29 Black Street

heartfelt & the soul

2012-01-30T08:19:00.014-04:00

hand inked cards ready to ship to most excellent stockist of 29 Black Street wares - Inkwell

let your mind start a journey thru a strange new world.
leave all the thoughts of the world you knew before.
let your soul take you where you long to be ...
close your eyes, let your spirit soar,
and you'll live as you've never lived before

Erich Fromm

Soul - it's a word I think that makes a lot of people flinch. Either you embrace it, from perhaps a Christian heart, understand and believe in it's existence completely or you might be in the camp of mild eye rollers. S-O-U-L an esoteric, airy fairy, new age-ish, touchy feely kind of word and one that makes many uncomfortable. But if you take it for it's real meaning–a soul being a person's core, their belief system - the essence of the person you really truly are–then it becomes very fascinating to discover, to uncover & to get to know who your soul really is.

I feel as if it's been a many year archeological dig to uncover my soul. Perhaps the first hit of pick on hard stone was the death of my dog Jake 4 years ago. I wasn't prepared for that Grief. Grief I know now was grief about much more than the death of my best friend - it was grief of a life spent mostly hidden, grief of a fear full heart. Grief piled up in a back room & hidden away. That first hit cracked me open & so many things I felt so sure were true crumbled. Over the next 4 years a serious of events and people, much like the planets being lined up in some extraordinary way,not all random or fluky, but fateful & meant to be - changed me. The good and the bad. New friends, old friends - some great, some not so, a lost job & living gradually turned into brave new opportunities, meeting Doug, finally feeling safe, secure, protected, encouraged & supported and realizing I had been craving all of that for as long as I can remember. A new life spent learning, growing, expanding, opening up in leaps & bounds - leading me here to this moment - NOW

I am just beginning week 3 of a fantastic e-course called Hello Soul, Hello Business - might as well be titled Hello Susan because it's helped me tremendously, through the questions & exercises asked of me, to really see who I am, who my soul is, to trust & believe my intuition, to be who I am not who I think I should be. I'm one of those lucky people who's work, loves & life are all mushed together into one thing. The soul of my business is also the soul of my life. I feel like that soul, my soul is finally seeing the light of day for the first time since maybe I was 10 or 11 - sometime after grade 6 this little girl's soul was buried, as happens to many, under a ton of hard rock & fear - but hey ! she's back. Bonjour Soul !! + I think I kinda like her.

Nothing contributes so much
to tranquilize the mind
as a steady purpose
a point on which the soul may fix it's eye

Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

I love type, I love a tall, skinny, san-serif font, I love pink + red & I have a brave, bold heart

heart full

2012-01-29T09:43:00.006-04:00

oh soul
you worry too much
you have seen your own strength
you have seen your own beauty
you have seen your golden wings
of anything less
why do you worry
you are in truth
the soul, of the soul, of the soul

Jalal ad-Din Rumi

my heart is full, my soul feels so very brave & strong, perhaps really ... for the first time ever

big thinker

2012-01-28T09:30:00.007-04:00

ca - 5 x 7 original collage drawing - Susan Black

I get way too bogged down at times in thinking (planning & scheming). I am a big thinker, I'm one who gets lots o' kicks from attacking a topic or an idea from all angles with les deadly Susan B thought rays. These last 2 collages, created in the last two days, had little to no conscious thought involved, not a plan, no intention(s) - to be honest that totally freaks me out

30 minutes (minimum) of creativity each day for 30 days - a suggestion, perhaps even a kind order ! from friend, creative colleague & CE* mentor Deanne. Surely, in my big daily to-do list (comprised of mostly freelance jobs & obligations) I can carve out 30 for 30. I'm 2 for 30
today & I'm rockin' it on - despite a wee, expected, plunge in my over-the-top-enthusiasm.

Bonjour Plunge ! I've been waitin' for you ... sorry, but you mustn't stay too long

Really windy, wild & icy here today
It's a perfect day for some snug-as-a-bug, let's mess around some & play

* creative empire

here's the thing

2012-01-27T10:06:00.012-04:00

be as bright as you can be - 9 x 12 - original collage drawing - Susan Black

Here's the thing - well ... here's a thing 'cause goodness knows there's a whole bunch of things, a bunch of tres good things goin' on, happenin' - mostly just with me, inside my head & in my heart. Last night as the Prince & I crawled into bed I said to him I'm so excited ! he smiled a big huge grin. I asked him I'm much better than I was a year ago aren't I ? 100% better ? He said with absolutely no hesitation - way more than 100%

way more than 100% ?
I guess that's pretty good

Looking back at my posts this time last year I don't think I ever expressed clearly how terribly sad & lost I felt. I'd lost myself when I lost my living, my job, my love, my career. I felt ashamed, a failure – I was up & down & down & down so often. This new e-course Hello Soul, Hello Business is so fantastic it takes my breath away, the timing so perfect, the big, life changing creative empire building questions I'm being made to ask myself through this course has my tip toes barely touching the ground. It's all good & because it's all so good, I forget, or don't have time, to notice the big, bad, horrible scary world I know is skulking all around me always. If there's one thing I've discovered about myself - I am resilient. So here's the thing. I love pink ! I love it because it is bright & happy, it feels to me carefree & alive. Pardon, a bit of a ramble this early morning - I'm rushing ... rushing on to the next really good thing.

les messy TTD a work in progress

what I want ...

2012-01-26T09:49:00.010-04:00

Love sweet love - 8x10 giclee for sale & I Freaking Love You design for American Greetings

Last night I got a quick email from one of the women I've been working with at American Greetings - she just wanted me to know that my freaking love you card was now the No.3 top selling card of ALL the cards on their cardshop.com site - hullo !! They found my work on etsy and contacted me asking me if I could create them a card (with their words + they were very open to any suggestions I might have) that had the look, the feel & the colour palette of my love sweet love typographic collage drawing (top image). Here is how the No.3 top selling card looks on their site - they made one tiny change from my original- the yellow letters became aqua I think to make the word "love" just a wee bit more readable & perhaps to make it less feminine.

Same thing below - they asked me if I could design a you rock card based on the look, feel & colour palette of my Love Lives Here No. 1 typographic collage. You'll notice both greetings cards include my signature at the bottom left, Hooray for them for wanting me to ultimately have credit. I've since done another card for them that will go live March 1st - have no fear you'll be the first to know + see that new card ... so. What do I want ?

I want more collaborations like this one. I want to work with people who hire me because they love my work, love my style, love who I am, they don't want to exploit me or my designs in any way, they want to give me credit, pay me well (& fast), they always have reasonable deadlines & crystal clear direction + they are a joy to work with. Welcome !! more of you please.

I also want an ipad & a food processor (I know, I know ya can't believe anyone who cooks as much as me doesn't have a freakin' food processor (what's up with that?) the constant smashing of ginger snaps to keep the Prince in pumpkin pies - is making me dream of an FP - an essential cookie crushing, crumb making tool ya never know M. Universe may be listening & taking notes.

Love lives here No.1 - 8x10 giclee for sale & You Rock ! design for American Greetings

community of 2

2012-01-25T09:27:00.014-04:00

spent the day yesterday hanging out with Deanne ... my wee creative community of 2

create beauty everyday

Deanne Fitzpatrick

Tiring, exhausting, energizing, inspiring, fun ... did I mention exhausting. The time literally flew by ... so many things I meant to ask, to talk to Deanne about but forgot ... oh well 'til next time.

The creative is the place where no one else has been.
You have to leave the city of your comfort
and go into the wilderness of your intuition.
What you'll discover will be wonderful.
What you'll discover is yourself

Alan Alda

A bunch of lil' things to do today including art with kids & a play date after school with Bee. But tonight I'm packin' up my kit & headin' out early Thursday for Creative ... into the wilderness again I run. Speaking of running ... how 'bout some dancin' ?? Adam Levine was destined for fame back in 2004 with Maroon 5 & this song. But this ... Uh! Huh !! can ya stop yourself from dancin' - I bet not. Oliver & I are scuffin' up a storm here the TTD' cause we've got les moves like Jagger - ya huh ! like Jagger ;-)

oh my red

2012-01-23T19:36:00.007-04:00

some gorgeous red for you & for me this early January rainy mild morning

you are
what you are seeking

St. Francis

right on !

'cause I'm seekin' JOY.

I'm off here this early morning, driving in with dear friend Harry who I haven't seen in ages hooray !, for a day of raucous creativity, homework chatting & maybe lunch ;-) Thank you to Claire for reminding me of that just-what-I-needed-to-hear quote. Heard this song in the grocery store yesterday - I had the album, loved every song, knew every word, played it over & over again, singing along - wonder what ever happened to Terrence Trent Darby ??

chartreuse + black

2012-01-23T08:49:00.006-04:00

gorgeous & I mean gorgeous wallpaper from Harlequin UK

chartreuse & black
colour palette love
& stuff I covet

we're dancin' as fast as we can, can ... here atop the TTD* these recent days - ya ! huh !!

*TTD teak topped desk

oh my, big time illustration love, le lovely loch monster art by Amy Sullivan - bonjour Nessie

sunny day

2012-01-22T09:00:00.003-04:00

from yesterday & the early morning

peak

2012-01-21T09:31:00.010-04:00

this morning's fresh snow fall, gorgeous orange golden early light, a silly Miss D & kitten love

There is no such thing
in anyone's life
as an unimportant day

Alexander Woolcott

So ... I'm taking this amazing e-course with Beth Nicolls & Kelly Rae Roberts (it began on Monday) this first week we've been tasked to ask ourselves a huge, big, long, list of big & profound questions one of which is to think back to a peak experience or time in your life

Think back to something that has happened to you that you would describe as a ‘peak experience’. This could be a wild adventure, or a moment of exquisite happiness, or sense of true aliveness. By ‘peak experience’ we don’t mean the most amazing thing you have ever done. We mean an experience when you felt truly alive, and where your positive emotions were so strong that you can actually remember how you felt that day.

I barely had to think about my answer - a resounding NOW, Uh ! Huh ! this very moment ! Now how cool is that ? I've never felt so alive, so excited, so ready, so hopeful, so challenged, so motivated ... I'm at a big ol' sweet peak ... & there will be lots more peaks, I'm confident of that.

fetter free

2012-01-20T09:44:00.007-04:00

20 from mid January 2012

feeling fettered
focusing on freedom
from frustrating fetters
& foolish friday funks

;-)

Feeling also ... silly, happy, content, alive, excited, grateful (very grateful) & tres determined

purple smoothie

1 1/2 cups silk plain soy milk
2 tsps splenda (or to taste)
1 large banana
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
2 ice cubes

blend, blend, blend ... enjoy

I'm ok, you're ok

2012-01-19T09:00:00.011-04:00

big fat bee dans les garden - by the other sweet Bee my, nearly 7 year old, friend

On this day I pledge to me
to be the person I can be.
I will do my best to stretch my mind
& help out others by being kind.
Outdoors I will play safe and sound
& pick up any garbage I have found.
I will solve my problems by talking them through
& try to be thoughtful in all I do.
Our school will be happy and safe every day
if we listen to our hearts when we think, do and say.

Cyrus Eaton Elementary School Creed
recited each morning after singing O' Canada - so sweet, so great

I'm OK, you're OK
round peg ... square hole ... sigh

Hi ! I'm Susan Black and I'm an Introvert

Wednesday afternoons I volunteer at the elementary school doing art (& some crafts) with kids in grades 1-6. 2 hours. The first hour 6 children in grades 1-3 and the second hour 6 kids grades 4-6. They are all sweet, interesting little people who have a particular passion for art.

I dread it. Each week I begin dreading it around Sunday afternoon. It happens on Wednesdays. In fact just thinking about it now I feel the Dread bubbling around in my belly. What the blank ? How can you dread children Susan ? I ask myself over & over (with furrowed brow). When I'm actually there interacting with them, getting supplies ready or cleaning up after I'm not in that dread state ... but it's not thrilling me either. As much as I wish I could say I love it ! that I find it tres stimulating & rewarding - I don't. I feel like a fish out of water. I feel like a baby bird away from the nest. I feel like an introvert. Hey ! Wait a minute ... that's OK !

I was telling a friend of mine recently about this art with kids volunteering that I was up to, then mentioned how much I've been dreading it ... how it feels like I'm getting ready (every freakin' week) to go on stage - a stage my rational mind knows & reminds me is filled with an audience of keen, appreciative, even mildly adoring small people who love art) - doesn't matter. I dread it. I don't like it. It makes me uncomfortable. My friend asked then why are you doing it ? Hullo !! Now that's a good question ? I know this much I'm not going to stop doing it. I am committed. I feel happy to be helping out. I am however gonna lighten UP !! interrogating myself & beating myself up about dreading it. Wondering if you too are an introvert ? take this quiz.

Reading about Susan Cain's new book Quiet (not yet available at our library) got me thinking about all of this. I'm realizing, finally, this is the year to accept & embrace my introverted self.
halle-freakin-lujah !!

I'm an introvert ... I love being by myself,
love being outdoors, love taking a long walk with my dogs
and looking at the trees, flowers, the sky.

Audrey Hepburn

my bee ;-)

colourful

2012-01-18T08:52:00.003-04:00

dreaming of lilacs ... & flowers in general & of leaves & spiders & big fat bumblebees

growing just a little bored with photographing whites, blues, greys & muddy browns ... today is very mild (hooray for that) with wet drizzle but it's also as grey and monotone as a day could be.

happiness is ...

2012-01-17T08:59:00.007-04:00

white, white, white & ice - this morning - the harbour is quite suddenly filled with ice

If you're not making mistakes
you're not trying hard enough

Seth Godin

• that quote :)
• a healthy, happy Miss Winnie Dixon who turns 13 this month
• a hot steaming face cloth - my mini spa experience
• a sharp exacto blade ... sigh
• having Miss Mojo back in the 'hood - phew !
• taking inspiring e-courses - Hello Soul, Hello Business
• an hour phone chat with Deanne which felt like I took a creative energy pill
• planned bi-monthly creative get-togethers with Deanne
• banana soy milk smoothies - not sure why I'm drinking soy milk ? but I am
• +C temperatures again after a wee spell of wind chills
• coffee in bed each morning with my journal
• this video about the business of creativity by Tara Gentile
• fleece & down
• marathon Mad Men watching - borrowed from our library (I know we're very late to the game)
• pondering & scheming the streamlining of my game plan
• Oliver
• a very tidy desk & office
• craftypod podcasts
• this favourite David Gray song which skipped into my memory from out of the blue

les recipes

2012-01-16T08:59:00.007-04:00

guilt-free, absolutely delicious pumpkin ginger pie with light topping :-( not whipped cream

guilt-free pumpkin ginger pie

1 1/2 - 2 cups finely crushed gingersnaps
2 cups pure pumpkin puree
1/2 cup Splenda
equivalent of 4 egg (egg substitute)
1 can fat free evaporated milk
2 tsp ground ginger
2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 - 1/2 tsp ground cloves
ground nutmeg (optional)
1-2 tbsp grated fresh ginger (optional)

Put the ginger snap crumbs in a 9" pie plate & push the crumbs up the sides as well as covering the bottom (you don't need to add butter to the crumbs as the pie cooks the crumbs magically bind together to form a crust). Stir remaining ingredients together, gently pour into crumb lined pie plate. Bake at 350 for 45 mins-1 hour (until set & the top is cracked). Cool. Serve with blobs of somewhat guilt free edible oil product I know, I know the only blot on my recipe ;-)

It's absolutely delicious & no one would ever guess that it's practically fat free & low cal

chicken le noir

this is something I've been making often lately & it's one of those recipes that definitely evolves & changes each time I make it. It's easy, delicious & best served on basmati rice or egg noodles (both with butter if you're so inclined). It's one of those clean out the fridge recipes, yesterday I had 2 small zucchini that needed to be used up - so go ahead substitute with abandon !

1 large onion halved then sliced
1/2 green pepper small chunks
1/2 red pepper small chunks
2-3 cups mushrooms stemmed & sliced
2 small zucchini in chunks
1/2 cup of raisins
1/4 cup capers
1/2 cup sliced black or green olives
the peel of one orange
4-6 cloves of garlic (or more if you like)
1 large can diced Italian tomatoes
1 can condensed low salt chicken broth
1/2 cup red or white wine
1/2 small tin of tomato paste
2 tbsp brown sugar
2 chicken breasts (with or without skinned) & browned first in olive oil
2 tbsp dry onion soup mix
1 can of chick peas

Sear both sides of chicken breasts until golden put aside. Saute in a large frying pan or wok with a few tbsp olive oil mushrooms, peppers, zucchini, onions & garlic. Continuing cooking over medium low heat until onions are caramelized & mushrooms have browned. De-glaze the pan with wine. Add in olives, capers, raisins, orange peel*, tomatoes, tomato paste, brown sugar, drained chick peas, & chicken broth. Stir well and pour mixture into a large covered casserole dish. Tuck chicken breasts into the top of mixture, dust with the 2 tbsp dry onion soup mix. Cover & bake (or crock pot) for 1.5 -2 hrs. I removed the chicken breasts, cooled & shredded them and then added the chicken back in, but you could also serve them whole.

For a vegetarian version substitute veg stock for chicken stock & roast one butternut squash cut into chunks & tossed with olive oil 425 & stir in squash chunks (instead of chicken) at the end.

* with a sharp paring knife trim away as much white pith from the peel as you can & then cut the peel into slivers. You could also zest an orange but the larger pieces of orange peel add a bigger zing & an unexpected surprise.

basmati rice, greekish salad - onion, red pepper, romaine, olives dressed with lemon & olive oil

photo tips

2012-01-15T11:46:00.004-04:00

take your camera everywhere
take many photos of every thing
'cause there is beauty everywhere

open heart

2012-01-14T08:54:00.009-04:00

gorgeous !!! as Ira Glass says "have good taste" I think I do - Eloise Renouf's stunning work

paint your face with the colour of hope
tempt the future with an open heart

Diego Torres

perhaps the most challenging of all ...
opening your heart
& I mean really opening it

Today's one & only to-do aside from a bunch o' cooking (which somehow never feelss like a to-do) - tidying up CE* headquarters with chief assistant Oliver who's finally back in the office after an extended sick leave - Feline Upper Respiratory nastiness brought to us (or to the cats) by the ginger kitten Bucky (who I do miss intensely ... but know he's in a great home) - that face.

oh & please go here to see a link with no love - erggghhhhh - brazen use of my santa NO credit

CE* - creative empire

expectations

2012-01-13T09:26:00.010-04:00

oh my goodness the sky ... oh my goodness the earth ... blessed to have my eyes wide open

Expect your every need to be met.
Expect the answer to every problem.
Expect abundance on every level.

Eileen Caddy

You betcha I will & with pleasure Eileen.

I'll be honest this has been what I would classify as a tres shitty week. I've been feeling blah, overwhelmed, messy, stuck, mojo-less, whiny, lazy, tired ... I could go on & on. Yawn. I have my long list of reasons & ya know what's funny ? - they're all very good things. I have so much goin' on right now, so many opportunities zinging at me & from such diverse directions, opportunities to learn, to grow, to create, to make a better living - to be more & more successful & happy

I need new tools, new skills, new habits & new practices - just to keep up. I'm working on acquiring them all. I need to be my own detail driven creative empire assistant part of the time & then the rest of the time I want to be a wild, brave, unburdened creative person. I can do it. I know I can ... 'cause I have great, great big expectations.

still haven't had a chance to study my new camera's manual - so for now I'm just wingin' it

lulie & claire

2012-01-12T09:53:00.008-04:00

1, 3 & 5 - Lulie Wallace - Wow !! and 2 & 4 - Claire Leggett

If these gals don't get me painting some bold, colourful fleurs avec pattern soon ... nothing will.

Check out Claire's fascinating blog post about homemade brushes (or mark makers)
thank you both for so much incredible inspiration

oh & ps - I have about 10 2012 Lil' Collage Owl calendars left & they're on sale 12.00 + shipping

whinging with favourites

2012-01-11T10:46:00.004-04:00

A Tiny Life No.7 - 8x 10 giclee print (image size 7 x 7) available here

In the beginning I had this original 8 x 8 canvas for sale in my etsy shop, thankfully no one bought it because now I love it & can't imagine parting with it - hallelujah to the beautiful giclee prints, such saturated inks, such gorgeous heavy textured 400 gm water colour paper. This piece is another one or those pieces you create that in the beginning you think - meh - no attachment what so ever and over time you begin to stare at it (it's been hanging or leaning in the chocolate brown bedroom a long time) & begin to wonder how it is you actually made such a piece. This mixed media, heavy on the painting, canvas has become a favourite of mine. I want to make more like this, bigger, braver, bolder - I'm afraid.

It's turning out to one of those days. It's bitter cold with howling wind (can you say wind chill), I had a tooth extracted this morning, I have art with kids this afternoon & I do not feel prepared, my office is a mess. The kind of day you mentally tick off the hours looking so forward to the end. Until it's bedtime again. Maybe even tuck in early with a mug of mint tea & my book. Mama needs a little self love & she's a gonna give it to herself.

giant

2012-01-10T09:51:00.007-04:00

Frida Kahlo 2012 calendar from Taschen

I tried to drown the sorrows but the bastards learned to swim,
and now I am overwhelmed by this decent and good feeling.

Frida Kahlo

I love fish, especially big boldly coloured fish, I love mail, I love packages, especially when the girls in the post office (my now co-workers Sue & Rhonda) say Susan you have a giant parcel ! Not just big, not just large, but g-i-a-n-t. Uh ! Huh !! I love portraits, I am a self confessed calendar freak, I love Frida ... who wouldn't. I love maps, I love globes, I collect them. I love my moon globe. I love globes with different coloured oceans. Along with several shades of blue oceans I now have cream & gold & black (the most coveted of all). I love big kindness. I love love. I love feeling loved. Merci, merci Shammy Sham

winter

2012-01-09T10:23:00.003-04:00

10 from recent days

quiet, cold, snowy, white, grey, happy, winter

affirmations

2012-01-07T10:10:00.007-04:00

this mornings walk along the harbour beautiful, monotone, grey & white & shaggy black

Opportunity arrives from all directions
a new affirmation taped to my computer along with these 3 others

Every time I turn around I get another cheque in the mail
Stolen, word for word, from Cheryl Richardson

The best thing about my work is that I can always
try new things & get better
found online at designsponge I think

Life loves me, Only good lies before me
another from Cheryl Richardson

4 affirmations taped to my imac

I'm celebrating and it's only been a week, 7 short days, into this new year. My life at the moment is so wonderfully rich & busy I keep pinching myself. New & exciting opportunities are zinging at me from every direction & I'm LOVIN' it. This is how my life is supposed to be. I'm living at a pace where I just barely fit everything in - though I'm not really rushing (I do hate to rush) ... each & every day is jam packed full of goodness. Thank you M. Universe & keep it comin' please

happy weekend !!

brave(r)

2012-01-05T10:09:00.008-04:00

Haven & Joy No. 1 - 8.75 x 11.50 - original mixed media collage drawings - Susan Black

By seeing the seed of failure in every success, we remain humble.
By seeing the seed of success in every failure we remain hopeful.

Unknown

Back in the saddle (so to speak). Messin' around again. One of my big goals this new year is to schedule my time - to the hilt. I'm just one of those people who is tres comforted by a plan avec a detailed to-do list. It's a bit like having a map or maybe an itinerary (another love of mine). I am not a spontaneous person (in that sense). Although this new collagey, botanical-ish, mixed media, drawing, floral stuff I've been messin' around with is as spontaneous, as free & as brave as I've been in a very long time. When I begin these pieces the only 2 things that are planned are the coffee stained piece of watercolour paper & I choose my palette - I know from past failures that I love a limited palette and by limiting my palette, my chance of actually feeling successful at the end will be greatly increased. That's how I feel now - tomorrow that all could change.

To be honest when I completed these 2 new pieces on Mon/Tues (2 of 3 days through the week that I've blocked out for me & creativity - in other words Making New Stuff !) I didn't really like either of them, I felt that oh so familiar initial pang of disappointment. That heart sinking, oh my, have I wasted my time again ? thought rushing through my mind. But then I remembered something absolutely crucial I really don't like any of my work in the beginning. It's true ! I'm always in that weird head space when I'm creating something new & unfortunately I fill that head space, unconsciously, with so many expectations & ideals - it's almost impossible to not be disappointed. The solution - no opinions needed. On to the next.

I didn't like this piece when I first made it. I was super critical of it - thought it was w-a-y too busy. I smacked myself plenty with the well-that-was-a-big-ol'-waste-of-time stick. Now 6 months or so later I look at it and I can't believe I did make it. I look at it with wonder. I love it !! really love it !! and that opinion will change too, as my work & tastes evolve & morph into the next phase or thing. So I'm just gonna keep on makin' stuff.

believing Ira, making stuff & being brave(r) ... every single day.

He who is brave is free

Seneca

heavy boots (part 2)

2012-01-04T09:06:00.013-04:00

gorgeous ... October 2012 - from Cavallini's flora & fauna calendar

The only way to overcome sadness is to consume it

Jonathan Saffran Foer

"I'm feeling everything". "This emotionalness of yours, does it affect your daily life?" "Well, to answer your question, I don't think that's a real word you used. Emotionalness. But I understand what you were trying to say, and yes. I end up crying a lot, usually in private. I get panicky. I'm not very good with people". "What do you think is going on ? " "I feel too much. That's what's going on". "Do you think one can feel too much? Or just feel in the wrong ways?" "My insides don't match up with my outsides." "Do anyone's insides and outsides match up ?" "I don't know. I'm only me." "Maybe that's what a person's personality is: the difference between the inside and outside." "But it's worse for me". " I wonder if everyone thinks it's worse for him." "Probably. But it really is worse for me."

Jonathan Saffran Foer - Incredibly Loud & Extremely Close

It's the new year, fresh & empty & waiting before me, reading this incredible book created by someone who's written out so many of my thoughts in such a beautiful eloquent way and of being mildly obsessed (as is my nature) with choosing "one little word" to guide me, to be my mantra this new year has me, once again, paddling out into the deeper waters. It's OK though, I'm wearing my bright orange life jacket & I'm not at all afraid. I'm just curious ... very curious.

& determined.

I know this process of mine, thick & sticky as it may be at times, works. Not all thinking & feeling is bad, the secret is discerning the bad kind from the good - a bit of trial and error at the best of times. Over the last few years it feels as if I've managed to almost rid myself of some big, clinging feelings-Ache, Sadness & Despair but somehow by mistake they've turned into more Fear. An emotion which for the most part feels fairly quiet & tame by comparison. But perhaps more dangerous in the long run. It's a different beast, requiring different tactics because tactics are, of course, necessary (wink). I know I can't completely rid myself of Fear, that's not the goal. But Fear is holding me back at a time when I want to go at top speed. It is - heavy boots.

The secret was a hole in the middle of me
that every happy thing fell into

Jonathan Saffran Foer

My long short list of one little words initially had much more to do with mad Creative Empire building, which is my ultimate goal & focus (or so it seems) - that list a mostly dull, predictable gang of create, focus, believe, produce, begin, make, engaged, shine, do, blah, blah, blah. The more I thought about it. "It" being the one thing, the one word, that would help me - grow & develop, feel happy & proud - the most, this brand new shiny year it is without a doubt lessening my fear. Being brave, taking risks, believing in good, being me, seeing good ... oh, I could go on.

So ... another short list of words began tumbling around in my brain - beginning again with the obvious - fearless, brave, courage, lighten, fly, lightness ... & in the end I stole Ali Edwards word. I know she won't mind. it's Up !

uh ! huh !! Up ! Up ! Up ! Up ! Up !

Up | ready, eager, open, awake, into a happy mood

Up, up, up we go

ms. black

2012-01-03T09:06:00.011-04:00

cat with crown No. 2 by (nearly 7 years old) Sweet Bee - cat with crown No. 1 - here

Worry is spiritual short sight.
It's cure is intelligent faith

Paul Brunton

Tomorrow afternoon I begin a weekly stint volunteering at the Cyrus Eaton elementary school. I'll be doing art & crafts with 2 small groups of kids. The first hour will be grades 1-3, the second hour grades 4-6. I can't wait, I've have been thrilled at the opportunity but also, strangely, have been feeling quite nervous + anxious about my first day - tomorrow (eye roll). Natch.

Though I am getting so much better, when worry & fret come bangin' on the door of my mind, I send them a packin'. My new rule is I'm not allowing to pre-worry about an event or a happening in my life. I've known about this "teaching" art to kids gig for months now, I've known the start day was Wed. Jan 04, so every time W & F tried to sneak in there & get comfy I've been telling them adamantly "go away & come back later ... a few hours before I'm set to begin the art thing & then you both, worry & fret, might help me prepare. But don't come back until then". Foot stomping, serious look, avec furrowed brow !! I mean it. Once my first session with the kids is behind me I know it's going to be a weekly event that I really look forward to. I bet the kids are going to call me Ms. Black - that's gonna feel a little weird. + ta-da-ta-da speaking of Cyrus ...

I emailed his new family on new year's day. I couldn't stop thinking about him. Asking if they would mind keeping me posted on his progress and maybe, if it wasn't too much trouble, sending me a photo every now & then as he grew up. I received my first few photos this morning and these few sentences

Thank you for rescuing Cyrus & giving him to us. I understand how he made a big impression on you – it's only been a few days & we can’t imagine life without him.

He was raised on the TTD* so we think he's going to be a desk cat. Heart swelling goodness ;-)

* TTD - teak topped desk

heavy boots (part 1)

2012-01-02T08:37:00.007-04:00

gorgeous ... June 2012 - from Cavallini's flora & fauna calendar

You cannot protect yourself from sadness
without protecting yourself from happiness

Jonathan Saffran Foer

He awoke each morning with the desire to do right, to be a good and meaningful person, to be, as simple as it sounded and as impossible as it actually was, happy. And during the course of each day his heart would descend from his chest into his stomach. By early afternoon he was overcome by the feeling that nothing was right, or nothing was right for him, and by the desire to be alone. By evening he was fulfilled: alone in the magnitude of his grief, alone in his aimless guilt, alone even in his loneliness. I am not sad, he would repeat to himself over and over, I am not sad. As if he might one day convince himself. Or fool himself. Or convince others–the only thing worse than being sad is for others to know that you are sad. I am not sad. I am not sad. Because his life had unlimited potential for happiness, insofar as it was an empty white room. He would fall asleep with his heart at the foot of his bed, like some domesticated animal that was no part of him at all. And each morning he would wake with it again in the cupboard of his rib cage, having become a little heavier, a little weaker, but still pumping. And by the midafternoon he was again overcome with the desire to be somewhere else, someone else, someone else somewhere else. I am not sad.

Jonathan Saffran Foer - Everything is Illuminated

I'm currently reading Jonathan Safran Foer's - Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close. I was reminded of the book by recent previews on TV of the upcoming movie starring Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock & some amazing new child star playing the lead character - Oskar

After his father's death in the 9/11 World Trade Centre disaster Oskar begins to suffer a deep sadness, panic, worry, fear & anxiety. He describes these feeling that overcome him, almost constantly, as wearing heavy boots. As I read this book I feel like I know Oskar really well.

On Tuesday afternoon I had to go to Dr. Fein. I didn't understand why I needed help, because it seemed to me that you should wear heavy boots when your Dad dies, and if you aren't wearing heavy boots, then you need help.

I wear heavy boots too. It's my biggest secret or maybe it's not a secret at all. Sometimes I think they're getting heavier & this brand new year I want more than anything to lighten them.

hello !!

2012-01-01T09:43:00.011-04:00

a perfect mantra for a new year - let us be loving, hopeful & optimistic - thanks Jack !

Well that darn 2012 snuck up on me. Oh, believe me, I had the plans, the big glorious plans of being really ready for the NEW part of New Year. Those who know me really well know that I get pretty excited about a new month, a new week, even a new day ... so a brand new shiny year makes me crazy with clean slating, blue skying, big planning & dreaming & goal setting ... I'd hoped to get my blog redesigned & simplified - streamlined, my iphoto sorted, my imac desktop filing dealt with, resolutions (at least thought of), a mission statement perhaps, or a thought out vision for the upcoming year or maybe ... even just one little word* for this brand new shiny 2012 year that's suddenly appeared out of nowhere. Hello !!

I'm not ready. I guess I'm gonna have to wing it ! (can you believe I said that ?)

Shut ! Up !! ;-)

Happy, happy brand new shiny year to all of you ! xoxo, Susan & les Gang

bucky

2011-12-31T10:54:00.013-04:00

the little ginger kitten Cyrus was a part of our life for exactly 21 days - I fell a little in love

Yesterday Cyrus, Lil' C, Luvah, Bucky ... went to his new fabulous home at the sister-in-law of our long time vet Dianne Stevens (she'll be his vet now too). He has 2 feline sisters (who I'm sure he's already attempting to terrorize in his oh-so-cute, tres brazen, kitten self, manner). I miss him a lot ... of course. From the moment I picked him up in my arms that Friday afternoon 3 weeks ago & he instantly nuzzled his funny little ginger face into my neck and began to purr like mad I knew I had to take him home. Something told me that this skinny lil orange guy needed my help. I'm feeling particularly proud of myself - both for finding him such a great new home so quickly without too much terrible disruption of les Gang (though my main man/cat Oliver caught a terrible case of URI from Bucky & has begun a 7 day course of penicillin), but for also being practical & realistic, for not taking on more than I want or more than we can afford.

Cyrus is a very lucky cat.

The shelter's here, there & everywhere are overflowing with abandoned, unwanted cats & kittens. Our local shelter is full to capacity & Cyrus was placed on a long waiting list just to make it into the shelter, where then he might have stayed for months & months before anyone adopted him. Not because he isn't sweet, a perfectly lovely, particularly handsome cat but because there are so many cats that don't have homes & hundreds of kittens born each month that will end up like him - prowling around some community, far too young to be out in the big world on their own, mewing as loud as possible at anyone who might look their way, saying ...

Pick me up please & take me home. Love me.

& I sure did
love him.
happy new home Lil' C

I'm so, so happy I took so many photos of his handsome ginger self - I will paint a portrait of him this year

pinned

2011-12-30T09:04:00.006-04:00

one of three cover design submissions* I did for the magazine underwire (out of Texas)

the theme for this particular months issue was the No.4 - someone found this version on my portfolio blog & pinned me. Having a second look at this illustration makes me smile and makes me feel proud ... a little of that Wow... I did that feeling, which is always surprising & fantastic.

Lil' C's off to the vet this morning for a health check-up & possibly off to his new fab home ;-(

big, huge 2 day 40% off sale
on every ! thing ! in my etsy shop !! ya huh !!

* none of my submissions were chosen & sadly they don't update their website so I have no idea what the cover that was picked looks like ??

new

2011-12-28T09:35:00.006-04:00

a palette of greyish blueish greenish, ruddy browns, mustard & cool blue white - this morning

big, huge 4 day 40% off sale*
on every ! thing ! in my etsy shop !! ya huh !!
we're clearing out the old & making way for the NEW (sung by that chorus of angels)

* (use 4DAY coupon code @ checkout)

great type

2011-12-27T09:43:00.007-04:00

book* cover design by gray318 - file under - sigh, I sure wish I designed this

I'm trying to get caught up with a zillion, billion (well maybe 8 or 9) little things ... little things that have been hanging around my must-do list for far too long. All the while being nurse maid & great protector to one small, at times psycho, ginger kitten. Oliver's caught the nasty yet tres common upper respiratory virus from Cyrus & is madly sneezing and can't open one eye for the constant stream of watery tears, Samuel continually gazes at Cyrus, head cocked, asking himself (we're quite sure) Can I EAT that !?! & Winnie snarls her most ferocious mad, monster dog snarl if the C kitten steps within Miss D's 5 foot radial kitten free zone - giving me a near heart attack every single time it happens. Bleet is still plain shocked, appalled & intimidated (of course). Virgil is in hiding, killing stray voles, in the basement & hanging out with Mr. I Rebuild Honda motors in his underground man shop. Sigh ... I'm trying to work & not having an easy time of it.

big, big (slightly put upon) sigh

Our kitten status is officially fostering (oops Rachel just fell off her chair with gales of hysterical laughter) not adopters of Cyrus - we are serious !! foot stamping + furrowing of brows

And am happily (kind of) gearing up for my favourite time - les brand new year.

* just started this book last night ahead of the just released Tom Hanks/Sandra Bullock movie version

the death of madam O

2011-12-26T10:07:00.008-04:00

15 photos taken with Miss New Canon without any reading of 241 page thrilling manual

Madam Olympus finally gave up the ghost a few days ago, she refused to upload to iphoto, those images (thankfully few) forever trapped on a now archaic & defunct 56MB memory card. Miss Canon's memory is 4GB. Madam Olympus would take near 100 photos before she was full up - new Miss New Canon will happily take 1400 ... uh huh 1400. But alas I was so sad when I knew the old (just past her 10th birthday) camera began to show signs of certain death. How could I ever love another like I like loved Madam O. Madam Olympus Camedia C5050 who gradually & dependably taught me to adore taking photos again, she who was built like a tank, with an extra long over the shoulder strap & went absolutely everywhere with us. With Emma & Jake in the long ago days of my 3 dog life.

I'm already falling a little in love with Miss New Canon & I've yet to crack her manual so have no idea of all the things that she's capable of but I'm pretty sure she's a little gem. Compact, quiet, loaded with capabilities much like an SLR in every way except the interchanging of lenses ( ya know, I kinda hate to admit it but I'm really not a change the lens kinda gal). I need a camera that's easy but a camera that does a lot + gives me many manual choices. Hooray + a big phew

The high lites of Christmas Day - the best breakfast I've ever had - made with love by Nana, sweet Bee & her crazy wild tree, my other family, making chowder, dipping marshmallows, laughing at the antics of plucky lil' Cyrus, snowy white cold & crunching footprints, twinkling lights & Mildred Pierce (parts 3 & 4 of 6) watched snug & cozy by the fire.

No.14 a peek at our living room reno & my newly framed (by the Prince of course) map of Paris from 17 - something, Cyrus, fire wood and the most handsome, window posing, cat we know.

Just heard on Q's top music of 2011 - elbow - build a rocket boy

a lil' mojo

2011-12-24T09:43:00.009-04:00

some scenes from the week before Christmas in our tiny village on the sea

Our strength grows out of our weakness

Ralph Waldo Emerson

I recently lost my girlfriend Mojo ... and I really didn't think she was coming back. I always think that - that this will be the time ... she's finally gone for good. I can't explain it.

We've had a little snow, a little happiness, a little chocolate (that's a lie - a lot of chocolate), a little work stint at the bustling village post office, I made home made marshmallows & decorated them with my best 6 year old friend Bee, Cyrus (the mad ginger kitten) has left the confines of my office (good luck lil' kitten out there in the hallow halls of 29 Black Street & beware of large hairy beasts) giving me back some much needed peace, order & my lil' Empire. I bought a tiny tree that I absolutely adore (our only nod to Christmas), I made souped up chex mix and then watched A Christmas Story (while eating Chex mix) snug in the chocolate brown room with my sweetie and an assorted pile of fur sweetness. I had lunch out yesterday with someone I love who loves me back, someone who always makes me feel good. The Prince & I renewed our vows ;-) again & today I'll make another batch of marshmallows, a big batch of dog cookies and chowder for tomorrow's low key holiday dinner. Tomorrow morning after a long walk with my gal Missy D I'll have a Christmas morning brunch with Bee (& her family) then home to read my current book, drink peppermint tea & eat marshmallow bon bons all day. Heaven.

Bonjour Mojo ... come on in, why dontcha stay awhile ??

I do love my blog I don't want to take a break from it.

The art of living lies less in eliminating our troubles
than in growing with them.

Bernard M. Baruch

all

2011-12-22T09:17:00.007-04:00

more blue, this mornings peaceful & quiet walk in dampness & fog - Missy D by my side

I'm taking a break ...
have a very happy holiday & we'll see you again in 2012

am loving the beautiful ache that is Adele

lost, together

2011-12-20T08:58:00.006-04:00

Strange and beautiful
are the stars tonight
that dance around your head
in your eyes I see that perfect world
I hope that doesn't sound too weird
And I want all the world to know
that your love's all I need
all that I need
and if we're lost
then we are lost together
yea if we're lost
then we are lost together

little

2011-12-17T09:28:00.006-04:00

peonies - polaroid sx-70 - susan black - new giclee print dans les etsy shop

pinkest peonies from the terracotta gardens here at 29 Black Street - oh so very saturated colour, printed on gorgeous heavy 400 gm textured water colour paper - simply luscious

I'm feeling a little overwhelmed, a little worried, a little fragile, a little sad ... think I'll stay hunkered down this weekend, snug & cozy, inside our lovely little bubble

happy music

merry merry

2011-12-16T09:16:00.004-04:00

e.e.cummings - I carry your heart, I carry your heart in my heart - collage giclee print here

SALE in my etsy shop !♥ !♥ !♥ !♥ ! enter MERRYMERRY at checkout for 25% off EVERYTHING

so, what's new ?

2011-12-13T10:09:00.004-04:00

pussycat

please, please M. Universe help me find a good home for Cyrus Bucky Snort
my temporary & tres adorable lil luvah ;-)

spending way too much of my creative empire building time - kitten sitting (kinda sad face)

cyrus

2011-12-12T09:39:00.011-04:00

10 more pics of the sweetest, dearest, snuggliest little baby ginger kitten - I've named Cyrus

I found Cyrus Friday afternoon as I was leaving the Cyrus Eaton Elementary School - he was madly trying to open the big, heavy metal glass door & seemed quite astounding that no one seemed at all interested in him or in letting him inside to watch the annual Christmas concert. Now I would say about myself that I'm (surprisingly) not someone who picks up every kitten they see but there was something about this little guy that suggested if he had a home it wasn't a very good home (certainly not by the 29 Black Street code of kitten care). He is/was skinny, had fleas, ear mites, probably worms & I believe is far too young to be strolling around out n' about by himself crossing busy roads, hanging out at recess with a zillion small children. I had a little poster with me "FOUND kitten" at the market Saturday & ended up having many conversations about lil ginger luvah with a variety of people, some who live in that neighbourhood & some thankfully who are involved closely with our local animal shelter.

No question I am crazy about him. He's as sweet as can be. Adorable & incredibly affectionate.

Cyrus, little ginger boy, is everything you would ever desire in a kitten/cat but ... the Prince and I do well managing to feed & provide health care for our current brood of 2 dogs, 3 cats & Bruce our adopted feral cat (who we feed & shelter year round). Believe it or not my common sense & practicality will over rule my heart on this one & Cyrus is such a special lil guy I have no doubt that we can find him a great home. Would I like to keep him ? would I like to have 25 cats & 16 dogs, a couple rabbits, a few goats ... maybe a guinea pig or 2 ... would I wish to save every animal, wild or otherwise, that isn't safe, fed & comfortable ... you betcha I would ! but I know I can't ... and I'm finally beginning to accept that fact - as hard as it is to accept most of the time.

Cyrus's stats
pale ginger male
approximately 12 weeks old
super friendly
litter box trained (natch)
very affectionate
very playful
just plain adorable
has been given flea/tick medication
not neutered yet

oh yeah ... he has a torn ear, compliments of Virgil (bad cat) happened in Cyrus' first half hour here at Black St. I've doctored him & it's healing beautifully, but he is now a marked kitten.

luvah

2011-12-11T11:28:00.011-04:00

currently answers to hullo luvah - snuggliest, sweetest, gingeriest , handsomest lost kitten

Spent this morning kitten sitting, quite a job, this adorable lil' guy was found by me Friday afternoon - looking lost, tres skinny, hungry, flea ridden and about as snuggly as kittens come. Les Gang are all pissed off. Virgil (a big surprise to moi) even inflicting a scarred for life tear in this little ginger cat's ear (see photos for les evidence). my goal is to find him a good home, I would love to keep him but as I said to Rachel earlier this morning in a dear UK cat lady email

omg.

quick cat bulletin ... out n'about this afternoon & came home with obviously lost sweetest, skinniest, palest orange Kevin-ish ginger kitten (maybe 12 or so weeks old). Purrs madly if you look sideways at him. dear. dear. sweet. dear. Oliver & surprisingly Virgil have been ferocious with him, Bleet just intimidated (as usual) so he's currently ensconced in my office.

Photos of yet-to-be-named to come tomorrow. Promise

I've flea medicated him, fed him well ... he's snoozing in a little ginger ball

xoxo
Nova Scotia cat lady

& 2nd email avec photos

currently answers to hello luvah

he is super sweet, super charming, extremely handsome, unusually smart & alert. very keen hearing & eyesight, firm poops, tres full of beans & definitely at that psycho kitten age

yikes .... gloved hands while we practice - killing large beasts with thumping feet + allteeth & claws (o0oi-*9 .... oops he added that bit - I suspect a note in code for the Team )

I cannot imagine integrating such a crazed kitten beast into the rest of les Gang (and having him survive)

over n' out,
les Gang

The market was fantastic !! I'm a bit stunned by my $$ success. Thank you to all who stopped by, both those who purchased items & to those who gave me such lovely big compliments. Arrived home with a lot less inventory, a stuffed wallet & a much appreciated puffed up heart (& ego). Merci !!!

tis the season

2011-12-09T10:27:00.006-04:00

we're packaging up our wares, making signage & doodying up our displays for les Market

My first ever Farmer's Market/Craft Fair ... silence ;-)

I'm not sure if anyone local reads this blog but if you do please stop by & say hello
For sale oodles & oodles of tres cool paper goods

giclee prints (many with mats)
loads of lil art cards (matted giclee print/card with envelope)
christmas cards
posters
valentine's cards
botanical collage greeting cards
collage owl calendars
poster calendars

woo hoo !!

truth or silence

2011-12-08T09:18:00.010-04:00

Enough with the grey, the drab, the driving rain, the weather bomb* bearing down on us.

let's stroll instead through les 29 Black Street iphoto floral archives

Truth fears no questions

Unknown

When I'm not scarfing down cheetos cheesies with Bitchy (a relatively rare occurrence), I'm quite a fan & pretty avid follower of the self development movement. When best friend MLou & I get together it's always the No. 1 topic (with a bullet) of our marathon chat-a-thons. Recently Oprah had a series called LifeClasses on her new network OWN. I don't have that channel but I really enjoyed watching the LifeClass webcasts available on Oprah's web site. Oprah with a bevy of self help gurus including Eckhart Tolle, Cheryl Richardson, Iyanla Vanzant & Martha Beck tackling big important life lessons - anger, fear, ego ... Martha's written many great books & also has a pretty fantastic monthly column in Oprah's magazine O. I like Martha, she talks & writes with a self deprecating humour, she chats about serious issues with a lightness that is particularly welcoming & it's crystal clear that she's on this big freakin' journey with us. Martha's Lifeclass with Oprah was titled The Truth Will Set You Free and she talks about a traumatic, life changing moment in her own life where she woke up from an anaesthetic in hospital freaked out a little - she decided she would from that day forward always tell the truth.

Interesting because in no way had Martha been a big ol' liar but she was living a life, like we all do, where we consciously (& unconsciously) embellish, omit, exaggerate, beat around the bush, etc ... we lie from feelings of embarrassment, self consciousness, fear ... lots of the lies don't even feel like lies anymore. We're so convincing even we believe them (Shut ! Up !). This particular webcast really stuck with me. I suspect I seem quite open, honest, heart on sleeve-ish and I am for the most part. I certainly have been telling myself (the lie) that I'm a pretty up front, honest kinda gal. Am I really ? Since watching this webcast (a few times) I've begun practicing really telling the truth, even when the voice in my head is saying ooh don't do it you're gonna embarrass yourself, what will they think of you ? I'm practicing being as direct as I can possibly be & it's difficult. I realize if I'm having a hard time being direct chances are it's because I haven't really figured out what it is I'm wanting to communicate (what do I wish to gain from these words I'm about to utter). What is the emotion or feeling behind that hesitation ??

Speaking the truth & always with kindness or perhaps more thoughtful silence is required

We tell lies when we are afraid ... afraid of what we don't know,
afraid of what others will think, afraid of what will be found out about us.
But everytime we tell a lie, the thing that we fear grows stronger

Tad Williams

* re bomb : I am however, lovingly embracing the freakishly mild & balmy temperatures

grey, grey

2011-12-07T09:59:00.003-04:00

from this morning's drizzly walk with my best girl Missy D

grey, grey, damp & mild

existential, what ?

2011-12-06T10:12:00.011-04:00

last photo, taken last night, another stunning sunset with lavender & pink & shimmering water

It's tres grey, unseasonably mild (hooray!) with rain - the forecast for the next few days.
Suits me just fine. I left my bubble yesterday ...

& in hindsight I think the anticipation of leaving my own lil world was cause for much of the bitchy, overwhelmed & yucky feelings of Monday. The Prince & I both had medical appointments in the nearby larger town, which meant also stopping for a big shop at the super super store (usually a treat for me) & a quick dip into Walmart (I'll say no more). I arrived at my appointment at the hospital an hour early (whilst the Prince went off to the other side of town with plans to pick me up after his appointment) & they took me right away so my appointment was finished before the Prince's had begun. Instead of staying inside the hospital cozy with my book, a french vanilla coffee & a morning glory muffin from the hospital auxiliary cafe I made the fateful & stupid mistake* (bonjour hindsight) of deciding I would await my chariot outside (beautiful sunny mild day) & then the Prince wouldn't have to eventually park to collect me.

90 minutes later, several sticking out like a sore thumb locations, a bit of strolling up & down long pavement drives ... way too much existential thinking, somber pondering of racing giant transport trucks on the nearby highway, lots o' grim imaginative thoughts & ideas & finally, finally the black glossy chariot was spotted. By this time I was perched delicately sitting on the 4" wooden edge of a large flower bed planter. I opened the chariot door smiled at the Prince & said "not one of my better ideas". You may be asking yourself the very sensible question "why didn't she just go back inside to cozyland?". Sensible apparently was away for the day. I kept thinking, oh don't bother ... the next car might be him ... sighing

today couldn't help but be better ... uh huh !

* note to self - do not put yourself in a place where the only company you have for 90 minutes is you & your thoughts and the whipping in the wind pages of a book your not that into - yikes

this too

2011-12-05T09:09:00.007-04:00

"please use lots of pinks !" says current freelance customer " with pink pleasure" says I

this too: bitchy

Yes it's true I feel bitchy, crabby, overwhelmed a little, I've lost control & I'm not sure where exactly I am or where I'm going - today. The thing that's really astonishing is I'm not really freaking out about it. It's been busy, I've been busier than I like to be, rushing & fractured feeling, pulled in too many directions. I've been hiking on a few new trails, I'm discovering lots of things I do want & so many I know I don't want. It's how I learn, it's how I grow ... it's how I move forward. It is not bad, it is just too much stuff goin' on I think. I've reached my limit, my tipping point ... which is a very good thing to know.

Bitchy says to me - I'm tired of all this growing, moving forward shit, pass the cheetos"
I quietly remind Bitchy - this too shall pass ... & do you really want orange + greasy fingers?
Bitchy - Shut up !! & I think she means it

& this too shall pass.
& this too shall pass.
& this too shall pass.

truths

2011-12-04T09:49:00.006-04:00

this mornings sunrise ... with crows

There is no terror in the bang,
only in the anticipation of it.

Alfred Hitchcock

woah, shut ! up !! & a big ol' hallelujah to this next one ... tattoo worthy ... uh huh !

The future you have tomorrow
won't be the future you had yesterday

Chuck Palahnuik

to fly

2011-12-03T10:03:00.007-04:00

this morning's greys & beiges with snow flurries in the air

current bedside library haul - some books I've ordered, others picked up from the shelves of our village branch

The Artist's Manual: Equipment, Materials & Technique - Simon Jennings
Cutting for Stone - Abraham Verghese
Caleb's Crossing - Geraldine Brooks
Red Hook Road - Ayelet Waldman *
Blue Nights - Joan Didion *
The Weird Sisters - Eleanor Brown
Zone One - Colson Whitehead
When Madeline was Young - Jane Hamilton
The Art of Fielding - Chad Harbach
Brazil Red - Jean Christopher Rufin

* currently reading both, hoping to read most of the others. I'm crazy about goodreads.com

a tres sweet tribute to much loved Swedish dog Morran - so happy I could be a part of her book

& I sometimes watch music videos & I love this song, the strong women & the cinematography

oh my, the light

2011-12-02T09:47:00.004-04:00

this mornings early morning walk on the salt mine road

oh my, the light
the bluest sky
the golden grass
the shimmering harbour
the warm early fall like temperatures
the brown & brittle queen anne's lace
the canada geese & seagulls
a flock of starlings & an eagle soaring
walking with my shaggy girl miss d
who I love more than words can say

& oh my, the light

Madam Olympus was behaving exceptionally well knowing that Miss New Canon has arrived.

home

2011-12-01T09:25:00.003-04:00

the herons have left - scenes from our early morning walk (sweet cheeks Winn* & me)

I'm a lucky girl 'cause I have 2 homes. 2 places I feel joy, inspiration, comfort & loads of love.
Here at 29 Black Street with the Prince & our family of fur & at MLou + L's place in the forest.

lucky me

birds, berries & barnacles

2011-11-28T08:26:00.008-04:00

a few early morning photos from the last few Saturday & Sunday

vacation & me ... 2 words you don't often hear together.

Fortunately I really love (more & more all the time) my expanding creative world (work) & thus work really never seems like work. How amazing is that ?? but I must say I have been zoomin' for the last couple of months, multi-tasking, burning the 8pm oil, I have a cold & flu bug & I'm tired of thinking about a zillion things at one time. The best cure for what currently ails me ??

A wee 2 night stay at the Halifax therapeutic spa & retreat of best friend & ultimate chat-a-thon compatriot MLouest- Uh Huh !! Shut ! Up !! Not only does she have an amazing home, in an amazing hood (in a wooded park near a sheltered harbour) with trails to walk through tall trees & beside tiny lakes with big giant craggy rocks but she is also a fantastic hostess, a wonderful cook, time absolutely flies when we're together + I won't have to think about a thing. I'll get to do some city things, drop off some of my creative wares at 2 tres cool Halifax shops Inkwell & Love, Me Boutique. Eat out in a restaurant, socialize- & who knows what else.

Heaven !!!
sung by a whole bunch of angels

see ya Thursday ;-)

scrabble

2011-11-27T08:56:00.005-04:00

quince - polaroid sx-70 from les polaroid archives & not a bad scrabble word

oh winter of whites & greys, of palest blues & browns ... I do miss my flowers
a wee B2G1* sale continues for 3 days dans my etsy shop

* buy 2 get 1 free

blue

2011-11-26T09:15:00.010-04:00

blue, foggy & still. light rain. be still my heart. be still our hearts. Miss D & me.

All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy;
for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves;
we must die to one life before we can enter another

Anatole France

Things are changing. I'm changing ... accidentally on purpose I guess you could say.

I'm desiring changes. I'm embracing changes. I'm planning & scheming lots of changes & plenty of changes are just happening on their own because they are meant to be. This blog is changing naturally. I'm not the same person I was when I began it over four and a half years ago. I'm not the same person I was two years into it ... or three, or four.

I am incredibly grateful for the journey I've exposed here in the 1,624 posts (avec images). The word incredibly is woefully inadequate. There is no word for how grateful I am for these archives, that by some weird accidental whim one day I chose to begin documenting bits of my daily life with photos. My joy, my sorrow, my love(s) & passions. It has shown me who I am.

You may (or may not) have notice that I've removed a few favourite sidebar tidbits - friends blogs, my book list, creative/design blogs ... these are all only temporarily shelved while I do some blog housecleaning. A change I'm increasingly craving is simplicity, more spareness in my life. Blogger allows you to create separate pages that you can link to on your main page by list. Between now & the new year I plan to do a little revamping (that is if my wee particle of a technical brain can figure it all out) I'm choosing to believe that it can & will. I do love a new year after the whirl wind that has been 2011 I am thrilled to be saying Bonjour ! to 2012 with so many brand new dreams, goals, plans & wishes. I want this blog to best represent how I feel as I rush arms wide open into this new year.

So stay tuned please ... & bear with me. Merci ! & have a Happy Weekend !

Pre Christmas Deal 4 days only - ETSY SHOP B2G1 SALE - BUY 2 GET 1 FREE - Shut ! Up !!!

petite feature

2011-11-25T08:49:00.005-04:00

1). detail of zinnias 2). zinnias 10x12 giclee print 3). hope 10x12 giclee print - Susan Black

Thank you to Jan over at PoppyTalk for her kind feature of my botanical collages - in my shop
Check our table out at this month's PoppyTalk's Handmade

I do

2011-11-24T09:47:00.007-04:00

with my girl Winn always by my side, our early Wednesday morning grey & snowy walk

I choose to loosen my heart until it becomes a wing, a torch, a promise
I do

list

2011-11-23T12:27:00.002-04:00

yesterday's early morning walk along the harbour with sweetest Missy D

Currently snowing, our first winter snowfall advisory, they've forecast 10-15cms - bonjour white.

entwined

2011-11-22T09:01:00.016-04:00

inspired - oh my Michelle your paintings are so beautiful - her blog & etsy shop

This early morning, second cup of coffee in hand, sun just beginning to announce her presence I checked my email & smiled a big wide grin. This virtual world we live in - it's amazing how our lives become so entwined. Let's see if I can explain this in a way that doesn't leave us all lost.

les cast of characters

Moi - blog writer, foodie, lover of cats, creative empire builder, etsy purveyor, floral freak
Storbee - brave, handsome, Brooklyn born, beeg, blag, Dominican cad - his blog
Marie - Wooman of Storbee (otherwise known as Don Estorbo) & gardening/food blogger extraordinaire - 66 square feet + 66 square feet food
Chickory - Ande Cook, incredible artist, lover of chickens & dogs of nature & beauty - her blog
Rachel - of Slow Lane Life (although not mentioned specifically in the email I'm sure she is implicated in some way + thus also entwined in this tale of kinship)
John - does not have a blog but leaves a wonderful trail of regular comments & occasional emails with all mentioned above. Also a tres grand patron of the arts & has been my best etsy shop customer - purchasing several originals (turns out he's also bought from Ande/Chickory)

Back at the time of Canadian Thanksgiving I wrote a post about our (the Prince & my) most excellent heart healthy feast. John left a comment announcing that he would like to recreate my exact menu, especially the stuffing, when it came time for his American Thanksgiving (I commented back that I would send him the secret Maritime ingredient - summer savoury with recipe & promptly added that to my must-do list. Meanwhile over in Brooklyn at 66 Square Feet Marie (& Beence) were planning a small trip away and were looking for a beeg, blag, cad sitter for the Thanksgiving weekend (sigh... time spent in Brooklyn in the company of the D. cad a job I myself tres covet & am determined to have at some time in the future). Turns out - John signed on as Storbee's long weekend cat seeder (I missed this post somehow?). Still following ?

So ... while I'm madly making sure that my package of Maritime/Canadian contraband summer savoury (avec recipes) with appropriate card & note is mailed in time for John to make his Thanksgiving stuffing he unbeknownst to me (because weirdly I missed that one blog post) is madly packing & getting ready for a wee trip to Brooklyn to stay with Storbee (lucky John). Way back ages ago a bunch of us blog friends & acquaintances participated in a swap Ande of Chickory sent me a package of goodies and in that package a set of gorgeous greeting cards with her amazing painting/illustrations. Knowing that John hangs out often at Chickory I thought I'd send him an Ande Coo k card with the contraband, note & recipes & I DID MAIL IT ON TIME (many will scoff in wonder at that declaration but 'tis true). On another loosely related note Marie (who often comments here at 29 Black Street) chose my botanical peace notecards last year for an article she wrote online 10 Great Gifts for Gardeners & John purchased the original gouache painting Botanical Peace which was reproduced on said note cards. Freaky

here's the email I received this morning from John

Dear Susan,

Now here I am, all ready to receive gifts from you to ferry to Estorbo, such as catnip (isn't "contraband" code for catnip?) and other assorted Northern goodness… Checked my mailbox late tonight, and sure enough, there is something squishy inside that stiff cardboard envelope… And even when I pull out your packet, I say to myself, yep, catnip for Estorbo… But not. I'm leaving that summer savory in my bedroom. I will definitely cook Susan's Best Stuffing for Christmas with butter and sausage and the pumpkin pie, both sound wonderful.

The chickory card could not be more perfect. I have a small pond in my back yard with feral ribbon snakes, they come for the frogs, circle of life thing, we each move quickly in opposite directions as soon as we see each other. I've learned I can jump really high when properly motivated. Also bird feeders with cardinals, a special spot for crows (anti-hawks, and I like that they collect shiny things), and a dry corn stand for squirrels. That covers your card except for the fish and bear. I have chickory's Blackbird on a white wall going from my kitchen to the living room. Very bright, saturated palette, zings on that wall. It is a small world.

Oh, and before your package arrived tonight, I was packing for Brooklyn and set out that geranium card you sent me a while ago. I plan to make it a thank you note and leave it with Marie.

Regards, John

I implicate Rachel of Slow Lane Life because I'm quite sure she was the original thread that began all this beautifully entwinement. It makes me feeling incredibly happy & tres grateful ;-)

new day

2011-11-21T08:38:00.005-04:00

a black tangle of bare branches is silhouetted against a pale blue lavender sky
pink orange cotton puffs of clouds glide silently by the sliver of moon
seagulls float & soar above a full tide, white caps chop angrily against the sea wall
flocks of starlings chatter cheerily high atop the naked poplars
what leaves remain blaze like fire
intense golden shimmering light kisses everything it sees
Winnie D. & I move through our foggy breath as we walk away from the sea
favourite fleece headband & gloves are donned (avec happy polka dots)
cheeks flush, pink & alive with the crisp early winter chill
frost ices still green lawns & hydrangea petals
& ice covered puddles wait expectantly to be stepped on.

good morning new day !

hooked

2011-11-20T09:35:00.011-04:00

bits & pieces of my first ever rug hooking project - a beginner mat of paisley & dots

hooked ? oh, oh

In fairness it's early days yet so it's possible that this new bug that appears to have bitten me might not amount to a full blown groove. Remember my goal (perhaps not a good one) was to have less grooves. My friend Deb & I went to the nearby larger town on Thursday to partake in a beginner/basic 2 hour rug hooking workshop with Deanne Fitzpatrick. I had ulterior motives: I was curious about the technique & process (I took another beginner rug hooking course years ago & remember distinctly thinking at the time that it seemed rather labour intensive & not at all for me), my friend Deb has just retired and had expressed interest in rug hooking as a possible activity to fill some of her new found free time + I would get a chance to finally meet Deanne (who I've spoken to many times on the phone & read her blog regularly) & finally check out her store/studio/workshop space.

Well ... it all exceeded my expectations & let me tell ya those are words seldom uttered by moi. My expectations for most things (people, activities & events) in life are so often tres overblown, way high up above the puffy clouds of life where the planes fly - leaving me, natch, in a state of perpetual mild disappointment. But not this time !

Not here. Deanne is wonderful (as I suspected) & so very inspiring to me. Her shop is stunning. It's in an amazing physical space, a revitalized older down-town building & it is filled with gorgeous stuff ! filled to the brim yet all displayed in that super aesthetically pleasing way with just the perfect amount of spareness. Many rugs & smaller hooked items adorn the walls & are displayed all about giving you plenty of ideas for potential projects. Patterns, books, tools and wool, wool & more wool in colours & textures that made me want to weep. Oh my, the small skeins of hottest pink gnarly wool, the limiest greens & the boldest oranges along with as complete a palette of neutrals & historic colours that anyone would ever desire.

So am I hooked ? I just may be. I will confess that since Thursday hooking has been been taking up a rather large portion of my thinking. Every evening since then, when it's time to do those breathing exercises & tone down the vibration of my day's busyness I've picked up my hooking.
So far it's been a perfect, very relaxing & fun way to wind down. The other great news is my friend Deb was bitten by the hooking bug also ... & Deanne & I are getting together again soon.

uppin' the ante

2011-11-19T08:46:00.013-04:00

from a series of photographs of things gathered - from les vast & plentiful iphoto archives

That's the thing about the journey I'm on - I'm forever uppin' the ante, stir that with just a smidge of obsessive compulsive perfectionism (in all things except house cleaning I'll willingly confess) and that's one big ol' carrot constantly dangling in front of moi. Further, better, faster.

& ya know ... I secretly love it, thrive on it & I know it makes my many neurosis all herd together to sit quietly in the back row of my mind. Not a peep from them for days on end. I've been in a wee phase of go-go-go, multi-tasking, wearing several hats, doin' more freelance, learning new stuff, planning for 2012, high speed, rampin' up for holiday etsy/wholesale order season & by 9pm when my head hits the pillow and I crack my latest good read my body (& mind) are still vibrating from all the to-do's, should- do's, OMG wanna-do's, don't you dare forget to-do's & on - you get the drift. I'm w-o-u-n-d up, way too wound up but I know now to breath deeply for a few minutes it has a near instantaneous calming effect. OK & another, deep, slow, inhale through the nose .... ahhh ... hold for just a sec, now exhale slowly .... slowly, slowly, slowly & again as needed. It's the simplest thing & it's the best thing. It works. I tell those kids in the back row to shhhhh the movie's about to begin, I open my book & off we go to someone else's life.

I love lovin' what I do ... hmmmm ... let's just leave that at - I love lovin'

I'm guest posting tomorrow over at my creative empire guru Deanne Fitzpatrick's blog tomorrow. I'm doing a series of posts on design. Uh Huh ! What is it I do ? & how the heck to I do it ? It's all about process ! & ya know I love's me some process ;-) - happy, happy weekend !

cattitude

2011-11-18T09:19:00.006-04:00

Oliver (most excellent, talented, athletic, handsome, yada yada yada, associate, friend & cat)

oh oh someone's been surfin' the net again.

It's a cat's to rule situation here at the 29 Black Street CE* headquarters. Oliver is threatening to move to TO (Toronto). He wants to work for John Street an ad agency (after watching the video below) where apparently, he thinks, they would "get" his vision (eye roll by me).

The following list of firm suggestions was delivered yesterday to the TTD** (surprisingly his list of demands does not include more money, whiskas temptations or cosmic catnip)

1. more autonomy (more ??? another exaggerated eye roll from moi)
2. an expense account
3. a travel budget (England No.1 destination, apparently a hot bed of catvertising & home of M. Millie with the black nose - FYI to me - there are direct flights daily between Toronto & London)
4. a bigger more private office (still with a harbour view please)
5. more play !!!! (he's suggested I study the blog of now world famous Maru for tips + recommendations about how to keep your cat creatives happy, productive & rockin' with ideas).

*CE - creative empire
** TTD - teak topped desk

groovin'

2011-11-17T08:38:00.004-04:00

black & white poster art (2ft x 3 ft) available now in les etsy shop

Of all the things I've done lately this poster is one I'm quite proud of even happy with (& I don't just go throwin' those happy-withs around lightly). I love the mix of collage & drawing, then the conversion to grey scale or black & white & then enlarged to huge. Adding the line of type (a skinny font a current mild obsession of mine) with no word spacing kind of causes your mind to go blank & thus having the desired effect of hopefully causing you to space out & relax awhile.

I think I'm finally finding my groove ...

or at least one of them
I am trying to not have so many grooves
big 2012 resolution - less grooves ;-)

pretty

2011-11-16T08:29:00.007-04:00

pretty pink peonies from the terracotta gardens of 29 Black St. - polaroid sx-70 - Susan Black

Hey ! I designed 2 Valentine's Day cards for American Greetings* - here + here - exciting !!!
& heard yesterday on fav CBC radio 1 show Q - ohmy Kate - reminds me of my NSCAD days

* & am working on another design for them as we speak - hooray !!

ships & more

2011-11-15T09:15:00.008-04:00

139 steps from our front door & from this early morning's walk with Winnie Dixon

This old brick house has a harbour view-especially from the second floor, home of les office. I have lived here for nearly 19 years & hearing and watching the big salt ships come & go continues to thrill me still. Last night as I worked away at the teak topped desk I first began noticing a hum & a vibration thinking it might be a ship I peered out my big windows into the inky blackness. Nothing. I continued on with my work the humming & vibrating sensation feeling stronger. Then the familiar clang-clang-clang-clang-clang-clang of the anchor dropping, which happens just before they come into my view & to slow the ship down as it enters our little harbour and gets nearer the large cement wharf. I think to myself I knew it was a ship. You can actually feel them before you see them. Sure enough the next time I looked out into the blackness what looked like a small, several story, city block was gliding by my windows. I never ever get tired of that thrill, the thrill of ships gliding by ... 139 steps away from my home.

kicks + kids

2011-11-14T09:59:00.009-04:00

hey normal day - let me hold you - giclee print & poster
hand drawn type, printed in black & hand coloured - Susan Black

I'll confess I do get myself on a kick at times. The well documented collage owl kick and most recently the how-many-ways-can-I-play-with Mary Jean Iron's poem/quotation (much loved by me) about appreciating the every day normal day. I'm hoping this version will be my last kick at this particular design/typography can. Time to let this one go & move on to something NEW*.

& kids. It may well be a big ol' case of arrested development but I do love this song. I love the video. I love the sense of youthful awe & disbelief in their faces as we watch it dawn on them that they are hitting the very big time. Foster the people - pumped up kicks - happy, boppy, happy.

* NEW - sung by a chorus of angels

totems

2011-11-13T10:38:00.002-04:00

more soaring gulls + gorgeous skies & another week of Indian Summer here in Nova Scotia

A small hawk or falcon in our garden yesterday & a bald eagle flying over - my crows alerted me.

kinder

2011-11-12T08:40:00.009-04:00

evening sky over our little harbour one day this past week

I’ve decided to be happy
I’ve decided to be glad
I’ve decided to be grateful for all I ever had
I’ve decided to let go of all this pain tonight
I’ve decided to let go of all these demons inside

I know I am blessed
I know all I ever wanted was this
I know I don’t need more
I’ve got what I came for

I’ve decided to be open to the little voice inside
Telling me I am beautiful it’s ok to be alive
I’ve decided to be kinder to myself when I feel sad
I’ve decided to be grateful for all I ever had

Copper Wimmin - kinder

After a big long phone chat yesterday afternoon with best friend MLou she sent me this video. Perfect timing as usual as my own lil' demons arrived completely out of the blue poundin' on the back door (& my heart) early last evening. Those demons, lately, mostly have to do with my perception of the inhumanity of the humans who live near & around me (thankfully I don't allow myself to think much broader than my own back yard or I'd really be screwed). I honestly don't "get" that the world is a great place, it seems to me it is increasingly heartbreaking. Last night as Winnie & I walked up the front path to 29 Black after our suppertime stroll I thought to myself my heart with age is getting softer instead of harder. Weaker not stronger. I guess that's both good & bad. I don't think I expected that to happen to me as I got older, I certainly didn't plan for it. And at times I don't know how to be kinder to this ol' heart.

I know that I am blessed
I have decided to let go
I have decided to be happy,

I am happy & I am at times sad.
I sometimes feel heartbroken.
I guess that's OK ... it's who I am

Be kinder to you

*beautiful & amazing voices I'm passing this on to our friend Amy

remembrance

2011-11-11T07:28:00.005-04:00

poppies - 17 x 9.5 acrylic on paper - Susan Black

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place: and in the sky
The larks still bravely singing fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead: Short days ago,
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved: and now we lie
In Flanders Field.

In Flanders Field - Colonel John McCrea

The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month attained a special significance in the post-war years. The moment when hostilities ceased on the Western Front became universally associated with the remembrance of those who had died in the war. This first modern world conflict had brought about the mobilisation of over 70 million people and left between 9 and 13 million dead, perhaps as many as one-third of them with no known grave. The allied nations chose this day and time for the commemoration of their war dead.

It's Remembrance Day and though the temperature is incredibly warm for this time of year +16 the weather is nasty (natch). High winds & driving rain but thankfully apparently there is an indoor contingency plan for the village ceremony. 2 minutes of silence today at the 11th hour.

little good things

2011-11-10T09:07:00.008-04:00

3 amazing little painting-a-day paintings from Mindy Carpenter - tres inspiring

I go about my days with a watchful eye, and when I notice something, I take a mental photograph of it. Later I explore how these objects can be metaphors for some greater human feeling of tension, harmony, loneliness, or embrace.

I begin a piece by sketching the object. I make small studies on paper, usually pairing two objects together in an uncomplicated composition, using the honesty of raw pencil line, stitching, cut paper or fabric and a light color palette. I then use those small works as studies for the larger paintings.

I am interested in the act of drawing. There is a fascinating renewable nature to the creation of art – making something from nothing, over and over again. I seek to communicate about tenderness and wonder, with a slant of optimism and hopefulness. When I work with my hands, I am reminded of the immediacy of a moment, and my ability to take care, mend, represent, reflect and find a willingness to be compassionate.

Rebecca Rebouche - another amazing inspiring artist her web site here

Her description of how her own art making evolves really resonates with me (the only exception perhaps being my obsessive love to take actual photographs of every thing). I've been flying at top, top speed lately & admittedly I really haven't a clue how to fly but I'm doing it anyway. I'm smashing into some sudden, sinking, terrible dark clouds of turbulence here, there & everywhere but always, just at my breaking point, when me + myself are getting ready to have a big dramatic I quit hissy fit - our little plane breaks through the clouds and into a spectacular, wide as the widest ocean, clear blue, cloudless sky ... & I carry on another day ... hour or minute.

So many goods things, growing things, learning things are all around me - why ?? focus on the few little jagged edged bad things, negative things, worrisome things ? Take a breath will ya ?
I mean it. take-a-breath

This week we've been mentioned here & here & here ... hooray for little good things.

ps - I would LOVE to do a portrait of your dog, cat, fish, etc ... (with cards or not) email me

ssp

2011-11-09T09:11:00.008-04:00

1). sample month - November - Harriet 2). back cover 3). front cover

more .. shameless self promotion

uh huh !!

owls 2012 - 14 page mini wall calendar (including front & back cover) 6"x9" - available now !
Each owl is named and has a short descriptive sentence regarding their individual character.

good enough

2011-11-08T09:05:00.007-04:00

glorious super warm summer like weather & Winnie & I are out looking for colour (+ light)

good enough

I'm honestly not sure I understand what that means
'though I'm quite sure it may just be the golden key

When we are sure that we are on the right road
there is no need to plan our journey too far ahead.
No need to burden ourselves with doubts & fears
as to the obstacles that may bar our progress.
We cannot take more than one step at a time.

Orison Swett Marden

& ...

2011-11-07T08:50:00.006-04:00

I am sad to say goodbye to the season of hot pinks & sweet peas & poppies & oranges & ...

Think of letter forms & words
as drawings & paintings

me recent potential profoundness from my morning pages

I'm happy to be taking part in Poppytalk's Handmade market for the next 2 months-check it out
I'm sad my camera (10+ year old Olympus C5050) is dying a terribly slow & unreliable death
I am very excited to be splurging on a brand new camera, make & model yet to be determined
I have 3 retail/wholesale customers this year, I'm busy preparing bundles of Black Street wares
I am in complete awe of the stunning, tres sophisticated portraits showing up at Studio Morran
I am determined to keep trying to do my best (all the while trying not to try too hard). sigh
I want to use my imagination more & more & more & more ... & more & more
I will continue to be as nice as I can be to myself ... and of course to others as well
I will keep on keepin' on. Head down, breathing deeply & letin' that darn mind go blank :-)

The Possible's slow fuse
is lit by the imagination

Emily Dickinson

wilf & digby

2011-11-05T10:12:00.012-03:00

Wilf & Digby - gouache on water colour paper - commission for Christmas card - Susan Black

Love is patient

French farmer (89 years young)

A few months ago Angus of the blog Wilf & Digby contacted me asking if he could commission me to do a portrait of the "boyz" W & D, brothers, PONs (Polish Lowland Sheepdogs) for their (he and his wife's) 2011 Christmas card. To say I was thrilled & honoured to be asked would be a big ol' understatement.

I'd recently being completely captivated & tres inspired by the quirky, monotone, watery works of Bella Foster so after a flurry of emails back and forth with a collection of favourite photos (for reference) attached of the boyz and their beautiful surroundings Angus & I agreed on both the style and composition. It would be the boys, sitting in the garden together gazing up into a clear, star filled Christmas sky, the olive branch a shout out to their days together living in Italy and a reminder of the spirit of peace & goodwill ... and of course of that crazy big ol' love. Dog love.

Digby sadly is now in dog heaven roaming happily, we suspect, with some of my Gang - Emma Jane, Jake & sweet Piper Belle. Wilf stoically carries on, now battling his own terminal diagnosis, his days here extended by daily PON adventures including gifts of croissants, bites of paté & long sauntering strolls in the beautiful French countryside with Angus constantly by his side.

Sleep til you're hungry.
Eat til you're sleepy.

Wilf

From Angus's blog Wilf & Digby

Late 2004. After eight months of solid rain we sold the house in Scotland and moved to the warmth and scents of southern Europe. Our companions on the journey two very lively Polish Lowland Sheepdog brothers - Wilf and Digby - otherwise known as the 'boyz'. Fluffy, patient and comical travel companions. Forever attracting laughter and new friends . After a year spent looking in Provence we moved to Italy to restore a hilltop Roman watchtower in Umbria. Somethings are meant not to be. Following a rather unpleasantly violent 'housejacking' (the third in our little village) complete with fractured skulls, machine guns and masked intruders we left Italy in October 2009 for new adventures. This time in the gentle rolling countryside of south west France . We are now getting to grips with a large and rickety old farmhouse. Life after the violence of Italy has taken on a new gentler and more carefree tempo. Digby passed on from tick bourne piroplasmosis in May last year but his brother, despite being diagnosed with cancer and having become blind , is soldiering on. This blog records his remaining time with us .

Thank you Angus, Wilf & Digby for such a wonderful project !

continuing

2011-11-03T09:22:00.007-03:00

hand drawn typography + hand inked 2ft x 3ft (22X32) 2012 poster calendar - Susan Black

Continuing trying not to try so hard while remembering to keep on trying lots of new things. To trust my gut and try again if my first try didn't feel right because it felt like I tried too hard. Sigh.

Remember this first version ... meh (love that word) try saying it with me & make a face while you're doing it. OK all together now ... meh. That first version was a perfect example of me trying too hard. Trying to emulate something I'd seen, something that had inspired me but not doing a very good job at my emulation. Half a**ed. This new version feels right ... or as right as anything ever feels to me. OK I'm off now to try something else new.

N-E-W (sung like a chorus of angels)

trying (not to)

2011-11-02T09:58:00.008-03:00

late october love & goodness

I'm trying,
I'm really trying,
not to
try so hard

'tis the secret
I do suspect

thistles will forever remind me of this - 2 years ago

the best thing

2011-11-01T09:16:00.005-03:00

beach walking - a collection of stripey pebbles gathered by Winnie Dixon & me

Way too many best things in my life right now to list them all ...
so here's just one, way up there, near the top of that list.

hand drawn type by me - & a quotation found on favourite design blog - design sponge

boo !

2011-10-31T09:46:00.005-03:00

guess who ? uh huh it's Boo ! - - - from the 2012 owls mini wall calendar available now

the next thing

2011-10-30T08:43:00.016-03:00

from sketch to final piece. I always scan as I go because I'm never sure which I'll like best

Amazing Swedish artist Camilla Engman is holding an open call* for illustrations of her sweet, best gal pal, fox terrier Morran for an upcoming book. I could not resist submitting my version.

I'm really into black backgrounds at the moment which is why I chose that version as the final, the one that I ultimately submitted, but honestly the jury's still out on this one. All three versions, even the sketch, have their own appealing qualities. Oh well, no brooding allowed ...
I'm happily on to the the next thing. Do you have a favourite ? Would love to hear which one ?

Dog & cat portrait commissions welcome !! ... email me

noon update - I took Chickory's advice (top version) & used my black acrylic ink to make the black more opaque & velvety - much, much better I think. Thanks Chick !!

* the deadline is October 31 if anyone is interested in submitting a portrait of Morran

some things gathered

2011-10-29T09:47:00.005-03:00

ah autumnness - from the vast & tres plentiful iphoto archives here at 29 black street

As an artist, it is central to be unsatisfied !
This isn't greed, though it might be appetite.

Lawrence Calcagno

mrs. delany

2011-10-28T09:29:00.008-03:00

current bedside book The Paper Garden just arrived yesterday from the library - amazing

from the book's inside front flap

Upon her second husband's death (after 23 years of marriage) she arose from her grief, picked up a pair of scissors &, at the age of seventy-two, created a new art form, mixed media collage. Over the next decade, Ms. Delany created an astonishing 985 botanically correct, breathtaking cut-paper flowers, now housed in the British Museum and referred to as the Flora Delanica.

corvus

2011-10-27T09:09:00.008-03:00

omg - love this crow from tastes orangey - when my ship comes in I want it in a big size

coffee in bed with my journal
steaming hot facecloths
bundling up
fleece mitts & headband
the smell of woodsmoke
frost in the air
blazing leaves
a steaming harbour
golden early morning light
sweet D & I stroll the village streets
to the sounds of morning crows

& this raven from bird in hand when my ship comes ... I'm buying art & lots of it