Thankful for artists, art lovers and the artist's life in San Antonio

Those of you who've received my newsletter over the years are likely wondering what happened?! After coming to expect regular posts of freshly finished paintings and works in progress and news of workshops and art-related travel... suddenly seven weeks with no posting. Well! I'll try to describe my recent transition/transformation and follow with a promise to stay much better in touch.

Rice, 11x14 oil
On September 1st I became the owner of Nueva Street Gallery in La Villita, San Antonio's Historic Arts Village by the Riverwalk. I went from owning a tiny gallery with my own work and the work of three other artists, to a gallery with now 20 artists' work in addition to my own. The thrill of the new space (s-p-a-c-e!) comes with the responsibility to represent some really terrific artists the very best I can. I'm in a voracious learning mode and frankly working my fanny off: picture me in the midst of running the gallery (ringing up sales, packing and shipping, hanging artwork, talking with visitors, cleaning, running errands, receiving new art from the artists, writing checks and paying bills) with a long schedule of portrait commissions whose due dates are fast approaching.... are you seeing a whirlwind with a paintbrush? That's me!
And I'm thankful for all of it.

Kim, 20x16 oil.
I love the gallery and the artists and their amazing work and I LOVE meeting the visitors who wander in during their vacations or on a break from the conference they're attending. You already know I love painting, so all this adds up to a special kind of heaven. A heaven where I'm not getting a lot of sleep just now, but heaven just the same.

My last post announced our opening celebration party October 2nd. We had somewhere between 200 and 300 guests... and I had been worried no one would come! It was a fun night with wonderful music, tasty refreshments, good friends, artists and art.
My online painting broadcasts have been less regular lately, adding a long live model session on a Saturday from the gallery:
Nazir (in progress) 28x22, oil
and subtracting a couple of Wednesday nights. I've completed several commissions and even worked on a couple of paintings "for me." (I'll show you soon...)

Through this whole process, from the "just dreaming out loud" stage this spring, to the reality today, I've had the help of my very close friend, Ugur Kilic.

(Pronunciaton lesson: Oor Kuhlutch. My font won't allow it, but the "g" should have a line over it, making it silent, and the "c" should have a small hook under it, making it a "ch" sound. Her name means Good Luck, or Good Fortune in Turkish. So true.) Ugur helped through packing, moving, inventory making, accounting, errand running, furniture and fixture buying, rearranging everything, creating the artists' bios that hang with each artist's work, greeting and talking with the visitors, helping them complete their purchases, packing and shipping and driving packages to FedEx.... in other words, she's been invaluable and amazing and has worked her fanny off, too. I'm deeply thankful. Ugur is a terrific graphic designer and photographer who shows her fine art photography and mixed media work at Nueva Street Gallery.

For all of the doom and gloom you hear these days about the economy and how tough things are for artists now, we're doing great. Artists are making beautiful things and we're helping to put them into the hands and lives of people who recognize the value and beauty and life-enhancing properties of original art.

I promise to post sooner next time and hope you'll stay in touch, too!
Thankful for your interest and good wishes,
Susan

17 comments:

K. said...

I'm so thrilled for you, Susan! The Nueva Street Gallery looks gorgeous, and my one regret is that I don't live close enough to pop in and see it for myself!

Anonymous said...

wishing you all the success in the world in this new venture.
it is no wonder you have not had time to post regularly but it all sounds like good busy:)

Ann Rogers said...

Congratulations on your gallery opening and your following success. Well deserved with all your hard work. Do believe that the beach painting of Rice is an all time favorite. Plenty to be thankful for these days!

Linda Popple said...

Thanks for sharing all your good fortune! It sounds like you are busy and blessed with projects and people you love. That's fantastic!

Your paintings are gorgeous. I especially like Rice eating his ice cream cone! Great job with his windblown hair and the reflected light.

Regina Calton Burchett said...

Susan - I'm so glad things are going well for you and see that you continue to create amazing art. I can't wait to see the ones you are doing "just for you". Grateful here too...
Regina

Mark Bridges said...

Happy Thanksgiving!

Unknown said...

Congrats, you sound very busy)

Trudy R. Gomez said...

Beautiful work Susan...can't wait to get down to SA to see your gallery. Happy Thanksgiving!

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Susan,

Congratulations on every front. You were certainly missed. Happy Thanksgiving to you, and may the coming year be filled with prosperity, love and creativity like this last one.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxBarbara

Sarah Sedwick Studio said...

Yay, Susan! So wonderful to hear all your good news. XO, Sarah

Pattie Wall said...

Every morning I wake up to look at the beautiful little red dachshund and my feet, Where I Stand Sunday painting you did. This morning I was thinking, wow, it has been a long time since Susan has posted, she must be VERY busy with her new gallery. I see that you have been painting, as well, so I no longer have that feeling that you are too busy for that. Love hearing about your life right now. Glad that things are going sooo beautifully! Don't forget to take "you time". But I know that is easel time - so paint on!

Happy Little Trees Studio said...

Congratulation!!! Fantastic!

Jo Castillo said...

Congratulations! You are inspiring. Glad to hear all is going well, even if so busy. See you soon, hope to get down there soon! Hugs. Hi to Ugur, too.

Dean H. said...

Best of luck in your new venture, Susan!
Congratulations.

Marie Theron said...

Dear Susan, as a South African from far away, I am happy to relate to this post as I have done the RiverWalk! Congratulations with your gallery in lovely San Antonio! Will I ever walk there again, it would be such a thrill to pop in and admirethe works by you and your selected artists! Regards from Cape Town!

http://www.onpainting.wordpress.com said...

Wonderful piece of the boy and ice cream.

Carmen said...

Tens una obra preciosa. FeliƧ any 2011 !!