Mosaic Day

Still working away at a mosaic that if  I had the time to devote exclusively  to would take a couple of weeks to finish. But time is what has been very short since last year when mom got cancer, had to go through a lot  of chemo/radiation plus other commitments.  So now I am devoting as much time as I can to finish this very cool mosaic. There are hundreds of stained glass pieces to go. I will be using a Double Reverse method of application; hence the layout on contact paper over the cement board hand painted with the logo to get it as accurate as possible.
Cement mortar is the adhesive that will be used to attach the finished mosaic to the board. No room for error - a one time deal.  Then colored cement Grout to fill in between the lines and add stability to the piece. This is for an outdoor sign to be mounted onto a gate. The outdoor grout will allow for expansion and contraction of weather heat and cold. Using the correct quality materials is what extends the life of outdoor installations. Always research the specs of materials to be used in any permanent artwork for outdoors. I have learned so much since starting mosaics.

Below are two pieces being offered in my Studio Cyber Savings. (yep, click on the words to view the sale site!). Nebula mosaic, had tinted grout, hand made box frame, signed. And an acrylic chickadee painting for springtime.
Excellent savings for original artwork  that is handcrafted by ME! Plus most of the smaller pieces offer FREE Shipping in the lower 48 USA only. If not in the states, just contact me for shipping fees.

Darn Lucky!

S.T.A.R. Academic Center Peace Garden student
public art project 02/12

Happy St. Patty's Day! Yes I am Darn Lucky and truly count my many blessings!
Here is one of the 'Blessings', another student mosaic project with STAR.
Actually, my third mosaic art youth project working with STAR Academic Center. Thanks to art educator Roberta Lewis who writes grants for the school the student have the opportunity to experience a new medium that has existed for over 5000 years. Mosaics are extremely versatile and durable when fabricated for outdoors. The students enjoy the challenge of learning the techniques and here are photos of some wonderful pieces that came from this latest project. The pieces were created for a Peace Garden to be attached to cement planters. My friend Walter Gunn volunteered his time and labor to help install the finished student mosaics. The installation is as labor intensive as the actual mosaic work! There will follow another collage of the installation.
The first mosaic project was for the school sign. Designed by the students it was a fun learning project.
The second mosaic project was an installation of stars inside the school courtyard. Hand picked students designed and mosaic ed their individual stars with a word that that empowered them. Pictures on that coming soon too! They turned out great.

Easter Bunnies!

Quick post of bunny cookies for Easter or anytime! Sugar cookies for your inner smile!

Valentine Postcards

Some mini Love notes for Valentines. My fun cookies, mosaics and my aussie muse, sweet Risa.

Meeting Risa:

My sister had purchased two aussie puppies, one for her family and one for me. A little boy and a little girl. When she let them in from playing in the yard the little male barreled thru the door past me and into the kitchen. The little girl ran thru the door and and straight into my arms. She "had me at hello". I knew she was coming home with me and she is the BEST gift I have ever received. Now, at 11 her body has slowed down even though she is still such a puppy at heart. She is the world to me and I have changed my lifestyle and work to be with her.

Aussies do not do well alone - they are a breed that needs to be with their human most of the time. the herding breeds are incredibly intelligent, active dogs.

AZ is having it's 100th birthday and I have the honor of exhibiting my mosaic Gila Dream at Tohono Chul Park.

And in this auspicious Year Of The Dragon I have taken a part time job making Moonlight Cookies!

Really fun to make and eat "~)

Love Conquers All

Love really does conquer all. Love and respect for yourself first - who you are, what you do. Then you have love to give to others from a good, kind generous place. Piglet is so cute and I am going to write names and other sentiments like Siempre, Amore, U R ..., etc. Or the word love in different languages. Red little Kitty speaks for herself! I am enjoying baking these almost too much - they are addicting right now!

Purrrr! Happy Friday

Happy Friday - sending gratitude and love to all who have supported me!

Still baking and I realized this morning that the cookies are a way to de-stress. Another canvas that is a comfort.

Good News!

The good news is that there will be a sample of the mosaic tape sent by Maryland Mosaics to test the word area of the this project before going further. The concern is that the Tile tape must be sticky enough to lift the glass pieces from the contact paper.

The application method is called Double Reverse and the glass pieces are applied to a clear sticky surface face up. When ready to adhere to the board, a very sticky tape is applied to the surface of the mosaic to lift it From the contact paper, then the contact paper is peeled from the back.

Since this is a project that will be for an exterior site I will be using Laticrete concrete adhesive to attache the glass mosaic to the hardi board. A one shot deal, so I want to test what has been done so far. Nervous - a little. Excited? Very! This application method was just featured on the mosaic group CMA on a mural installation tutorial and I know it's time for me to learn this new method. When finished, this glass mosaic sign will have thousands of pieces. I have observed that it is convenient to have all of the pieces stay put instead of shifting and this method allows for easier changes. Thanks again to Maryland Mosaics for the sample. This project is a pro bono and the Rescue and Rehab Wildlife center runs on donations. I am donating the labor and did not have the finances to order a product that I was not sure would work.

a pre-photo of new designs. All cookies are individually sealed right after baking and decorating for freshness. The sugar cookies have a shelf life of about a week or more, depending on how they are stored. The bunnies are so cute and the Piglet with a Heart will be decorated today. These are a blast to make!

Moonlight Delights

More cookie designs finished. Each sugar cookie is individually handmade making for a unique edible little work of art that I initial a signature at the bottom. Before packaging the some of cookies are backed with dark Girhidelli chocolate for an extra gourmet touch. The shelf life of these Artisan cookies is easily ten days. A perfect gift that I have given to family, friends and clients since 1988, many kept their cookies for weeks, claiming they were too pretty to eat and reported that they tasted "wonderful". Currently I am experimenting with sealing individual cookies in an air vacuum packages like the Seal-A-Meal concept. For now they are still individually sealed in zip lock bags as soon as the icing is dry. They give me great pleasure to make - obviously since I am still baking and the Christmas holidays are past!

Valentines and Easter will be my testing time to find out if people want to buy my tasty, edible art!

Arizona Centennial

Guess what?! Out of 225 entries, my mosaic Gila Dream was one of the ones selected for the Tohono Chul Park Arizona Centennial exhibit! Yay! I am thrilled that one of my favorite pieces will be on display. Tomorrow is the reception so I will be there with my little name tag to meet everyone, mingle and of course snack on the bites catered by Trader Joes.

Can't wait to see the rest of the fabulous art. I always love the anticipation of seeing what is in the rest of the exhibit!

Moonlight Cookie Mania

Still making my lovely sugar cookies. It's a winter thing. I enjoy baking on a chilly evening while listening to a book or music. The cookies are another canvas that is relaxing and makes me happy. I have about 70 vintage molds and will eventually catalog all of them for a new site on Etsy so stay tuned! The key is to give my "photo models" to friends so I don't eat them!

I will be having a Valentines cyber studio sale and will be including these mini mosaics in the sale.

The mosaics are about 4" and the cookies range from 3" - 5". Both make very unique specialty gifts.

The cookies are made to order and come wrapped in a clear bag with a ribbon tie. Some are on my Facebook album.

Moonlight Cookies

2012 is of to a great start. I am finally making my specialty cookies to order. Since the late 80's I have been making gourmet art sugar cookies for family, friends and clients as holiday gifts. The sugar cookies are made from vintage molds I have collected since the 80's.

When asked to make more my response has been " I don't have time".

This year I just kept baking in the evenings to unwind and now am looking into making them to order.

Last week I asked an aquaintence at a cafe about selling cookies and showed her some of the cookies and she Loved them and said if I want to market my very unique cookies I would first have to get "certified". O.k., so I have to get someone from the county health to come inspect my kitchen and pay a 56.00 fee - yikes!

This week I will find out more about the inspection, possibly get a checklist of what they want etc. Meanwhile cookies are still being made and posted so I have a link with photos to show. So far the cookies are being posted on my Facebook album and this blog. Should I put them up on my website, or have a seperate site/blog ?

Let's see if this idea is worth taking further. Meanwhile the house smells like fresh cookies - Yummm!

Holly's Gracie

Gracie was a fun and challenging commission - I have always loved horses and years ago had a beautiful Arabian mare Arabit Inturah out of Fadur lines. Hope I got the spelling right - it's been a while.

After finishing this commission I visited the Al-Marah Arabian horse farm and fell in love with Arabians all over again. There is a huge Arabian horse event in Feb. at West World that I will be attending. and a small event this weekend at the county fair grounds. Time to go back to horses and get re-acquainted with an old love.

This is the year to embrace all that makes me happy and I love. Stay tuned for my new Cookie making endeavor.

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.

Tina Humphrey Crufts 2007

The relationship between these two is so special. They deserve so much credit! It is exhausting to watch, yet amazing. Memorizing such a long routine is NOT easy for human or dog - extraordinary!!!

GIRLtopia

I liked what this video had to say and would love to get involved in next year's Girltopia event. What a great concept to empower our nieces, daughters, granddaughters, students.

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.

National Geographic BioBlitz 2011 Wildlife!

This weekend I attended and participated in this year's special event BioBlitz sponsored by National Geographic. Each year a different national park is selected by National Geographic for an intense two days of collecting, identifying and recording the flora and fauna of that area. As the environment is always changing, adapting, the natural world is adapting and evolving new species from fungi to new insects, plants, animals.

Saguaro National Park was selected for 2011 BioBlitz. It was an honor to have three of my wildlife pieces chosen and displayed in the visitors center of Saguaro National Park at this amazing and special event. I can only hope that through my wildlife artwork the public will gain an appreciation of the beauty and frailty of our natural world and above all the message that everything is connected in a vast skein - a network of life. Every thread that is broken weakens the whole.

Get ready for some serious glass mosaic - I am also working on a large mosaic sign for Tucson Wildlife Center. They are a non-profit organization who's mission is to rescue, rehab and release wildlife that has been injured or suffered the impact of urban encroachment. Let's face it - we already know that wildlife habitat is shrinking at an alarming rate and with it the bio diversity.

My goal - that my artwork will help change perceptions. Next time people look at one of my bat paintings, or Gila monster mosaics their perception of that species will change from "Eeeww, ickk!" to " Oooh, beautiful, fascinating animal!"

Queen of The Sun: What Are the Bees Telling Us? - Official Trailer [HD]

An Excellent film I plan to watch.

In Tucson AZ we have an increase in the aggressive, African Bees. These are not the sweet, industrious bees described in your story. They are aggressive and will sting in force. They are difficult to distinguish from regular bees.

I recently got rid of an angry hive on the back side of my house due to the danger they posed for my animals and neighbors.

The sad part is that they are slowly outnumbering the nice, native bees. The African Bees Are NOT native to the US - they are an Invasive Species that are now established and spreading, taking over native populations and areas.

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".

Ready for the Holidays?

Any day now we will wake up and BAM! Thanksgiving, Christmas music and displays everywhere. Seems like a whirlwind of activity that is both exciting and stressful.

My work will be exhibited in three small, but well attended venues so I am really excited and looking forward to new commissions.

Every penny is being saved for Risa's medical expenses coming up and travel $$ to visit with my family for the holidays.

There will be new offerings of prints and notecards. It isn't easy to choose images for the notecards - never know what will sell.

Oh, I will start to post pictures of a cool mosaic sign I am working on for the Tucson Wildlife Center. Had to adjust the design to fit the words because the frame was made a bit too small.

PLUS - I am making the glass charms with images of my work. They are pretty cute and can be worn on a chain, put on a key ring, zipper etc.

Ordering glass tomorrow.

Well here it is, finished at last.

I love Border Collies and Aussies! This painting is in acrylic and is 24 x 30".

I chose to glaze a jewel toned turquoise over parts of the painting for vibrancy.

I love the way it turned out and hope everyone else does too.

So far my efforts to join the dog communities has been more of a challenge than I anticipated. thug I have sent out over a dozen query letters to various dog organizations the response has been slow or none. Wonder if it's me... My letters are short and pleasant explaining who I am with a few images and links to my site. My follow up calls and messages are sometimes answered.

Well I got a break this November when the AZ Greyhound Rescue was kind enough to squeeze me into their fall festival. It is a very nice, short venue and I am pretty excited and glad to be included. Plus just had an interview with Tucson Lifestyles Magazine - Yipee!! I am looking forward to more commissions doing work I love. My new Vets are interested in purchasing some of my work so that is really cool too.

After a long slow hot summer it feels good to speed up again. Now back to work!

Oh Sweet Risa says Hi!

La Sirena - the Mermaid

Slip stream quick sliver sure, The Mermaid of the Sea of Cortez glides thru her forest of kelp and coral reefs. She is friend and guardian to the sea life in her home.

Folk tales of fantasy have always attracted me. Mermaids, dragons, elves and unicorns - magical beasts and beings.

I always felt that everything has a spirit. Trees, rivers, wind. The ocean must have its guardians too. La Sirena that lives in the Sea of Cortez is the color of her consorts, the garibaldi. Though her home is the kelp, she is connected to everything that happens - she can feel the happiness, pain, fear, joy of those living in her home.

This is a reverse glass painting, 16x20". There is more silver and gold than is shown in the painting. Tiny silver sardines gleam and surround her as she speaks to a butterfly angel fish.

Moon jelly fish float overhead and a ray glides off into the distance. Golden sea turtles slip through the colorful coral with their entourage of tiny yellow angelfish.

I Never get tired of looking at this painting.

Crafty Chica Day Of The Dead Faux Pastries

Sending this because I DO love mexican pastries!! This has been the year of the doughnut for me which is why I no longer fit in my size 4 jeans :~(

But this Might save me - or not... part of the appeal of the doughnuts is their apperarnce, so cheerful behind their glass case. Anyway, this made me laugh and maybe I will make one or two in mosaic or 3-D. I like using paper mache' clay but this is a cheap alternative that also works well.

Yeah, peace, love, and glitter! LOL Over and out!

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.

Gonna Get Over You

Here is a fun little video. Dancing in a mexican grocery store. I liked it even if the dancing was a little cheesy, it was a fun, light hearted way to start the day courtesy of Crafty Chica Cathy Murillo. For everyone out there who wants to laugh at a break up instead of cry and feel sorry for themselves! (pity parties are o.k. too as long as you have your friends with you :~)

Elephant Walk Mosaic

A new piece for my mini mosaic abstract series. I started off with the nebulas and as usual, the artwork morphs back to representational. Art has been as much a discovery of self in the work. I am the work, it is an extension of myself.

I love abstract and contemporary pieces, but have found they do not come as easily and I actually have to work Harder to make a satisfactory abstract piece.

This little guy is 6x5" and made with stained glass, tempered glass, stones, vintage bugle beads. Just bits and pieces I have had. While I would totally deny being a "pack rat", a glance in my studio says different. Little stashes of stones, beads, fossils, etc.."Stuff" - stashes for the next special midnight project!

Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick

One of my Very Favorite authors. His passion shines in his work. The books are wonderful for Any age. The Invention of Hugo Cabret is so captivating - both the audio and the book itself. In the audio you are drawn in by all the sounds, as if you are right there. Highly recommend listening as well as reading these books!

Betsy the Border Collie

This painting is dedicated to Betsy the amazing border collie in Austria with a vocabulary of over 300 words! In this three minute video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcV8hMX_npA&feature=player_embedded you will see just how wonderful the intelligence of animals is. Betsy is an exceptional to the world of dogs. I know this is why I love animals, nature and do not get tired of representing them in my work thru different media.

There are not enough hours in the day to do all of the creative work I want. Need to work faster or sleep less!

Digital tiger roams South Kensington / Digital / Things / V&A Channel

This is a fabulous concept and imagery. So Cool and I want to see it too!

Digital tiger roams South Kensington / Digital / Things / V&A Channel

Olivia - Australian Shepherd

Olivia's charismatic photos were found while I was browsing Aussies on Flickr one evening. As soon as I saw those arresting eyes, that face, I knew I had to paint her. Who was she? Where was she?

I contacted the photographer and sadly, Olivia had passed away months ago. She was 11 and had contracted vestibular cancer.

The photographer graciously shared not only photos of Olivia, but a moving memorial slide show that had me sniffling.

My own aussie Risa is the companion I love to be with and spoil. Risa is now 10 1/2 and I am enjoying every golden day with her.

Dog Sees Mom, Just Home From Afghanistan

Stuff like this always makes me mushy! "Nobody can tell me that dogs don't have souls. Any being who can cry like that from being reunited with a loved one has a soul."

Sweet Golden Retriever Niki has found her forever home - Yeay! It's so hard to see the wonderful dogs that deserve a great home and are in shelters because for some reason the owners do not/cannot keep them. Seniors going into a home cannot take their pets, the apartment pet deposit is too much for some, no room in the family, too old etc..

Spaying and neutering is a big answer, but so is thinking way ahead before people decide to get a pet because of all of the responsibilities that go with it.

O.k. I'm done - for now...

"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!