A finish, some progress and keeping on....


12x16 oil on stretched canvas
Both of these paintings have a lot of shine from the wet paint, but I think you'll be able to tell enough anyway. I believe I'm finished with the one above and pretty far along on the one below.

8x10 oil on Raymar canvas panel

My apologies to you sweet people who regularly check on me. I know I've been somewhat remote this last month or so. My parents just moved to San Antonio and I've been spending time with them and trying to keep up with my commissions and the bookkeeping that goes along with having the gallery. My daughter has started at a new dayhab and figuring out the transportation has been challenging. I've also been to lots of art receptions and am happy to report that I've won 6 awards in the last few weeks. Thrilling stuff, I know you know. Nothing says, "Keep going" like ribbons and checks!

In amongst all that thrill, though, my relationship unraveled and has ended. It didn't feel right to just not mention it here. Whether you know it or not, you folks are a huge part of my support system. Of course, I hope that it feels mutual to you. I'm sorry I haven't been more present on your own blogs lately, making comments and cheering you on. My life has been wacko, as you now know. In the future I hope to live up to the due dates on my portrait (and one landscape) commissions and find a way to have sanity and balance in all the facets of my life. Has anyone figured out the key to this? Care to share?

I'm old enough to have come to rely on this one fact: Every sadness, every disappointment, every loss, every devastation.... comes with a gift. Something good comes as a result. Every time. No exceptions. So I'm keeping an eye out for the gift. For now, I'm just staying watchful.

19 comments:

Rose Welty said...

Susan,

Sounds like you are doing your best, getting things sorted around. Hang in there, it will all fall into place. And I'm so glad that your work is receiving recognition, it deserves it!

Hang in there, my friend, you'll get through it all and you'll be the stronger for it.

Barbara Pask said...

Hi Susan, Both of these paintings look really great, is the little girl a commission too? So wonderful about all of the recognition lately, you so deserve it. On another note I'm sorry for the sadness in your life too. You have such a great attitude and lots of wonderful family surrounding you. I hope you can feel our good wishes for you, I feel I have made some wonderful friendships through blogging and you are at the top of that list.

Jo Castillo said...

I agree that the paintings are just super. Congratulations on the awards, you do deserve them all.

I'm happy your folks are there. I'm hoping all gets settled soon and know you will find the gift. Hugs from here. (((hugs)))

Karen Hargett said...

Hey Susan - glad to hear your folks are in SA now. It's great to have family close.

Congrats on all the awards - well deserved.

Keep your positive attitude and count your blessings ;-) no matter how small

SharonWrightArtist said...

Congratulations on all the awards, very well deserved. You go from strength to strength with your painting, and I know, with your positive atitude and determination you will get through this difficult time and be enriched.
Love the little girl, so fresh, and the couple is just amazing from a black and white photo. True talent.

Teresa Cowley said...

Susan, congratulations on your awards!

Being old enough to have learned some of the same things, I would not be surprised to learn the gift is already there... in time, you'll know what it is.

Susan Carlin said...

Thank you, Rose. I appreciate that perspective... visualizing myself on the other side and stronger. That's really helpful.

Susan Carlin said...

Barb, thank you for your compliments, always. Yes, the little girl is a commission. Still working on her a bit today, actually. It's funny, really, that we all can connect with such importance without ever having met in person, isn't it? But it's true. I appreciate your friendship so much!

Susan Carlin said...

Thank you, Jo. And I appreciate the hug!

Susan Carlin said...

Sharon, thank you for seeing me as positive and determined. Sometimes that view gets fuzzy for me. I'm sorry my new online painting time is when you're sleeping... what was I thinking??

Susan Carlin said...

Karen, oops, I got messed up my order of replying... It IS SO wonderful having my parents nearby now. Just 4 miles from my house and a mile and a half from my sister's house. A dream come true, really. So many blessings, it would be hard to count. Thank you.

Susan Carlin said...

Theresa, I'm keeping my eyes open.

hissnhowl said...

I'm new to your online painting and am enjoying it so much. I'm also new to oil painting and am learning a lot just from watching!

I hope you will find for you the gift that you are to all of us.

Take good care of yourself and keep those brushes flying,

Shelley

K. said...

On your art - I love that little girl's smile, and join the others who have expressed happiness that your work is receiving recognition.

On your relationship - I'm so sad for both of you, Susan, and wish much happiness for your future.

Pattie Wall said...

I agree with hissnhowl, you are such a gift to others. Your parents being older and now closer should be a blessing.
Hopefully you will soon see your way through the fog. A lot of us can tell you, there IS a light at the end of that tunnel.
Luckily, you have your art to help soothe the ache. Your work is so deserving of the recognition it gets. Congratulations!

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Susan,

The paintings are lovely as usual.
I am so sorry to hear about your
relationship. Your kind comments this
past summer really helped me in a very
hard time with a my broken ankle. You
are right -- hard times do bring other benefits. Good for you on six awards, and the commissions. You deserve all of it.

I'm seeing a new relationship coming to you whenever you are ready.

Take care,

Barbara

Unknown said...

Susan, congratulations on the awards. I'm sorry to hear about your relationship and I hope you recover your balance soon. I think the best way to do that is to put yourself first, which is hard for all of us who have been the nurturers for years. But now it's time for you to be the most important for awhile. And you're right about all of the bad things bringing new opportunities or gifts, as you said.

Kris said...

Susan

Don't have any positive reinforcements, questions or philosophical musings.....just concern....

Susan Carlin said...

Please forgive me, Shelley, K., Pattie, Barbara, Deborah and Kris, for replying to you all together like this. Thank you for sending your sweet good wishes. I'd been nervous about mentioning anything outside the realm of art, since this is supposed to be "Susan's Art Journal," not 'Susan's Every Thought.' But how else would I have known what kind people you are? Thank you.