Suzzanna Frank Studio & Gallery

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I Love to explore and share creative ways to add personal touches to my life. To search out new DYI projects and tools, design concepts and much more. The really fun part is sharing all of this newness with YOU.
Suzzanna

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Botanical Abstracts

Lots of new things going on this week in the studio. This past month a visitor to the studio was looking for a larger journal and plan book. She liked the idea of having an original painting as the cover for the journal. After thinking about her suggestion, I decided to try painting on a new hard bound journal with lots of pages to be used either is a sketchbook, a journal, or even a daily planner. The first sample is below.

The goal was to create a class that would be easy and fun where you could create your own hand painted, hard bound journal.
So far this week I have been working on samples of different types of covers and making sure the process is simple and fun. Below are a few Sample images that I have come up with. They are part of a new Botanical Abstract series.

As of now it appears the class will run about 2 hours. I would supply everything you would need ( including the hard bound journal) Hopefully the cost would be around $30. I would love to hear from you. Is this something you might be interested in doing. Your feedback would be greatly appreciated. I’ll post more sample journals next week.

Thank You for visiting with me today.
I hope you will check back often.
Suzzanna

5/28/2019 0 Comments

May’s Fun Art Supplies

Most artist love to explore new tools and techniques. This side of exploration is an integral part of the creative process. My goal each months to share with you the new supplies / techniques that I have explored throughout the prior month. This experimental part of the creative process is something I have always enjoyed, whether it was in my pottery making classes, painting/sketching classes or just plain old"Lets Have Fun Classes" the exploration of new materials and techniques.

I hope you will join me each month as we explore the world of the Creative Soul.

Vibrant Colors - Perfect for illustrating, sketching, coloring, crafting, and more
Versatile Dual-Tips - Create fine, detailed designs or flip the marker over and develop thick, bold lines
Combine & Correct- Includes a clear blender marker to smoothly combine colors and correct mistakes
Easy to Grip - The triangular shape allows you to create stunning art with comfort and precision.

Dylusions Shimmer Sprays are pearlescent ink sprays that add color and shimmer to paper, canvas, wood, fabric, and other porous surfaces. Add colorful pearlescent shimmer to any journal page, mixed media, or paper craft project. Use as a finishing spray or layer over inks and paints to create luminous effects and backgrounds. Available in 12 colors that coordinate with the Dylusions color palette

Golden-Regular Gel Matte. Gel mediums are ideal for extending colors, altering sheen, changing body, increasing translucency, adhering collages, and increasing film integrity.

Koi water brush is designed for the easy transportation and storage of water when you're away from home or the studio. The brush separates into two parts; a fine, flexible brush tip and a barrel handle that carries the water and secures it with a plug. The comfortable grip is great for controlled blending, shading and highlighting.

Thank You for joining me this month. I am looking forward to all the creative fun and experiences already on the calendar for June..

Suzzanna Frank Fine Art
Suzzanna Frank
studio606
1310 Pendleton Street
Cincinnati,Ohio 45202
www.suzzannafrank.com

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5/1/2019 0 Comments

Books to Nourish Your Creativity...May 2019

One of my favorite things to do is to search for inspiration. From Pinterest boards to books, freebies to new art resources, and more – I love to share anything that might move us along our creative journey, that will inspire learning, and spark our curiosity! Being a creative soul we naturally crave these things so here are some of this month’s picks from me to you.

Art Is a Way of Knowing:
Pat Allen reinforces mu idea that creativity and the process of art making are a spiritual process. This book offers encouragement for everyone to explore art making in this spirit of self-discovery—plus practical instructions on material, methods, and activities such as ways to:

   • Discover a personal myth or story
   • Recognize patterns and themes in one's life
   • Identify and release painful memories
   • Combine journaling and image making
   • Practice the ancient skill of active imagination
   • Connect with others through sharing one's art works
The author shares with the reader her own life journey.

Art & Fear:
This book has been on my art shelf for years. It is always there to help me get back to creating when the voices in my head get too loud. It is a book written for artist by artist. It's about what it feels like when artists sit down at their easel or keyboard, in their studio or performance space, trying to do the work they need to do. It explores the way art gets made, the reasons it often doesn't get made, and the nature of the difficulties that cause so many artists to give up along the way. This is a must read for creative's like yourself.

Daily Rituals: How Artist Work
A look at 161 inspired—and inspiring—minds, among them, novelists, poets, playwrights, painters, philosophers, scientists, and mathematicians, who describe how they subtly maneuver the many (self-inflicted) obstacles and (self-imposed) daily rituals to get done the work they love to do, whether by waking early or staying up late; whether by self-medicating with doughnuts or bathing, drinking vast quantities of coffee, or taking long daily walks. Insight into the daily lives of 161 creative individuals and their way of finding space in their lives for their creativity.

Steal Like an Artist
It presents ten transformative principles that will help readers discover their artistic side and build a more creative life.

Nothing is original, so embrace influence, school yourself through the work of others, remix and reimagine to discover your own path. Follow interests wherever they take you—what feels like a hobby may turn into you life’s work. Forget the old cliché about writing what you know: Instead, write the book you want to read, make the movie you want to watch.

Thank You for joining me this month. I hope you will find this months favorite reads both inspiring and helpful. I am looking forward to all the creative fun and experiences already on the calendar for May.

***Did you miss April's Favorite books? Check them out right Here

Suzzanna Frank Fine Art
Suzzanna Frank
studio606
1310 Pendleton Street
Cincinnati,Ohio 45202
www.suzzannafrank.com

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4/17/2019 0 Comments

Favorite Supplies of the Month...April 2019

I love this hard bound Journal. It holds up really well to day-after-day use. I used this journal in my first online class...
Plaster Painting Class released later this Spring and it is my main supply source for my soon to be released class Tissue Paper Journal.Classes
In this class I use gesso to seal the hardbound cover and it held up really well to the process without warping or changing shape.

After a friend mentioned these paints I decided to check them out. I have been painting for a long time with oil & acrylics and was looking for that great combination of low price + good quality in an acrylic.
The first thing different is the paint comes in a pouch instead of a tube. That turned out to be an easy asset which allowed me to paint directly on the canvas. The clear pouches make it easy to see the actual paint color for convenience.

With the addition of the abstract nozzle set added to the pouch I’m able to create various textures and shapes that give my artwork new depth and interesting impressions.

These paints are easy to work with and very reasonably priced.Here in Cincinnati Plaza ArtStores seem to have the best price and wide selection of colors. Have fun experimenting with the heavy, buttery texture of these paints.

Montana Markers.
There are many times that I want to add marks or specific shapes to one of my paintings and really want more control than a brush will give me. A marker would be my first Go To Tool, but most markers will bleed as soon as I apply additional acrylic paint over the marks.This is especially difficult to deal with, when working on a canvas surface. The marker ink seems to float on the surface of the canvas and smear and run as soon as the water based paint comes in contact with it.

Thank You for joining me this month. I am looking forward to all the creative fun and experiences already on the calendar for May.

Suzzanna Frank Fine Art
Suzzanna Frank
studio606
1310 Pendleton Street
Cincinnati,Ohio 45202
www.suzzannafrank.com

0 Comments

4/16/2019 0 Comments

Books to Nourish Your Creativity...April 2019

BOOKS TO NOURISH YOUR CREATIVITY

The Artisan Soul by Erwin Raphael McManus— author, thought leader, has created a manifesto for human creativity. We are called to reclaim our creative essence and develop our lives into a work of art. There are no shortcuts to the process. We all carry within us the essence of an artist.
We all need to create—to be a part of a process that brings to the world something beautiful, good, and true.

First published twenty-five years ago, The Artist's Way is the
seminal book on the subject of creativity. Perhaps even more
vital in today's cultural climate than when it was first published,
The Artist's Way is a powerfully provocative and inspiring
work. In it, Julia takes readers on an amazing twelve-week journey
to discover the direct link between their spiritual and creative
selves. we are introduced to the two most vital tools;
The Morning Pages and The Artist Date
This is a revolutionary program for artistic renewal that will
change the way you think about creating art.

Abstract Painting: The Elements of Visual Language examines
   and describes a vocabulary of visual elements from which you
   build images, abstract or otherwise. You will examine line,
   shape, pattern, texture, depth, and color in detail. You will become
   more aware of these elements that make up a painting, and be
   better able to observe your own work without judgment and
   self-criticism. The over 200 color images in this book will
open your eyes to a whole new way of seeing your paintings as they develop.

This book introduces the concept of realistic abstract painting - a loosely impressionistic form of painting that leaves much to the imagination of the viewer. The subject, though recognisable, is executed with freedom and fluidity, resulting in a painting that is far from photographic. It has been described as the 'grey' area between figurative and abstract painting, yet there is nothing dull about this style, as the numerous colourful examples in this book show.

Aimed at those with some experience of painting, all the examples in this book use various forms of water-based media, including gouache, acrylics and watercolours. Designed to inspire, this book will stimulate your imagination; encourage you to try out the various methods described; and help you develop your own way of painting in this exciting style.

I hope you can find a comfortable spot to snuggle up with this mont's favorites....Sue

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4/12/2019 0 Comments

Why We Make Art

We all search at times for the reason we make art. What is yours?

Why is art so important to us? It’s simple. Because we enjoy it. In fact, we live for it. It is a passion that we are born with, it drives us forward even when it seems we are going no where. We return to it, even after a prolonged separation. It is the joy of walking into our studio, the smell of freshly opened paints, the feeling of being fulfilled as if there exists a hole, an emptiness when we are not creating.

It’s not just what I do, it is who I am! It fills my day with a feeling of joy, and that’s why we are alive to begin with. To be happy. To fulfill our passion and answer the voice within us...Yes I hear You!

So why do you make art.? What drives you to create?i would love to hear some of your ideas.

Suzzanna Frank Fine Art
1320 Pendleton Street
#606
Cincinnati,Ohio
www.suzzannafrank.com
859-472-4820

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4/5/2019 0 Comments

Loose Ends....

Do you find the end of something leaves you with a slight unsettled feeling?

BEFORE

AFTER

I certainly do. This week has been about tying up loose ends and the start of some exciting new projects.
It has been about tiding up all the loose ends from March, cleaning off the top of the desk, washing out the brushes and putting away all the paints, sweeping the floor and emptying the trash. Anytime I Start a new project, especially one this large, there is always these two conflicting emotions; excitement and anticipation bumping up right next to the fear of the unknown and possible failure.

I struggle with these two voices in my head and find myself questioning my ability to accomplish such a large undertaking. I always return to reading my two favorite books when this happens. The words within them quiets the fearful, insecure voice rattling around in my head and reaffirms that we are all capable of taking on any task that is guided by passion, excitement and joy.

Pulling Your Own Strings:
Dr Wayne W. Dyer: August 21, 2001
This book has always helped me quiet not only my own inner voices of self-doubt and fear but remind me that anything is possible.

Trust The Process : An Artist Guide To Letting Go
by Shaun McNiff| Mar 31, 1998
I am always reminded that there is a magic to this process of creating and somehow it always finds a way to the place where you need it to be, and a destination you never could have known in advance.

Today I look forward to this new adventure, with joy and excitement. I have wanted to head down this road for a number of years and now is the time to begin.

If you have any books, videos, articles that help you in this type of journey I look forward to hearing from you.

Suzzanna Frank
1310 Pendleton Street
Studio 606
Cincinnati, Ohio
859-472-4820
www.suzzannafrank.com

0 Comments

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YOUR CART

Blog Categories

Botanical Abstracts

May’s Fun Art Supplies

Books to Nourish Your Creativity...May 2019

Favorite Supplies of the Month...April 2019

Books to Nourish Your Creativity...April 2019

BOOKS TO NOURISH YOUR CREATIVITY

Why We Make Art

Joining my Blog mailing list gives you insider access to whats going on in the studio as I share more about my creative process and how it impacts my daily life...Sue

Loose Ends....

SANNA Fine Art

Archives

Categories

YOUR CART

Blog Categories

Botanical Abstracts

May’s Fun Art Supplies

Books to Nourish Your Creativity...May 2019

Favorite Supplies of the Month...April 2019

Books to Nourish Your Creativity...April 2019

BOOKS TO NOURISH YOUR CREATIVITY​

Why We Make Art

Joining my Blog mailing list gives you insider access to whats going on in the studio as I share more about my creative process and how it impacts my daily life...Sue

Loose Ends....

SANNA Fine Art

Archives

Categories

BOOKS TO NOURISH YOUR CREATIVITY