New Year Looms - 2016

I began this blog years ago with a view to write something everyday. After taking a look at it today, I realized that it has been over a year since I wrote anything. As the year 2016 looms ever closer, I have been thinking about my goals for the year. Writing a daily blog is at the top of the list. I have studied "The Artists' Way" and have always wanted to get a group together for a group study of the course. One of the very first exercises is to write at least 30 minutes every day. The author suggests doing it first thing in the morning, while your mind is still fresh from sleep, however, sometimes that doesn't always fit into the schedule. So I'm opting for using this blog as my 30 minute writing exercise.
This will certainly be a challenge for me because I write daily on many topics, mainly promotion of my gallery, but to have the freedom to write whatever is on my mind is great. In "The Artists' Way" it is also suggested that after writing for 30 minutes in a journal, put it away and don't read it. This task might not be too beneficial to me since I need to also exercise proof reading. I am a sloppy writer and often make mistakes simply because I don't always take the time to proof read everything. I need to get in a habit of doing this.
So here's a challenge for the new year. I have so many challenges staring me in the face. It actually feels good to be challenged. For me, every year presents a time for a fresh beginning, making goals, seeing how long I will stick to them and see tem through.
In review, last year, I didn't not meet my writing challenge. But that's okay. I think I accomplished many other goals I had set out for myself.
I did meet a very important goal, that of finding a new location for an art center. My establishment is not quite what I had in mind since I do not have a true "art center" but more of a visual gallery. I'm very happy in reaching this goal. It is just another step in the evolution of my own personal creation.
The next goal I feel I did accomplish is to start a new art group. I had been struggling with the group  previously lead because there had been long standing negativity with some of the leadership. Dissolving that organization and growing a new one has eliminated the stress of attempting to uplift a failing organization. Now the new organization has grown larger and stronger than I could ever have dreamed. This sense of accomplishment has truly uplifted me to confirm that I can accomplish my goals, no matter how lofty.
Part of being an artist is to create lofty goals, dream of greater things, make plans. Sometimes those creations are not just things you can look at or listen too but they are something that is felt deep down inside. Something that is not only created but also emoted to others. I have devoted more of my time to the creation of my gallery and my art group in 2015 than I have to creating new works of art. I feel good about this. It is another step in the process of my life as an artist and as a creative person.

All Artwork On Sale!

Big Sale

 

I'm announcing my end of the year holiday sale!

 

You can find my artwork on

 

www.suzannebuckland.com

 

www.paintingwithsuzanne.blogspot.com

 

http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/suzanne-buckland.html

 

I have marked down my regular prices, Some to 50% off or more.

 

All small acrylic paintings on canvas board, sizes 9" X 12" to 12" X 18" are on sale for $20 each (regularly $25-$50). See www.paintingwithsuzanne.blogspot.com

 

All 16" X 20" Oil and Acrylic Paintings are now on sale for $125 each (regularly $200-$250).

 

All Gallery Wrapped Oil, Acrylic and Mixed Medium Pieces are now $25 off list price as priced on www.fineartamerica.com .

 

This sale will end Dec. 31, 2014.

 

These deals are only on original artwork pieces, no reproduction sales. Sale must be made in person within the greater Houston area, or through paypal online. Any orders requiring shipping, the buyer pays for the shipping cost. Delivery is available in Houston area only. I will also be at JoMar Visions Studio for the Artists Alive and Well 2014 Showcase event.

 

For more information see www.artistsaliveandwell.com

 

Contact me directly at confident_realm@yahoo.com for orders.

 

 

These painting are all on sale for only $20. Many more to choose from.

 

 

Painting with Suzanne: Painting Class on Sale One Day Only at Michael's i...

Painting with Suzanne: Painting Class on Sale One Day Only at Michael's i...: Art Class Open House Saturday, Nov. 15 Sign up for a painting or drawing class and save $10. Koh-I-Noor Drawing Clas...

Paisley Fantasy

 

I haven't created as much original artwork as I would have liked this year. I've been concentrating on my painting classes instead. The last three weeks, I've been back in the studio creating again. It feels great to just paint something out of my imagination. For several years, I've wanted to create some series based on fabric prints. When I was a kid in the 60s, my mother dressed up every Sunday morning to go to church. This was back in the day when ladies even wore hats. She had several great dresses with paisley prints and bold colors. This is the inspiration for my latest creation. This piece consists of five panels, 20" X 24" each. When hung together they measure 108" wide by 24" tall. I chose this sixe for an upcoming exhibition with Artists Alive and Well which will be in September at St. Luke's United Methodist Church Rotunda Gallery called "Small Works". This is not small but each panel is within the size requirements. I hope you have a chance to stop by the exhibition. It runs September 2-29. Gallery hours are 8am-8pm daily. The gallery is located at 3471 Westheimer across the street from River Oaks park. 

 

 

 

Needed: One Board Member

Plans are coming along for the new Spring Shadows Art Center. This is a new non-profit organization dedicated to bring an art space to the Spring Branch area and the Spring Shadows neighborhood. I started this initiative in view of a place where the community can come together to create. I believe that every neighborhood, small town or big city, should have an art center. This is a space where affordable art classes and workshops, art shows, musical shows, studios, etc. can be held, as well as parties and meetings for the people of the community and also for people interested in coming to our community from the Greater Houston Area and beyond. So far we have found a location, met with the realtor, had an inspection by a general contractor and have had two local people, Roy Salazar and Melissa Williams join our team as board members. We need one more board member  to apply for our 501c3. The duties of a board member begin with fundraising, promotion, and eventually hiring staff. The board member must be willing to make a one year commitment to work as a volunteer board member for the period of one year from the time the 501c3 papers are filed. We will have another organizational meeting as soon as this board member is found. Please contact me, Suzanne Buckland at confident_realm@yahoo.com for a copy of the preliminary business plan if you are interested.

Spring Shadows Art Center - Update

The plan for the art center is coming together. I have just about everything I need now to apply for a 501c3, except one additional boardmember. I'm seeking one person interested in working on this project beginning with fund raising. Additional duties of board members will be hiring, promotion and oversight of this non-profit organization. The purpose of the art center is to have a place for the community to gather and create, regardless of age, income level, race, religion or anything else that might have deterred people from becoming involved with community art. The art center will feature classes and workshops, gallery exhibitions, music and more. The location is beside the HEB at Kempwood & Gessner. Please email me at confident_realm@yahoo.com for a copy of the preliminary business plan and your interest in serving on the board. Boardmembers must be willing to make a one year commitment and get started right away with fund raising. You need not be an artist but interested in the arts and bettering the community.

Spring Shadows Art Center Update

I have had a hard time getting another appointment with the realtor but we finally connected. I have an appointment for May 28 at 3:30. I have had many people interested in this project, other artists and locals alike. Who wants an art center in Spring Branch? This space is perfect, once fixed up. There are a variety of activities we can do together at an art center. Spring Shadows Art Center will be a non-profit community art center centered around the inhabitants of the neighborhood interested in using this space to further creative arts. There will be gallery space, classroom space, studios, and kitchen space. There will also be a stage for musical arts within the gallery space. This is a space that the community will gather to enjoy the arts together. Let's make this happen. Please email me at confident_realm@yahoo.com for further information. We need volunteers to get this going. We will also need building materials as we get ready to fix it up. We are working with a general contractor for all the electrical and plumbing issues as well as to check out the AC. This building has been empty for several years and needs some TLC.