Susannah's Blog

From time to time my art will lead me to meet the most inspirational and fascinating people. Recently a young woman named Ingrid reached out to me via my Etsy store at Artbysusannahcanada to purchase some of my wearable art. Here she is wearing a top that she bought to race in. I love the fact that she is leading the race!

I can't tell you how delighted I am to support this Canadian athlete who competes on the world stage in her quest for Gold in Track and Field. I am a very proud Canadian who is able to support another Canadian with an entirely Canadian made product. Go Canada!!

I shall start by saying thank you! Thank you to all of the people who have supported me in one way or another and have believed in me and my art even before I did.  I had someone ask me today how do I know how to mix the colours in a certain way.  I couldn't answer with any technical knowledge ...but I just know what looks right and what really offends my eyes.  I have had support from many people in several different ways.  Yesterday Vicki Miles an outstanding artist in her own right helped me hang my art in the new gallery we have both joined for this season. Vicki also a former art teacher of 20 plus years was able to identify my artistic styles with an actual name and history.  I had no idea about it's origins ....but it gave my work validity  ( I will save that for another day and blog).

 Amy Ray in California was the first person to ask to see my art and the first person to say - hey I want to buy that piece.  Amy was able to see something in my work that I couldn't.  My art was my life line and it pulled me out of a place I didn't want to be in, it was more like therapy for me than a financially motivated transaction. You see I so desperately needed colour.  My brother John has been my biggest supporter and cheerleader.  He has handed over his dining room and living room to me to create an art studio.  He has even acquired two heavy metal trolly's with large shelves for me to put my supplies on.  When I would be frustrated he would always know the right words to motivate me to keep going. He didn't even flinch when he had to recover his dining room chairs due to paint splatter. Lara Masur Leitch is a friend and artist of discerning tastes who spoke to me like I was an equal and an artist.  Lara gave me her wisdom and encouragement saying make every canvas count, keep track of your paintings and expenses and throw some gold paint onto this piece or that one.

 Of course there are the clients who have actually purchased pieces.  Several clients have been repeat customers and own several of my pieces.  When I first started to sell it was strictly via word of mouth.  I was shocked when total strangers would contact me and want to give me money for my work.  Each sale was a little piece of my soul being put back into place.  I never realized how fulfilling it could be for a simple transaction to trigger such a sense of wellbeing.  I know my art is not for everyone, that would be very boring indeed.  However I must admit it is a very inspiring experience to have someone look at a piece I have created and have that "moment" of connection. I can't name everyone who has been there and supported me but for a special few - I say Thank you! -  Morag, Connie, Christine, Ty, Sylvia, all of my Alma Sisters, Dee, Mystica, C.R., Christian, Amy, Ken & Eva, Katie, John, Virginia, Sarah, Chelsey, Sergio, Kim, Gwen, Joan, Vivian, Mary Lynn Fluter, Vicki, Darien, and the list goes on.  As you can see each person has in some way or another had a helping hand to raise this artist in this village.  I feel loved.

As an artist one of the most vulnerable things you can do is show your work to someone that you know. You are putting your heart on your sleeve and literally exposing your jugular to the world and expecting the worst and hoping  for the best....can you tell there is a bit of drama in my life?? 

Part of the process of being an artist is learning to let go.  There are days when the pieces that you produce will be viewed as glorious works of art and others when a sale as a fire starting kit would really come in handy.  Letting go and trusting in yourself and your talent is a real leap of faith.  I am now taking this leap into the unknown.  So here goes....this is my art. Good, bad or indifferent it is 100% me.  I started painting just over 3 years ago.  I was in a very dark place - as artist's often find themselves and I needed colour.  I didn't care about lines, form or symmetry in the least but I did crave colour, bright, vibrant, glorious colour.  So this is how my art started Christmas eve 2015.

I don't try to create a picture or a form of any kind, I just let it happen.  Those who have been following my art realize that the emotions and feelings that are stirred up when they see a particularly special piece come from the heart.  it is a visceral gut feeling that I hope each and every client feels when they make the decision to take home a piece of my art. Art should be for all generations and pocket books.  My wish for you today is that you see the divine  in everyone that you meet and that you can indeed see the divine in yourself.