Keeping My Balance In Art and Life

Enjoying a sunny lunchtime while my painting dries

Hello You!

We're well on our way through 2024 and I'm finding my way, working to stay balanced in my art and my life.

I've been working in my garden (Love San Diego's glorious spring to summer gardens!), spending plenty of time with family and friends and taking short getaway trips to the mountains and coast.

AND

Playing and experimenting in the studio. Applying to a few shows, thinking of far-off deadlines (ha-ha!) and trying "new-to-me" mediums, styles and substrates.

I can always tell when I'm off-balance, spending too much time in my studio (yes, that's a thing!) or not enough.

Balance is key is so many areas of my life.

But, since this newsletter is about my art, I'm diving right in to give you all the latest details!!

These four pieces have been juried into art shows. From the top left, ""Let The Magic Happen" is in Art-Fluent's online show titled /ˈabˌstrak(t)/. "Making Daisy Chains" is in Escondido Art Partnership's June show titled Absolutely Abstracts. (Opening reception is this Saturday the 8th from 4-6pm if you can make it!) Bottom row is "Transformation I" and "It Was Bound To Happen", both in shows with Art-Fluent. https://art-fluent.com/galleries/

Let The Magic Happen

Making Daisy Chains

Transformation I

It Was Bound To Happen

Time in my studio is giving me some fresh new ideas and I can see a series of abstract figurative and landscape work coming through. It's still in the beginning phase and I'm being patient with it. I'll let you know when they're ready!

This Friday, the 7th I'll be in my studio for First Friday Open Studios at the Arts District of Liberty Station. It's from 4-8pm and most of the artist studios and galleries are open and welcoming visitors. Please come by and enjoy some light refreshments, artsy conversation and plenty of original art ready for you!

I've selected a nice variety of paintings to showcase on my wall and I'll also share my latest creative expression! It's a limited collection of 3 collages (11x14) on wood and a small handmade booklet featuring a selection of papers I created and used exclusively for this project. I spent a little time each day in May working on these pieces. I made it a 30 day challenge for myself. I'm calling it 'Paper Trails'. I had so much fun creating all the pieces, I might give myself another challenge! Here are the 3 collage pieces: (titled with connections to my everyday life!) Left to right: Game Night, Hiking California and Shaba.

Stay balanced and watch in wonder as your blessings grow.

In gratitude,

Susie