Mosaic Flower Garden Project

Here's a flower garden you can have all year! Butterflies and bright flowers will be a great project this winter after the holidays are over.
Yep, sound like I'm planning Way Ahead but trust me, fast forward to rain, snow, cozy indoor activities and hot drinks after the tinsel and paper craze has passed. How nice create something really cool on those long winter evenings.

Why mention this? Because there could be kits available for this mosaic as well as classes.

The class project at diMosaico will run for three Tuesday evenings, 6 pm - 8:45 pm.  Students are expected to work on their projects in between class meetings in order to finish their projects.
The mosaic flower squares can also be done as individual projects, perfect for a box lid.

To make the most of class time, use the colors chosen on the color flower drawing. This way glass cutting can begin, learning how to use the tools, materials.
Don't worry about creating a masterpiece right away. The purpose of the classes are to learn new skills and sharpen them through consistent practice.

If you were just learning how to play an instrument, no one would expect you to play in an orchestra concert the next week - right?  Patience and practice, practice, practice.  :)

Mosaic 9 Square Flower Garden work in progress - SueBetanzos.com

Milagro Corazon Mosaic

I've always loved this quote. Glass Mosaic 6x6" Milagro heart.
The pattern is available for the Day Of The Dead Class Oct.4 10 am - 4 pm

Milagro Corazon - Glass Mosaic by Sue Betanzos

Day Of The Dead Mosaic Class

Here we are, a fun mosaic class for all levels.  Those that have been introduced to mosaic and are familiar with the tools and materials will enjoy it as much as complete beginners.

diMosaico studio is where I'll be teaching mosaic classes in different techniques so keep checking and get on their email newsletter or my facebook and this blog where I'll announce new classes.

All materials and tools are included for this class. There will be the skull patterns below to choose from  (or combine, like I did) and a Milagro heart.

The key is to come prepared so the actual glass cutting and adhering can get going.
Come prepared by picking colors before class to make the most of your class time - i.e. "hit the ground running"   :)

Bring snacks and your drinks for your breaks!

** Copy and print the patterns below to play with colors. I love good ol' Crayola crayons (box of 64!) but use whatever works best for you.

The skull patterns that will be used for the class.

The patterns can be printed and colored.

You don't have to stick to the exact patterns. Take elements you like and make your own!

Hello Little Goldfinch

Goldfinch mosaic in progress from my tile series.
Stained glass, bead.

A Gila Welcome Mosaic

Custom Gila Welcome mosaic will jazz up an entry way, indoors or outdoors.
Ready to hang with a wire on the back.  Remove the wire for a more permanent installation.
At my new Etsy store - Art Of Sue.
More on the way for Dogtoberfest  in Tucson where I will be demonstrating mosaic for classes with deMosiaco. One will be Mosaic Your Pet! Come out to say hello and support a wonderful non-profit Handi-Dogs. Voted best non-profit event in Tucson :)

I'll be giving a beginner four hour micro class on September 20 at diMosaico in Tucson for those interested in trying out mosaics.

Custom mosaic -  Art Of Sue

Mosaic Gila Monster Welcome

Mosaic Gila monster in progress as part of a commission for a welcome plaque. This super cool lizard is not a monster at all. She is another of nature's fascinating works of art. Rarely seen in the wild due to urban encroachment.

Stained glass done in reverse method. It is laid out on clear contact paper, sticky side up which prevents  pieces from moving.

Song To Sister Earth

Color Study for garden birds painting. Another 'singing' quote. Since it will be in a different media I wanted to do a color study first - adjust colors, shape relations. Playing with hand lettering :)

I have actually seen two amazing Indigo Buntings when I lived back east. What a thrill it was to watch these beautiful birds - their color seems surreal. If you want to hear their song, just do a search for audio on bird songs - it's cool :)

Colored Pencils, Prismacolor.

Song to Sister Earth - Sue Betanzos

Song To Sister Earth

Another painting in progress centered on the series on birds, gardens, and lovely inspirational words.
I used the same basic layout and it will be in a different technique or media. The SkillShare digital image coloring class is going well, learning a lot. This is hand drawn and colored :) A Mano! Next piece could be a digital colored for my class project.

"Sing Praises To Sister Earth" - St. Francis Of Assisi. Sue Betanzos

Kitten Friendship Ink

Sue Betanzos - Black Star Matt Ink on cold press 140 lb watercolor paper.

A beautiful quote from my large collection of lovely words and quotes. Paired with a BFF image I have loved and wanted to use.
Decided to use a combination of ink techniques with brush for my final SkillShare Mastering Ink class project.  Revisited brush/ink and really liked the Dr. Phil Martin Black Star matt ink which is a super rich, warm black that is waterproof, permanent.  Next time I will use brushes with longer heads like liners that will be easier to keep clean. Oh, and mask the whiskers for a crisp look.
Favorite, Only brush cleaner: The Masters

Sue Betanzos - Friendship

Additional notes copied from my post on SkillShare with my final Kitten Friends Ink class project:

When I first started this class I watched Yuko's video a few times to absorb all of her tips and advice. Then, after getting new brushes (have to wait on the cool Asian brush investment) the experiments began with the various techniques.
Once I jumped into black and white studies I just kept going, getting more comfortable producing in inks. Really enjoying the whole process and challenge. Hours passed like minutes in my little bubble of a studio.
The bird studies ranged from the technical pen, to pen and ink, to several brush and pen combinations. Each had a distinct look and, more importantly, the practice got me comfortable with the water color papers, brushes and ink.
First thing I learned was to get brushes with longer heads. Like acrylics, the ink is waterproof and kept working up to the ferrul with the shorter brushes so I had to keep cleaning the brush if I dipped it. 
I used the eyedropper from the bottle to put ink drops on my glass palette to get ink from and that helped. The cold press watercolor paper used for my end project was a Strathmore which was a bit smoother than other brands, yet still had some tooth for the brush.
After many experiments, the combinations of brush strokes, washes and pure blacks finally gave me piece I was comfortable submitting. 
The image was combined with a lovely quote selected from my collection (I'm a book/quote addict!) and given to a friend who just lost her kitty companion of 15 years in the form of a handmade card.
Below are the experiments and brushes used. This is was a fun class that really got me going in a new painting direction. 
Thank you Yuko for sharing your wonderful experience and knowledge!

The "adventures in Ink Experiments". The Goldfinch, Oriole and fawn are done in technical pens to get back into working in ink black/white perspective. The other three birds are done with brushes.
The lettering is generated :(   Hand lettering is so beautiful that I've signed up for a few calligraphy classes next for a more hand done look/feel.
The Wood Thrush is the ink wash experiment, feeling how the ink behaves on paper in washes. I LOVE the Black Star ink with it's soft rich blacks and am hooked on this brand from now on. 

Inking Techniques, Yuko Shimizu Mastering Ink Class

I used these little studies of song birds to try out different ink techniques ranging from pen, brush, combination of pen and brush, and ink washes with brush.

Each presented it's challenges, but overall I liked the Goldfinch study because it feels strongest. 

My biggest challenge was to simplify a design and leave out detail.

Working to finish my main project with less detail. I love the look of black and white.

Enjoying the relaxing challenge of inking.

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.

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 :)

Mastering Inking Skillshare Class

One of the Current classes I am in: Mastering Inking with Yuko Shimizu.

She is an amazing illustrator and I'm having fun revisiting/learning inking again.
Yes, I will submit my class projects in her contest! (you will read about it in the class description link).

First pen and ink of fawn with Micron pens instead of brushes. Next ones will play with brushes.
Pens offered soft, fine blends. (Scan is from a laser copy so kind of rough)

Fawn Ink Drawing - Sue Betanzos " A year from now you may wish you had started today." ~ Karen Lamb

One of my very favorite ♥ treats to myself ♥ this summer is enrolling in the Skillshare Classes site.
Technology is a beautiful thing since it allows access to Anything you want to learn. For those of us who can't dash off to attend workshops, these online classes are a wonderful gift.

Skillshare is a site where one can take a wide variety of online classes. There are many online class sites and I chose this site because it had instructors I admired and knew I would benefit from.
Plus it is well within my budget and there is unlimited access to the classes you take.

Tons of free stuff also on Youtube, so between the two I get to "go to class" every morning starting at 5 am when I am mentally at my sharpest via a giant Cup O' Joe :)

Want to expand your skills or learn new ones? Then check out budget friendly Skillshare  - do some window shopping :) for your brain.


Screenshot of the Ink Contest from Yuko's class:
Work that shows the important artist questions; "Who you are, What you want to express, Effort you have put into your work"

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 :)

Andy's Keepsake Box

Andy was a sweet companion who loved his toys and chasing squirrels :)
This box in progress will hold his ashes and collar.

The front will have his favorite orange ball, the sides with tree branches and the back with a squirrel. Inside will have the faux stone finish. Andy was a Coton de Tulear.

Materials used include a birch box, acrylic paints, variety of artists brushes. Though I always have plenty of brushes, in the end I always select a few favorites for each project.