inside my sketchbook…

Posted on February 22, 2014 by susie carranza studio

i’ve been using my sketchbooks more and more lately, and really enjoying it. it’s part of my “create every day” goal for 2014. when days around here are so busy that i haven’t picked up a paintbrush all day, i love to sit late at night (when the rest of the familia sleeps) and draw in one of my sketchbooks.

i find myself using words and phrases so much more now, like this drawing from a couple of nights ago, “live a colorful life”. i drew it very late one night and left it to be colored in next chance i got..

…and i LOVE the results!

this work-in-progress photo was posted on my instagram page (one of my “good morning!” posts)…

i love working with colored pencils; i think they offer such great texture and layers to a piece…

like i said, i love how this came out! the flowers are a little bit different than my usual flowers, and the colors are bold and vivid – perfect for my handwritten phrase.

even my father, a man of very few words, asked me “why don’t you paint this larger and sell it?”

and i plan on doing just that, maybe on a 12 X 12 inch canvas. i am also recreating something similar on a canvas tote bag; stay tuned to see how that works out!

so – what’s in your sketchbook?

’til next time…

***

where else can you find me?

facebook

etsy

google+

the week in instagram…

Posted on February 6, 2014 by susie carranza studio

are you as hooked on instagram as i am?! you can find (and follow, if you’d like!) me at instagram.com/susiecarranzastudio

bare feet in grass

late night: making earrings just for fun

pretty paint water, “dream” heart ornament, Jacquard textile colors

Yogi tea wisdom

dandelion: make a wish

putting items in Etsy shop on sale

cloudy february skies

photo booth on my iMac

my parents’ geranium plant

happy birthday to my husband, Lawrence

finally – much needed rain

lots of heart art going on!

Posted on January 30, 2014 by susie carranza studio

just wanted to share some of the heart/love inspired items i have in my Etsy shop –

and in our website Arte de Nuestro Corazon –

if you’re a creative soul, i have also been busy adding NEW items to my Etsy supply shop – my 2nd shop for destashing art & craft supplies –

i had planned on doing a blog post on what i’m currently working on – hand painting canvas tote bags, and more mixed media hearts – but my computer is giving me SO much trouble right now, especially when i’m doing any edits to my photographs. i’m hoping to get some help working out the kinks very soon…

til next time…

2014: create every day…

Posted on January 3, 2014 by susie carranza studio

happy new year! i hope this post finds you happy and hopeful in this first week of the first month of 2014.

i wanted to share the first creative thing i’ve made this year. i’m part of a Facebook group of artists, The Studio, and the artist who created the group – April Cole – challenged us to create an art badge as a way of celebrating our one year anniversary as a group. i hadn’t participated in any of the challenges or activities so far and i signed up for this. who cared that i’d never created an art badge in my life! we were to post it on our Facebook group page on january 1st.

this is what i came up with. i covered a chipboard heart shape with a gelli print, and went at it…

…and i love it!

i chose the phrase “create every day” for my badge. i plan to place this somewhere in my work space where i can see it daily, to remind myself to really create EVERY day. even if all i can manage is a drawing in my sketchbook late at night, into the early morning hours.

CREATE. EVERY. DAY.

i’m grateful for this challenge. it made me think about what i want this year to be: creative, colorful, and full of art.

***

so, have i been creating every day? we’re three days into january, and so far, yes. if you guessed it’s late night/early morning drawings in my sketchbook – you’d be right. my days are busy right now with personal issues, but i make it a point to stay up late, pull out my Sharpies, and draw.

i have lots of plans for this year. yesterday (due to the personal issues) i decided to temporarily close both my Etsy shops. my husband (a.k.a. my shipping department!) and i need some time to focus and regroup. and just breathe! but it’s only for a short time. i have my work table going with new projects, lots of ideas jotted down in notebooks – on the first of the year i even signed up for an online course with artist Jeanne Oliver. i have lots to share and i can’t wait to get new items into the shops! (if you’d like to see what i’m up to late at night, follow me on Instagram.)

again, happy new year! and if you have a favorite word or phrase of your own, please share in the comment section!

til next time…

happy holidays…

Posted on December 23, 2013 by susie carranza studio

can you believe Christmas Eve is here?!

December ends with me trying to do more painting…

excited about the reaction to my hand painted wood ornaments & seeing the last of my hand stitched ornaments sold (as seen on the beautiful Christmas tree from Frozen Ropes Sports Training Facility in Glendora where several of my ornaments hang) …

and hoping for a peaceful, no-drama Christmas Eve with my familia.

I want to wish everyone a merry Christmas. 2013 was rough & I’m happy to see it end. hoping 2014 brings lots of love, laughter, and dreams finally coming true…♥

(the beautiful angel figurine in photo is from my mother’s Nativity scene.)