now for getting quality boxes made of harder wood in the sizes I want at the right price.

Sunset Nebula Mosaic - Sold

Tucson sunset are some of the finest - they can take your breath away in the seconds before twilight (my favorite time :) )
Last year I did a series of small mosaics created from tempered glass and inspired by - you guessed it - StarGazing and nature.
They ranged from small squares to small rectangles. This one was part of two mosaic pieces submitted for the Small Works exhibit at Tohono. I am happy to say it has found a new home - SOLD

The rest can be seen in an Earlier Post. All have the fantasy elements of glitter, jewel colors, gem stones and are signed by the artist (me!).

Sold

Magic Realism

I thank each and every one who has supported me through the purchase of my work, comments and just staying in touch via this wonderful and magical keyboard. 

Studio work can be isolating due to the nature of the work (an issue with many artists), and it makes my day when I get communication from individuals that I feel I know though we have never met in person.  

That's the magic part - being able to make friends with those I would otherwise never have the opportunity to meet!  This is one of the Many reasons I love my job and am Grateful Every Day. 

So here's to magic and love in the coming holidays and new year.

Keepsake Box inside with rich red faux stone finish

Tohono Chul Small Works Exhibition

Good things come in small..." Well this Small Works Exhibit at Tohono will be worth checking out with artwork 12 inches and under. Two of my mosaics were chosen for the invitational exhibit.

The round Dog Star Canyon has elements of the rich sandstone canyons as well as a small petroglyph of a dog in gold reverse glass painting.

A sparkling blue creek water element, vintage gold glass bugle beads gleam, curling thru the 'sandstone' and tiny smooth river pebbles around the edge of the piece complement the earth colors.

Dog Star Canyon - Mixed Media Mosaic 12"

The second mosaic piece is from my Nebula series called Sunset. Contemporary mixed media mosaic in rich pink and orange it is in a black box frame like all nebulas.
The mate, Turquoise Nebula is sold. There are several small nebula pieces available at www.suebetanzos.com that are equally fun jewel toned contemporary mosaics to add sparkle and color to an area. There is a sprinkle of glitter under the glass in each piece to add interest.

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!

Fairies, Dragons, Unicorns and More

With fantasy art so popular nowadays, there is a VAST selection of books available on everything from Manga, to tons of How To's.
Though I have always loved, read and collected fantasy stories, I have only admired fantasy art from a distance until recently when I was introduced to a few How to series (out of dozens!). After a marathon meeting with local fantasy artist Jessica Feinberg I came away over saturated, a little overwhelmed, and very eager to try this genre of painting - fantasy artwork.

My personal favorite How To's are the Dreamscape series by Stephanie Pui-Mun Law and the Fairy series by Linda Ravenscroft. Both are excellent water color tutorials - covering the basics of fantasy artwork drawing and the medium in simple, thorough lessons.

Both artists can be found on Amazon and often at your local library, which is where I started although I  already want my own copies! Both Amazon books also offer generous Look Inside features where you can preview before buying.

Stephanie Pui-Mun Law Dreamscape series

Coming from a mural painting and faux finishing background my brain was literally sparking with ideas for new paintings just when I was starting to feel a little burned out with current techniques and searching for something new.
I have already designed a new painting that is sort of fantasy, but still realistic. A riff on Stephanie Law's swirly style while I find my own.
Letting go the mental grip of reality to free style in fantasy takes some practice both in technical skills and thinking. This is where I will draw (literally) on all of the fantasy and paranormal literature I have loved and read most of my life.
Fairy tales, folklore, myth and legend are some of my favorite reading in all age groups with a sprinkling of excellent paranormal series like the Kat Richardson Greywalker series.

First, better get to work on current commissions since one of my deadlines is in five days, the others at the end of this month. Then at the end of the day I can play on my own personal project which will be my new experiments with fantasy artwork - Yay!
I will post my experiments and journey here.

Tohono Chul Exhibit

Last night was the artist reception for the Tohono Chul exhibits Piece by Piece mosaics and Dia de los Muertos. As usual, it was very well attended with crowds of viewers jostling to view the artwork.
Tohono is one of my favorite nature oasis in Tucson and I always feel fortunate and privileged when my work is selected to participate in an exhibit.
Ran into several friends and met wonderful art lovers and artists.
Sold the Heart Song, yellow warbler and hope for another sale before the show ends October 20th.  I think the fact that Heart Song was featured on the Tohono web banner for the show helped :)

Miniature Portraits

What is a Limner?
I had never heard of the word until I read the second book in the Deborah Harkness All Souls trilogy, Shadow of Night (the first is A Discovery of Witches). Both of these books are excellent reads and I especially enjoyed the audio versions. The second has colorful, realistic descriptions of life in the Queen Victoria era.
In this story which is mostly set in 15th century England during the reign of Queen Victoria, there is mention of a Limner. A Limner is a freelance artist, a decorative painter, and in this story, who specializes in tiny, miniature portraits of the royal court that were often done to fit lockets or worn as brooches.
There are some very famous limners and the one mentioned in the book is Nicholas Hilliard.
As I fell down the rabbit hole of information regarding this genre, I am fascinated by the detail of these tiny portraits. I also found pets and animals painted in reverse on the backside of glass and rock crystal. How I would love to have one of these miniature gems or at least see how they were done to such perfection. Most are 1 1/2" to 3".

What does this subject have to do with my paintings? Currently I will be painting another 5"x7' miniature and also a reverse glass painting with many very fine miniature details. Both are very entailed and require a magnifying glass to paint them. Oh, and very tiny brushes and liners! I am assuming that is what the limners of the past used for painting the tiny portraits - magnifying glass.

I love the fact that it is thanks to artists visual recordings that we know the history of fashion, lifestyle, and so much more about different eras in human history. Enjoy these exquisite little masterpieces by Nicholas Hilliard that you can hold in the palm of your hand, 1 1/2" - 3". Notice the tiny dog in the full length portrait "~)  All are 3/4 views with jewel like colors and details. Click on the image for the full size.

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!

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.

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 ...