TIME
Time, elusive
Present, yet invisible
Across hurdles
Through distractions
Opportunity for change
Offering hope
Ability to dream
Drifting by on waves unseen
Sometimes crawling
Often fleeting
Moving forward
Ever-changing
Can’t capture it
Only treasure it
Moment by moment
Bit by bit
Elusive
Hiding in the stillness
I wait for it
Silence interrupted
Sleep slips away
Out of reach
Again, I wait
Longing for it
If only a brief encounter
Come sleep
Take me to dream land
Surround me with gentle rest
Draw me in
Cover me with peace
Refresh my soul
Here are my three newest paintings...Peaceful Waters, Focus and Edge
Peaceful Waters and Focus are currently in the “Eye of the Artist” Juried Exhibit at Yadkin Cultural Arts Center in Yadkinville until Sept. 10th and are available for purchase. Edge is currently at Aubrey Home, Greensboro, NC, and is also available for purchase. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or interest in adopting one of these new works of art.
PEACEFUL WATERS
FOCUS
EDGE
Two of my newest “yet to be revealed” paintings, Focus and Peaceful Waters, have been juried into this exhibit. Check back to see the new photos which will be posted soon.
PEACEFUL WATERS - Top
FOCUS - Bottom
“Eye of the Artist ” Juried Show
Cultural Arts Center
226. E. Main Street
Yadkinville, NC
Reception and Award Ceremony: July 15th, 5:00-7:30 pm
Exhibit dates: July 15 - September 9
“Eye of the Artist” showcases the diverse artistic talent of North Carolina artists age 18 or older. Artwork submissions in 2D and 3D have been selected by committee. First, second and third place awards in both categories will be announced at the reception.
The public is invited to the inaugural exhibit and reception in the Welborn Gallery of the Cultural Arts Center. Awards to be announced at 6:00 pm, July 15th.
CREATIVITY
Emotions run deep
Darkness surrounds
Light breaks through
I feel
A passing smile
A gentle word
Glimmers of light
I see
Color explodes
Light appears
Creativity awakens
I paint
Words float by
Form a thought
Rhyming, or not
I compose
Ideas emerge
Thoughts come
Words tumble out
I write
A painting
A poem
A story
Creativity fulfilled
CONTINUING ON
Constantly walking
On the path of life
Knowing not where it leads
Continuing on
Moving forward
Moving upward
Over jagged rocks
Through deep, dark crevices
Down in the valley
On the mountain top
Through the darkness
into the Light
Fear jumps out
Grabbing hold
Fear is conquered
Continuing on
© 2011 Susan J. Harris
We are constantly walking
Walking on this path called life
We know not where it leads
But we continue on
Moving forward
Moving upward
Over rocks
Through crevices
In the valley
On the mountain top
Through the dark
Into the Light
Fear jumps out
It is conquered
We move on
Forward and upward
© 2011 Susan J. Harris
I have always loved being on or near the water – whether an ocean, a lake, mountain streams, waterfalls or the Caribbean seas. Since early childhood water has been a calming sanctuary for me. Hours spent listening to and watching waves crashing on a sandy beach, water gently lapping at lakes edge and mountain streams rippling over hidden rocks have always pulled me into that sanctuary of peace and comfort.
This abstract was inspired by the vibrant blues and greens of the Caribbean. Water intrigues and fascinates me with its ever-changing appearance, varying colors and majestic power. For me, where there is water, there is a quiet calm that is soothing to the soul.
Peaceful Waters consists of twenty plus layers of heavy relief texture created with acrylic paste, tissue paper, and gel medium. Multiple layers of blue, green and yellow paint have been applied in thick and thin coats and metallic gold was scumbled on top to add highlights and depth. Natural or direct lighting brings the depth of color and metallic highlights to life.
Painting wraps edges of the 1.5" gallery wrap canvas and is sealed with an archival UV protective varnish. It is signed on the front by the artist (sjh) and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity, wired and ready to hang. Does not require a frame.
Peaceful Waters - 24 x 30 Acrylic Mixed Media
A NEW BEGINNING - 24" x 30" x 1.5"
What an exciting weekend!
A NEW BEGINNING was accepted into the 2011 State of the Art/Art of the State exhibit at Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington, NC. The opening reception on Saturday evening, May 7th, was overflowing with curators, artists and art enthusiasts. An estimated 800 to 1000 attendees filled the CAM enjoying music, wine and artwork by 600+ North Carolina artists.
The exhibition was curated by four internationally renowned curators:
—Timothy Anglin Burgard, Curator-in-Charge, American Art, Fine Art Museum of San Francisco
—Nicholas Cullinan Curator, Tate Modern, London
—Susan Davidson, Senior Curator, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York
—Apsara Diquinzio, Assistant Curator, SFMoMA (San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
During my quiet time in the pre-dawn hours of early February 2011, I envisioned this painting and its title. As I meditated on it, a poem began to emerge and A New Beginning was conceived. Later that day I began applying the first layers of texture onto a blank canvas.
This original was constructed by applying modeling paste applied with a paint knife to create depth and swatches of burlap were secured with acrylic gel medium for additional texture. Day after day, layer upon layer, it progressed until finally reaching completion. Twenty-five plus layers of texture and paint with turquoise accents embedded to add feeling and depth. Painting wraps the edges of the the 1.5" gallery wrap canvas and is sealed with an archival UV protective gloss varnish. Artist signature (sjh) is on the front lower right corner. It comes with a Certificate of Authenticity, wired and ready to hang. Does not require a frame. Where Love Begins would make a lovely addition to any room in a home or office.
A NEW BEGINNING, 24 x 30 x 1.5 in.
Out of darkness
Light emerges
Understanding awakens
Love is born
A new beginning
A second chance
Another opportunity
Love takes root
Light spreads
Darkness fades
Love absorbs all surroundings
Leaving only shadows of the past
Below are photos showing how A New Beginning looks in different room settings with different colors.
Click images to enlarge
JUST YOU
I sit quietly
I wait
I listen
Where will You take me?
You are amazing
Full of surprises
Watching over me
Leading the way
The places I go
The people I meet
The things I see and hear
They are all Your doing
Nothing by chance
No coincidences
No accidents
Just You, in my life - moving
© 2011 Susan J. Harris
Secret Garden has taken up residence in Florida. It has gone to a good home of a very dear friend of mine and I am sure it will enjoy the loving care it will receive and the wonderful Florida weather. It always thrills me when one of my paintings finds a good home. I sincerely hope that it will bring enjoyment to its new owners for many years to come.
Thank you for your purchase, Shelby J.!
Shelby's comment:
“Oh My Goodness. It is spectacular. The pic on your website did not do it justice and I loved it there. . . . Susan, I can’t tell you how much it means to me to have a little bit of you in my home. Thank you so much.”
SECRET GARDEN
Hurt my back a couple of weeks ago so painting has been a next to impossible task. However… the back feels better today and it’s great to be back in the studio painting. Two new paintings started… that makes five in progress… the most I’ve had going at one time. I love it when there are multiple paintings to work on. Gets the creative juices flowing.
SECRET GARDEN, 36x24
Acrylic/Mixed Media
Stretched Canvas
36 x 24 in.
SOLD
Secret Garden is symbolic of that place where we tend to withdraw into our inner thoughts…a place we find rest during the midst of the turmoil and chaos of everyday life.
Private Collector: West Palm Beach, FL
COME, LOVE
I listen
I dream
Hope carries me
Fear creeps in
Not welcome
I shut the door
No time for fear
Fear tries to overpower
Love is stronger, it grows,
Gaining strength and power.
Love dispels fear
Come, Love
Fill me
Push away the fear
Saturate with your presence
Bring your friend, comfort
You are welcome
Stay forever
Be my constant companions
© 2011 Susan J. Harris
DIRECTION
Which way am I headed?
Do I want to go?
Am I willing?
Will time prove friendly,
Or be an enemy?
I prefer friendly,
Carrying me on a journey of joy.
A realm of excitement
Where new meets old...
Colliding...
Creating something different.
Full of color and texture.
Enticing the senses.
Drawing me in.
© 2011 Susan J. Harris
Book Cover: Best of Worldwide Mixed Media Artists, Vol.1
November 2010 Update:
Best of Worldwide Mixed Media Artists, Vol. 1 is finished. It is a bit behind schedule due to some unexpected language barriers between Kennedy Publishing and some of the foreign artists. Once that hurdle was handled and problems resolved, they moved quickly. I received my copies in the mail and am really excited about it. They made a change in painting selections for better layout purposes. Instead of Sisters, they published Vineyard's Song along with Shades of Sapphire. I am humbly honored to have been chosen to be in this book.
Thank you, Kennedy Publishing!
My pages: 77 and 78
After a hectic winter and spring schedule, it has been a season of the three “R’s” – Rest, Re-evaluate and Re-group. I have a tendency to get so caught up in the world of art…pushing to keep up with other artists and trying to sell and promote my art...that I lose sight of who I am and where I desire to go. Art becomes a “job” instead of a “joy.” While attempting to meet deadlines and produce enough artwork to be in various galleries and shows, I lose my creative edge and originality resulting in what I feel is sub-standard art. I know I have been quiet for awhile but it has been a necessary quiet to embrace the Three "R's".
While returning from a visit to an art gallery in a nearby town last week with an artist friend, we were pondering which way to turn in order to find our way back to the highway. As she reached for “Maggie”, her faithful GPS, I reflected on the days before GPS and cell phones. Growing up, I had some friends who would panic over the fear of getting lost. Fortunately, that was one fear I never struggled with because I believed it was impossible to get lost. As long as the car was moving and there were roads, I knew one would take me where I needed to go. I viewed a wrong turn as a detour which although it may take me out of the way and delay the arrival at my destination, it would get me there eventually. To me, a detour was more of an adventure that provided new scenery and experiences along the way.
Therefore, to me, a detour is nothing more than an opportunity to make new discoveries… to experience and see things you would have otherwise missed.
Although I don’t always succeed, I try to apply that philosophy to life as well. When I encounter unforeseen circumstances in life, I have the choice to view them as a "detours" or "derailments". I prefer "detour" along with the surprise, joy and lessons it can unexpectedly produce.
After two weeks of pushing to finish the new paintings and the past four weeks consisting of five art shows, this morning I hit the proverbial brick wall. It is time for some much needed R & R. I am hungry for some alone time in my studio with just me, my canvases and some paint but before that can happen, I need some time for body rejuvenation. Quiet time is good for an artist -- breeds creativity. . . . So, quiet time, here I come!