Journal

Hello All my Friends and Fellow Artists,

I am happy that you stopped by my Journal page. I'll be the first to admit that I don't have any grand revelations for you for the beginning of 2025. Like a lot of people I have been feeling the anxiety of uncertain times - politics, climate, and life in general. I work every day in the studio even if only for a small amount of time.  Creativity is what keeps me going, optimistic and joyful no matter the news of the day. I've taken on the Secretary's job for the Ontario Society of Artists and thus I am trying to get up to speed with their methods of doing things. Have you heard the expression "voluntold"?  Well that is how I volunteered for such an onerous position as Secretary at my age - lol. So far, it has all been fine, and I enjoy getting to know the other artists. And bonus, I can go to all the meetings from the comfort of my little studio tucked away in the Boreal forest - thank you Zoom.  Of course, I am also still active on the Board of the Canadian Registry of the Tennessee Walking Horse and the Birds in Art Committee will soon start up again in anticipation of another great show this year. So no fear - I have much to do on a daily basis. All good. Have a great day!

Keep Calm and Carry On,

Suze  

Hi art friends, Have you been busy getting ready for the holidays and attending holiday parties? What have you been doing? (Let me know in the comments) Today we finally had a good day for driving and made it to Cobalt to drop this beautiful painting (one of my favourites - let me know if you would like to see a full frontal image) at Laura's Art Shoppe in Cobalt. It had been on the road with the NOAA juried art show for over a year and now it is time for it to find its forever home. While in Cobalt we stopped in at the Lavender Fox, something I have been wanting to do since this past summer when the Lavender Fox was closed while I was in Cobalt for Cobalt Artist's Colony. I ordered the French Press Coffee and a piece of the alcohol soaked Orange Solstice Cake....delicious! We met the famous jazz musician and co-owner Alex Bird but unfortunately we did not meet Lola Angus as she was busy baking delightful treats in the back kitchen. Next time. We also touched base with Melissa LaPorte from the Timiskaming Art Gallery who happened to be there as well. Nice day to get out and take a little trip before hunkering down for January! lol

Best to you, Sue

Hello art friends, artists and art lovers,

The North Forte Gallery is currently holding a two person show titled Fire and Ice which opened today in Sudbury, ON. This was a collaboration between Lauren, Elizabeth, and I. I took on the 'Fire' part of the title with my displays of fireweed. Lauren tackled the 'Ice' part with her icy interpretations. The work is complementary and the hanging of the show was brilliant.  From the reports I have people are loving it. The inspiration comes from the poem Fire and Ice by Robert Frost. Stop in and see the show and let me know what you think!  

Lauren will be there in person on the weekend of November 30th. Regrettably, I will not be able to attend. 

I will do my best to update the Fire and Ice gallery on my website  with more images from the show. 

Have a great day!  

Sue

Hi friends, fellow artists, followers,

Here is my thought for today.

Given that Kris Kristofferson just passed away I thought it appropriate to post one of my Me and Bobby McGee series. I've been working on this series for a few years and it seems to have stalled a bit as I have moved on to other series and other creative endeavours (but only for the time being). I will return and finish the Bobby McGee series at some point. This one is titled "While Bobby Sang the Blues". I painted it while listening to Janis Joplin singing " Me and Bobby McGee". This painting won the Anne McAllister Johnson award in an NOAA show.  I love, love, love the cobalt blue in this. And I was amazed at what appeared in the composition (quite unconsciously) that relates to the song. Do you see the windshield wipers slapping time? (Available)

Kris K was a great song writer and will be missed. 

Carry on all my creative friends, and those who appreciate creatives,

xxoo Suze

Hi Friends and Fellow Artists,

The Boreal forest has been busy outside the studio this week. The leaves are turning yellow and orange but still hanging on to the trees. Our resident chipmonks have been scurrying around doing whatever chippies do at this time of the year to prepare for winter. The migratory birds have pretty much taken flight although the loons are still on the lake. The weather has been warm to hot, and actually glorious. The orange waxing moon at night and the northern lights have really been spectacular. And look who showed up in the garden to harvest the sunflowers which were planted by the chippies last spring. I have a feeling that with all the reference photos I snapped, the blue jay family will soon be appearing in my art journal if not in a painting or two. I'm off to work in the studio now so have a great day!

xxoo, Suze

Hi Friends,

I pretty well took the summer off from posting art on social media but I am back! Don't let that fool you though, it has been a very busy summer art wise. I spent a week in Cobalt with the Cobalt Artist's Colony for the first time in many years, then the opening of the Art of Birds show where I told the story of "Crackers" the raven and my old friend and artist Jean Stoughton, who sadly passed away a few years ago, followed by a trip to Timmins for the opening of the Wild Alchemy show, along with many hours in the studio. I have become quite obsessed with working in my art journal...drawing and collaging scrapes and pieces of my life together. Here is a double page of raven drawings, all from my personal collection of ravens that I have encountered in and around the Boreal forest. It seems I can't put this journal down and it will eventually contain many aspects of my 'story'. I gave one of these sketchbooks to a friend and I think I inspired her to draw and paint her story and now she has inspired another friend to get started! Some of the pages in the journal will become paintings and others pages will remain as part of my personal journey. So much inspiration! Caution - drawing is addictive!

Have a great day!

Suze

Hello Artists and Friends,

Thanks to Laura's Art Shop in Cobalt, Ontario "The Deerhorn" has found its forever home.  Laura informs me that this painting has landed with people that have a real connection to the Deerhorn mine and that is so gratifying. This mine has some fond memories for me. We visited after it had ceased production and spent the day at the "Deerhorn" seeking out samples of silver and 'cobalt bloom' and having our bag lunch sitting on the waste rock. A special place for sure. Stop in at Laura's Art Shop in Cobalt, ON for other wonderful artworks by Northern artists. Laura is an expert on local art history and very willing to share. 

Have a great day painting, walking, enjoying the spring! :)

Sue 

April 20, 2024

Hello Friends and Fellow Artists,

Here it is already the 20th of April! Still cold in the Boreal forest but I am not complaining - I like the cold and the daylight has returned! It was a good week with a visit to Cobalt and a stop in at Laura's Art Shoppe. So nice to chat to Laura and catch up! I'm off to spend the day in the studio! Have a great day! 

xxoo Sue  

Take in Wild Alchemy and the Global Grove from April 4, 2024 to May 10, 2024 at the Assembly Hall Gallery in Etobicoke, ON. I was delighted to have had two works chosen for the show which promises to be a really interesting one! The opening is tonight at 6pm! Unfortunately I won't be able to make it due to distance and just digging out from a snowstorm. Have a great time! 

Suze