WalnutBeachArtist

One World One Heart Blog Give-Away-Event

 

 I've heard so much about Lisa Swifka's One World One Heart annual blog give-away event that I decided to join in the fun this year, last year-I took time out to visit all of the blogs and participate, hoping to win a wonderful handcrafted work of art by the multitude of participating artists! 

There truly is no other event like this offered to the art collector and to the artist. This event reaches across oceans and country borders to allow us all to get to know each other a little better and share what is made as always, from the heart and with peace in mind.

I am offering, my aceo chubby cat-angel painting/ornament. If you'd like this cat to make her way to your home, leave a comment on this blog-I've removed having to sign in -so it's easy-peasy and I've selected a random number-whoever hits that number will have this OOAK hand-painted on aceo-size stretched canvas with vintage campfire girl bead and fanciful wire for hanging when the event ends! Please visit my other blog to find American Holiday Artists who are participating in OWOH blog event!

WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED FEBRUARY 15th!

About the image to left of post: ©2010 Suzanne Urban

 

A Break from Sketching, My Newest Line of Frigerator Magnets

 I love to write and design-using photoshop as much as I love to draw. But as usual, humor leaks out when I put thought to keypad, just as when I put pencil to paper.

I'm known for my witty emails at work, something I incorporated when sending out emails to hone my writing skills while communicating effectively with the staff. When it was reported back to me how much my emails cheered them up, I continued.

 My magnets and pinbacks have done very well locally and I just uploaded a new batch for coffee enthusiasts, nurses, wine enthusiasts and more in my etsy shop. I hope you will enjoy my write ups as well, I guess you could say my goal is to write a really great romantic comedy-holiday film screen play someday, or maybe a hilarious mystery book.

 But before I get so full of my lofty intentions, I give you my fridge magnets to brighten your day.

My pinbacks and magnets can be purchased here:suzanneartist

About the images to left of post: ©2010 Suzanne Urban Designs all rights rigorously reserved.

Learning from Leo, My Attempt to Copy a Leonardo Sketch

Matthew Archambault  recommends that his students place a sketch by a master that they like in their sketchbook and copy the sketch on the opposite page. 

I found a Leonardo DaVinci sketch and printed out and pasted dutifully into my sketchbook, only problem is the copy was blurry and I couldn't differentiate the gradations of tone which really is the light and shadow information.

After sketching this in the library at the school where I work, I realize my guy looks like a mad New York City cab driver, and the angle of his eye is all wrong. But I plan to try again with a better copy as one can learn a lot from this exercise, even if it isn't in my own original whimsical style. Also, I found this video of Matt's helpful in really critiquing this sketch:say no to straight lines

About the image to left of post: ©2010 Leonardo Da Vinci

Automatic Sketching, My Newest Drawing Exercise

 I happened upon a blog recently where an artist discussed her practice of "Automatic Sketching". This is an exercise to loosen one's self up. It's drawing without intent, simply allowing your hand to wander over the paper with pencil in hand. This is not to be confused with the psychic brand of "automatic drawing" where one accesses through channeling a willing spirit to draw or write on paper, the person being a conduit who "automatically" writes or draws what the spirit dictates.

I found the exercise frustrating, I'd rather draw with intent than scribble; so I compromised, I didn't just zone out and wander aimlessly, but I also removed any desire to draw with anything concrete in mind. This time I was happy, as I slowly drew with out destination but with the vague acknowledgement that what I was drawing was some kind of character. 

So I call this "semi-automatic" sketching, allowing one's self to draw and not care how the drawing evolves, but it's still a drawing and not just a useless scribble that wastes paper. I scribble enough when answering phones at the day  job, at night,  I need to create something-anything!

In Danny Gregory's book: An Illustrated Life, I really enjoyed the drawings of two illustrators: Noah Z. Jones and Barry Gott, both artists draw tons of characters, machines and other things randomly in their sketchbooks. Mr. Gott will sometimes scan his loose drawings and tighten them up in photoshop; both look like they're having a blast at what they're doing, and I feel they're drawing automatically, due to the wildly imaginative sketches and how productive they are-they must be in some kind of relaxed flow!

I do feel this exercise allows artists to expand their imagination to include things in future work, but again for me, I need to be relaxed with a vague notion of where I'm going instead of just moving the pencil around.

Maybe automatic drawing in true sense, i.e. adapting a calm zen like attitude and just allowing your pencil to wander over the page will work for you, but for me, I need that vague sense of aiming for something without caring about the outcome to be happy and thus I give you my  "semiautomatic" technique.

For more info on automatic drawing: Automatic drawing

Above are my attempts. Hope to see yours!

About the pic to left of post: ©2010 Suzanne Urban Designs All rights reserved.

My Attempt at a Character Sketchbook Character Study

 

Again, in Bert Dodson's book Keys to Drawing with Imagination, one of his exercises is to draw a character in several different poses. This is known as character development and is essential for those artists, like myself-who'd like to delve into the children's illustration field.

So further using my Satyr character, I sketched him in a few different poses with different facial expressions. I feel I still need to work on this kind of exercise as I find it hard. 

When I used to freelance as a production artist at a children's book publishing company, I remember seeing model sheets of popular licensed characters, Disney has them for all of their characters. These are sheets for hired illustrators to follow who've been commissioned to create a book, puzzle or whatever drawn in the Disney or popular licensed artist's style. The model sheet shows the character in different poses, with different facial expressions, often with written information to help the artists remain consistent. Drawing another artist's work doesn't interest me, but adapting the model sheet to my own characters makes tremendous sense, so my character's are recognizable (consistent) throughout my illustrator story.

Cartoonist Eddie Young has more information on model sheets on his blog: eddieyoung

Hopefully,some of my friends at everydaymatters will try this exercise-or anyone who's interested!

About the images to left of post: ©2010 Suzanne Urban Designs all rights reserved.    

Sketching the Satyr Again, Expounding on My Original Sketch

 Since my first Satyr sketch, I've created two more sketches further delving into my own humorous style. Basically I'm eliminating information, simplifying shapes so this sketch could become a future pinback/magnet design or print that further exemplifies my personal style. This style come fairly easy as comes from within, but what doesn't come easy is drawing characters in a variety of poses to maintain visual consistancy so my viewers know it's the same character. This is an exercise Bert Dodson offers up in his book KEYS TO DRAWING WITH IMAGINATION. My next post will be show my Satyr in a few different poses and angles. I find this next drawing project a bit intimidating.

 I hope this exercise to work from another artist's rendition (with artist's permission or from a How To Draw book) then deviate to make the character your very own will prove to be a fun exercise for others to try. And please do share your efforts!

Hope you like my efforts too.

About the sketches to left of post: ©2010 Suzanne Urban Designs all rights reserved.

Sketching a Satyr My Way, Newest Sketchbook Drawing

 I was at Michael's yesterday to pick up a wooden stand for my pinback, magnet display. My husband got lost in the art supply section which prompted me to look at their how-to books again. I found a small drawing book by Kythera of Anevern-funkiest author name I ever came across-on drawing dragons and fantasy.

Due to my penchant for drawing my own funky fantasy characters I couldn't pass this small book by and purchased it.

 Yesterday on my lunch hour I decided to draw the artist's Satyr, as her book guides the timid artist in to building up a drawing into one of her fantasy characters.

But this is where I bristle, I don't like to draw super representational, I had to back in school for assignments, and I plan to draw more from life to further hone my skills. But my own innate style seeps through and I find copying boring. So I drew my Satyr using using the artist's sketch as a take-off point.

 Hope you like the results. The hooves and bottle and flute are poorly drawn, but I may try this exercise again without using the artists rendition, to see how I fare.

I know I could then take my sketch and whittle it down to my simpler cleaner style for a pinback button or magnet that I sell on ETSY. And since I'm a wine enthusiast and sell buttons and magnets to those who enthuse as well, this Satyr character might well come in hand.

Sample of my illustrated buttons: suzanneartist

About the images to left of post: ©2010-Walter Foster Publishing Company, Kythera of Anevern and Sketch-Suzanne Urban Designs all rights reserved.

Learning from Bert Dodsen My Escher Tiling Sketch

I have a wonderful book titled: Keys to Drawing with Imagination by artist Bert Dodson.

I purchased the book a couple of years ago, and noticed one exercise was one I used to practice years ago. Many of his concepts to help one expand their creative juices while drawing, made me feel better; as I don't worry now when people glimpse at my odd sketches, wondering: "what was she thinking?".

Bert's own drawing skill is stellar, and he gently guides the reader into trying a variety of exercises with interesting names, " escher tiling", "merging shapes" and "add-on drawings". All are designed to expand the artist's repertoire of subject matter and hone skills to push their work beyond what currently lies between ones sketchbook covers today.In between exercises are interviews with wonderful artists, Stephen Huneck known for his black dog woodcuts, Elizabeth Layton, who discovered her latent talent for art at the ripe age of 68 and also cured herself of depression through her fascinating self-portraits. And one of course Robert Crumb, no drawing book is complete without some "crumbs" on the pages.

I ended up trying the "escher tiling" exercise, and found it delightfully more challenging than anticipated. Basically this exercise calls for one to draw something then mesh other characters and things that fit into the initial drawing, sort of like an amoebic-shaped puzzle.Above left is my attempt from last night, can you find the, bear, big pig, clown, lady, pumpkin, old lady, turkish-looking man, smiling man, fantasy bird, elf, man with mustache?

Now it's your turn to try!

About the pic to left of post: ©2010 Bert Dodson and Suzanne Urban Designs all rights reserved.

More Drawings from My Sketchbook

 I've been faithful to my new yellow sketchbook and herewith some sketches for future paintings that one can wear as a pin! Let me know if there's anything you'd like to see in brooch form. In fact I received a Marshall's gift certificate and intended to use it on my lunch hour in Westport to buy a purse that I could easily slide my sketchbook in. I entered the store with trepidation when I saw the supply–stacks and stacks of purses, all colors, all sizes, big ones, weenie ones, bad-ass looking ones, conservative Connecticut ones. . .

I pulled out my book when I finally found one that wasn't so gargangtuan and tried to slide my book in, no such luck. I never cared for the slouchy hobo look  that seems to be in again, nor am I enamored of the conservative styles screaming the maker's name in brass, or silver hardware-or in the print design. If they need free advertising-go somewhere else please, I'm not a walking billboard, my body belongs to moi.

So I'm saving my certificate for some New Balance shoes instead. Sensible yes, but I like them too. They're what every foot doctor recommends so I'd gladly wear their name on my heels.

Last night I ordered a backpack with wheels online. The students at my school have them, they love to bang them down the stairs when school closes-or at least that's what I think, the racket is deafening. But their savvy mother's know they're protecting their young backs from future problems. And I've noticed many of our teachers have them too. So I decided my sketchbook needed a backpack on wheels instead of a purse. 

I say, nothing but the best for one's sketchbook, and one's aching shoulder.

P.S. Please check out the Drawing Tutorial-click on icon not link- to the right under "Professional Associations" Not to be missed! It's how I keep inspired.

About the image to left of post: ©2010 by Suzanne Urban Designs all rights reserved.

And Now My Sketchbook Back Cover, and some Sketches Inbetween

 I'm using the holiday time to chill out a little and work in my sketchbook. Trying to manage a day job, a second job as a selling artist, and manage other art activities, my time is at a premium. I do find sketching relaxing and just joined EVERYDAYMATTERS on yahoo. This is a forum where artists share their recent drawing challenges. 

It's hard for me to invest time in the challenges, anxiety takes over, I have only so much time to create work to sell online, thus sitting still, taking time to draw my socks-the most recent challenge is hard to fathom. These challenges remind me of my college days. I remember I loved life class, and usually was the first to arrive to set up to draw from the models, many NYC ballet dancers, amazingly flexible, patient and still. 

 Signing up with EDM is bringing back those student years in my mind, and so I hope to sign up-energy and time allowing-to draw from the nude at our local Arts Council Center. 

Recently I dug in to create an illustration on the back cover of my sketchbook. And also give my viewers a peek of what's inside. Most of my sketches revolve around ideas for art products, I sort of think of myself as an artist/writer/whimsical inventor.

May you all have a very merry New Year, with lots more time to create-and enjoy the abundance coming your way!

About the images to left of post: ©2009 Suzanne Urban Designs all rights reserved. 

When a Christmas Gift Inspires. . .

I received the book, AN ILLUSTRATED LIFE DRAWING INSPIRATION FROM THE SKETCHBOOKS OF ARTISTS, ILLUSTRATORS AND DESIGNERS from my sister and brother-in-law this Christmas. Between eating, watching Christmas specials, eating, petting cats, eating, chatting with family members, eating, and eating some more, I was riveted by this compelling book.

 I've kept sketchbooks over the course of the years, and journals, but I gladly embraced blogs when they arrived on the internet scene. Blogs allowed me to articulate, share inspiring ideas in the wink of a simple link, and the best of my own sketches, badda, bing, badda boom, done!

 But nothing pleases me more than to sit with a blank book in hand, on the couch, next to my husband, TV droning and immersing myself wholly and sometimes half-heartedly in sketching. Sketching completes me, the very act is soothing these days because I've allowed myself to accept the style that flows freely from my hands, rather than demanding my art be more like this or that. I'm the art director here. And more importantly, the act of sketching allows one to develop a personal, analytical thinking process, the kind where step-by-step individual input is essential, there's no highlighting, pushing a button and Whoosh! free artsy-image! In this world of fast, faster and more faster, sketching is a stress reliever. This fact illustrates the freeing experience of a sketchbook. Nothing allows one to develop their mind's imagination more, than a sketchbook/journal. 

The book's author is an artist himself who started the blog everydaymatters. In his forward he mentions this is the book he's been wanting to purchase for a long time, but it didn't exist-I know the feeling so well, as there are art/craft books I'd like to purchase, and they're just not out there…yet.

The books invites readers to view the private visual journals of such artists as Robert Crumb, Cathy Johnson, James Jean, Noah Z. Jones, Barry Gott, Christine Castro,  and more. But it isn't all eye candy, as each artist articulately reveals the inner teaching process and philosophical reflections that these bound books offer the owner in return. Most importantly for me, how forgiving the artists are of their hand-drawn boo,boos, this is a field where they can play unencumbered by critical feedback. This was their personal turf and that alone gave them validation to respect all the marks laid down between covers. What an epiphany for me! I could mess something up, leave it, move on, create over it or revisit and fix-instead of mentally beating myself up for being a clumsy artist, not as good as so and so, yada, yada.

Many of the interviewed artists lamented how hard it was to find the ultimate sketchbook, others made their own, yet others were quite pleased with the standard black cover-bound book found in many art stores. All detailed how many books they have sitting on their shelf, some have books for different kinds of media, subject matter and many are nomadic gypsies carrying their book all over the globe, guarding it like the precious cargo it truly is.

Recently, after viewing decades of my awkward sketches made in the past when I wasn't cued into the inner true artist that I am today; I decided to purchase a book with the intent of gluing in old sketches and re-drawing them in a style that is ultimately natural to me. Sometimes the book is interspersed with ideas and not just re-draws. But I'm enjoying this seminal process that has spawned ideas for future sketchbooks. 

One thing I don't like about commercial made sketch books is the covers. They're either too hard, too soft and never just right. But Mr. Gregory's book included pictures of what the highlighted artist's had done with their covers, and on Christmas day, my mental wheels were churning. I'd signed my name on the front of the book, but now have added little characters and such viewing my signature-and today, I'm on to the back of my own sketchbook and I can't wait for the idea to hatch!

Below some sketch-book blogs I enjoy:

• Illuminara 

• DaniDraws

But if you google "sketchblogs" you can find your own!

About the images to left of post: ©2009 Danny Gregory, Artists represented on Mr. Gregory's book and Suzanne Urban, all images protected under copyright law.

I have another aceo-size painting-ornament up for auction tonight! This chubby angel-tabby cat reminds me of a cat that walked into my life at a most opportune time when I was a young girl. To read more and view the auction: http://tinyurl.com/ycwvhlw

About the picture to left of post: ©2009 Suzanne Urban Designs all rights reserved.

My Christmas Witch ACEO Painting/Ornament

This here is "Nana" my Christmas Witch miniature painting on an ACEO-size stretched canvas. Yes, she's minute-only 2.5"x3.5" with vintage Campfire Girl wooden bead secured in place to hold a decorative wire for hanging. 

To read more about "Nana" and what she does with leftover Halloween pumpkins visit my auction here: suzanne.artist

About the image to left of post: ©2009 by Suzanne Urban all rights reserved.

My Newest ACEO/Ornament is up for auction on eBay for all ye halloween fans:

http://cgi.ebay.com/OOAK-Folk-Art-ACEO-ornie-ptg-EHAG-AHA-suzanne-artist_W0QQitemZ260519549114QQcmdZViewItemQQptZFolk_Art?hash=item3ca82cd8ba

My Newest Sketchbook Project. . .

 One of my goals for the near future is to return to the children's illustration field-only this time with a new more polished style.

I fear my old style, was more what people expected out of me, than something that rang true of what spilled out from my pencil.

My duty to grab jobs to pay bills while freelancing didn't afford me time to really sit and think things through. Taking a day job-far removed from art-did though; as the day job with steady pay check took the edge off paying monthly bills. 

I used the past couple of years to really think about the way I draw, the way I love to draw and what I love to draw. My work involves humor-this is what spills out of me, and is character driven. I'm a people observer, always  have been, even as a child, quietly drinking in conversations, watching mannerisms and peeking at funky ways people and animals present themselves to the world.

To this day I feel one of my biggest influences was a card I happened upon in the den of our Oregon house when I was six. It was addressed to my mother from a friend who was no stranger to humor. On the front a vampish ink drawing of a woman totally swathed in beaded outfit like Theda Bara. The outside read: I would've written you sooner. . ."

Inside: " But it took me all year to string these damn beads!".

To this day I remember liking the quirky illustration-not unlike the style of my Eloise Books. And though I knew "damn" was a bad word back then-so tame by today's standards-I sensed the humor of the card. Thus that card and others to come plus friendships with funny friends influenced new the work I'm creating today. I'd like to be considered an entertainer as much as an artist.

So to develop the thought process and style more, I have scads of drawings on scraps of paper-many from an awful freelance gig at a puzzle company-not a happy place-but I did learn to draw smaller and reduce shapes down. At first I chose to gather than all in binders, but the binders took up too much shelf space. Then I thought scrapbooking-and a scrapper friend took me shopping for supplies and loaned me cutters. But the work didn't get done.

Finally, and recently I thought, buy a big fat sketchbook, past in the drawings and re-draw them with commentary. I"ve just started my first sketchbook-I think it may take two fat books to finish this project-but it's fun and easy for me to oblige as I love sketching. Thus I give you pages from my new big fat sketchbook with almost daily postings-hopefully daily-as I'm sketching daily.

About the images to left of post: ©2009 Suzanne Urban Designs-all rights reserved.

Back in the Saddle again Selling my Ornaments on eBay

 It's been awhile since I've tossed one of my aceo/art ornaments up for auction on eBay. I've spent that last several months investing more time in local shows and building my ETSY shop.

This also means I've been developing new ideas and honing my signature chubby style for all ye who enjoy the visual entertainment. 

And I've enjoy the entertainment too, as ideas rush in from my muses and I anxiously scribble down a thought, or sketch before it drifts away.

Currently I have a  new Mermaid aceo/painting/ornament up for auction here: suzanne.artist

Her name's Mirna and she's attending her first Sea Creatures with out Partners meeting. Mirna's raised her young fishmaids, endured a wandering merman who sailed after a foolish Siren; and now she's ready to do for herself again.

 I have new prints and pinbacks,  featuring my own illustrations and designs and musings on ETSY and if you'd like to take a peek, the paper poppet to your left is one:suzanneartist

I was to open a new shop on ETSY and did, but am still working the email kinks out.

Hope you all had a wonderfully full Thanksgiving with family and friends.

Cheers!

Suzanne Urban

About the pictures to left of post: ©2009 Suzanne Urban all copy and images are rigorously protected.

I have new prints up in my ETSY shop! Quite proud of these. I print these out and then manually add some embellishment, blush for cheeks and nose, graphite pencil for shading. My goal with my work is to perpetually amuse, thus my personal musings accompany all my images.



I plan to join in in ETSY's black Friday event later today. But for now, herewith my new work:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/suzanneartist?ga_search_query=suzanneartist&ga_search_type=seller_usernames

I am thrilled that my work was accepted into Bridgeport's seminal CITYLIGHTS gallery. This show will be part of a city-wide gallery art stroll and I invite all ye nutmeggers to join in the fun!

My Illustrated Buttons. . .Hot off the Press!

I like to write. And I like to draw. My goal some day is to combine these two elements in a published children's book. But for now, I give you my blog.

I'm a Gemini and we are the sign of the communicator, I suspect I came out of my poor mother's womb babbling. When I was younger I could chat up a storm to many an old boyfriend's chagrin. As I've matured, I've broken off from long-winded chats on the phone with girlfriends to creating more in my studio. 

This is because I've learned to edit my tongue. However I could still use some help in this department-ask the husband-especially when it comes to emails. Unfortunately I type fast. . .

But most of what pours out of me in words is the same as images, always with a witty bent. I don't question why, I just put it down for all of you to (hopefully) enjoy and for me to relax that I got another Urban musing-waiting to burst out of my being- out to the public.

My witty emails are popular, but they go no where when they're gone but to some server in server neverland. So I give ye my Aceo's, prints and now my own illustrated  pinback buttons to be for sale in my NEW ETSY store this week. Look for SuzanneUrbanDesigns on ETSY this week.

The above pinback buttons will be for sale in my gallery store. I have some others in my old store that are a part of my collage series:suzanneartist

May you be the first to wear them to amuse the masses, or yourself, hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed creating them. And another goal? to market these nationally in stores, this is in the works folks.

If you would like to place an order on the buttons shown here right away, please email me at: suzanne1urban@optonline.net  Watermark i.e. ©2009 Suzanne Urban Designs will not show on face of button. All buttons are 2.25" in size.

About the images to left of post: ©2009 images and copy by Suzanne Urban Designs, all rights reserved. To not use without express permission of author/artist, thank you.

My New Work Up For sale on PFATTMarketplace

I've been awol as far as selling my art online, why? I committed to some local shows and one that I organized myself at a local winery did usurp valuable time.

But I"m back in the saddle again and happy to announce I have some new whimsical pieces up in my PFATTmarketplace gallery shop as of this morn. The aceo painting of "Grumpy Santa" is sold, but my two prints are currently available. I've priced my work to reflect the current economic client so collectors can enjoy my work without worrying about emptying the piggy bank. 

Next I will be unveiling a lot of new work in my new ETSY shop and I hope you will keep posted (pun not intended) here for the announcement!

My PFATTMarketplace gallery shop:SuzanneUrbanDesigns

Thank you for looking! 

About the picture to left of post:©2009 Suzanne Urban all rights reserved.

Fun Times at White Silo Winery Holiday Show in Connecticut

Our November 1st holiday show opening at White Silo Winery in Sherman Connecticut was a hit, and we thank all of those who attended our event. The show continues until November 15th. For directions: whitesilowinery.com

Special thanks goes out to Suzanne Sherman Propp and Kendall Alderman, who although slated to entertain for two hours, continued to sing and play the day away. Suzanne's beautiful voice can be heard on her CD's and she even has a recorder book designed for young musicians-great gift ideas! Her webiste: www.suzanneshermanpropp

The winery is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays or by appointment until 6pm. Be sure to venture out and see the variety of work for sale by the following artists:

Suzanne Urban: www.smirkinggoddess.com

Whimsical paintings, prints, buttons, cards and more.

Barbra Ziemer: black*eiffel

Artisan jewelry and environmental photographs

Cynthia Dobie: theartofcynthiadobie

Ceramic Wall hangings

Catherine Collins:cathycollins.net

Brec Morgan: brecmorgan.com

Marine paintings

Rosilind Liljengren-Art pottery

All the award winning-wines featured at White Silo are made from the fruit grown on their own land.

About the picture to left of post: ©2009 S. Michael Urban

Come Join Us Gallery Show at White Silo Winery Sherman CT

Gallery Holiday Show • November 1st, 2009 • 11-3pm

at:

White Silo Winery • Sherman CT •

Show runs Oct. 30-November 15th

Come meet the artists, commune with friends, make new friends, try a tasting and find out why White Silo's sweet and dry wines have won awards, enjoy the music of Suzanne Sherman Propp with musician Kendall Alderman. View the work of whimsical artist and humorist Suzanne Urban, marine paintings by noted muralist Brec Morgan, Landscape and Coastal art by Catherine Collins, Ceramic wall hangings by Cynthia Dobie, environmental photography and artisan jewelery by Barbra Ziemer and Art pottery  by Rosalind Liljengren. For directions: whitesilowinery.com

About the images to left of post: ©2009 by artists represented, all rights reserved.

My Newest Happy Halloween Devil Painting on PFATTmarketplace

I love taking an icon that can have negative connotations for some and turning it into something delightfully witty and whimsical that one can laugh at.

I am back this season after a long absence with this 4x4 chunky acrylic painting created solely by me. My miniature paintings work for those Halloween and folk art collectors who have a space that needs a little uplifting, all paintings are sealed with a non-yellowing varnish for longevity and collage elements are added-this time a gold earring in little Devil's ear-to add interest.The painting is up for sale here:PFATTmarketplaceThank you for viewing and there will be more art work up for purchase soon. My absence has been due to commercial obligations, soon you will see my art on needlepoint designs and gourment ice cream labels!

About the image to left of post: ©2009 Suzanne Urban Designs all rights reserved.

On Sale today My Siren's Button!

My mermaid buttons with my accompanying story about the mermaids that reside here in our New England Sound were a huge hit at the Walnut Beach Cafe here in Milford Connecticut-so much so that I'm expanding my line of buttons to other beings that exist in mythology and my mind.Behold my Save The Siren's Habitat! Button, these Siren's need your support as due to the economic downturn their seagrass bras and bluefish smoothies just aren't selling. Some of the musical mavens are turning to picking pockets of unsuspecting beach tourists-so buy a button so we can rehabilitate the Sirens! MORE MERMAID BUTTONS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT the CAFE SOON!!!!
Button will be available in my ETSY shop in the future: suzanneartist
About the image to left of post: ©2009 Suzanne Urban Designs • www.smirkinggoddessstudio.com

My Wine Button Made Etsy's Treasury!

Yesterday my husband and I took a break to pick up some of my paintings from 101 Gallery in Collinsville CT, a charming village that is worth the visit.

We stopped by two vineyards in New Hartford on the way and our tongues were pleasantly surprised at the quality of wine we found there. First was Connecticut Valley Winery, winner of Big E's best small winery 2009. Many of their wines are on the sweet side, I prefer dry, until I tasted their refreshing selection-you won't be disappointed. And the black bear who showed up one eve to chomp on some of their grapes gives two paws up too! We purchased their "Just Peachy" and "Chardonel" and plan to go back for more.

On to Jerram Vineyard, just up the street, a lovely gallery space/winery we purchased their oaky Seyval Blanc, yum.Funny, when I returned home, I received a lovely email from an artisan on Etsy who's shop name is THE LOST EARRING, she created a treasury entitled: "She's got legs and included one of my humorous wine-themed button in the treasury!I've never been selected to be in a treasury and so this is a thrill for me, to have someone I've never met select one of my art buttons for display.

More of my buttons can be found locally at the Walnut Beach Cafe and Given to Gauche in Milford Connecticut. Or you can shop for them here:suzanneartist

About the image to left of post: ©2009 copy and design Suzanne Urban Designs • Smirking Goddess Studio, all rights reserved.

Adopt a Pet :: Gwen - Calverton, NY - Chihuahua

Adopt a Pet :: Gwen - Calverton, NY - Chihuahua

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Last Chance Pets of CT Need Your Love

Twitter was the conduit that brought me to Last Chance Pets of Connecticut. The East Haven Animal Shelter is over-flowing with beautiful animals ready for adoption. The idea that these potential pets will be euthanized is upsetting to say the least.

I'm amazed at the quality and variety of cats and dogs available at this shelter, two white siamese kittens, a Rhodesian Ridgeback (young) dog-who may lose his life, a six-toed orange manx cat and more.

Please contact the shelter if you honestly have room for more or can help them out:

LAST CHANCE PETS IN CT

Introducing My Funny Buttons for the Wine Enthusiast

My husband and I journey the Connecticut Wine Trail over the summer months and we're often surprisd how good the wine is in this little state.

We also enjoy keeping our dollars in our own state for a turn, and supporting local home-grown businesses. This new hobby of ours has inspired me to lend my humorous insights to creating my own spin on the language wine enthusiasts use during tastings. 

I have a new line out of wine-themed buttons, but oh my! the first batch just sold, but more will be up tomorrow folks! But here's my etsy shop for those who wish to take a peek:

suzanneartist

Cheers!

My Mermaid Buttons were a Hit!

As you all can see, I've been bitten by the button bug!
Growing up in a family of English Lit majors and published writers influenced my proclivity to write as well as draw.Many of you following my blog know that my goal is to write and illustrate a children's book some day, I even have a script-a three year work-in-progress; and I joined SCBWI this year. And as mentioned I had a turn at writing for a greeting card company a decade ago.So now my ideas are tumbling out of my brain and I want to share…and sell my witty-isms.Hope they tickle your funny bone.
When owner of Walnut Beach Café Wil Rodrigues and curator Stephanie Peterson–who's delightfully whimsical-encaustic painting of a mermaid sold wicked fast–invited me to be in the Mermaid Show. I did two things.I painted a Mermaid using coffee as my medium and created a print from the original.
Then I thought-wouldn't a button go great for those attending who believe, really believe, in Mermaids?Especially those flipper-endowed ones who live off the shores of Walnut Beach.

Voila! my mermaid button with my accompanying story.Almost all sold out. So hurry! if you want one.And I have one in my etsy store too:suzanneartist

And there will be more Mermaid buttons in stock soon! Magnets too!

About the images to left of post:©2009 by Suzanne Urban Designs•Smirking Goddess™ Studio-All rights reserved.

My Funny Buttons

I like to write as much as I like to draw, create and stay busy at my iMac and drawing table.
I'm known for my funny emails at work, and seeing the popularity of buttons or pinbacks on ETSY I could hardly resist the temptation to put my musings on these little round metal accessessories, either for one's fashion statement or as I call them "cubicle adornment":

To see more of my musings: suzanneartist

Collect them all or trade 'em! Give as a gift too!

About the images to left of post: ©2009 Suzanne Urban Designs ALL rights reserved.