Journal

Hello Artists and Friends,

With all the excitement concerning artists visiting Cobalt, Ontario I thought I would include this painting in the Northern Heritage Collection. (It's not up there yet but is available). The Deerhorn headframe no longer exists and I worked from a photo I had taken years ago. Despite the negatives around abandoned mines, a headframe still has an air of romance about the memories of the prospectors, miners, immigrants and life in a mining town. It seems Cobalt has been on everyone's mind after the big Cobalt exhibition at the McMichael Gallery in Kleinberg. Cobalt has been a gathering place for artists since way back in the last century. Every summer Northern Ontario artists gather in Cobalt for a week of painting. The Cobalt Artist's Colony is where Northern artists look forward to re-connecting with old friends after a winter of isolation in their home community. This one is a little taste of Cobalt. 

Keep on the sunny side and have a good Easter weekend. 

Sue

Hello Friends,

Look what came in my mailbox yesterday - a gift from the author! "Toller Cranston, Ice, Paint, Passion" is a wonderful book about Toller's life, written by Toller's sister Phillippa Baron! I have only had a quick look inside but I already know that I love, love, love Toller's words sprinkled throughout! I was honoured to have my painting "Toller Come Float Over the Duck Pond" included in the book. I can't wait to get into reading more of this book for insights into the mind of this very special creative person who represented Canada so well!

You can see my painting, here on the website under Portraits North of Seventeen. I have a few more to add to this Gallery as time permits. The show was curated by Dermot Wilson. 

Take Care, 

Suze

Hello Friends and Fellow Artists,

So glad you stopped by my Journal page. I am notorious for neglecting social media and even my beloved Journal. I would love to put in a journal entry every day as we move into spring. (Now there is a goal!) Trust me, I was obsessively in the studio all this time, often wondering if I am getting anywhere with my painting - an affliction of many artists. Painting is what gets me up every morning full of enthusiasm and always finding there are not enough hours in the day.  This weekend it was snowy but the soft light was wonderful to paint by. Often it is too bright in my studio and I have to hang a window cover to keep the light from bouncing around and annoying me.   Oh yes, and the good news...I had a painting accepted into the 15th Annual Contemporary Juried Art Exhibition 2024! The show this year was for abstract art. I have painted abstracts for years as have many artists (don't get me started on my opinions) but for the recent past and present, representational art is dominating my easel. (Oh yes and I can hear the art consultant's voice ringing in my head 'And how many artists are you?' Well I have no answer for that one for today. lol) -   Congratulations to all the artists who entered the 15th Annual Contemporary whether you got in or not! Looking forward to seeing the show!

Do send me a message through my resurrected Comment and Guestbook Page or Contact.  I love reading your comments. And have a good day! 

Sue

Hello Friends, Artists, and Collectors,

I was honoured that "Mystic" was selected for the upcoming online Wildlife show through the John B. Aird Gallery. I think "Mystic" illustrates all that my recent work is about - something to do with the mystery of the Boreal forest, the spiritual connection to nature that humans innately share, the love of colours- in this case blue, the presence of form found in the moose skull, and a connected geometry with the painted image (in this case the curves add to the magic). 'Mystic' is of course, one of a series based on my friendly moose skull that lives in my studio.  Have a great day...

Suze (rhymes with snooze..lol) 

Hello Friends and Fellow Artists, 

Yesterday I presented a slide show to the Kirkland Lake Arts Club on abstract art and the Transcendental Painting Group. I hope everyone enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed researching some of these artists. 

Have a great day whatever you are doing - painting in your studio, enjoying family time or out  experiencing our way too mild winter. 

snowshoe sue

Yesterday I visited the Museum of Northern History to bring a generous donation from the family of an old friend who passed away in 2020. Artist Jean Stoughton left a legacy for the MNH to teach art to kids and for programming including the Art of Birds upcoming show ( August 2024). I was honoured to deliver such good news. 

Hello Friends and Fellow Artists,

What are you doing today? Our storm has subsided but the wind is wicked. I don't think I am even going out to walk the dog. I have a painting to finish and it is a beast. I am trying to move it off the easel so I can get into my next group of paintings that exist only in my mind. At the same time I am taking an online course in painting birds (I never stop learning) so I am juggling between the two reasons I have a brush in my hand and paints on the palette. Have a great day! Oh! And here is a quote for you... some food for thought.  

from my studio.....xxoo

Suze

Hi Friends and Fellow Artists,

The sun is shining! It is wonderful outside! A storm is brewing for tomorrow. Time to take the dog for a walk before returning to the studio and coffee break! Have a happy day and enjoy your afternoon coffee! 

Hunker down,

Sue

Hello Friends and Fellow Artists,

The snow is softly falling! I love winter! And we need the snow as there has been very little up to this point in the winter. I am in the studio writing down ideas in my sketch book and about to try to finish a painting which has been on and off the easel for weeks. The studio cat has joined me. She loves to sleep while I work, and she is such a good cat she rarely gets into my stuff. I've had other cats that would constantly take things away or jump on my table. One even ended up jumping onto my palette of oil paints. After a bath she still ended up with phthalo green staining for awhile. She lived to a ripe old age so thankfully it didn't seem to shorten her life.

Have a great day no matter what you are doing! And leave me a comment or send me an email. through Contact!  I love to hear from you! 

Suze

Hi Friends and Fellow Artists,

So glad you are here. Last week I spent a bit of time studying these tracks. Are they from a wolf? They certainly look big enough. I guestimated the stride length and it was clearly 8 feet plus. (A German Shepherd has a stride length of 5 to 6 feet.) We do have dogs roaming about but they usually stick to the driveway and yard and I have not seen one with tracks this big. We have had  German Shepherds with our last fellow being 120 lbs. so I know something about big dog tracks. Those are my boots and even with a bit of melting snow these tracks seem too large and the stride too long for a dog.  It all makes me wonder. Part of another day in the Boreal Forest. Now back to the studio. lol

The word for 2024 seems to be 'Be Kind' (Governor General's address)  and I can't agree more. We need more kindness. Have a great day and be kind. 

xxoo,

Sue