I moved!

Catch me over at the new webpage. Click on the photo below to get there.

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Won't you take me toFunky Town

Gotta make a move to a
Town that's right for me
Town to keep me movin'
Keep me groovin' with some energy
Won't you take me to
Funkytown

On June 24th I wrote the blog, This Is How I Sketch The painting above is a result of that sketch. If you look at what I had written you would think I was dead on. If you saw what was in my brain you would know it bares little resemblance to my idea. That is the way it works most days. On the other hand it inspired me to do my Little Bit of Funk series. It always amazes me how one thing leads right in to another.

You all stay cool and have a funky day.
Peace Out

Back To The Beginning

Little Bit of Funk 2



Little Bit of Funk 1


There are times in your life when you have to take a few steps back, and try to remember where you started. My art has taken so many twist and turns in the past year. The other night I sat sat down with a colorful little background, not really knowing what I was going to do. Inspiration hit! I picked up a black marker and started doodling like I used to years ago.

Unrelated Note: Drewbie just walked in with a bunch of grocery bags. He said pick your snack. There were triscuits, cheese, apples and chocolate ice cream. I said, "What are you trying to do, fatten me up?" He came back with, "Corn fed, Indiana bred." WTH? He is from South Africa. Where does he come up with this stuff? He is becoming a true American and I am not sure I am ok with that. LOL By the way, I chose chocolate ice cream.

Anyway... I love to doodle. Look for more of these "Little Bit of Funk" paintings in my etsy shop. The proceeds from all my artwork and jewelry will go to a good cause. "...cause I like to pay my bills." Just sayin'.

Happy 4th of July you all. Keep it safe. Remember, fireworks and alcohol don't mix :-)
Peace Out

Bloomin' Accident

Has anyone ever lost control of a painting? Well I did tonight. I was working on a background for a new painting. I grabbed my favorite cans of spray paint and got down to business. Then I started messing with some acrylic, using my favorite tool, my hand. As I was painting I was surprised to see a flower had started to bloom. I went with it.

Actually this is a lot like my life this past year. I am intent on doing something, I start, and then life leads me in another direction. I meet new people and from that one meeting it blooms into other friends, new ideas, and experiences. I am kinda diggin it. Just sayin....

Peace out :-)

This is how I sketch!

Yesterday in my blog I explained to Andi that paintings just fell out of my head onto the canvas. Well, I also have other weird things happen. I was chatting with her on Facebook tonight. You know that silly mindless stuff that sisters chat about? While I was typing BAM a painting slammed into my brain. Not literally, although that has happened. Hurts like hell when that happens too. I have learned not to prop finished pieces of work on the shelves above my computer! Just sayin....

Ok, lost my train of thought there. So anyway, an idea and a title of a painting popped into my head. It faded out just as quickly and left me scrambling for something to write on. You see folks, I have menopause brain. Tomorrow I would be trying to figure out what the idea was if I even remembered I had an idea!

Andi told me to sketch it out. So I did. Sue style.

Yes peeps, this is how I sketch. I realized I NEVER sketch. I always work on the actual piece. If I am not "feeling it" I toss it aside to be painted over later. I never agonize over a painting. The idea is there and I just go for it. Not all my ideas work. Usually it isn't because it isn't a good idea. Sometimes I just can't transfer what is in my brain to canvas. Sometimes it goes in a completely different direction and turns into something that makes me smile. I figure if it makes me smile there is some other slightly off kilter person that will smile too. Isn't that what art is all about?

Stay tuned for Funky Town. It may or may not look like the above sketch!

Peace out peeps :-)

Looking for my Happy Place

I was talking to my sister, Andi , the other night about my art. She said I was getting better and my art was more thought out. I explained to her that I look at a blank canvas and stuff just "falls out of my head" onto it! Example above, Looking for her Happy Place.

I am not a deep thinker. I shy away from discussions on feelings, spirituality, touchy feely mushiness. It's not that I am cold. I love deeply and have a running dialog with God. It's just that I don't like expressing myself in front of others. It's mine and I'll deal with it by myself! Ooo now how snippy did that sound?

In the last year or so I have loosened up and have had my eyes open to a lot of things. I look at a women walking down the street in an outfit that is a little too tight or maybe a little to young and I think, "Wow, I wonder what it is like to be so ok with yourself that you just put on what you like to wear and go with it?" There was a day I would have thought, "Doesn't the bitch own a mirror?" I see a scraggly guy in a store and think, "I hope he isn't hungry and only has a $1.00 in his pocket." I used to think,  "Dirty druggie, take a bath and get a job." Damn, was I judgmental, or what??!!

Actually, as I type this I am thinking, "What the hell are you doing? You are seriously going to publish this blog?" I have also learned to just go with things. I have met new people and been taught so many things by "just going with it."

So what was on my mind today (Yes, this blog IS going somewhere) was Happy Places. I have noticed through my art I tend to explore ideas and feelings. After I finished the piece above, Looking for her Happy Place just popped into me head. I realized I have been thinking a lot about what it takes to be in a Happy Place.

Over the last week or so I have discovered something. I AM in a Happy Place. I have a husband who loves me and does so many sweet things for me. 3 kids who make me so proud. I have a beautiful free spirited granddaughter. A spunky little grandson who is so cute it makes me laugh, and I just found out that I am going to have another little grandson in November.

Drewbie and I have been unemployed for for almost 9 months. We have found that we can live on a lot less than we thought. We don't go hungry, we don't sit around the house moping. I have a part time job at a Veterinarian Hospital. I am a professional poop scooper and I love it. I can't imagine ever going back to the corporate world. Drewbie is searching for a job, and we know it'll come. Eventually. We are luckier than a lot of people in our situation. We saw it coming and were able to plan.

So yea, I am in a very happy place. As long as there is money to buy art supplies I am going to be ok. I used to dream of a house on the beach, lot's of clothes, plenty of money to travel. Now I am thankful that I am surrounded by people who love me, our little brick ranch on a couple of acres, our 3 goofy dogs. Yes God, message received!!

Peace out peeps. Go find your Happy Place :-)

You Are Perfect

I have been listening to the radio lately. I get in a rut listening to the same music and like to check out the new tunes now and then. My daughter turned me on to Pink when she was in high school. Love her music. I heard her new song and that is what inspired the painting above. I am trying to convince myself that even though I tend to be a bit fluffy in places, going a bit gray and seeing new wrinkles daily... I am perfect just the way I am. TRYING being the opperative word!

If you feel the same, surf on over to My Etsy Shop . This painting and many others are over there just waiting to Funk Up your walls. Purchase before June 1st and you can receive 20% off if you enter the coupon code FunkMayFun.

One of my paintings, "Life Through Rose Colored Glasses" made it into Maria's Treasury, La vie en rose . Lovely items. Go Check it out :-)

Peace Out You All :-)

Life... Through Rose Colored Glasses

For years I have been accused of viewing life through rose colored glasses. I prefer to think of it as looking for the bright side, finding happiness wherever I can. Some things you have no control over. You have to roll with the punches and just get through it. I don't like feeling stressed. I deal with the things I can, and just shrug my shoulders at the rest. Life is too damn short to worry about what she said, hold a grudge, how will I..., what if.....! 

Right now Drew and I are unemployed. I know for certain that opportunities will open up for us if we just keep our eyes open for them. In the meantime we have hours together doing whatever we want. I have plenty of time to paint and play with new ideas. I get to spend more time with my parents. I have had more chats with my Mom over a cup of coffee than I ever got to before. I get to shuttle my Dad to Dr. appointments and while he is there, quickly run to Hobby Lobby to drool over art supplies and maybe find something on sale. Yes, I am embracing this time with a smile. It'll end soon enough and I'll be back to working somewhere and not have the time to play like I do now.

Until then I am going to don my rose colored glasses and paint like it is my job. Explore new techniques and experiment with different ideas. Snuggle with Drew on the couch and watch some mindless t.v. and SMILE while I am doing it!

Have a Happy Easter peeps :-)

Spring Break Fun

Hi ya all. It has been ages since I have blogged. I am patiently waiting for my jeans to dry so I can go pick up Ms. Scarlet. Grampy & Grammy are taking her to see Hop :-) Then out for a delightful meal at McDonald's. After that we are going to come home and get our Art On!

We'll run to Big Lot's to pick up two canvases and then Grammy Sue is going to teach Scarlet the joy of creating a fun background with some well placed Blooms. Can't wait to don our painting smocks and get a little messy. Scarlet gets to use 'big girl" paints and brushed tonight! I'll post pics of our artwork tomorrow.

Until then.... Peace Out!

Fun Stuff

Happy Sunday, you all. I hope you are enjoying your day. I have a couple of things I wanted to share with you.


The first is Chica Boutiqua It is on April 16th from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Town Hall in Zionsville. The address is 100 West Oak St for those of you using your GPS to get there. I don't go anywhere without mine! One time I got lost coming home from Lebanon and went the entire way around 465. How? I have never figured that out. My kids were NOT happy!!


Chica Boutiqua will bring several local etsyans and artisans to showcase and sell their beautiful things for spring. You will find handcrafted jewelry, home decor, purses, hair accessories, clothing, pet bling and tons more! There is a $2.00 admission. Come out and see us :-)

The other thing I am excited about is wishBIG ecamp This is perfect for me. I am too damned shy to attend an actual retreat. WAY outside my comfort zone. The ecamp includes:

• 10 (2 hour) online creative living workshops from a host of fabulously inspiring camp counselors, each of them bringing their own special talent and insight to help you wishBIG, createBIG and liveBIG! (schedule and descriptions below).  all classes will be available online through the end of april and are self paced.

• camp T-shirts for all campers!

• daily ecamp inspiration postcards (via email) created especially for you by our talented teachers

• evening campfire gatherings and activities to encourage community and fun!

• ecamp cabinmates to help you connect with local campers

Doesn't that sound fun? I never attended camp as a kid. I am really looking forward to this. Race over there and sign up!

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday. Peace Out Peeps! 

Leap of Faith

Zelda takes the plunge

After looking at this painting my baby sis, Andi, wrote, " This makes me think: Should I not marry him? What flaws is he hiding down there in that water? Leap of faith...."

I don't know about you, but every day I find myself taking that Leap of Faith. What else can we do? If we didn't we would be froze in place, never living life. That would suck!


Have an awesome weekend. Peace out

Embrace Life

If you have read previous blogs you'll remember that sometimes ideas for paintings just go BAM in my head. That is what happened with the one below. I was laying in bed Thursday night, almost asleep, and BAM... it was there. Just sayin....

This painting is on a 12"x12" canvas. It was done with acrylic paints.

Friday Thoughts

Well, it's finally here... Friday. When you are unemployed that isn't a huge thing. For all you folks slaving away at the office, working on an assembly line, working out in the cold nasty weather, it's huge! I get that. These days my life is slower, more relaxed. This wasn't by choice. The economy played a huge part in it. You work your ass off for 30+ years never thinking that one day it can come to a grinding halt, but it can. Luckily Drewbie and I prepared for this day, and thanks to the great state of Indiana and the fact that we buckled down and paid off 3/4 of our debt, we are paying the bills and able to buy groceries. God help all those people who weren't able to prepare for it.

Thanks to a wonderful Veterinarian in town I have a part time job. Sharon offered me a part time kennel position when she found out Drewbie and I had lost our jobs. What a blessing. I actually enjoy the few hours each morning I spend walking dogs, cleaning kennels, feeding the animals and doing the laundry. Some days are "shittier" than others, but all my little furry friends are always happy to see me. Oh yea, the people are pretty nice too *wink*

Another good thing about my Friday is lunch with my chickies. We go to Mittagessen Delicatessen on College Street. If you've never been there you really must try it. The bacon feta wrap is to die for! I am never sure what chickies will show up. Dianne and I are always there. Amber usually is, and occasionally Kasey and Kelly. Not to mention a few of Dianne's co-workers sprinkled in. What I have learned from this group of gals is amazing. Each one has taught me something, sometimes about them, sometimes about myself. The more open my mind becomes the more I learn. I cherish them all for what they bring to my life.

I bought 4 new canvases today. Gonna get my art on this weekend! I have some ideas bouncing around in my head that need to come out.

And most importantly tomorrow is my "Pig Out" day!! Oh hell ya! I went on this diet and have lost 7 lbs. so far. One day a week you get to totally pig out. There is a entire chapter on why this works. I am not going to explain it all here. We have a pizza in the freezer, triscuits and cheese in the cabinet, and today I bought a Hershey bar with almonds to dip in peanut butter. Maybe this pig out day works because you puke before you go to bed? We'll see what happens!


I hope you all enjoy your weekend. Stay warm, stay safe, and most importantly HAVE FUN!


Peace Out

Friday Funny: Today while I was getting ready to go to lunch I was listening to the radio. The only thing I can get in is the local station. Swap Shop was on. The DJ asked the man what he had to sell and ask for his phone number. As they were getting ready to hang up he verified the phone number and as he was hanging up he said "Peace Out." He got very quiet and then said, "Did I just say Peace Out? I think I just said Peace Out." lol Yes, dude, you said Peace Out! It's all good!!

Just Breathe

Peaceful Sunday everyone! I hope you all are enjoying your favorite relaxing activities today. I just finished up Zelda's latest activity. First she was hitchhiking a ride with some friendly dragonflies, and then she was flying through skies in a VW bug. She is now relaxing in a nice hot bath. Who knows what Zelda will decide to do next.

I just signed up for an online camp that I am so excited about.  The price is right and there are some really cool classes. Surf on over there and sign up.  wishBIG ecamp

Ok peeps, I am on to artFOOLishness #5. If you haven't joined in the fun, do it now! artFOOLishness #5

Peace, Love & Funk

artFOOLishness #4

Kelly and Danielle are at it again.The challenge was:
quote: “the world is mud-licious and puddle-
wonderful” e.e. cummings

color: white, yellows and pinks with a sprinkle
of blooms and silver?
pandora playlist: ingrid michaelson radio

You'll have to forgive my photos. They are not up to my usual standards. I have been working all night on a painting for my baby girl's birthday, which is tomorrow. My baby girl will be 25!! I thought I was done with the painting until Kelly pointed out that I needed to put "me" into it. Oh how I love our Kelly. I have learned so much from her. This artFOOLishness is really a great learning experience too. Thanks Kelly, Thanks Danielle :-) Thanks for letting me play along.

Ok, back to artFOOLishness....
When I entered Ingrid Michaelson into Pandora I heard her sing Somewhere Over the Rainbow. There you have it... no other explanation is needed.

The weekend is almost here. You all enjoy it doing whatever it is that makes you happy. I'll be ..... PAINTING!

Here we go again.......

If you have kept up on my blog you know I like to start new things.... and then toss them aside! Well, after a winter of munching absolutely everything I could get in my mouth I stepped on the scale yesterday. Holy Cow! I weighed as much as a small heifer!! I weigh more now than when I was pregnant. I thought my jeans were just shrinking. You know that happens, right? My clue should have been when I purchased a new bra a few weeks ago. D cup? Really? I was feeling pretty good about that. Now I realize it is just boob fat!

I started reading a book on the Kindle about weight loss. If I start anything I have to read about it. You must always add the cost of a book to my projects. I try to hit the library first, but sometimes I just have to OWN it. So I have been reading The 4-Hour Body: An Uncommon Guide to Rapid Fat-Loss, Incredible Sex, and Becoming Superhuman by: Timothy Ferriss. I realized I have seen this guy on Dr. Oz. So hell, it has to be true, right?!

It's basically a low carb diet with a twist. You get to totally pig out one day a week. Really? I am lovin' this concept. Low carb is the only way I have ever lost weight. He says that pigging out one day actually helps loose weight. Count me in.

So I pulled out my favorite bikini. The one I wear on the beach in Florida when absolutely NO ONE I know is with Drewbie and I. Hey folks, fat always looks better tan. I put it on so Drewbie could take before pictures. OMG, that was humiliating. Seriously how in the hell did I let this happen?? Ok so we got through that and then on to the measuring. Mooooooo. That's all I've got to say about that.

I downloaded the pics and printed up a nice little page with all the pictures and my measurements and taped it on the fridge and the closet door of the bedroom. I know the fridge is the perfect place, why the closet door of the bedroom? Because that is where I do most of my damage. Laying in bed watching The Real Housewives, shoving snacks in my piehole! I should have printed out a life size photo but the small pictures are gross enough.

So here we ago again. Weight loss goal is 20 lbs. If I can take off 20lbs. then the closet full of spring and summer clothes will fit. If I don't... I just won't go out of the house. You can hide this fluffiness in winter clothes. There is no hiding it when it warms up and the sun comes out.

After I have lost the 20lbs. I will read the chapter on Incredible Sex!!

Peace out you all :-)

Live Laugh Love & Scammers

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More artFOOLishness

Well isn't just lovely outside? I want to go on record as saying I HATE winter. The only good things about this nasty weather is that Punxsutawney Phil did NOT see his shadow. So Spring will be here soon. We can only hope.............


Kelly and Danielle are at it again with their artFOOLishness . The challenge is as follows:
inspired by a set of words, lavender and chocolate brown, layered with a swatch or two of plaid and some music
qoute: "You've got to embrace the chaos. you have to. that way, life might astonish you." and Lisa Loeb Radio (a Pandora playlist)

Inspired by Lisa Loeb's song Wishing Heart

You all stay warm and be safe out there. Peace Out

The Hitchhiker

Recently Dianne (one of my favorite chickies) said she would like to walk around in my head. Just for a short time. I believe my most recent painting "The Hitchhiker" spured her to say that. Folks I can't tell you why these things pop out of my head. I don't know why I paint zebras being flown through the sky by dragon flies. Perhaps a therapist could tell me, but I would rather not ask. Lord knows what else they might dig up.

All I know is sometimes these ideas just begin to form slowly, and sometimes it is just BAM, there it is. This one was a BAM, there it is. I love zebras. My hubby is from South Africa. We have spent quite a few days in Kruger Park. I loved seeing the herds of zebras.

I painted a rather large zebra face I named Zelda. You can see her on my website. suebrassel.com I am contemplating an entire Zelda series. We'll see. I had another idea go BAM today as I was finishing this one up!

Now I am going to go make some fresh coffee, Nutella on graham crackers with a touch of peanut butter (my new favorite snack) and read a bit on my Kindle. With any luck at all my eyes will get droopy and I'll take a nice Sunday nap.

Peace out you all.