Dreamy

I love the colors in this room...it's a photo from Romantic Homes magazine June 2007. The bedding is Bella Notte and Pillow Talk (I think?) I was very flattered to have one of my paintings included in this shot. As I troll around "blog land" as it's been called, I find so many varied styles of decorating. I'm drawn to them all! My dream home would definitely include multiple themes. Asian motifs are a favorite of mine. I like creating paintings that are a fusion of french/asian/floral. A series of geishas is in the works....as well as a million other projects :)

Peace,Susan

The View

Sometimes I forgot to be grateful....actually, many times I forget. Anyhow, I have this really gorgeous little garden I planted a few years ago in my back yard. I can just sit and look at it for hours. Especially now that the roses are blooming. I really love the sound of all the birds who hang out back there. It's peaceful. This is a photo of the view through the window...

Happifying?

The word " happifying" keeps presenting itself to me...I thought, "is this a real word?" I asked my daughter, a college student, if this was a real word and she was pretty sure it isn't. Still, it won't go away. So I googled it and found that it is an un-word so to speak. Actually, there was a definition on unwords.com (where the mission is "Changing the English language one word at a time.")

The origin of happifying comes from happy and gratifying, sort of a hybrid.

Well, I ask myself why this word keeps creeping into my consciousness...I realize that the really gratifying tasks in life are when we're helping someone else. I mean really helping someone else. A life of service. Hmmm....let me be honest here and confess that I haven't been of real service in a long time. I love painting and it's rewarding when I do a painting and I'm satisfied with the results, and then someone else tells me they think the painting is gorgeous. Yes, that's fulfilling. However, I look at the real caregivers in the world who are selfless and genuinely giving individuals and I know I should be doing more. Ok, maybe the word "should" isn't correct. What I mean is if I want to experience happiness on a more regular basis I need to be of service more often. "How" is the question. Probably for you beneficent folks out there this comes naturally and so you don't have to look real hard for ways to serve. I, on the other hand, struggle to pull my head out of my *** and think of someone else. I'm seriously thinking of working as a part time caregiver for the elderly. I'll report back when I've made some progress in this area.

In the meantime, I think this painting of big chunky roses is "happifying".

Peace,

Susan

Attitude...lucky girl

I was complaining to a friend, well not complaining just bemoaning my current situation actually. Let me start over.
I am so impressed with the caliber of women bloggers out there. They are so gracious and poised. I love the decor blogs particularly. I notice some bloggers have mission statements as to the purpose of their blogs and they seem to stay true to their mission. I see so many gorgeous and utterly amazing photos of the most tasteful homes. I'm overloaded with visual thrills that compel me to want to paint everything at once.
Where I'm going with this, I don't know. I guess I'm looking for my voice. Relevance of some sort. A valid reason to have this blog. All I can guarantee is I'll stay true to myself, whatever that means. Hopefully the person I am will grow. Well, in fact I absolutely WILL grow, at what pace I don't know.
In the meanwhile, I am still the extremely self obsessed Susan Brown who may tend to go on and on about herself, her life her dreams and disappointments. There will be plenty of pictures as well.
Anyhow, about my friend and my complaining. I was telling him I don't know why I chose to be an artist and he said "you didn't choose, you just are an artist" and it hit a place within that rung true. My sister calls it the truth bell where you just know. And so, wah wah I whine sometimes about my struggles, but all in all I'm really lucky. Attitude is everything. And look at these roses I planted a few years ago. They're blooming again even though they were dormant all winter.

Toile

In addition to my latest passion for painting the Madonna, I've been working on these paintings which will be printed on fabric and made into pillows and throws. I love textiles though I'm not a textile artist (see my post on bohemianromance.blogspot.com)

Black and white and sepia tones are so chic, I think. So I present to you "Ode to Toile".

Enjoy.

Peace,

Susan

Mary, etc.

Hmmm....about this latest obsession with painting the "Madonna". Well, who knows why really? I think it's the feminine element that I'm trying to convey. No offense to the religious folk out there, however, I'm not necessarily promoting the conventional understanding of Mary.

There has always been a Mother/Virgin element running through multiple cultures. In my paintings I don't include the child for some reason...maybe I'll add that. I also have these Madonnas corresponding to a sign of the zodiac. I don't know why. Just seemed like a good idea.

I actually was baptized Catholic and went to catechism, did my first communion and confirmation. I don't think I was very good at the whole thing. I'm reading a book called "The Cloister Walk" by Kathleen Norris. It's about her experience as an oblate in a benedictine monastery. Very enlightening.

I enjoy reading, in fact I MUST read. It keeps me sane. If not completely sane, it keeps me from going too far into my shadow self.

New start...

This is my first official blog...and I'm not sure what to write about. How about, I thank Monica Dollison for creating such an awesome header with my art?!!



Words are powerful. Thoughts are powerful as well. I just came home from a seminar on energy, thoughts, and law of attraction, etc. Lots of new habits for me to implement. I have a word that I plan on eliminating from my vocabulary. It starts with an "H" and it's the opposite of love. See, I'm already eliminating it. That's going to limit me....I love using strong language.

Anyhow, I will be using this site as a way of communicating positive messages and images. Some of the art I put up will be a little dark at times. Dark can be good. Don't be scared.

I'm amazed at all of the creative people out there! I guess there are others (besides myself) who feel the compelling desire that can only be satisfied by making stuff. Maybe that seems like an "out there" sort of comment. The thing is, I tend to be very greedy when it comes to the creative process, I want to do it ALL. I need to realize I'm not the only artist in the world. There are many, and there is plenty of creativity to go around.

My goal is to connect with the other artists, writers and fellow travelers on this journey.

Peace,
Susan