Susie Caron Pet & Wildlife Art
  • HOME
    • PET PORTRAITS & REVIEWS
    • HOW TO ORDER YOUR PET PORTRAIT
  • ABOUT
  • BLOG
    • Parent's Blog
  • SHOP
    • Books
    • AWARD WINNING PAINTINGS BY SUSIE E CARON
                                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                     
                                                                                                          Susie Caron
Pet Art Blog

                                                                                                                            Twee' Art LLC, Vermont
​​

How to Know the ‘Who’ of Your Kids

10/21/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture

How to Know the ‘Who’ of Your Kids 
Susie E Caron (c) 2019

The theme song, titled “Who Are You,” (adapted for tv’s original CSI series,  composed by Pete Townsend and released by The Who in 1978), became my personal parenting approach. Beginning that year and within two years we’d adopted 2 infants. In those days we weren’t told anything about their biological parents or heritage. However, with this new song in my ear, I recognized I couldn’t possibly guess the ‘Who’ they would become until they each showed us. I stayed curious and open to the possibilities, a stance which continued from their infancy into young adulthood.
​
​As adoptive parents, not knowing where your kids came from or who they may become can be an advantage. Many of us, regularly born kids, come into families with lots of history. As a result, we may suffer the unnecessary projected expectations of our parents and grandparents. I was one of those kids. While stories abound of butcher, baker and candlestick makers’ sons and daughters rebelling to move in different directions that didn’t exactly happen, with me.

Picture
​I was a good kid (mostly) and did all of the traditional things expected in those years (mostly).  I went to college, married, taught elementary school and adopted 2 infants.  My husband and I agreed that I could be a stay at home Mom and I loved every minute of it. When our kids went to school, I opened and taught a riding school. My other career opportunities came and went depending on our kids ages, their growing needs and what was available wherever we moved, from time to time.
​
​ My rebellion or perhaps better written, blossoming, came later in my life when I retired with my husband.

Picture
Picture
I’m happy to report our kids grew up into fine human beings, successful in both their careers and lives. I wonder, if we’d pushed would they have become farmers and teachers, just as we were? Staying curious, we watched, supported and encouraged their individual interests and they ultimately surprised us. Our daughter went into the army followed by college graduation and good career choices. Our son acquired a taste for things alien to us: adventure, big cities, and the world of big business. Different from each other and from us – of course, we love them both.

 I sometimes wonder ‘ Who’ I might have become if my parents had opted a curious attitude toward my developing interests. I’ll never know. However,  I did find out my ‘Who’ after all. 

Recently I received the honor of an interview and featured article posted on the Village Frame Shoppe Blog.
I invite you to read how I discovered my ‘Who’ in
 
Susie Caron Artist Profile.
( With my thanks to freelance journalist Leon Thompson and the Village Frame Shoppe, St. Albans, VT)
Picture
0 Comments

Open a Window to Your Kids with Paint

10/17/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
Open a Window to Your Kids with Paint
Susie E Caron
© 10/17/19
Want to get to know your kids better? Want to understand what makes them happy or what’s bothering them? Open a window to your children with paint!
Today I'll tell you why & how this works and what helps get the flow of information going-along with the paint.

How does painting help?
Painting together helps kids (and adults) express emotions and verbalize some of the thoughts that go with the feelings. Kids find it easy to paint. Painting brings out feelings easier than drawing because it pulls from a different part of the brain. The sensory experience of laying wet color on paper offers a kind of ‘flow’ state that allows feelings to become words - in a safe environment.

What you’ll need.
All you need is a cleared surface, inexpensive watercolor paint, brushes (or cotton swabs, pieces of sponge or rags), paper & water. Clear the table, put out the supplies and turn on a bit of music if you like. For kids between 5 & 9 this will probably last from 30 to 60 minutes.

Some painting prompts.
Now, kids will paint without prompts, but here are a few to help you get the conversation, and information flowing.
Ask them to paint their happiest feelings.
Ask them to paint what makes them mad.
Ask them to paint people they know and perhaps anyone they think could be scary.
Ask them to paint their family, house or school.
Ask them to ‘tell you about their painting.’

Don’ts and Do’s  while they paint.
Don’t
It’s important that during this painting time you don’t direct their paintings or correct what they tell you and don’t teach. If you really want to ‘hear’ them and learn something, this offers a fun time (and information too). This isn’t about right, wrong, or accuracy.  Instead let them paint at will. Be kind, supportive and paint with them.

​Do
Paint with them. Your painting doesn’t have to be spectacular. If you have artistic talent – great. If you don’t just paint sky with balloons or flowers or hearts. Paint something that you can say it’s about how happy you feel painting with them. Keep it simple and loving.

Picture
What and How to ask questions to open their windows.
This is time for you to get to know your children better. So feel free to ask open ended questions. (Those are questions Kids can’t answer with a simple “  yes” or “no”. )

Examples.
Instead of “Is that a picture of x,y,z?” Say “I like your painting. Tell me about it.”
Instead of “Oh that looks sad (happy, etc)”. Say “Oh that’s really interesting. What's it all about it.”
If you don’t understand something they say. Ask them to tell you some other way. 

One more thing: How to respond to what they say.
It’s really encouraging to them (and they’ll tell you more) when you ‘reflect’ what they say. This is easy to do. Simply repeat what they say in your own words. For example, “So are telling me you feel like this activity or person is a lot of fun to be with.” Or “I hear you that situation (person) can be scary.” Or even “
“ Wow You really like blue trees.”
​
All done?
When they seem finished (or you’ve had enough) thank them for painting with you. Tell them you really enjoyed the time together and to see  their paintings. After they dry hang them on the refrigerator for a few days. Don’t throw them away. Instead after a short time, offer the paintings to the kids for their rooms. Perhaps they’ll be replaced with next week’s art.
 
Reflect on What did you learn about your kids.
When you opened this window what did you learn?
You just provided a safe space and caring relationship with your kids. This is how you get them to open up to you. Now take what you learned and adjust how you want to keep the communication open and make this fun so they'll do it again. They may even continue to talk with you in their ‘tweens and beyond.'
​
Relationship is key to raising good kids. Listening to them and sharing an activity like painting will open windows to their inner thoughts and feelings. It helps develop an open and honest relationship between you and your kids for years to come.

Picture
0 Comments

Big 'Ah Ha' to Affordable Art

10/11/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
Mini Pet Portraits on canvas board & easel. SCaron (c) 2019, $20.00 each. (+shipping) (For custom art contact artist.)
Big 'AH HA' to Affordable Art
Susie E Caron (c) 10/11/19

An Art Experiment leads to an Ah Ha Moment.
What began as an experiment grew into a bigger, well smaller, but creative idea to serve more pet people.
 I want to know what you think about this.
 
The Situation
I engage in a lively pet art business, and regularly sell 2 or more 8x10 custom pet portraits a month.  Because I enjoy serving pet people this way, I wanted a way to make a portion of my pet portrait art  affordable to a larger pet owning and loving population. Cruising the Blick art catalog I discovered 5 x 7 unpainted easels along with 4 x 4 canvas boards. Those seemed to suffice. This was an experiment, so  I ordered just 4 of each.
 
I picked out my subjects, sketched them and completed each one with acrylic paints and added a healthy spray satin varnish when dry. They were fun to paint and looked so cute sitting on their tiny easels. (Don't you think so? See 3 above.) Then I remembered something.
 
 
First A Little History
Years ago, after receiving my first acrylics, I’d painted some of each family members’ favorite things on wooden squares. I covered them in gesso, acrylic paints, and finished with satin varnish. This made them durable and waterproof coasters.  Each family received several for Christmas. I even made some for us. We've used ours daily to protect our furniture from our coffee cups and cold drink glasses. The coasters are easy to wipe off and don't watermark or stain because of the waterproof materials.
 
The Solution to Create Affordable Art for Pet People.
I combined the two ideas. Hand painted-art-coasters plus little easels could indeed fill my desire to make pet portraits more affordable to pet people. I could sell them at reasonable prices. Customers can buy them for themselves, or for gifts, or possibly order a custom coaster of a pet or animal of their own choosing. What could be better than affordable pet art perched on a tiny easel that also doubles as a useful household item – a coaster? What do you think?

I really enjoy creating memorable art portraits for people who love their pets. Please feel free to contact me when you want me to paint one for you.
 
Write to me by commenting here or susiecaron@tweeart.studio.
Picture
Pet Portrait Art on Wood Coasters with easel. SCaron (c2019) $25.00 each. (+shipping) For custom art contact artist.
0 Comments
    Grab Your Copy of My Free EBook Today!
    Picture

    Take great photos you can enlarge, display, make greeting cards or T-Shirts & even send to your favorite pet artist!
    Just Click  HERE 
    In This You'll Discover
         1. The 'tall' reason pet photos can look a bit 'Off'.
         2. Secrets to help your pet cooperate for photos.
         3. Five easy illustrated tips to capture the photos you'll love.

    Don't wait. Limited time offer.
    ​Get  yours today!

    Picture

      About Susie

    Susie Caron, acrylic artist, creates realistic paintings of pets, animals, and selected scenes.  Her love of and experience with many pets and farm animals throughout her life, enables her to capture the unique feeling and expression of each subject.  In her commission pet and livestock portraits, Susie also works with each customer to discover and then reveal the personality and special bond between pet and human.

    Categories

    All
    Susie Caron
    Vermont Artist

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    October 2022
    March 2022
    December 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    October 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    September 2018
    April 2018
    November 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017

   Susie E. Caron ., Author   c 2013 - 2021...  All Rights Reserved.
*Affiliate Links: Some of the links I may post from time to time are "affiliate links."   This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission., which does not affect the price you  pay. I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. However, the customer is responsible to research and choose according to personal and business needs. The customer, and not this author, also assumes full responsibility for use, loss or risk for selecting and using products and services. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials." 
Susie E. Caron      2013 - 2023
***Disclaimer
All articles in this website are for educational and self-help purposes only .
No patent liability is assumed for use of the information contained. The author disclaims any responsibility for loss or risk for use or application  of this material.
Memberships and Affiliations​
  • AWeber Email *    Free
  • Village Frame Shoppe & Gallery
  • ​Bryan Memorial Gallery
  • Northern Vermont Artists Associations​
  • B's Flowers & Gifts​​
  • HOME
    • PET PORTRAITS & REVIEWS
    • HOW TO ORDER YOUR PET PORTRAIT
  • ABOUT
  • BLOG
    • Parent's Blog
  • SHOP
    • Books
    • AWARD WINNING PAINTINGS BY SUSIE E CARON