Will Run For Color!

Color Run 2013!
I ran this 5K for two reasons:

One:  because I am highly motivated by color when I paint and what better way to start my 30 day paint challenge then with the Color Run!
Two: because many illnesses are associated with a color so I ran in honor of the amazing people who have influenced my life and courageously fought for their health.  Some battles won, some lost.. but all left an impact that will never be forgotten.

PS.. on our drive home through Hightstown, NJ we stumbled on the most wonderful breakfast café called Roasting Post Coffee at 124 N Main Street, Hightstown.  I had the best.. and I mean THE BEST latte  served in a wonderful large fiesta ware mugs.  Was it the run? The need for coffee? or the great conversation with girlfriends?  But, this along with the kalamata olive/feta omelette was pure pleasure.

30 in 30 Challenge starts Sunday September 1st!

Thank you for joining me here on my 30 in 30 challenge journey.  September always seems to be a natural time to make 'New Years' resolutions with my children off to school and more time to spend in the studio.  A personal goal of mine is to find more harmony in my daily studio routine.   I am sure some of you can relate to the fear of the blank canvas.  I want to overcome my fear and have some fun doing it.  Not every painting will be a winner.  Some may be just studies for future paintings.  I hope I inspire you to do the same.... whatever you do, just create... make the mark... meditate on the beauty of it!

To view all my available paintings please visit:  Susie Morrell Portfolio

I welcome questions and comments click here 

Please consider sharing my challenge with others….. Thank You!

Let the painting begin!

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Kindest Regards,

Susie Morrell

A Series of Fortunate Events...

I love to drive on long road trips.. call me crazy.. but I do.  Maybe it's because you never know what surprises lie ahead. Or maybe it's being disconnected from all interruptions, decisions and choices. A recent trip took me through Kentucky on my way to Florida.  As I am driving through Kentucky I remembered a favorite artist I follow, Dreama Tolle Perry, who lives in Paris, KY. ( I always loved the way she hesitated after saying Paris on her blog radio show so for just an instant you thought France was rolling off her tongue next but beautiful Kentucky is home to Dreama)  So I looked up Paris, KY on my iPhone and found myself just 30 miles from Dreama!  hum... the nudges that come in the silence of driving.   So I sent Dreama a quick shout out on Facebook that I was waving hello from 75 South. 

Then humming along south off exit 77 I stopped at the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea where I found this magical ring created by Rob Weingartner made from sterling silver with a Petoskey stone.  I'll talk about Petoskey stones in another post.. but I absolutely love them! They are naive to northern Michigan a place I hold dear to my heart.  If you find yourself near exit 77 you MUST stop at the Artisan Center!  It houses over 650 exhibits of Kentucky's finest artisans. There is a great café to complete the experience.  

Petoskey stone ring hand crafted by Rob Weingartner

Silversmith, Artist & Jewelry Designer

If you have the time... take a drive through the artisan town of Berea, KY.  Here is a great map.  My head was twirling side to side as I drove past streets filled with weavers, instrument makers, furniture artisans, jewelry designers, glass workers, potters, painters, sculptors and musicians.  

To view all my available paintings please visit:  Susie Morrell Portfolio

Please consider sharing my work with others….. Thank You!

I welcome questions and comments click Here

What are you reading this summer?

I was in Barnes and Noble looking for a good summer read and came across "Caveat Emptor".

 I had to look up the term and found it is Latin for "let the buyer beware". Wikipedia has lots of info about the subject here. I guess this is why we have warranties now:-)  Anyway, this book is an autobiography by Ken Perenyi, about his secret life as an American Art Forger.  Apparently about 10 years ago there was an investigation by the FBI exposing this 30 year scandal in the art world of numerous forgeries by Ken Perenyi then suddenly inexplicably, even after an abundance of evidence, the case was closed.  This book is Ken Perenyi's confession, in detail, now that the statute of limitations on the crime has expired.   I'll let you know in a future post my thoughts on the book.. in the meantime my twitter feed from ArtNet tweeted this article from The Guardian about a London artist Susie Ray who paints copies of million dollar masterpiece paintings and sells them legitimately in today's market for large sums of money.  What do you think about this?  I would love to hear your comments.  Have any of you read this book and, if so, care to leave your thoughts in the comments?

Northern Black Bear

With summer comes memories of our trips to the lake.  This year I will continue to collaborate on the children's book series my mother, Carole LaFlamme Beighey is writing called "The Waddodles of Hollow Lake".  She is currently on book number six where Big Casey, the northern black bear, is a main character.  The inspiration for the painting below came from studies I am doing for her next book cover.

©2013 Susie Morrell "Northern Black Bear" 6 x 6 oil on panel
$100.00
sold unframed, cherry wood easel included for immediate display

SOLD

To view all my available paintings please visit:  Susie Morrell Portfolio

Please consider sharing my work with others….. Thank You!

I welcome questions and comments click here

Sails at Rest on Schroon Lake, NY

©2013 Susie Morrell "Sails at Rest on Schroon Lake" oil on panel 6x6
Private Collection

I drove the Adirondack Mountains region of New York to drop off my son at camp this past weekend.  Rather than just turning around and driving straight back, I thought I would tour around the lake region a bit and came across this wonderful marina at Schroon Lake where I spotted this sailboat that was begging to be painted!  This piece is painted completely with a palette knife.  I wanted to achieve a sense of atmosphere that was present when I was painting it… a misty, overcast kind of day.  I was close enough to hear the water lapping against the rocks.  It was a blissful moment.  I am happy with the results.  This piece is available for purchase by clicking on the paypal tab and will ship as soon as it is dry… approximately 2 weeks.

To view all my available paintings please visit:  Susie Morrell Portfolio