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                                                                                                      Susie E Caron
                                                                                                                 Pet & Wildlife Artist

                                                                                                                               For Love & Memories
Twee' Art LLC
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Inspiration for Quilting Includes pets & Animals

2/6/2021

6 Comments

 
Inspiring Quilter Phoebe with her cat VelmaInspiring Quilter Phoebe with her cat Velma
Inspiration for Quilting Includes Pets & Animals
Susie E Caron (c) 2/6/21
My Interview With Phoebe Sunflower Pickles.
​

Introduction:

I met Phoebe soon after moving to Southern Vermont with our two toddler aged children. She lived  not far from us and we hired her to babysit our young children from time to time. Phoebe was great with our kids. I was not surprised when she took her first amazing job. As you will soon discover Phoebe was a blessing in her first career choice and continues to bless others in her current passion.


​
Susie:  Briefly tell us a little bit about you, your family, and your occupation.

Phoebe: I grew up in Vermont, then as a young adult I moved to Pennsylvania to be a nanny. I stayed with the family for 23 years. They treated me as family, and to me they are my family. I moved back to Vermont when the youngest child when off to college. I found a part time job at a contemporary quilt shop. It’s the best job ever! I love working there, being surrounded by so much color all day.


Cat 'Velma' relaxing on Phoebe's quilt.Velma relaxing on one of Phoebe's quilts.
​Susie: Wow. Quite a career change. Do you or have you had any interesting pets or animals? Tell us a bit about your pet & animal interests and any stories you may want to share.

Phoebe: I’ve always loved animals, especially cats. The cat I had before my current one was rather special. His name was Snicklefritz, he was found in a parking lot as a kitten with head trauma. A friend that is a vet, fixed him up and then gave him to me. The head trauma left him blind in one eye. He was very docile and loved being around people. He was my best friend for 17 years. After I lost him I didn’t think I would get another cat.  Six months later I started looking for a kitten. My requirements were that it had to be the opposite of Snicklefritz. My current cat, Velma couldn’t be more different! She used to be rather a wild child but has calmed down a lot. While Snicklefritz was my friend, Velma is my baby. She’s a rather spoiled kitty that brings me so much joy.


PictureSnicklefritz, Phoebe's First Cat Buddy.
​Susie: It's wonderful you've enjoyed two cat buddies who are very different. Do you do anything in your current occupation or hobby that includes pets or wildlife?  

Phoebe: I’ve made a few art quilts that have featured animals and would love to do more.  There are just so many projects I want to make and not enough time to make them all. I love modern quilts although I can appreciate all types.​


Cat Quilted on Pillow by Phoebe
Cat Pillow by Phoebe

Unicorn Pillow by Phoebe
Unicorn Pillow by Phoebe
Panda Pillow by Phoebe
Panda Pillow by Phoebe

Cat on Quilt with words Time With A Cat Is Never Wasted. by PhoebeCat Quilt & "Time With A Cat Is Never Wasted." by Phoebe
Susie: Do you have any interesting products, featuring pets or animal themes for sale?

Phoebe: I don’t make things to sell, I’m open to selling some quilts that I have made, but would rather gift or donate them.

Susie:  Where can my customers find these? Do you have a website, or etsy store? How can they contact you?

Phoebe: I don’t have any of those, although I have considered opening an Etsy shop. People are welcome to follow me on Instagram as Sunflowerpickles
​

Susie: Thank you Phoebe for sharing this interview with us. I love your passion for cats and quilts. Please keep us posted when you open your Etsy shop. I believe we will see people ordering from you. Your work is beautiful and inspired.

Thank you all for reading.
Below you'll find a few more of Phoebe's fantastic quilts.
Please leave us a little Love by telling us what you think about this, or even about using your own passion with pets & animals in a hobby or vocation.
You can do this by clicking on "Comments" up near the title and write! Thank you.


16x20 inch Cow Quilt by Phoebe
16x20 inch Cow Quilt by Phoebe
24x36 inch Cat Collage Quilt by Phoebe.
24x36 inch Cat Collage Quilt by Phoebe.
18x24 inch Bee Quilt by Phoebe.
18x24 inch Bee Quilt by Phoebe.

6 Comments

Unusual Pets & wonderful inspiration

1/25/2021

2 Comments

 
Picture
Unusual Pets & Wonderful Inspiration
​(c) 2021
Susie Caron 
My Interview with Vonnee Lee  (Y I Lee)

Introduction: 
Vonnee Lee, and I met through Facebook posts a few years ago. We began messaging and I discovered, except for our physical distance – one in the UK and the other in the USA - we had much in common.  We had each worked with and enjoyed horses, engaged in multiple career endeavors, plus authored and published books. To my surprise Vonnee Lee revealed she’d also experienced joy with something others may think of as unusual pets. As you will soon see, in my interview with Vonnee Lee, she combined this love into something to share. I hope you’ll find her and her story interesting and inspiring.
 
Susie:  Welcome Vonnee Lee. I am so happy you want to share your story. Please begin by briefly telling us a little bit about you, your family, and your occupation.
 
Vonnee Lee: I was born in the UK in the county of Wiltshire. I had a younger brother and sister, sadly both have passed away. My father was a Doctor and my mother worked as his receptionist. When I eventually left home, I worked for a few years in various equestrian centers, as I had and still have a great love for horses. However, in the sixties I decided to go to London. It was an exciting time. I trained to be a singer. My career continued for fifteen happy years. But it was the 1980s and I found work was becoming more and more difficult. Live music was being phased out as clubs and music venues struggled to pay artists. Not only that, I found myself at a crossroads struggling to find any real meaning to my life. Thank God in November 1981, I had a profound spiritual experience that changed my life. I gave my heart to the Lord Jesus Christ. It was the best day of my life.

Picture
​Susie: Yes, your story touched me deeply.
Tell everyone how you first got into writing.

 
Vonnee Lee: My autobiography Mother, Me and Mantel is something I have wanted and needed to write for some time. For me, it proved to be a cathartic experience. Allowing me to face and banish any remaining demons from my past. I want the book to be a testimony to God's goodness, love and grace. I hope it will encourage whoever reads it.

 
Susie: I believe it does and will continue to help others heal. Thank you for sharing this. 
As you know I am posting this interview during my annual Susie Caron’s Pets & Wildlife Inspirations Group on Facebook hoping  to share how people use their love of pets and animals to inspire others. “Do you or did you have any interesting pets and stories you may want to share?”

PictureThis is "Mask", One of Vonnee Lee's wonderful Rat Buddies.
Vonnee Lee:  I have had some great pets in my life, but I have to say, fancy rats have been my favorites. I wasn't sure about them at first, I was scared. However, that quickly changed when a friend asked me to look after her rats while she went on holiday. At first, I was terrified of them, but that soon changed. They were so friendly and such fun, I hadn't laughed so much in years. Needless to say, when she took them home, I missed them so much I had to have some of my own. Then began my foray into breeding and showing, them which I loved and made many new friends.


​Susie: I enjoy how excited you get when you talk about your Pet Rat Friends. How delightful to discover this about you. Will you share what you did with your experience and love of these pets?

​Vonnee Lee: I began writing books, two of which were inspired by my rats. It was great to be able to write from experience. The first was called, A Rat and a Ransom the second was called Rat Run. Both are popular with children. My other books are more for Y/A. 
​

PictureClick Cover Photo for Instant Access
Rat Run is a children’s fantasy, similar to Aesops Fables
and Watership Down.
It takes the reader on a fast paced, dangerous quest
with Timere, as he searches for the
answer to the hostility between two groups of rats.



PictureClick Cover Photo for Instant Access
A Rat and a Ransom, written for children,  is the story
about how helping someone weaker than ourselves,
brings benefits for both.
A lesson young Tom soon found to be true.


Susie:  Thank you Vonnee Lee so much for sharing this love of pets and how you combined your experiences to share these lovely books with others. I want our readers to also know that you are actually the author of several more books also for adults as well These are titled: 1. The Door. 2. The Gathering Storm  and 3. A Shadowed Valley.
PS 
All Vonnee Lee's books can be found on her author page:   Y I Lee: Click  Here: 

Vonnee Lee:  Thank you so much for inviting me. 
​

Comment Below!
My thanks to everyone who is reading this. I hope to continue, after our annual launch, publishing one interview every month for you. If you know anyone who works with animals in special ways, or is  inspired by pets and animals (Including horses, farm animals and wildlife), please let me. You can give me their contact information in the comments below. Tell me what you think about my interviews so far too. You can also join my mailing list, by signing up and contact me that way. 
2 Comments

Can Pets & Animals Help Us?

1/8/2021

5 Comments

 
Photo Cover of All God's Creatures, a 2021 Guide Posts' Daily Devotionals featuring pet and animal stories.Cover of 2021 Guide Post's Daily Devotionals featuring pet and animal stories: All God's Creatures.
Can Pets & Animals Help Us?
 Susie Caron
(c) 2021

Introduction
​As a pet owner I’ve enjoyed many  pets. I especially treasure the unconditional love they so freely share.  Preserving this love and memories alive for myself and others motivates me to paint pet portraits for people who love their pets.  This isn’t the only way people use pet experience to keep the memories alive and recall the lessons and inspiration pets offer.  I’ve asked several wonderful people who use their personal pet experiences to share these with us.   
​                                                                     
Today I am pleased to interview Tracy Crump, an accomplished author, editor & instructor who contributes articles in numerous magazines and books. Tracy offers writing workshops, webinars and her course “How to Write for Chicken Soup for the Soul”, is a Serious Writer Academy’s Top Seller.
 
I met Tracy on Facebook when I read she contributed to the 2021 Daily Devotional for Animal Lovers, All God’s Creatures. I bought the hardcover book from Guideposts and after reading  I knew I wanted to share more about Tracy and her work with you. 


PictureTracy Crump Author, editor, instructor and contributor to 2021 All God's Creatures, Guide Posts
*An Interview with Tracy Crump, author, editor and contributor to All God's Creatures, Guide Posts Daily Devotionals for 2021
​
​​Susie: Tracy, tell us a little bit about you, your family, faith and occupation.
 
Tracy: My husband, Stan, and I were high school sweethearts and have been married 44 years. We live in north Mississippi and homeschooled our two sons, who are grown now, and each has two children of his own. Years ago, I worked as an intensive care nurse and now enjoy writing articles, devotions, and short stories. We’re both active in our church-(except during Covid-19 restrictions)-and my 99-year-old mother-in-law lives with us.

 
Susie: Tell us a bit about your pets or pet/animal interests and any stories you may want to share.
 
Tracy: Except for grandchildren, we are currently pet-less, but we’ve shared our home with a variety of cats, dogs, gerbils, hamsters, finches, and parakeets, some of which have taken center stage in my writing. Our Siberian husky became ecstatic whenever it snowed (which it seldom does in the Mid-South). He would jump into my husband’s lap and sled downhill with him. We also had a golden retriever who had two sets of nine puppies. That’s when we learned there’s nothing sweeter than puppy breath.
 
Susie: What do you do, or have you done because of your interest in pets and wildlife? 
 
Tracy: When we homeschooled, I jumped right into whatever my children were interested in. One son considered becoming either a veterinarian or a park ranger, and the other wanted to keep bees. Both boys volunteered at wildlife rehabilitation centers and the Memphis Zoo. I’ve taught school children about wildlife, put on puppet shows, worked at a butterfly exhibit, and sloshed through ditches at night hunting frogs for an amphibian monitoring program.
In one of my more daring moments, I allowed my son to keep a rehabber’s pet kingsnake in our home for use in a school program. Unfortunately, the weather turned bad, and the streets became too icy to do the program or take the snake back to her owner. I had failed to add frozen mice to my grocery list that week, so we were left with a hungry snake. She latched onto my son at one point, but thank goodness, she was too small to swallow him!
​


Picture
Susie: Do you have any interesting products featuring pets or animal themes for sale?
 
Tracy: I’ve published stories about dogs in two Chicken Soup for the Soul books and one about a cat in another anthology. A story about our husky will release in The Dog Who Came to Christmas later this year. I wrote about my favorite wildlife rehabber and a hawk she taught to hunt in The Ultimate Bird Book (no longer in print). And of course, Susie, you first saw my name in Guideposts’s All God’s Creatures: Daily Devotions for Animal Lovers 2021.  I had six devotions in that book and will have ten in the 2022 edition. [Photo attached.]
 
Susie: Yes! I found and read your contributions as soon as I received the book. I was personally moved  by  one about how a dog helped your Mother recover from an illness.
Can you tell us where my customers can find these? Do you have a website, or how can they contact you?
 
Tracy: All the books can be found on Amazon or in bookstores, except the Guideposts book, which can only be purchased on their website at https://www.shopguideposts.org/bibles-devotionals/all-god-s-creatures-2021.html. Additional formats available may be found here:  
https://www.shopguideposts.org/bibles-devotionals/all-gods-creatures-daily-devotions-favorite-formats.html
Your customers can connect with me at https://www.tracycrump.com/ or any of the sites listed at https://linktr.ee/tracycrump.

Thank you for having me as a guest on your website, Susie. Your artwork does justice to the animals you paint, and I think that’s the highest praise a portrait artist could receive.
 
Susie: Thank you for your compliment and for taking the time for this interview.  It was my pleasure to share you, your appreciation for pets and animals and how you inspire us through your work. I feel motivated now to write up some of my pet stories.
​
D
o pets and animals teach, inspire, or bring you comfort?
Comment below about this or ask questions.



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Where Oh Where Has MY LITTLE DOG GONE?

12/9/2020

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Acrylic portrait of a Boxer Dog by Susie Caron"Lonely Boxer" based on my Boxer, Coda, Susie Caron
Where Oh Where Has My Little Dog Gone
Susie Caron (C) 2021

My Little Dog was gone! Upon return home from a short visit on my Grand Father’s farm, Blacky was gone. At 3&1/2 years old I felt beyond devastated. I’d named him Blacky, and we were buds. He was my comfort, my confidant, and my companion. Tears & anger were not enough to bring him back.

Photo of toddler Susie Caron with her little Black DogSusie with her Buddy she named Blacky.

​
My toddler legs took me outside to look for him. I called his name daily from my porch, backyard, out near the street and sobbed on my bed at night.  Days went by but no little black dog came to lick tears from my face. 


My parents tried to comfort me saying, “He ran after the car when you left for Pop’s farm.” This backfired as my wailing intensified. My toddler heart felt guilty for leaving him behind. Apparently, my parents found such grieving too much for them.  They never offered me another dog. 

Photo of Susie Caron with her Boxer Dog CodaSusie Caron with her dog Coda, she trained as a psychotherapy dog.
​
​
Decades later, I learned losses like that follow us through our lives and play out in our behaviors. I knew I could never replace my Blacky. However, over decades of adult life, I’ve looked for, lived with and loved many pets. They filled my heart, gave me companionship and unlimited, unconditional love.
 
Of course, there is no replacing a pet. Each one has unique features, personality, and the way they love and live with you.  You fall in love with them, but a pet’s time with you is always too short and you wish they lived much longer.


After retirement, I began painting several of our current and past pets. The process gave me unexpected pleasure as each one appeared to ‘come to life’. Framed and displayed in my home I felt like they were back, surrounding me with their love and life.   It occurred to me that other people may like to see their pets this way too.  I gathered photos from family members and friends and gave a few paintings away. Soon after, I found myself engaged in a new way to serve - by creating pet portraits for customers so they could keep their pets forever too.

Want to know how you might get a custom pet portrait?
Contact me:
art.susiecaron@gmail.com for your free, no obligation phone chat.
Or visit my web Home page: https://www.susiecaron.com  right on this web site.

Let me know what you think about this article in comments below.
I can't wait to connect with you and learn about your special pet.
​Susie Caron


                                     "The unconditional love of a pet is a gift to treasure forever.”
Pet Portrait of a Fawn Colored Boxer Dog by Susie Caron
Framed Acrylic Pet Portrait of Susie Caron's Boxer Josie.
Pet Portrait of Siamese Cat rubbing on a post. by Susie Caron
Pet Portrait "Siamese Cat & Post" by Susie Caron based on her Siamese Cat "Scratch."
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Keeping your pet's love

12/4/2020

0 Comments

 
Photo of a long haired women carrying a smiling dog.
Keeping Your Pet's Love
​Susie Caron (c)  1/8/21

What 
makes you want a pet, or a lot of pets? How many types of pets do you have or want? How do you recover when a pet passes away?
Certainly none of us likes to think about a pet leaving us. However, most don't outlive us. Each person reacts differently and there is no 'right or wrong' way to grieve.

Pet portraits can bring some relief when you are missing a pet. I keep many of my pets with me on painted coasters and other pet portraits appear to surround me with life and love on the walls of my home.

Over the years I've painted many pet portraits for others. My friends and family members have told me how much their pet paintings means to them.
One customer, Mary, who appreciated her own pet portrait, commissioned a painting for her friend. She expressed the feelings about her gift this way:
​

 "Susie, Last night I gave my friends the portrait you painted of their beloved dog, Hunter. To say that they were thrilled is putting it mildly. You captured his soul. They are still in mourning and I was so happy to be able to give them this gift. I don't know how you do it but you got him just right. Thank you so much!"

To those of us who know our Pet's life and love, a pet portrait by a friend means so much.

What do you do to remember your pets? Comment below and tell me your pet's story. I will respond.

Thank you.
Susie Caron

Acrylic Pet Portrait of  a Black and white dog named Hunter
"Hunter" Pet Portrait of beloved pet of Shelly BR, by Susie Caron
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HANG IN THERE!

10/28/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
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Artists! How To – Easy Art Inventory

8/20/2020

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Picture
Artists! How To – Easy Art Inventory
Susie E Caron © 2020
 
When I retired and began my art business, I had no idea I would need a permanent document of my art, or any idea how to make it user friendly. I fumbled and started and stopped and finally designed a workable, easy to reference and edit inventory of all my art-work.


This Art Inventory works very well. It’s a sequentially numbered and labeled photo-inventory-folder to access anytime. The accompanying editable Word Doc numerically lists each item with accompanying photos of your art. 

Four Reasons Why You Need An Art Inventory
 

To Locate Specific Art Pieces:
Numbers and other details will help you to locate your art for posts, blogs, advertising, new articles, and for entering exhibits.

To Track Sales:
Your art inventory will help you to track what sells and sold including what subjects or sizes and other features attract galleries and buyers.

To Give Yourself Credit:
Your art inventory will help you to enjoy the results of all your efforts. (It’s just  fun to see how much you’ve created and encourage yourself with numbers of exhibits and sales. Go ahead and treat yourself from time to time.)

To Prepare for Your Art To Live Beyond You
Sadly, you won’t live forever. After your death, you may want someone to continued to do something good with your art. Then you’ll need to make it as easy as possible to locate it, identify the value , and follow your wishes. Without an art inventory, your relatives and friends may select a few favorites for themselves.  The remainder of your art could sadly end up in a dumpster.  So, as a kindness to yourself and to others prepare an Art Inventory.
 
Let’s Get  Started
Beginner or advanced, begin with your most recent art creations. Start now with what you create and in time you can add more working backwards and forwards.
(If you are heavily into your art business, pick one annual, limited exhibit venue with which to begin.)

Instructions To Build Your Easy Art Inventory

Prepare these two things on your Computer
One folder labeled with Your Name & Art Inventory . This is for your photos (jpegs) of your art (painting, drawing, sculpture etc.).
In this folder open one WORD DOCUMENT labeled with Your Name Art & Inventory 1
 
Take Photos
Take photos of 5 of your art creations. I use my iPad or iPhone. The easiest way to get them to your computer is to attach to an email them send them to yourself. Download these from email to the Art Inventory folder.
When they are located in your folder number each jpeg (photo) chronologically followed by size, year created, title & price. You may add your initials or your name if you choose. That’s all you will need on the jpeg. Continue until you have 4 or 5 jpegs labeled.

Examples of Photos (jpegs) in Your Folder (These show how I numbered photos.)

Picture
25.8x10.2018.Pretzel.$250.SusieCaron
Picture
70.8x10.2018.CarpetKitten.$250.SusieCaron

Using the Word Doc
Now open your Microsoft Word document. Label the header Art Inventory  adding your name and page number and anything else you want.
At the top of the doc body, type the text exactly as you labeled the first jpeg.
Next you will insert the photo for easy identification.  Example pretending your numbers starting with #1,2,....etc.

                                                    ART INVENTORY 1                              
SUSIE E CARON                         TWEE ART LLC                             BEGUN 8/20/20


1. 8x10. 2018. Pretzel. $250. Susie Caron
​
2. 8x10. 2018. Carpet Kitten. $250.Susie Caron
 

How To Insert Your Jpeg onto your Word Doc.
 
To insert the photo 1st click your cursor under the text. Go to the bar above click on ‘insert’. Click the choice ‘illustration’ (or picture) and then ‘this device’. You will be given options. Find your art inventory folder and click on the jpeg you want and hit ‘open’.
The jpeg will appear and open too large. That’s ok. Click on it and put your cursor on a corner to begin dragging it toward it’s center to create a smaller size. If you move too fast it may flip of rotate. That’s ok. It's very forgiving. Just play with it. In a short time you’ll master this. Place it under your text as small as you find useful. Use the spacer bar to move it right or left etc just like you would text.


​Example  Photo a bit too large.
2.
8x10. 2018. Pretzel.$250. Susie E Caron
Picture
Example with Photo made smaller.
​2.8x10. 2019. Carpet Kitten. SCaron
Picture

Repeat until 4-5 are completed. This is the easy way to begin to keep track because it gets your art numbered and easy to identify. You can edit or add information over time.  It prints complete with the jpegs too.

Bonus: Now like a 'poor person's bar code' you have a good way to label your physical art creations on the reverse or underside. 

Your Art Inventory Future
Over the course of an art career your record keeping may become more and more involved.  For example, lots of years in your art career means more creations, different mediums, or offerings such as paintings, prints, and cards. Also, you may exhibit in several different venues each year. If this is the first time you are setting up your Art Inventory, this folder and Word Doc will do nicely for a long time.
 
Later, in some of my  articles I will describe some other ways to organize your ART INVENTORY to provide more record keeping information.
 
Thank you for reading. I hope I  helped you. Please let me know what you think in the comments.
 
Hugs and Blessings,
Susie Caron
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I Hate the word 'blog'

8/14/2020

1 Comment

 
​Susie E Caron (c) 8/14/2020
Picture


I hate the word ‘BLOG’.
It's too definite, too final, and too limiting. Today I renamed the title of my web site writing to this:
"B ' Twee You & Me" for several good reasons.
 
 A Little ‘Blog’ History
Originally online writing was termed a ‘log’, like a journal. According to Wikipedia, a fellow named Jorn Barger coined the term ‘weblog’ in 1997 and later altered to our familiar ‘blog’ by Peter Merholz. Since that time it’s been used as both noun and verb. Thus, our musings online are called blogs and we blog anytime we wish.  But as I mentioned I hate the word and especially in  its narrow application.
 
No Room 
I am tired of being advised to ‘narrow my brand’, gauge everything to one particular avatar for my audience, build an email list or a ‘funnel’ ( to get sales). This isn’t me, certainly not all of me. So, I sat down to write this article not to just rant, or explain, or even give myself permission to alter my title. I write it to let you know I will do that which I’ve done all my life in a variety of ways: I will create what encourages and supports you.
 
Freedom
To do this, I will write to inspire, entertain, inform, encourage, delight, advocate, exhort, and warn. I am more than one element of a personality, career, talent, interests, and predilections. I am more than an author of picture books. More than an artist. More than a wife, mother, Christian, pet owner, horse lover, entrepreneur. I am me, with decades of experiences, multi faceted personality, multiple talents and interests. Why limit myself to a ‘branded idea’ of who I am and how I can encourage you. I want to write about anything that suits my fancy that may also help you.
 
To Love
Today, I am casting off all the advice from ‘guru’s’ of social media and marketing. I am throwing out any need to ‘brand’ myself (that happens to cattle and livestock). I toss aside any thought of necessity to set up some plan or order to my writing.  Instead I want you to know you are thought of, cared for and loved. You inspire my thought and drive me to reach out.

Why? Because of Love
When asked which were the greatest commandments Jesus replied:
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength."The second is this: "Love your neighbor as yourself." No other commandment is greater than these.   Mark 12:30-31 (Also Matthew 22:37-40)

The Result?
My topics may vary over time. The flavor of my writing may vary. However, my purpose for putting words to paper will always prove to be to encourage and support all those I love. If you are reading this know that you are loved and in my prayers.

Hugs and Blessings,
​Susie Caron
 

 

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Sometimes We just need sunflowers

8/7/2020

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PictureSunflower Fields, 4x10 Acrylic on Wood by Susie E Caron (c) 2020
Sometimes We Just Need Sunflowers
Susie E Caron © 2020
 
Sunshine, sunny, Sunflowers. These words evoke bright thoughts and happy feelings.  We cannot even say the word ‘sunny’ without forming a kind of a smile- facsimile on our lips. Try it. Look in the mirror and say “sunny!”
 
What about when life offers lemons, or lots of lemons?
 
This past week I diverged from my usual pet portraits to paint Sunflowers.
I grabbed six small canvases and began a variety of sunflower paintings.  One with a chipmunk perched atop, happily stuffing its cheeks with seeds. On another a butterfly enjoys a rest. Bumble bees visit two separate sunflower paintings. Of the final two, one is a close-up study appearing as if illuminated by a flashlight on a dark background. I liked them all, but still wondered why Sunflowers and why now?
 
I mentioned my Sunflower project, to a friend. She grinned, threw her arms open wide and exclaimed “I love Sunflowers. They are just like Sunshine.’
 
Perhaps that’s what I needed, some sunshine…
 
I’ll admit rainy days are tough. The first lines in the song “Rainy Days and Mondays” (The Carpenters), reveals how I might feel sometimes. They include feeling old, alone, wanting to quit, frowning, not belonging, and other things that get me and others down. Older persons like me sometimes find too much heat or cold or flu season traps us indoors. We find extremes difficult, especially when they last a long time. My body rebels when too cold, too hot, too motionless, or even if too active and ultimately these affect my mood. Maybe yours too?
 
As I painted these bright, beautiful, sunny, sunshine filled Sunflowers, I started to feel a bit brighter and happier.  As I look at my collection, all finished and positioned on a display board, I realized I needed some ‘sunshine’ in my life. Perhaps you do too.
 
Maybe, if there isn't enough sunshine in our lives, we just need Sunflowers.


Thank you for reading. Would you like to share what cheers you up when life gives you rainy days, or lemons? Let me know in the comments. I'd love to hear from you.

Picture
A Selection of 5x7 and a 4x10 inch Sunflower Paintings by Susie E Caron (c) 2020
If you would like to purchase any of these, they currently exhibit in the Village Frame Shoppe, St. Albans, VT. 
Note for paintings not shown in my SHOP, contact me for availability.
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Twee' Freebie friday butterfly to color or paint

7/31/2020

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Twee' Freebie Butterfly to Color or Paint
Susie E Caron ((c) 2020

Let's paint this butterfly.
Butterflies are fun to paint for beginners to advanced artists.
Here's how:
1. Download the two files of the photo and instructions.
Assemble your choice of colored pencils or crayons, markers, watercolor or acrylic paints.​ Lay out paper for an 8x10 painting. Get some water to rinse brushes too.

2. After deciding what colors you wish to paint this butterfly (they come in every color imaginable) select those colors and prepare them. (Wet the watercolors you wish to use.)

3. Using Black color or paint in every black line and space except the legs and antennae. (You can do those later.) Be careful to look careful to follow my example. This will help you learn to observe, color accurately and improve your fine motor eye-hand coordination.

4. Now choose one color and a set #1 of areas to fill in. Do the same or a different color in #2 and #3.

5. Before you paint the body, legs and antennae, it's time to color the flower with any color you wish. You will want to use either one color in lighter and lighter shades as you move from petals to petals, or choose three different colors, such as red for the lower part,  pink in the middle and white at the top. Have fun. Do the same, using various shades of green for the bud and stem.

6. Finally, paint the body of the butterfly a light shade of one of you wing colors. Use a bit of the light color mixed with a tiny bit of black to show some detail on the face and body. 

7. Now with a really tiny brush or pen put in the legs and antennae.
All finished? Good for you. Now sign your name and find a good place to post your beautiful butterfly art work.

Please share your art and your kids artistic productions and comment what you enjoyed. Got any suggestions for a Twee' Freebie? Let me know.
Thank you,
​Susie
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    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.

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