A Painted Haven - Art Blog

9/11

2011-09-11T11:38:00.002-04:00

Evil slips into her room

Uninvited, unannounced

Takes what is not his,

What was hers,

Though he reviles it.

His precise hands are methodical

Defiling flesh and steal

Concrete and bone efficiently,

He does not stop to feel.

He seduces her like a lover,

In a spiteful last embrace,

Then he coldly snaps her neck

But has never seen her face.

He covers her torn body

In a blanket made of dust

Leaves her broken down and naked

On the desecrated earth.

The city now consecrated

Still the proud lady weeps,

Tears of anger turned to acid

Burning streaks down her cheeks.

Susan 9/11/01

Yellow River Marsh

2011-07-21T09:53:00.002-04:00

Yellow River Marsh

6"x6" Gallery Wrapped Oil

2011-07-20T17:22:00.003-04:00

Empty Pockets

5" X 7" Oil on Canvas

This past week our Russian, Polish, German? plumber named Simon has spent quite a few hours working on our 1923 house. New plumbing for us (Yea!) not so good for dollars, as Simon would say.

I was working on this painting at the time, an the appropriate name came up by the end of the day. Empty Pockets. Pretty much describes how I'm feeling right now.

2011-07-20T17:13:00.001-04:00

Hemmingways Window

4" X 6" Oil on Linen Board

Clifton, VA

2011-07-18T13:17:00.002-04:00

This one's titled "End of the Lane" - I took some beautiful pictures recently while visiting the Washington DC area. This is around Kay and Joes property in Clifton, VA. I hope to have a few more paintings from this gorgeous area. Joe and Kay are planning to open up their "compound" by next summer for a youth camp. Needless to say, It was very inspiring!

2011-05-18T20:59:00.002-04:00

Weekly watercolor, yet to be named. Help!

2011-05-18T20:50:00.003-04:00

Right before dusk the sky turns the most amazing blue color. I've been trying (unsuccessfully) to capture this. Hard to do in our yard because of all the oak trees, but I finally got one!

2011-05-14T20:00:00.003-04:00

"The Cat & Fiddle"

Watercolor 16 X 20

If I knew where this was, I'm pretty sure it would be my favorite pub.

Did one similar a few years back for a show and it sold, so I did another similar for the next show on 5/26. Skyline Fifth Ave, St Pete Fl. More details about that to come.

Latest Acrylic

2011-05-10T09:57:00.003-04:00

Finished! 16"x20" Acrylic

Bessie

Quiet . . . . . .

2011-05-09T20:27:00.008-04:00

Took a break from painting/framing today. Five paintings in 2 weeks is a lot for me. It's nice to have a day to breathe and a gorgeous day to be outside.

I love my old quilts and they remind me to take time each day to do something that makes you smile. I've never done any quilting, but I can picture how much joy this brought someone each day while sewing. Joy will come when you do what you love.

I only wish I could find this much joy at the gym!

2011-04-29T14:39:00.011-04:00

This beautiful purple tree is a Jacaranda and they are in bloom right now. Just like Jacaranda Manor, the nursing home where I'm pretty sure my kids have me booked. After they bloom, they're pretty ugly. Wait. . . . . the same thing happened to me!

Heard this the other day and just had to share. (I did personalized it a bit!)

My curfew was the streetlight, dad called my name and not my cell phone. Mom yelled louder, getting a text would have been great. My life was mysterious and surprising, not played out on Facebook. I ate what mom cooked, or I didn't eat. And hand sanitizer, really? The only sanitizer we got was our mouth washed out with soap! I rode a bike without a helmet, got dirty while playing outside and mosquitoes had me for a snack. I even drank from the garden hose!

Still here, amazing, huh?

2011-04-28T20:38:00.003-04:00

Someone's been sleeping in my little bed!

And she looks like a mouse ( a very, very, guilty mouse.)

New Acrylic ( well finally finished )

2011-04-21T19:47:00.006-04:00

After looking at this for six months I finally put a frame on it! I guess that means it finished.

I'll be doing quite a few new paintings in April/May. Met with a developer about providing artwork for the lobby and penthouse. Work, work, work, but thats a good thing!

2011-04-19T17:42:00.019-04:00

The after, well let me clarify that! Sanding, staplegun (nails did not work ) caulk, primer and more sanding.

The finally paint! Martha Stewart Sea Glass.

Vintage Find! No, really just dumpster diving again.

2011-04-19T11:19:00.025-04:00

So I found this last year while dumpster diving. Thanks to the Flordia weather, the distressing part was already done.

Here's how the conversation with my husband went. "You want that in the backyard?" Yes. "Don't you want it put in the alley by the dumpster?" No. "Why?" Well, I'm going to paint it and use it for another potting bench. "Do you really think a pot could sit on that thing?" Yes. "You're kidding, right?" No.

So, here's the before.

Choose your weapons. . . . . .

Welcome to my porch!

2011-04-15T09:08:00.007-04:00

Spring cleaning - outside! The weathers just been too great to be inside, so I'm finding it hard to work right now. We've had 12" if rain since January ( our normal is 2" in the winter/spring. )

So far, no humidity, wind or any of that hurricane stuff, although a couple of weeks ago we did have tornadoes in the area. Felt like I was back in Oklahoma!

Oil Study

2011-03-30T09:31:00.003-04:00

Took a online study to get back into oil painting. More to come . . . . . hopefully!

2011-02-25T14:29:00.001-05:00

Well. . . . . Hello Spring!

2011-02-25T14:17:00.003-05:00

Here's my oil painting in 1 week ( actually not a whole week )

It's 8 x 10 unframed. As usual, I'll look at it for a while till I decide if it's finished! I do see one thing to do differently. I'll try to post that "fix" later.

Have a great weekend. . . . . . .

Next week I'll have a new one, but after that I'll be gone for a while to see my sweet grandkids in TX!

SOLD!!

2011-02-18T23:02:00.006-05:00

Weekly Paintings

I'm going to post a painting a week starting with "Geranium Dance"

Next week I'll have a start to finish oil painting! Wow, what have I gotten myself into this time?

2011-02-09T20:36:00.008-05:00

Our West Coast FL beaches are just the best in the state! Bright white sand with lots and lots of shells. I just have to go everyday - no really it's somekind of law they have here! Can't go around breakin the law, and besides I don't look good in orange stripes!

This is our screened porch that's just outside our master bedroom. It's a great place to sit and enjoy the Florida winter!
My home is in a Historic neighborhood in St Petersburg FL. Besides being an artist, I love decorating my old home. So between fighting hurricanes and termites I'm searching for the perfect stuff to fill up my old house.

Starting next week I'll be doing a painting/drawing per week. I hope I can keep this up until my next art show, plus I'm squeezing in a few trips to TX to see my grandbabies. We'll just have to see how this goes!

Popcorn anyone?

2011-02-04T11:23:00.005-05:00

Yes, we really do put circus tents on houses in Florida! I think I see a giraffe behind that tree - no really I do!

2011-02-02T11:30:00.005-05:00

I took this picture yesterday and I'm pretty sure it's going to be my next painting. Now all I have to do is decide on watercolor or oil. What do you think?

Lisa Marie

2011-02-02T08:00:00.001-05:00

I am standing on the seashore

A sailboat slowly spreads her white sails

In the morning breeze

And glides across a blue ocean.

She is laughter and strength

And I stand and watch until

All I see is a speck

Like a cloud

Just where the sea and sky

Meet and touch

Someone at my side cries, "There she goes."

Gone from my sight, that's all

For she is still the same voice

She was before this journey began.

Now there are other eyes

Watching her coming

And other voices shout, "Here she comes."

Need I say more . . . . .

2011-02-01T19:51:00.003-05:00

Gotta love St Pete in February

2011-02-01T19:49:00.002-05:00

2011-02-01T19:48:00.001-05:00

Went to a new market today and couldn't pass up these babies.

Looking back at a beautiful day

2011-02-01T19:42:00.004-05:00

Hello - again

2010-11-16T08:20:00.005-05:00

Not exactly sure where I've been, all I know is I'm back.

Thanksgiving's so close I can just almost taste it! It reminds me whats true in life.

Truth is always there, you just have to look past all the other junk.

2010-01-23T16:18:00.004-05:00

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.

Show me the way I should go, for to you, I lift up my soul.

CHOOSING JOY

2010-01-03T12:01:00.007-05:00

I've spent too much time letting life just happen to me or letting it pass by. This year I will be a part of every moment. There are 3 things I'm choosing this year, because life is about choices and how you live it is the most important of all.

Be Joyful - I will focus on the positives of everyday life. I want to choose joy because when I do those around me will feel it. The effect of smiling cannot be overstated.

Simplify - Lately I've experienced sensory overload. I have so many things I want to accomplish, it becomes impossible to do even one. I want to quiet myself. I want to cut out the unimportant stuff so that I can focus on what really matters. So that I can . . . . . .

Live Deliberately - I want to truly live life, not just let life happen to me. Make choices that accomplish things. I want to enjoy the gifts found in small moments, not the unproductive things found in big ones.

I hope you have a joyful, simple, deliberate day. . . . . so choose wisely.

2009-12-21T10:29:00.002-05:00

2009-12-13T19:47:00.002-05:00

I'm dreaming of a green Christmas. . . . . .

2009-12-13T13:43:00.008-05:00

2009-11-12T11:09:00.000-05:00

I live in a wonderful neighborhood, Historic Kenwood, which has the highest concentration of bungalows in Florida. Each year we have Bungalowfest to show the great renovation/restoration of these houses.

Bungalowfest

2009-11-12T10:27:00.000-05:00

Low Country

2009-11-03T12:59:00.001-05:00

Just returned from Savannah truly inspired. If you're from there you call this Low Country. If you're from here (Florida) you call this swampy!

2009-09-25T10:01:00.000-04:00

Whoever watches the wind will not plant;
Whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.

As you do not know the path of the wind,
Or how the body is formed in anothers womb,
So you cannot understand the work of God,
The maker of all things.

Ecclesiastes 11:4

Waiting

2009-09-16T11:22:00.001-04:00

I have a show coming up in October, so I've been trying to work more! I think this is finished, but I'll have to look at it for a few more days.

2009-09-16T11:15:00.000-04:00

"We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned,
so as to have the life that is waiting for us." Forester

If Horton Lived Here . . . . . .

2009-09-13T21:19:00.000-04:00

I suppose summer is officially over, and everyone is looking forward to fall, well, I live in Florida so it's summer till at least November! Summer was wonderful and I did get to see my grandkids a lot . However, I think maybe I've read a few too many Dr Seuss books and watched waaaaay to many kid flicks. ( It was so...... worth it!)

...... if Horton lived in my neighborHOOD,

Horton hears a lawn mower
Horton hears a car alarm
Horton hears a ambulance
Horton hears porch parties!!
Horton hears thunder
Horton hears a teenager who apparently doesn't hear his own stereo
Horton hears a police car. . . . . . . .get em!

Schools open - drive carefully!

Finding a little joy on my Monday morning. . . . . . .

2009-08-24T20:16:00.001-04:00

My neighborhood, Historic Kenwood is full of little cottages and bungalows.

I love this periwinkle door

2009-08-24T20:14:00.000-04:00

2009-08-24T20:08:00.001-04:00

There's always a surprise around the corner. I would love to have a look inside, maybe on my next lap I'll knock on the door!

Corgis are always smiling . . . . .

2009-08-08T19:15:00.001-04:00

Esther Elise

2009-08-05T11:42:00.000-04:00

Grief
like a moonless July night
saturated with longing
A mind trembled
Pain
thoughts of a winter garden
where heavy drapes of
prayer fell
Kneel
prayer, an ever
cooling spring in the
first suggestion of morning
a cool breeze
a melting morning star
Love

Susan

SUMMER P'S

2009-06-10T17:09:00.001-04:00

Hurricane season is officially here. Or if you're in denial, like me, it's the rainy season.

So what are "summer p's" you might ask. . . . . .

Well in Oklahoma in the summer it's,

Pool Parties
Planting
Pickle making

But here in the Sunshine? really, State, it's

Plywood
Peanut butter
Pop tarts

So, before it thunders, I'm grabbing my pop tarts, and heading for the pool!

2009-06-08T15:01:00.000-04:00

I do love old things . . . . . .
Interesting faces . . . . .

Opening doors to unique places . . . . .
Dreams of flying. . . . . .

Or just walking by

2009-04-21T15:53:00.000-04:00

We judge ourselves by what we feel capable of doing

While others judge us by what we have already done.

2009-04-14T14:45:00.001-04:00

"Avonlea"

"Sea Cottage"

2009-04-14T14:33:00.001-04:00

I love this painting I did in acrylic - I want to live there!

New Shadows

2009-04-14T10:19:00.001-04:00

When I was little
and the maples were in leaf,
its shadow made a star
dark upon the lawn
where I used to dream.

grown, and long away
into the city gone,
I see seagulls print
a loop in the air and
dark shadows sit on
glistening sand.

Susan

Seaswept

2009-03-13T16:09:00.000-04:00

Finished this early this morning just in time for "Art in the Park"

"There are no lines in nature, only areas of color, one against another"

2009-03-11T15:37:00.000-04:00

2009-03-05T19:46:00.001-05:00

Pass A Grill

2009-03-05T19:37:00.000-05:00

Lemon, mango, peach
Color these storybook streets
Quiet morning
Still dreaming ocean dreams
Behind their seagreen
Shutters.

Tilting with the winds
On arrowy stems
Pineapple barked
A green crescent of palms
Sends up it forked
Fireworks of fronds.

A diamond hot sunset
Inch by inch dark
Colors island avenues
And out to the
Blue trench of
The sea.

Susan

Spent my Friday morning. . . . .

2009-02-28T10:34:00.001-05:00

looking for my favorite colors

2009-02-28T10:28:00.001-05:00

found some! . . . . . .

2009-02-28T10:26:00.001-05:00

even on umbrellas!

2009-02-28T10:05:00.001-05:00

winters green . . . . .

2009-02-28T10:00:00.001-05:00

and wonderful blues

2009-02-28T09:56:00.001-05:00

2009-02-28T09:54:00.001-05:00

and the beautiful Don Cesar pink!

2009-02-28T09:49:00.001-05:00

2009-02-23T17:09:00.001-05:00

Let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Hebrews 10:22

Come on Kira, let me in!

2009-02-16T12:30:00.000-05:00

A dogs nose in the palm of your hand can cure almost anything.

Let your dog take you for a walk.

There are no bad dogs.

Be your dogs best friend.

Dogs like dancing, drive-thrus, and ice cream.

God made dogs and spelled his name backwards.

Dogs are awesome therapists.

Let your dog mend your heart.

Monday morning musings

2009-02-16T12:13:00.000-05:00

The breath of dawn
Upon the sea,
Yellow sunbeams
Burst through
Blankets of morning fog.

As a fresh new day
begins to open its eyes,
And stretch casting
shadows beyond

A steam of breath
awakens life at hand.

Susan

Love and kisses from me

2009-02-13T16:54:00.001-05:00

Happy Valentines Day!

2009-02-13T16:49:00.001-05:00

2009-02-13T16:47:00.001-05:00

2009-02-13T16:44:00.001-05:00

Tasha Tudor 4 months

2009-02-11T17:14:00.000-05:00

Tasha's growing so fast . . . . . Watch out Kira!

Dogs are made of love and fur

2009-02-11T17:10:00.000-05:00

Corgi Chaos!

2009-02-07T16:13:00.000-05:00

Here's the new puppy, Tasha Tudor ( the blurring is not the photographer, I promise it's the puppy! )

Baby It's Cold Outside!

2009-02-07T14:44:00.001-05:00

I know what you're thinking, cold in Florida, ha! Let me just say, it was 37 this morning, and seeing frost on palm trees is just weird.

2009-02-05T11:27:00.000-05:00

Hi! Come on in, the door's open!

2009-02-05T11:25:00.000-05:00

2009-02-05T11:17:00.000-05:00

My latest painting - "Olivias Playhouse"

2009-02-03T12:06:00.000-05:00