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Susie Celebrates!

5/30/2011

11 Comments

 
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It is my pleasure to introduce my very first guest blogger, Susie Tenzer!

Susie lives in St. Louis, Missouri, where she graduated from the University of Missouri with a degree in education.  She also spent time at Washington University studying art.  When she retired from teaching, she began her second career as an artist.

I’m delighted to share Susie’s post, and hope you find insight and inspiration from her as I do!

Wow, is that really colored pencil?

     Everyone who sees my artwork asks that question.  Some people say it looks like watercolor or oil painting.  I’ve been hooked on the colored pencil medium for the last year.  I knew I was on to something when I began drawing with colored pencils.   I’ve tried everything from oil painting to screen printing.  Colored pencils, though, are perfect for drawing precise details in a realistic style.  My favorite subjects are simple, everyday objects.  I use bold, bright colors and I love to incorporate shiny, reflective surfaces.  My paintings (I prefer to call my artwork “paintings” similar to pastel artists) are done on archival paper.  I layer many colors, often six to twelve layers, until they are vivid and saturated.     

     I was born and raised in St. Louis.  I’m married, have two adult children and three (with one on the way) grandchildren.  Although I began my college career in art, my degree is in education.  I taught preprimary children for over twenty years.  I didn’t do anything artistic for a long time, but the itch returned a year ago.  Facing my 60th birthday, I felt it was now or never.  My goal was to see if I could truly be an “artist.”  I quickly created a web site, a Facebook business pageand Twitter account.  I also opened a shop on Etsy and Artfire.  I sold my artwork at a local boutique and had a painting juried into a gallery show.  I became a juried member in the Missouri Artisans’ Association (the Best of Missouri Hands).  What a whirlwind year!

The title of my autobiography would be, “Follow Your Dream.”

     It was serendipity.  On Etsy, I met a lot of talented artists.  Several months ago I met Mary Nasser who connected me to artist and gallery owner Heather Haymart.  Heather invited me to show my work in her gallery, Wood Icing.  What a thrill!  I truly feel like I’ve accomplished my goal of becoming an artist.  Did you see the movie, “City Slickers” with Billy Crystal?  He said it’s all about finding that one thing that’s important to you.  Sometimes you find it early in life, sometimes you don’t find it until you’re 60.  I’m so glad I’ve been able to find and follow my dream of becoming an artist.
Susie Tenzer Celebration
My original colored pencil drawing is titled, "Celebration". The colors are bright red, green, yellow and blue. This painting took three weeks to complete! I use Prismacolor colored pencils on Stonehenge archival paper. I use from 6 to 12 layers of colored pencil to achieve vibrant, saturated color. The image measures 11" X 14".
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My original colored pencil drawing is a contemporary, realistic still life. The strawberries are bright red and the bowl is shiny silver. It is titled, "Strawberry Reflections". This was one of my favorite pieces to work on, especially those reflections! I use Prismacolor colored pencils on Stonehenge archival paper. I use from 6 to 12 layers of colored pencil to achieve vibrant, saturated color. The image measures 8" X 10" on an 11" X 14" sheet of paper. I think this piece would look wonderful in a kitchen or dining area.
Susie Tenzer Art
Etsy:
 www.susietenzer.etsy.com
Artfire:  www.susietenzer.artfire.com
FaceBook: www.facebook.com/SusieTenzerArt
Twitter:  www.twitter.com/SusieTenzer
Website: www.susietenzer.com
11 Comments
Susie Tenzer link
5/30/2011 11:05:52 am

Thanks, Mary!

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Mark Kwasny link
5/30/2011 11:12:22 am

Love the colors!!!

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Sandra link
5/31/2011 12:02:06 am

What amazing coloured pencil drawings these are! They really do look like paintings!

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Scrollwork link
5/31/2011 12:32:47 am

I love stories about late bloomers, being one myself (I hope I'm not offending you with the term, Susie.) Indeed, we may live a huge chunk of our lives in perfectly productive, respectable careers, and then make a leap when confronted with a now-or-never moment.

Especially loved the City Slickers quote.

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Suzanne B link
5/31/2011 12:44:53 pm

WOW - Susie's work is just out of this world, I too am stunned these pieces were done with pencils!
Thank you for becoming my 100th follower - so glad you found me as your Blog looks very interesting. I have subscribed!

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darlene AkA HugGer link
6/1/2011 05:35:59 am

Love this piece hard to believe you jumped into art later in life. It is beautiful.
Thanks for stopping by my blog and the nice words about my art.

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ArizonaGirls link
6/1/2011 02:32:43 pm

Beautiful work, I would have never guessed color pencils!! =)

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Trina (Trina's Clay Creations) link
6/1/2011 08:42:57 pm

Here as your newest follower, so glad we found each other's blogs through Etsy! Thank you for following my blog too!

~Trina
http://trinastrinketts.blogspot.com/

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Urban Heirlooms link
6/4/2011 01:14:06 am

Suzie's drawings are amazing! It was a teacher's drawing very much like hers, full of bright color and life, that made me decide I wanted to be an artist in the First Grade. :) I'm glad she found the thing most important to her, no matter how late it came; as long as it did come, the timing was perfect. Nice feature story!

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Lorri Lennox link
6/6/2011 12:54:22 pm

Hi Mary,
Thank you so much for your sweet comments on my blog. I have enjoyed browsing through yours too. The links to those movies are fab, I will be looking some of them up to watch :)
I love your artworks and am happy to have also found you here online. It's a large network of creatives here and I love it!
Thanks again, and I look forward to seeing more of your work.
Take care,
Lorri

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Brenda Sipe link
8/2/2011 11:22:26 am

Thanks for sharing Susie! Glad you met Mary and she was able to help promote your work. I look forward to seeing more of your work on Etsy.

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    I love creating mixed-media art layered with maps! This blog is a place for me to share my work and what inspires me. Read more here.
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