Monday, September 23, 2013

My NEW blog

Hi!
It has been a long time since my last post because I have been busy redoing my NEW website.
I now have a blog attached to my website, so please join me there:
http://www.mosaicsbysusan.com/welcome/
I am going to be sharing all of my mosaic secrets and posting pictures from my workshop from around the world and even answering your mosaic questions.
I hope to see you on my website:
www.mosaicsbysusan.com
:)S


Sunday, March 17, 2013

Day 2, mosaic mural with kids!

Too much FUN!


These kids are so smart, they are so eager to work and they catch on quickly to the task at hand.  We have finish all the layout, the edging and now we are filling in with hand-painted mosaic tiles.  Can't wait to see all of these smiling faces tomorrow!

Friday, March 15, 2013

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE at the Lyons Elementary school



This is my 3rd time being an ARTIST IN RESIDENCE, this time at Lyons Elementary school.  I love working with kids, they are so happy and appreciative that I am there!  Lyons is an amazing community, a father built this wood structure for us and there has been a mom helper in every class.  I will be here for 3 weeks- so watch out for the progress!

Saturday, February 23, 2013

MEMORY DRESS

I have a MAGICAL studio space, where I teach my mosaic workshops.  This year I decided to host  "guest artists" to teach/share there unique techniques.  The first artist was Laurie Zuckerman, an amazing artist best known for her shrines and memory jugs.   The day flew by... I now know how my students feel when they take one of my classes.  They hold up there work and say, "I am so proud of myself & I had the best day, when can I do it again".  That is how I felt, blessed to have the opportunity to work with Laurie and eager to create more.

Sunday, June 10, 2012

BUILDER SUE


BUILDER SUE
This is my favorite part of the process-designing and then building my wood base. I use a TRAMP ART technique of cutting & then layering flat pieces of wood shapes to create dimension.  (chapter 3)
I pull out my power tools, draw and then redraw my pattern until the proportions are perfect.  Viola', an ANGEL is born!



When I worked as a designer at ESPRIT in SF. in the 90’s, I couldn’t believe that I actually got paid, and paid well, to cutout PAPER DOLLS & then COLOR them in.  It was my childhood dream job coming true.  This new angel series brings me back to that time in my life.

Friday, May 11, 2012

a look into my thought process....

Yes, you can teach an old dog, ME, new tricks.
I often use my camera as a design tool. I will assemble my pieces into numerous choices, photograph them, and then upload them onto my computer to SEE what works best.  It reminds me of being in art school, University of Michigan & NYU.  We would pin up our work, step back and critique what was working, what was NOT and why.


In this case I am using a variation on a theme, an assortment of antique frames to FRAME the face.
Which one would you choose?

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Chapter 4, How I flunked out of Economics 101...


CHAPTER 4
My business degree, NOT
How I flunked out of economics 101 and ended up in the theatre…

My father and 2 brothers are business men- I am NOT!  While at the art school at the University of Michigan, my father encouraged me to take a few basic business classes. After a month of economics 101, my professor encouraged me to drop the course before I failed.  So now I had some extra time, so my mom, the artist, encouraged me to volunteer in the theatre.  I remember that day clearly, wandering into the costume shop for the first time.  The head of the Theatre Dept. greeted me with delight; I could draw, I could sew and I could use power tools- it was a perfect match!  It didn’t take me long to be the STAR student.  Not only was I encouraged to go to Grad. School in Theatre but the head of the Theatre Dept. made sure all the doors opened for me.  I got a few scholarships, but my heart was set on NYC- so I went to NYU.

My work is a product of all those years in the theatre.  My shrines are reflections of the model sets I would spend hours building, focusing on the smallest detail.  My dress series are direct responses from those years of studying the history of costume and then using that knowledge to tell stories.  My Italian series reflect my knowledge of historical places in different periods of time.

TIP: don’t always follow in your father’s footsteps, sometimes your mom’s prints will fit better

Anectdote:  even though your father appears smarter- your MOM might be right!