Winter 2004
Susan Hazard Fine Art
Winter Update
Yes, there was no Autumn newsletter. Time, as for many of us, slipped away into the winter, filled with travel, changes and holiday happenings. But here we are again!
In November my good friend and painting mentor, Jim Houston, had a solo painting show in the Customs House Art Centre in Westport, County Mayo. I packed my bags and showed up in relatively dry but chilly weather for the show opening, and what a wonderful and colorful event it was! Jim had shown me the palette knife painting technique in 1992, and I gave up brushes for painting ever since that moment. Thank you, Jim!
While in Ireland I had an opportunity to stay and dine at the marvelous Temple House in Ballymote, County Sligo. The family owned country house is on 1200 acres owned by the Perceval family since 1665, and the house was renovated and added to in 1864. The whole estate is overflowing with painting possibilities and inspiration. Not only does it have the lovely period house, walled garden, lake, far reaching meadows and fields with picturesque trees, it has a ruined Knights Templar castle—all perfect for the artist’s composition. More on the possibility of painting holidays while staying and dining at the Temple House in future newsletters! In the meantime, check out their web site at www.templehouse.ie.
In the meantime, I am painting for an exhibit in North Wales (see below) and continuing with the challenges of home selling and a future move. All my best wishes for many happy surprises in the New Year, health, happiness, and prosperity to you all
Susan with Lexi at dinner in the Waddell/Meehan kitchen Westport, Co. Mayo November 2004
Future Painting Exhibit
Painting is underway for an exhibit in the Prince’s Arms Hotel, a wonderful and inviting country house hotel in Trefriw, in the Conwy Valley of North Wales. (Their web site is www.princes-arms.co.uk) Lindsay and Ann Gordon have created a welcoming and gracious place to stay while exploring the Snowdonia National Park, plus the interior of the hotel is enhanced with more than a few of my paintings. I am traveling to North Wales this late spring or mid-autumn (depending on the Santa Barbara house sale) with a selection of paintings for a revolving exhibit. If you plan to be in England or Scotland for the summer, make a slight detour to the magnificent North Wales scenery stop into the hotel for a viewing of my paintings, and a memorable time in a beautiful countryside!
More details in future newsletters.
“The best mirror is an old friend.”
George Herbert
“Good friends are good for your health.”
Dr. Irwin Sarason
“A friend is a person with whom I may be sincere. Before him, I may think aloud.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
© Susan Hazard 2004
“Two may talk together under the same roof for many years, yet never really meet; and two others at first speech are old friends.”
Mary Catherwood
“We cherish our friends not for their ability to amuse us, but for ours to amuse them.”
Evelyn Waugh
© Susan Hazard 2004
Waiting for inspiration
Work will never start if an artist waits for inspiration to be present. A wise person once said, “Let your Muse find you at work.” I also heard it said that an artist, among other creative people, is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration. Waiting for the right moment, the right image, the perfect light or temperature of the day, or even the right frame of mind is detrimental to productive work. The perfect moment, place or time is rare. If I waited for the perfect scenario and inspiration to begin work, there would be no paintings in galleries for you to view. The act of painting can be a solitary craft. It is all too easy to find reasons not to paint—it’s too hot, too cold, the light is failing, the studio or outdoors is cold, not enough colors available or the right size canvas, or the house needs cleaning. Let inspiration find you already at your easel, at work. This habit can translate to any creative occupation that requires dreaming, thought, preparation and a self-starter attitude. Fine your room, space, corner or silence of mind where the cacophony of life cannot busily intrude, and let inspiration grow in the light of your unique mind and heart. You will be surprised at the wonderful creations you produce.
© Susan Hazard 2004