Ocean dreaming

It's almost time to go for an adventure at Ordione State Park. That's where the seaglass lives. That's where the barnacles are. That's where we find the smoothest white stones and the itty-bitty ceramic chips from the boat's kitchens. April is a good month for beach walking here in New England.

Happy Birthday Mom!

It's April 2 and my mother's birthday! She was always there for me growing up, helping me achieve my artistic dreams, encouraging me to try things I didn't know (like piano lessons for over 10 years!) and taking me to art lessons every Saturday morning. She made sure we went on adventures and to camp in the summer. I am so grateful for my mother's guidance and her spirit even when things were not perfect for her. She was a secretary at the Pentagon for Admiral Byrd in the 50's when he was exploring Antarctica. She went to Syracuse University and was an accomplished musician. She was a church organist in many different churches and sang solos in the choir.

Today - like every day for the past 5 years she has lived with us and is cared for by us as she lost her sight to macular degeneration. She doesn't play the piano anymore as she reads music and does not play by ear. She listens to books on CD and has a program that she attends with other people her age.  She still loves to sing however and music is still obviously a passion.  My daughters are completely happy that the have become so close to her during the past five years as prior to her moving in, she lived far away and was working and busy most of the time. Her visits were short so they didn't know her well.  It's been a readjustment for sure, trying at times and full of busy days having her live with us and we are glad to give back to her for what she did for our family all her life.  Happy Birthday Mom!

Hope springs eternal or

Just hoping for Spring. An older shot of a scene outside our front door. Life is full of wonderment. And color. Hoping for springtime for you wherever you may be!

Adapting Art Lab for Kids lessons for Little ones!

Jackson Falls

Happy Monday to you all! Rested and refreshed here after a much needed weekend away from it all! Big thanks to my darling daughters for making it possible to spend two nights away in our favorite NH spot: Jackson! The weekend was topped off by a drive to Portland, ME to try out Duckfat. Friends have raved about this place and as "Chopped" addicts we loved Chef Rob Evan's style and thought, yeah, we have to do this...  so we did and loved it! Just go if you can, we implore you to!

So it's Monday again and I have been thinking about some feedback that I had been getting from a number of sources who were asking the same questions: How do we use your book for our Little ones?
Well, in a few short months Art Lab for Littles will be released and you can use that - but in the meanwhile I have started to post over at the book blog with some helps on adapting ALFK to the younger set. The book was not intended for children under the age of 5 or 6 to use, but there are some easy helps available now at the book blog to help you get started with art and your little one. I am taking requests for lessons from Art Lab for Kids that you would like to see adapted - just leave a comment at the book blog. The first one is foamy prints and is up already. Once a week you can find one there, so hop over and check it out!

May classes at Selah in Las Vegas!

Selah in Las Vegas is a wonderful home to art making and creating of all sorts. I am pleased to announce three workshops that I will be teaching there in May! Our March dates had to be pushed back but we are completely excited that the May dates are set! So join me in some fun - making art and using my book to teach others about your passion!

Art in the Home

Megan Bogonovich's small sculpture packs a punch on our table

Darryl Berger's King with his Bird greets our guests in our  breezeway

Penelope Dullahan's beautiful work just sings in our dining room

Original art plays a big role in our home. Not surprising really in the home of two artists and a student artist. Interestingly enough though it is other artist's work which is most prominent in our home right now. I move things around a lot and rotate different work in and out of the rooms, but it's always original art that moves us.  Here are a few shots of different work that we have in our home - note that it always doesn't go with the couch but it somehow belongs. And, inspires us every day. What inspires you in your home?

Eve Corey's painting of provence in our entryway light

Drawing Saturdays

Just a peek at some little creatures which I drew this afternoon in my sketchbook. It's been awhile since I have picked up a pencil - and it won't be so long next time! Happy weekend!

Workshops!

a monstermaking workshop at Main Street Art in Newfields, NH

an upcoming set of three workshops at Selha in Las Vegas!

And one coming
 up in South Bewick Public Library on March 9 from 11-1p.m. More info on that one here at their site.

Night Running

A new mixed media painting that is for sale at my shop. Check it out here!  Prints to come too ...

New website! New Facebook page!

Fresh off the keyboard - TaDa! My new website. It was time for a facelift. Thanks to my husband Rainer for the revamp.. Have a look at my new site right here Susan Schwake. 

I also decided to divide up my facebook stuff - so all of my new work as it comes out of the studio will be over here at Susan Schwake Art. Hop by and like me, if you would ... and thanks!

Valentines

my heart sails for you! a tiny dish for your pirate valentine! $12

for your sweetheart an everlasting ceramic valentine $8

It's that time again - February when all hearts come out to play. Here's what I have been making for sale at artstream this year. Something for your special someone! Stop by for one or drop me a message and I can wrap it up for you and send as a secret to your valentine!

Mother Nature

It has been snowing here in our neck of the woods. This past Saturday it snowed a lot. I woke to this curtain of snow outside my bedroom window. It was formed by the howling winds during the night. Nature can be so dramatic!

Finding your pace

1/14/13 backyard

January is the month I take to nurture my dreams and ideas for the coming year. I find this time to be vital for me to make good decisions on what I choose to do and not do in the year ahead. Some of these decisions include resolutions. Some include how I will spend my time. Some days in January are spent doing nothing. That's right - nothing. It's my favorite thing to do. Living in a rural area allows us to be able to drift into nature right in our own backyard. So what does this all mean or add up to? For me - sanity.

artstream turns ten this spring!

Almost ten years ago we started artstream. It has been a lot of work. Good work, work we love and enjoy. Work we are pleased with and are pleased to share with some wonderful clients and artists. It hasn't always been easy finding the balance between work/play/doing nothing, a pace to live with daily. But, doing nothing helps slow the pace. Evens our playing field, recharges the creative batteries. It is an essential non-activity for me. For our family and for our business.

Kristin Horan (untitled)

One of the most endearing/maddening  qualities of my husband is his ability to go slow. To take his time doing something. To think before acting. To be focused on only one thing at a time and to do it well and move on. It was one of the (many) things that I found and still find attractive about him. He calms me down. Maybe that is why we work so well together. He helped me find my pace. And when you find your pace - it seems that anything is possible.

Prints of the Year

We were so lucky to host the Prints of the Year show this month. Parker Potter created this wonderful exhibit which showcases 40 fine art printmakers from NH. The show is a knockout and is full of affordable beautiful art to grace your walls. The work ranges from emerging student work from the colleges around the state and other work is from established artists. Some of the works are available online here at the shop - others will be added throughout the month.

Check our facebook page for photos from the opening - and hey! why not like us while you are there?

Stepping into 2013

What a fantastic roller coaster ride 2012 was!  We have so much to be grateful for at artstream with a full roster of enthusiastic students, gifted teachers, an incredible intern lovely design clients, super supportive customers and exhibiting artists from around the globe. We are so very thankful! 

Personally we are thankful as well. We enjoyed good health and a sweet loving family, surrounded by creative and intelligent friends.  I'm very excited (and thankful!) about  finishing up two more art books for children (and adventurous adults!) one which will be designed by my husband Rainer as well as the other having a cover designed by him too!   Thank you Quarry Books for believing in my ideas!  Art Lab for Kids has been a success (thankful again!) and has been translated into German and Russian as well as being released around the world in English. 

Daughter Chloe applied for early acceptance at  Massachusetts College of Art and Design and was accepted! (much celebration and happiness all around..) Daughter Grace moved into her own place with her boyfriend Matt (whom we love) and is rounding out her work with an internship in publishing.  

So where will these snowy steps of early 1/13 lead? So many wonderful places!

We are welcoming back students in two weeks with fresh new classes and new workshops - Jewelry, clay and handmade books!  New exhibits starting with Prints of the Year - 40 printmakers from New Hampshire working in fine art print making techniques. Exciting! There are many other events in the gallery which we will unfold over the coming weeks too. So, where will your 2013 lead?

Starting with Art

It's never to early to get started with expressing yourself in the visual arts. You can clearly see this from the above photo. (Liz, is that you?) Rainer found this photo from the "wayback" machine. It's about 12 years old. Just a couple of gingers having fun at the art table in my old studio. It seemed like a good photo to post for my big news ....

I wanted to announce that I have another book coming out next year - just for the littles. Here's the link for now to the placeholder at Amazon.  Rainer designed the cover for this book and I think it embodies the joy of making art at this age. We certainly had a blast making this book together with Quarry. Can't wait to share more with you all soon!

Art lessons:: at Illustration Friday!

Happy Tuesday! It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas ... and the natives are restless! Why not blow off some steam with a fun art lesson in marbleizing? I posted one over here at Illustration Friday Kids! Just in time to make some fabulous gift cards, tags or simply beautiful swirly art. Go take a look!

Let it snow!

Feeling a bit under the weather today but happy that we were able to get out and get a Christmas tree despite it all. The preoccupation of phones and photographs from you-know-who sometimes captures sweet moments. And so it goes. Lights on, flakes are falling, school delays, lots of details hanging in the balance... must be December!

Swingtime! by Carol Roll

Fabulous new work in the gallery by folk artist Carol Roll. I adore this swinging sweetie. The details and work on this piece is incredible. $150. A steal! The whole piece measures approx 11x10 inches with a depth of 4 inches. Sweet! Available in the shop too ...

Tiny Art

Here are some new tiny  doodles from me...

4x4 inches each: ink on monotype grounds

this one is called silent.

I hope to get them into the shop. Want one? drop me a line.