Playing With Color

Sometimes, lots of times, it's time to start over.

There are lots of bears in the house - finished, almost finished, never to be finished. It's a mission this year to move a number of these bruins in different directions - including the fire pit in the corner of the garden - if that be the fate of some bruins.

I've not been one that's comfortable painting on stretched canvas. (And you call yourself an Artist?) A year or two ago, on a plain 18 " x 24" canvas, I had a go at a Mom and Cub. Regular bears. Normal sky. That sort of thing. They got this far and there they stayed:

Not awful. Not great. A tiny bit of potential, but boring and O.K. with using up space in the studio.

Til this week. Time for a change. Out came the acrylic paints and a little bit of bravery (or foolishness). Nothing to lose. I budgeted about an hour of goofing off. This is the result so far:

Yet, a definite work in progress - but at least they are becoming a tad more interesting. I'd hoped to have the pair finished for the July 13 -14 Art Festival in Grand Marais, MN, but now am aiming for The Blueberry Festival in Ely, MN, at the end of the month.

Progress has at least gotten me to want to play with them more. That's progress. And perhaps in a month or two they will be taking up space in another family's home.

Color me Hopeful.

If you're visiting Minnesota's Northland check out our furry ones at:

Kah-Nee-Tah Gallery -  outside of Lutsen, MN
The Pie Place - Grand Marais, MN
Blue Lake Gallery - Duluth, MN

Summer is zipping by. Try to play outside a little bit each day!

Fare-thee-well,
Sue

30-3: Van Gogh Cafe

Sept. 29 - A new arts group came together in Stillwater, Minnesota tonight. Called "The Van Gogh Cafe," in honor of our first subject, it consisted of a room full of folks - all women - interested in convening for talk of art, life, and a bunch of et cetera.

After sitting down with the beverage of our choice we listened to a presentation on Vincent van Gogh illustrated with examples of his work, both well-known and obscure. A vase of fresh sunflowers on our table was a great added touch, though at least one folk's allergies were set off by same. Oh, the price one pays for being in the presence of a little bit of beauty. Following the presentation we shared questions and possible answers regarding Vincent's life. Was he perhaps affected by chemicals present in his paints and solvents? How was his work presented and marketed after his death? How much of his life is myth? Fact? One recent visitor to France spoke of one region's artists seemingly to work only in the style of van Gogh's bold style.

Chat following the main topic ranged freely - and time zoomed toward our 8:30PM adjourning. Heading out the door we agreed that The Van Gogh Cafe is very much a welcomed addition to Stillwater's arts activities.

Winslow Homer will be the topic of next month's meeting: Thursday, Act. 27th - from 6:30 - 8 PM, at The Bikery, 904 4th Street. All are welcomed, and there are no costs above the price of a cup of coffee, a glass of wine, and maybe a tasty treat or two. For more information contact: The Van Gogh Cafe@aol.com

Fare-thee-well,
Sue

Open House: Nov. 19 - 21

The snow is slowly melting, cookies and other goodies are being rounded up, and our booth area upstairs in American Gothic Antiques (236 S. Main St., Stillwater, MN) is being readied for our Open House. Fri- Sat: 10 - 5; Sun: 11-5.
We have found some vintage bear goodies including one-of-a-kind hand-drawn cards starting from 1998, oil pastels from when I wasn't brave enough to pick up the soft pastels, and pen-and-ink drawings of bears pre-Larry and Bob. We will have older sketchbooks on view, hard as they are to see, and Pearl the Bear will make an appearance - if we can replace her lower jaw....

Fresh gingerbread bears will be there for the munching. Their friends, the sugar-cookie bears, have almost all been eaten already. Not on purpose - really. Just to check for flavor and texture. Crunch... flavor - yum.... texture....excellent.

Friday and Sunday you can me at find the shop. Saturday, you can walk among the Stillwater bears Sue-free as I'll be vending at the CPC Craft Boutique - Christ Presbyterian Church - located at 70th St. & Hwy 100 in Edina, MN. It will be our first time attending this event but we have that it's a fun way to spend the day. Hours are 9 - 4.

Time to get back to the work-a-day stuff of being an artist. Tara and I are heading for coffee!

Packers play the Vikings in Minnesota on Sunday.......... Go PACK!!!

Fare-thee-well,
Sue

Open House for us at American Gothic

Winter is on it's way and there's no avoiding it. But "Hudson" here and lots more of the bruin crew want to help us ease our way into the grey days ahead with a bit of furry fun -

November 19, 20, and 21 will find lots of bears hanging out where the first one was created. We will host an Open House at American Gothic Antiques, 236 S. Main Street, Stillwater, MN and see what happens.

The little brown desk is still there, though Marshall's magazine rack is long gone. Hard to believe that since the first furry guys came out of the pencil how many have shown up - and, knock wood cross fingers, and no end in sight.

We will have old bears and new bears, bad, better, and excellent bears. Bear-shaped cookies (thanks to the cutter found down the block at the great shop, The Chef's Gallery), paw-print cookies (thanks to a recent yard-sale find), and other edible goodies. We may display a few of our sketchbooks and piles of idea stacks to show folks some of the stuff that seldom sees light of day. And maybe even rip of a pile - that's hard and fun at the same time!

If you need/want a bear card, magnet, tee-shirt, book, painting, or print come to American Gothic Antiques and climb up the stairs. If you need/want a cookie help yourself. Explore Stillwater, remember where you parked, and enjoy the day - grey or sunny.

On to THIS gorgeous day - it's back to playing with the pastels again. Bears - come!

Fare-thee-well,
Sue and crew

Casual Art

We had an awesome Blueberry Festival up in Ely, Minnesota this past weekend - thank you to old friends and new customers! Our goodies have been restocked at Mostly Moose and More downtown. And once again I'm trying to exercise off an art-fair eating frenzy...

This afternoon I cut up a large piece of sanded pastel paper - large goodie picked up for free at a Lake Country Pastel Society meeting two years ago. Because it was free it was easier to chop up than some papers. Also, it was slightly damaged. It felt good to toss away that last little piece - although the hoarder in me still felt bad about wasting possibly useful stuff.

Now one large piece is five smaller pieces - so on to the adventure! I did a small bear from the back - using only Nupastels. No text yet - don't know if it needs any. And started a red-toned dancing couple. The couple traded places during the dance - female is now on left - original thought had her on the right. But with no pressure to stick to plan - bam - just switch sides and continue on. Whew.

Also toned a sheet of Wallis paper orange-red. Will probably get two small works out of the sheet. Might attempt some "cute" stuff on purpose. After all the years of doing "not cute" stuff on purpose.

Tara and I went to the Bikery this morning to drink coffee and design. She has a magic sketchbook right now - one of those that refuses to accept any bad drawings. So lovely fashion designs are filling the pages. I just keep chopping white cardstock in half and seeing who comes out of the Sharpie markers. Three or four possible card designs today. I had a long list of possible things to work on - of course none of the new bears helped cross anything off the list. Sigh.

Time for chocolate mint ice cream with a small handful of almonds tossed in for good measure.

Fare-thee-well,
sue

Season's Over Season's Starting

Greetings -
We are still unpacking from our last show of the year. It was the lovely Landmark Center Holiday Bazaar in downtown St. Paul, Minnesota. No blizzard, no ice, great music, wonderful customers and friends. The lighted trees in Rice Park are always a delight each evening as we headed for home.

Now the bears are bunched upstairs in our booth at American Gothic Antiques, 236 S Main Street, in Stillwater, Minn., where all this fuzzy fun begain. To think that a single not-good pencil drawing in October of 1997 began the torrent of bears that we've made is still quite mind-boggling. Take advantage of any inspiration - ya might create a whole new life for yourself.

We have more bruin goodies in Minnesota at Duluth's Blue Lake Gallery, and in Bayfield, Wisconsin's Eckels Pottery. We are thrilled that the colored reproductions of the "pretty" bears are going over so well with customers. And next year, cross paws, we will offer our first ceramic pieces, starting with a standing "Larry" Bear.

I've vowed this season to eat less and exercise more, so will quit typing and head for the spinner. We've hidden the chocolate-covered cherries from me - Thanks, Todd - and there's lots of turkey soup left.

On to all of our grand adventures!
Fare-thee-well,
Sue