Art for people who love animals and nature.
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 ...
Yo-Yo Ma - Bach Cello Suite N°.1 - Prelude (HD)
Sent in a post for my birthday from a mosaic artist!
"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
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:
Used by Nelson Mandela in his 1994 inaugural speech
“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.”
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.
Peace and Love to All
Forgive me readers - it's been weeks since my last post with all of the recent activity. St. Francis is popular with pet lovers and in this commission he is accompanied by: two Jack Russell Terriers, one lab, one beagle, one bunny, two meadow larks, one roadrunner, and one quail - whew! Plus his usual bird friends. It took a while with all the detail and dog research but really like the piece. Still need to retouch it (take out the glare), but had to share!
Hawk Dreams
I am reposting some pieces as I take new pictures with a new camera - Nikon CoolPix 8.1 px - WOW!
This is a favorite piece. It is a Red Tailed Hawk with natural agate, amethyst, stained glass, mirror and reverse glass painted hawk portrait.
Heart Break
A new and much improved picture of my Diana Gabaldon piece. It is a quotation from Dragonfly in Amber from the Outlander series. Went to her lecture and she signed this piece! She is pretty cool and a savvy business woman.
Plus a picture of another finished commission of St. Francis and client doggie - Wilson the Westi. 8" x 10" reverse glass painting.
Gila Dreams
New work as the countdown to the show Nov. 13-14 continues. I am trying to squeeze two more pieces into the little time left!!
This piece and the other new pieces are not grouted and have a jewel like glitter.
Dog Star Mosaic
Finished! Stained glass, TG glass, antique bugle beads and reverse glass painting on plate. South west canyons inspired the gold reverse glass painted petroglyph of a dog star with gold bugle beads on a canyon wall. Glittering, cool blue water and green tree leaves complete canyon setting.
Natural stones edging the rim finish the piece.
Dog Star
This is a new piece that is almost finished. Dog star, coyote star, brightest star in the sky. Thought of a design that would be magical, depicting a petroglyph dog reverse glass painting that has been distressed, broken. Gold antique cheque bugle beads inlaid add the magic and sparkle. The colors are inspired by the southwest Canyon de Chey. Rich sepia, ochres, against backdrops of green and water.
Completed picture coming soon!
Heart Song
Years ago in high school I remember
a teacher saying "don't die with your music still inside you." Of course we all were like "what is he talking about?" Well years later the phrase stuck with me and often chased away doubts of pursuing art as my day job. Funny but to this day I always associate it with song birds, birds in general.
Like one of those fortune cookie tapes that say something like "sing badly if you must, but SING."
Song birds will feature in some of my new pieces and this is the first. Cabinet door frames and tempered glass put them in my 'recycled green' series.
Working in series helps keep focus on a particular subject matter and is the way my brain seems to flow. I have one more in the Abstract series in progress, with two more designed for a total of five for the five seasons in Tucson - spring, summer, winter, fall, monsoon. Finished spring and fall, summer in progress here. It is called Heart Fire - Summer Passion. Mixed media of reds, oranges, yellows on a recycled cabinet door. It will be rich and passionate with color and movement. Plus it will be more 3-D , a bit sculptural. Can't wait to start!!
The November show will have a lot of new work that I am eager to show because it has been such a fun learning process to do them. Art is the heart that beats inside me.
** On Another Note: This summer has been very challenging for my mom health wise and now she is having surgery for cancer so I will go immediately to be with my family. Did not realize how stressed I have been until today when the veneer cracked as I told someone "my mom has cancer and she is in surgery right now." Suddenly I was trying so hard to keep from having a small meltdown and had a teeny one anyway. I hate it when that happens - how embarrassing!! And I imagined myself to be one of those cool, calm, self composed individuals - Ha! Meanwhile my mom is the one suffering through everything and she is the cool one, so strong - what a champ!
Aaanyway, enough boo - hooing - enjoy my works in progress (WIP's for short).
Spring Dance
Here are the finished pieces as I continue exploring the possibilities with tempered glass. In the new abstract series my work explores the mystery and magic of nature. The literature series is all about my passion for literature. This summer I developed an addiction for audio books. The studio can be isolating and listening to stories is easy. Some of the pieces are influenced by What I am listening to and I remember them by books and the feelings I had while making them.
My parents sent me flowers! They are beautiful and I keep them right where they inspire me at my work table - I am so blessed!
Abtract mosaic
Abstracts and contemporary art has always appealed to me. This year I am pushing that direction more. One of a series of new mixed media pieces.
Playing with combinations of TG, stained glass, stones etc.
And my trusty Risa ready to go to the park - a daily ritual she does Not let me forget.
Here are a couple of mini studies for a body of new work. They are miniatures because I am still in that mode and have found it easier to paint minis. The new work continues the path I am on towards looser more contemporary pieces. Some of the mini studies will be translated to mixed media mosaics or collage as I sort out design and value/hue issues. Green - 2 3/4" x 3 1/2" Amethyst - 4 1/4" x 6" of Allen Hummingbird. Hummingbirds are favorite subject!
Illustrated Children's book
The other day at the library I was researching and came across a little book that I illustrated for the botanical gardens thru a grant about three years ago. It's a bilingual children's book about planting a garden to attract wildlife. Also a coloring book. I thought it had faded after it's first printing. It was such a small project that was not really promoted in the gift shop.
So imagine my surprise when I came across it/ME. I burst out laughing and pulled the copies they had and literally checked myself out - ha, ha. So now I can be found under call number 625.9525
TED Blog: Intricate beauty by design: Marian Bantjes on TED.com
Check out this quick video for inspiration. TED Blog: Intricate beauty by design: Marian Bantjes on TED.com
STAR student Mosaic Project - Finished!
The installation of the 9 stars went pretty smooth. Each piece had finished edges which really cut down on time. The students completed their mosaic stars and then I did a marathon grouting of nine stars and nine hearts.
Students and everyone were excited to see them finally up and each piece is very unique and each star has the students name tag on it.
Students did their personal strength words on their mosaic stars as part of a leadership project. Glass, tile, glass gems, mirror were some of the materials used to fabricate the stars. the mosaic stars are part of a mural for the inner courtyard of the school. Pictures did not come out as well due, I think, to the sun being directly in the camera lens which was facing east into the sun at times. Good part was the shade during the installment!
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