suzanne berry

HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND A HEART FELT THANK YOU!

2009-12-24T11:32:00.000-08:00

Blu and Raz Berry, Christmas Eve - 2009

NFDP

Thank you from the bottom of my little angst-ridden heart for following my work and my whining this year. Thank you for your kind words of encouragement, support and advice. They have helped me more than you'll ever know. I've learned so much and look forward to sharing my work and my progress with you all in the New Year.

The fact that you do in fact follow my work is one of the most incredible gifts I've ever received. I remember a time when I excitedly ran downstairs with a completed painting to show a relative what I'd done. I was met with... "You know, we are not here to serve as an audience for your art!" Turns out I don't need them!

It's that time of year again. Happiness is expected. And somehow it always arrives. The sheer excitement of the Christmas Season has stayed with me since I was a little girl, practicing the Christmas morning stair descent with my big bro, weeks before the big day. We thought Christmas was magical and I guess I still do.

This year I've learned so much and I'm so grateful for every lesson. Learning lessons isn't always fun but what would life be without them? Blissful ignorance only works for infants. It's been quite a ride, but in the last decade:

1. I’ve found my spiritual path—or it found me, or it’s always been there and I didn’t remember it, or all of the above—and as a result, every daunting, overwhelming, lingering question I’ve ever had about life, the universe and reality has been, for me, most satisfactorily answered. Yeah...I know....a bold statement. Nevertheless.

2. More often than not, I veer off that path because I think I know better. Happily, the capacity for pain in human beings is high, but it does have its limits. When I’m ready, that path is right there for me and guilt isn't part of the deal.

3. Liquin is my closest friend right now. After himself and the kids that is.

4. Beginning work on a black canvas is the most significant change I’ve made to date. I’d read it so many places, heard if from so many artists, but never tried it. Obviously, I’m a tad stubborn.

5. The support and generosity of everyone I’ve met online is staggering to me. I’m an isolator. Even more so now that I’m working from home. I will admit to consecutive days in jammies, although not the same pair. That said, in the last five years I have met more people, made more new friends and produced more work than I have in my entire life.

6. Even though we can’t be who our families need us to be or they can’t be who we need them to be, I believe there is a love that prevails and survives everything. Even not interacting.

7. There’s always room in your heart for more love, no matter what you say after your 12-year old Chocolate Lab focused only on the non-physical.

8. I’ve finally accepted that it really isn’t himself’s responsibility to make me happy, successful, safe and secure. That’s my job. Ironically, believing that has enabled him to make me happier than I ever thought possible.

9. I’m hoping something incredibly clever will spring to mind for number nine, but so far it hasn’t.

10. If I don’t respect my work, my work ethic, myself or my environment, nothing much is gonna happen. I am who I believe I am. I accomplish what I believe I can. I’m as successful as I allow myself to be. My reaction to everything I experience is my responsibility and blaming what’s outside for what’s happening inside is an exhaustive waste of time.

Peace, Happy Holidays and again thank you all.

LIEZEN

2009-12-18T10:20:00.000-08:00

12 X 16"
oil on canvas
sold

Another Christmas commission done! Whew. Hope this makes it safely through the coming storm. We actually have blizzard warnings for tomorrow. Love these storms when himself is home and we're all cozy and warm. Back to work.

MOSES-BOTKIN CHALLENGE - December

2009-12-15T11:26:00.000-08:00

9.5 x 7.5"
oil on board
$125

I was going to forgo the usual "I cannot believe how quickly the time is passing," but... too late! I feel like I just posted the last challenge painting! This is so good for me on so many levels. If I work on a somewhat daily basis, the fear portion of the program begins to diminish. No so much hemming and hawing, just sit down at the easel and have at it. Not enough time to procrastinate. This is a good thing.

The Challenge this month is hot and cold or fire and ice. I had the idea to position an ice cube near a candle but no go. I used a black board for the background and the cube just disappeared into the darkness. So I put several cubes in a wine glass and snapped away. I liked the shots but they looked really slick, like a product shot. Plus, the cubes were all warm and glowing hot. No fire and ice, just fire. Enter Photoshop. I played with the color balance bringing in more blue and cyan and ended up with some wonderful mauves, limes, olives, pinks and white hots. I think the finished piece is a tad too cool, but I'm happy with it. Who said that?

We all had very different concepts and that's what makes it exciting! I love what everyone did and am again very grateful for being included.

Fire and Ice
5 3/4" x 9 3/4" (14.7cm x 24.8cm)
oil on board
$125 plus $12.5 shipping and handling in the US
E-mail me for International shipping rates or other inquiries.

“Waiting for Global Warming” 4”x6” Oil on hardboard

“Warm Cool Colors” Oil on canvas, 8” x 10”

©Marie Fox

http://mariefoxpaintingaday.blogspot.com/

“Winter Rooftops” 6x6 Oil on Board

“Iced Coffee and a Biscuit” Oil on Panel

http://vickiandrandyrossart.blogspot.com/

TANK

2009-12-13T10:38:00.000-08:00

10x10"

oil on canvas

sold

Another Christmas commission. Seem as though... there will be dogs. At least for the next few posts anyway. Can I get an amen for Liquin?

Simply cannot believe this year is coming to an end! It feels as though I just decided to make '09 go slower and all that seemed to do was speed it up.

Another Moses-Botkin Challenge is coming around again. Wow, that was quick! I'm behind, as usual, however it's not due any partying in the pity-pot on my part. I've been working!! Woo-hoo!

PUGS

2009-12-10T15:39:00.000-08:00

I thought it appropriate to re-post these two paintings o' pugs as we are now raising two of them. It's been a interesting process. I'm a classic, majestic lines kinda gal...did I just say gal? I love Labs, Shepherds. Himself is the pug guy. I was against the Lab but seein as how that turned out to be the second best decision he ever made I figured I'd give him the benefit of the doubt and see what happened. I never thought I'd fall as deeply in love with these faces as I have but it's a fact. Himself was right again. I think they are the most beautiful faces ever. Next to Devlin the Wonder Dog of course.

PERSIMMONS

2009-12-09T10:31:00.000-08:00

6x8"

oil on canvas

$125

I know nothing about these fruits?, veggies?, except they have one of the most vibrant shades of orange skin I've ever seen. It just occurred to me that I might have investigated them further after using them but I got lost in details and the next time I touched them was to dispatch them to the trash. What a waste. Shame too because I could be saying so much more about them right now.

Persimmons
8" x 6" (20.4cm x 15.3cm)
oil on canvas
$125 plus $12.95 shipping and handling in the US
E-mail me for International shipping rates or other inquiries.

LULU, Again

2009-12-08T16:47:00.000-08:00

11x14"

oil on canvas

nfs

I posted this yesterday and had to delete it. There was a surprise factor involved I wasn't sure about. So here again is that post.

This is the adorable pup that will be featured on Fox TV’s Good Day New York on Wednesday, December 9th at 9:20am EST. It was a timely and well needed opportunity that forced me out of my funk and into focused painting mode. A real tight deadline, I actually began painting on Thursday last. Without artist Linda Apple’s suggestion that I try Liquin I would have been in it up to my knees. Still can’t believe it never occurred to me to research a speed-drying medium. Oh well.

GRRRRRR!

2009-12-07T06:35:00.000-08:00

11x14"

graphite on paper

$75

I had a cat once. I was in my twenties and living in my very first apartment. Her name would reveal a lot more than I think necessary about myself, so, suffice it to say she was a tad erratic but at the same time very, very mellow. She didn't like people...at all. She was fiercely loyal and completely a one person feline. She loved to play fetch with the little plastic top that adorned her open can of cat food for hours. She delighted in allowing me to hold her like an infant while she nursed on my finger and would even pull it back to her mouth with her paws when I pulled it away. Strange cat. And, in her defense, I guess the argument could be made that she had a strange owner.

I had a party once, soon after I'd discovered the delightful euphoria one experienced from downing a few shots of tequila. I decided I wanted to duplicate that feeling and proceeded to dig deeply into a bottle of Jose...far too deeply. Euphoria quickly turned to nausea, and while I was in the process of being violently ill for an extended period of time, she took up residence at the door of the loo and literally growled at anyone wanting to check on my progress.

Her growl was formidable. She would attack if provoked. But her hiss, now there was something very special. She'd eye her intended prey for a minute or two, bring her lean body into itself, hunch her shoulders, draw in a breath, straighten up, hesitate and then... hissssssss. I always thought she looked alarmingly like Bette Davis in Jezabelle. Lots of shoulders, very 40's film femme fatale. Classic.

Grrrr!
11" x 14" (28.0cm x 35.6cm)
graphite on paper
$75 plus $12.95 shipping and handling in the US
E-mail me for International shipping rates or other inquiries.

EXPRESSIVE TEES

2009-12-05T23:25:00.000-08:00

They say that a dry creative period is usually followed by torrents of ideas and inspiration. Today, I've decided that is going to be true. Sitting in the studio staring out the window over a hot cup of tea last week, I again was in dire need of some sweet inspiration. I haven't really done anything to break out of my creative funk—no museums, shows, classes, although I have been spotted lurking around my favorite art blogs. I let out the usual heavy sigh and decided to check my email for that $20,000 commission that still hasn't arrived and found something almost a good!

Barbara Peterson, an artist whose work I greatly admire, had taken time to write me an email suggesting I market my artwork in alternative forms. She gave me a few websites to visit and shared some information about each. I'd been thinking about doing something like that, I'd even received more than a few suggestions in that direction from other artists and the a few of the wonderfully kind people who follow my blog—and thank you all so very much for doing so. I thought the bugs and floating faces might lend themselves to tee shirts, greeting cards etc. Barbara's email was the spark I needed.

Himself and I have had quite the day working out just how to create my storefront. And I must admit all of it wasn't fun, geeks can be such snobs sometimes. Anyway, we pushed through with the help of few glasses of wine and some great music. So far I've got two items in my store and plan to incorporate the Bug Series and the Floating Faces or Expressions in Graphite, depending on how sophisticated I'm feeling at the time, into whatever I think might suit them. I'm very excited.

Things always seem to pick up just when you're ready to carry them. I got a call from Lisa Ferraro, whose working with Micah Condon to give DailyPainters some visibility in the marketplace. She told me she had a great opportunity for me. And so it was! Turns out I'm doing a portrait of a pup that belongs to a local news reporter that's going to be featured in a TV spot for pet gifts!

I'm in the middle of a few Christmas commissions and certificate paintings, but the buzz of being busy, even with the pups as a distraction, really feels wonderful. I also think that committing to an actual painting a day, again, is on order. I've gotten timid, again. "Canvas Dread" I call it. When I first started at DP it was like making a speech every day. You were nauseous before you did it, nervous during the deed and thrilled when it was over. I need that again.

I'm very excited about all this and very grateful for the kind words and suggestions. The community online, if one could call it that, has been so incredibly supportive, helpful, illuminating and inspiring. The mind fairly boggles at the thought of...horrors... the loss of electricity!

OCTOBER REFRESHED

2009-11-28T10:53:00.000-08:00

5x5"

oil on canvas

sold

This painting recently sold and I thought it needed a little refreshing. I've haven't been in front of the easel for almost a week. Holiday crazies, cleaning, reorganizing. A little vaycay I think I needed.

The depression comes and goes, taking with it my confidence. I'm ignoring it and continuing on. Silly. This is what I do and I'm not going to stop, so have at it voice. I found a portrait, while tidying the storage room, that I'd started at least ten years ago. It was of my former neighbor's two daughters. I remember calling her, ashamed and regretful, explaining the photo wasn't optimal, I'd need to take another, the painting wasn't coming out well. When I found it and examined it, I was stunned! It was fine, nice in fact. It gave me needed insight into my "seeing" problem. Is that a pun? Anyway, I'm keeping it by my easel to remind me how I sabotage myself with spurious negative feedback.

I'm rededicating myself, creating a new schedule and sticking to it. I realized yesterday that any progress or success I've experienced only comes if I'm working. Um...duh. A new schedule, a new attitude, a new acceptance of my need to continually pour that perfect glass of wine and then knock it over. I think we all suffer from this syndrome in some way or another, in different degrees of intensity, depending upon what level of success we allow ourselves in life. I got some great suggestions from artists who suffer from the same setbacks and am going to try each one. A class is a great idea. There's so much I don't know.

It's obviously part of my makeup. I'm accepting being a tad koo-koo. Fighting anything never conquers it. It only makes it more real.

KENS...AGAIN

2009-11-28T10:48:00.000-08:00

8x10"

oil on linen/board

sold

My client wanted me to touch up the copy on the label and finish it. I of course, being crazy, decided to do it over. I've learned two valuable lessons from this commission. I'm really not at all good at painting objects on demand. And by that I mean the experience, not the result. I thought I'd enjoy it and it would be easy for me. It turned out to be the opposite. I'm proud to present this to my client, but the experience wasn't what I'd expected. I'm finding my painting career isn't static, it will change and it will grow, but only if I accept that I have limitations and that I should paint what inspires me. That said, I am grateful for the commission, the experience and all I've learned from it.

BUMMER!

2009-11-19T16:29:00.000-08:00

11x14"

pencil on paper

$75

In search of new subject matter, a concept, a theme, something that I simply can't wait to sit down and paint. Until then, I guess it's floating faces.

We've settled on names for the pups. Raz and Blu. It was Red and Blu, because we couldn't decide on final names so we started identifying them by the color or their collars. I wasn't a big fan of either name until sometime yesterday afternoon I realized how well they worked with our last name! Nothin' gets by me. So Red became Raz. However, we're in talks now to possibly change Blu to Dingle.

Bummer!
11" x 14" (28.0cm x 35.6cm)
pencil on paper
$75 plus $12.95 shipping and handling in the US
E-mail me for International shipping rates or other inquiries.

LINKS LIST DELETED!

2009-11-19T11:27:00.000-08:00

I admit it. A geek I am not. I got used to using creative programs at work, but now, I'm overwhelmed with list, links, posts, forums, adding gadgets, editing groups and on and on. Apparently during one of my ill conceived attempts to add something I inadvertently deleted my link list! A million apologies to everyone. Please let me know if you'd like to be included again. I'm going through my old posts and retrieving some names but please contact me if I've left you out or you'd like to be included. Thanks!

MOSES-BOTKIN CHALLENGE - November

2009-11-15T12:00:00.000-08:00

View from the Studio

16x20"

oil on canvas

$450

The Diana Moses Botkin Challenge for November is "the view outside my studio," chosen this month by Michael Naples. A great choice of subject matter, but I was stumped. My proper studio, a studio I spent lots of time and money renovating, is downstairs, on the first floor. An ideal location for raising young pups and logging long hours on paintings in progress wouldn't one think? However, I've chosen to remain upstairs, dealing with stairs, a bad knee, two pups and paint on everything, including our quilt and my face. It just feels better up there right now and little Suzanne has acted up quite enough this month, I thought it best to just give her what she wants right now.

Anyway, I found some really nice bushes outside, underneath the bedroom window that caught my eye. And technically, if I open the window, stick my head out and look down, there they are!

I absolutely love the different views from the group's studios this month! So varied and so well done. I'm honored to be a member and I might have done everything correctly this month! Yea!

View from Studio
20" x 16" (50.8cm x 40.7cm)
oil on canvas
$450 plus $12.95 shipping and handling in the US
E-mail me for International shipping rates or other inquiries.

The View 4x6” Original oil on hardboard

Green Belt 8x8” watercolor on paper

Studio View 8x8.5” oil on canvas

Studio View 24x18” oil on canvas

Electric Highway 8x8” oil on board
©2009 Michael Naples
http://michaelnaples.blogspot.com/

View from my Studio 8x10” oil on panel
©2009 Vicki Ross
http://vickiandrandyrossart.blogspot.com/

NOVEMBER CHALLANGE TOMORROW

2009-11-14T05:33:00.000-08:00

The Moses-Botkin Challenge for November will be posted tomorrow. Please stop by and check out the group's answer to this month's challenge. This is great fun, I think I've got a shot at doing everything right this month! We'll see.

WHOOPS!

2009-11-12T17:18:00.000-08:00

11x14"

pencil on paper

$75

I made this face in an effort to spell the sound my mouth produced. It wasn't Whoops! Really, just how would one spell that sound?

The depression has lifted. Himself gave me a pup break all weekend past and I was back to my old, marginally cranky self in no time! Seeing the impact not working has on my fragile hold on peace, I took the pups by the horn and reclaimed my days this week! They now revolve around my schedule. I'm still judging and critical of myself, but am not taking it seriously. I keep thinking of what Crash Davis said to Ebbie Calvin "Nuke" Laloush in Bull Durham..."don't think, it'll only hurt the team!"

Whoops!
11" x 14" (28.0cm x 35.6cm)
pencil on paper
$75 plus $12.5 shipping and handling in the US
E-mail me for International shipping rates or other inquiries.

OOoo, I'm Tellin!

2009-11-10T11:09:00.000-08:00

11x14"

pencil on paper

$75

It was always me, directing this dire warning to my big brother, but he never seemed to mind getting in trouble. Off to work on another painting.

Ooo, I'm Tellin!
11" x 14" (28.0cm x 35.6cm)
pencil on paper
$75 plus $12.5 shipping and handling in the US
E-mail me for International shipping rates or other inquiries.

EWOOOO!

2009-11-05T17:19:00.000-08:00

11x14"

pencil on paper

$75

This should have accompanied yesterday's post. I love doing these, they're fun and quick and satisfying. I feel so much better. Thanks again.

Ewoooo
11" x 14" (28.0cm x 35.6cm)
pencil on paper
$75 plus $12.5 shipping and handling in the US
E-mail me for International shipping rates or other inquiries.

THANK YOU!

2009-11-05T17:17:00.000-08:00

First, I'd like to apologize for my ravings yesterday. Never post in a mood like that. Thank you all so very much for the comments of support and gentle admonishment. I needed both! I have the uncanny ability to behave like a ten year old brat from time to time. I have so very much to be grateful for, especially art. No more whining. Just more painting.

THAT FREAKIN' APPLE!

2009-11-04T13:59:00.000-08:00

6x6"

oil on board

NFS

You're sitting in front of the easel thinking, let me just dash off an apple. Simple enough. At least you'll have a painting to post. The pups just went out, so they should brawl in their little playpen and give you at least one hour, uninterrupted. This'll be good. It'll get you outta that funky mood, the one that covers you in doubt like a thin transparent film of filth, dulling your vision and sealing up your ears to any sanity that might try to squeak through and knock you upside the head and out of the pity pot.

Well here it is. That freakin' apple! Been working on it for 3 weeks on and off. And it sucks. I need to get this out. I know it seems ridiculous. It's a painting of an apple. Surely not your best Suz, but hey, it's ok. If you are an artist I'm guessing you know what I'm talking about. If you've read my blog at all you know I'm a walking poster child for insecurity and doubt, always lamenting the loss of my mojo. I even received a very passionate email from someone admonishing me, albeit gently, for even uttering the words "I can't paint anymore!" This person's mother was a gifted artist until surgery went dreadfully wrong and made it impossible for her to work— ever again. That definitely gave me pause and made me even more guilty about this latest session of nonsense and waste 'o time.

I felt stupid trying to explain to her that those feelings of dread, of the seeming loss of one's ability, however false they might be in reality, feel very real. Stupid? Yes. I know I'm responsible for what I think and feel. Thoughts cannot just show up. And they all have a purpose. And if I don't take steps to curtail this flight of fancy into the dark place, I'm really going to be extremely unhappy, not to mention hopelessly behind.

So I'm posting this freakin apple. I'm not going to melt, disappear, or spontaneously combust if I post work that I think isn't good. I should make it a point of posting everything I do, good, bad or indifferent. I need to laugh at this stuff. These standards I'm holding myself to are ridiculously high, not to mention arrogant and methinks I'm not the only one sick and tired of my constant whining. I'm so very tired of this dance, obviously I can paint.

It's nothing but a smokescreen of doubt so that when the smoke does clear, there I'll be, on the bed, Pug on each shoulder — one eating my hair, the other still bent on extracting milk from my ear lobe, remote in one hand, bag of chips in the other and depression, solidly and "happily" in place. I think it would be a lot easier if I just put the brush down, laughed off the doubt and insecurity and watched the tube until I felt better, providing I felt better within the next hour that is.

Maybe I'll try that the next time.

HOW MUCH?

2009-11-03T16:05:00.000-08:00

11x14"

pencil on paper

$75

I can't seem to finish a painting these days. It's impossible to jump up and down from the easel and keep some kind of flow creatively, so I'm going to commit to drawings...again...until I can finish some of the pieces I'm working on. This time I think I'll honor my commitment, I really need to post.

How Much?
11" x 14" (28.0cm x 35.6cm)
pencil on paper
$75 plus $12.5 shipping and handling in the US
E-mail me for International shipping rates or other inquiries.

ON THE EASEL - THE VASE

2009-11-01T13:52:00.000-08:00

Strangeness. I'm all over the place. This is a painting in progress for Six by Six in NYC. Amazing setup, that. I read about it on another artist's blog and decided to send for the kit. I'm a big fan of packaging and the way this arrives is too cool! Beautifully designed and just plain fun. And the canvas surface is perfect. I'm going to take my time and do this right. Layers, stages, patience, remaining true to my reference color value etc. See what happens. I'll be posting the stages to see how it goes.

I've been very critical of myself...again. I really haven't been working enough. Graphic design jobs were coming in and I was grateful, but they were a rush, they dragged on with multiple revisions and compensation was far too slow. I was whining about not having enough time to paint and himself came up with an amazing solution! He suggested I remove myself from the free-lance arena and concentrate on painting. All day! I was thrilled, I felt free and couldn't wait to start and end the day painting. Of course the first day I did that, I sat in front of the easel and did a lot of heaving sighing and not much else. Surprise!

Another dry spell. Whatever. Self imposed, like all my pain and frustration. Feel the poop and move on. Even I'm getting a tad weary of my all consuming artist angst. What's the big deal? Just paint.

The pups are really a handful. I'm following a schedule but they are taking up a lot more time than I anticipated. But they passed the button test, with flying colors, so that's cool. What is the button test you ask? Whenever I make a life-changing decision, and for me the pups were just that, I visualize a big button, not unlike the Staples big "easy" button. Each week that passes after the big change has taken place, I see the button in my minds eye and ask myself the simple question..."If I could push this button and - fill in the blank - would disappear from view and memory with no consequences, would I push it?" Absolutely not! I do ask myself at 5:30 in the morning, on a dark, dreary, rainy, nasty day...Ok, just what the hell were we thinking, but that's only because they think rain is kryptonite for dogs and refuse to do their business. Not fun. Other than that they are pure joy.

NITE! NITE!

2009-10-27T15:46:00.001-07:00

9x12'
graphite on paper
$50

I just opened this scan and yawned. Hope that's a good thing.

I'm feelin' good, got five paintings in the works at varying stages. The pups are wailin'. I'm off.

Nite! Nite!
11" x 14" (28.0cm x 35.6cm)
pencil on paper
$75 plus $12.5 shipping and handling in the US
E-mail me for International shipping rates or other inquiries.

TICKLED

2009-10-21T06:35:00.001-07:00

9x12'
pencil on paper
sold

I'm down to posting once a week if I'm lucky! Himself has been ill and hasn't finished his painting so I lied again. We didn't post side by side yet, I cut him some slack. Until the end of the month. I haven't finished mine either. Can't use the pups as an excuse, work must go on. Just gotta be more disciplined....again.

I want to post at least five days a week. Yeah...I know... I've said that before.

THE BOYS

2009-10-18T08:10:00.001-07:00

NFDP

It's been one whole week of puppy love and each time I look at them my heart just melts. It's a strange feeling though, as Devlin is never far from my thoughts. I no longer feel like I'm being unfaithful to his memory, but I think of him and our relationship every single day.

That said, these two little cartoon characters, two little muppets, whose thinly veiled Ewok disguise hasn't got me fooled one bit by the way, have taken over our home and hearts completely. We happily surrendered, after very little fighting, to their every wish. I've tried, countless times, to set eyes on them, without experiencing an intense and sudden need to express a loud, heartfelt, and very gushy AWWWWWW!

If anything could take our minds off of missing Devlin without making the inevitable comparisons, it's these two. They appear to have come from central casting, two characters straight out of a Disney cartoon, with hastily planned sequels no less. When I'm trying to get some work done and I hear their little squeaks, or look to the left of my foot by my easel and see those two sets of saucer eyes set precariously far apart upon a snout that seems to have met head on, full speed with an unforgiving wall, the thought of limping (I twisted my knee by simply walking...hello) downstairs out into the cold rain to let them relieve themselves is pure heaven. Of course it's not nearly that simple, but it sure feels that way. And now, a very deep felt, happy, love-filled heavy sigh!