tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38664163410747582012024-03-13T20:04:22.956-04:00Susanna PitzerCreating in Multiple MediasSusanna Pitzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15916601123869710324noreply@blogger.comBlogger175125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866416341074758201.post-52287046134321958222019-08-19T14:43:00.000-04:002019-08-19T14:43:06.414-04:00Mabel and Elky Ride the Orphan Train<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6iQRQLJGXPo/XVrsLkp_JEI/AAAAAAAABkI/lp0kbL_doLEwgQfCp-4FuOX0XCwWKlNIACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-08-19%2Bat%2B2.35.59%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6iQRQLJGXPo/XVrsLkp_JEI/AAAAAAAABkI/lp0kbL_doLEwgQfCp-4FuOX0XCwWKlNIACK4BGAYYCw/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-08-19%2Bat%2B2.35.59%2BPM.png" width="249" /></a></div>
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Mabel & Elky is now with the printers. This new picture book published by the National Orphan Train Complex is due out in late October, early November. <div>
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This story is based on the true story of a little girl and her toy elephant who rode a train from New York City to Missouri to find a new family as part of the Orphan Train Movement.</div>
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I've learned so much through this project: about the orphan train movement, the stories of the riders, about book production and increased my skills as an illustrator through hours and hours and hours of painting. : )</div>
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Susanna Pitzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15916601123869710324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866416341074758201.post-83913793652097687812019-08-17T16:32:00.000-04:002019-08-19T16:33:22.086-04:00Assignment - 25 Painted Paper Cards<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've given myself an assignment to create 25 painted paper collage cards.<br />
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I really like painted paper collages. I've been wanting to create some for awhile and finally started making them on my travels this past year. I use gouache and watercolor paints on whatever paper is handy: junk mail, receipts, papers from the past that can be recycled...anything. Sometimes, I put down a base of lines or designs first using ink, crayon, watercolor pastel, or pencil...basically anything that will make marks. I create stacks of painted paper. That process alone is so relaxing and satisfying.<br />
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So far, I've finished 9 in my goal of 25. You should try it...so fun.<br />
Here are a few of my finished pieces.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-576OO53Ay2M/XVsD6yMJfTI/AAAAAAAABmI/GVuBW-Kjr-AibolUcg6Z3_MjMx00mA1EgCEwYBhgL/s1600/fullsizeoutput_15ca.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1033" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-576OO53Ay2M/XVsD6yMJfTI/AAAAAAAABmI/GVuBW-Kjr-AibolUcg6Z3_MjMx00mA1EgCEwYBhgL/s320/fullsizeoutput_15ca.jpeg" width="204" /> </a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1VHYW-t5n7I/XVsD2_mhaPI/AAAAAAAABmA/hgMaTN00sRg2WtJuOdN_pRA6p1JPnX9XQCEwYBhgL/s1600/fullsizeoutput_15ce.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1156" data-original-width="1600" height="231" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1VHYW-t5n7I/XVsD2_mhaPI/AAAAAAAABmA/hgMaTN00sRg2WtJuOdN_pRA6p1JPnX9XQCEwYBhgL/s320/fullsizeoutput_15ce.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Susanna Pitzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15916601123869710324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866416341074758201.post-46661531924358544722019-08-09T16:15:00.000-04:002019-08-19T16:15:59.612-04:00Behind the Book Workshops<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: black; text-decoration: none;"> Late July and early August, I enjoyed working with <a href="https://www.behindthebook.org/">Behind the Book</a> as a teaching artist. I've worked with this wonderful nonprofit literacy organization since 2007 as a visiting author/illustrator. This summer, I added teaching artist to my resume with them. : )</span></div>
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I had the pleasure of working with students on art projects around the books they were reading and studying. The books and art projects included: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/I-Am-Yoga-Susan-Verde/dp/1419716646">I Am Yoga by Susan Verde</a> inspired watercolor paintings; <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Somethings-Fishy-Level-Giggle-Learn/dp/1943145156/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=somethings+fishy&qid=1566245159&s=books&sr=1-3">Something's Fishy by Kevin McCloskey</a> inspired undersea mobiles; <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sea-Creatures-Sky-Ricardo-Cort%C3%A9s/dp/1617756164/ref=sr_1_1?crid=F5IN13P3K5BF&keywords=sea+creatures+from+the+sky&qid=1566245232&s=books&sprefix=Sea+creatures+from+the+%2Cstripbooks%2C139&sr=1-1">Sea Creatures from the Sky by Ricardo Cortes</a> inspired deep sea water color, wax resist, sea salt paintings; <a href="https://www.amazon.com/My-Mummy-Engineer-Kerrine-Bryan/dp/0993276903/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=my+mummy+is+an+engineer&qid=1566245315&s=books&sr=1-1">My Mummy is an Engineer by Kerrine Bryan</a> inspired assemblage sculptures; and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Honeybee-Man-Lela-Nargi/dp/0375849807/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=honeybee+man&qid=1566245363&s=books&sr=1-1">The Honeybee Man by Lela Nargi </a>inspired mixed media collages.</div>
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What a wonderful time! : )</div>
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Susanna Pitzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15916601123869710324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866416341074758201.post-76128713881958431452019-07-01T14:15:00.000-04:002019-08-19T14:18:46.880-04:00June Workshops in Kansas <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I had the pleasure of spending June at the Lawrence Arts Center in Lawrence, Kansas, where I lead multiple workshops that included: 3 weeks of Make a Play workshops with 1st - 4th grade creators who wrote plays, made costumes and props, designed and drew posters, and performed their own plays and songs. Each group and each performer was wonderful. They all worked so hard and shared their ideas and talents bravely. I also lead an Acting for Dancers Workshop with 14-19 year old dancers. I loved watching these people who move so beautifully understand that the energy, intention and emotion behind a dance are what makes it more engaging for the audience and the performer. They did great. And lastly, I had the honor of leading my Creative Courage workshop for staff of the Lawrence Arts Center. I think they appreciated and needed a workshop that allowed them to give themselves some attention...they work amazingly hard and are so lovely...I was happy to give them some tips on giving to themselves. : )<br />
<br />Susanna Pitzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15916601123869710324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866416341074758201.post-79025035479529738602018-07-26T23:40:00.001-04:002018-07-26T23:40:55.587-04:00NOTC President's Award<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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After traveling around this spring, I arrived home to a pile of mail that included a box which I believed to be a book ordered that I'd forgotten about.<br />
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What a nice surprise to open up the box and find a plaque from the <a href="https://orphantraindepot.org/">National Orphan Train Complex</a>. I had been honored to win this year's President's Award.<br />
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I believe in the work of the National Orphan Train Complex, Museum and Research Center. They are working to preserve the stories and artifacts of children who were sent on trains from big cities to rural areas in hopes they would find better lives.<br />
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I received the award for my work on writing and illustrating a picture book that is based on a little girl who made that <a href="https://orphantraindepot.org/history/">orphan train journey</a>.<br />
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The Orphan Train Complex commissioned me two years ago to work on this project and once I started reading the stories of orphan train riders, I fell in love with the project. I'm honored to be working to keep the stories of these children alive and to also have people thinking about how we honor those children by taking care of the children who need our help and care today.<br />
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To read the <a href="http://www.ncktoday.com/articles/local/2018-06-04-national-orphan-train-complex-receives-71-000-grant-from-dane-g-hansen-foundation">KNCK article</a> about the National Orphan Train Complex President's Award Banquet, Dane G. Hansen Grant Award, and hear part of an interview they did with me, <a href="http://www.ncktoday.com/articles/local/2018-06-04-national-orphan-train-complex-receives-71-000-grant-from-dane-g-hansen-foundation">click here</a>.<br />
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<br />Susanna Pitzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15916601123869710324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866416341074758201.post-73405997785055320092018-07-26T23:11:00.001-04:002018-07-26T23:12:53.154-04:00National Orphan Train Museum Celebration - June<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I was honored this year to be part of the <a href="https://orphantraindepot.org/">National Orphan Train Complex, Museum and Research Center</a>'s yearly celebration.<br />
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Two years ago, I began working with NOTC on a children's book based on a real little girl, Mabel, and her tin elephant, Elky. In the early 1900's, they rode the <a href="https://orphantraindepot.org/history/">orphan train</a> from New York to a new home in Missouri. Elky is now on display in the National Orphan Train Museum.<br />
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My presentation was on the book's process, the initial ideas, research, writing, drawing, rewriting, redrawing, over and over, sharing with peers for feedback, and continuing to edit and rewrite and redraw, etc. I was delighted to able share the most recent draft of the book.<br />
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To read about this year's National Orphan Train Complex celebration and presentations, click <a href="http://www.bladeempire.com/news/local/orphan-train-riders-remembered/article_63e2d582-6823-11e8-a5dc-479f27d7635c.html">here</a> to read an article from the <a href="http://www.bladeempire.com/news/local/orphan-train-riders-remembered/article_63e2d582-6823-11e8-a5dc-479f27d7635c.html">Concordia Blade Empire</a>.<br />
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Susanna Pitzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15916601123869710324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866416341074758201.post-2997688668271864072018-07-23T22:44:00.000-04:002018-07-24T13:38:19.233-04:00Watercolor Sketching <div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6VZCGMla2FY/W1aRL_JLYMI/AAAAAAAABfU/6Wfb50dLRE8FpQRr7ymnf1YVqF94LLJfQCLcBGAs/s1600/fullsizeoutput_238e.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1235" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6VZCGMla2FY/W1aRL_JLYMI/AAAAAAAABfU/6Wfb50dLRE8FpQRr7ymnf1YVqF94LLJfQCLcBGAs/s200/fullsizeoutput_238e.jpeg" width="153" /></a>There are no hard and fast rules to watercolor sketching. We found it helpful to set a timer for our first sketches, just so we would go for it and work to complete the paintings quickly. The more comfortable we got, the less we needed to be pressed with time.<br />
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You don't need fancy materials, just any watercolor paints you feel comfortable with and a small pad of watercolor paper. Let the adventure begin, set the timer or don't, just have fun and be free.<br />
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Here is a helpful website, I came across after writing about watercolor sketching: <a href="https://fgsltwthghoaosj3.weebly.com/watercolour.html">Andy Walker's Sketching Tips - Watercolor Sketching</a>.Susanna Pitzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15916601123869710324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866416341074758201.post-19841917197461798172018-07-23T21:47:00.003-04:002018-07-23T21:47:42.860-04:00Everybody Reads Week - P.S. 87 - May 11<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cover Sketch based on Student's Suggestions</td></tr>
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Every year now for...hmmm? 6-8 years? I've been part of Everybody Reads Week at <a href="http://www.ps87.info/">P.S. 87</a> on the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upper_West_Side"><u>U</u>pper West Side</a><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upper_West_Side"> </a>of Manhattan.<br />
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It's an amazing week long event with people from the community, including, fire fighters, police officers, council people, actors, authors, illustrators, moms and dads, etc. doing presentations and reading to the classes.<br />
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The week is also filled with activities for the students around books. I'm usually there on the day students (and faculty) dress as their favorite book characters. So fun and funny!<br />
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This year, I shared a draft of my new picture book about a little girl named Mabel who rides the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orphan_Train">orphan train</a>.<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">After giving a power point presentation that included the book draft with illustrations, historical information about Mabel and some of the other real life characters, history of the orphan train, etc., I opened up a discussion with attending students - 1 second grade class and 2 third grade classes. The students had great ideas for possible book titles, cover illustrations, comments on what they thought of the book, what could be added, what might be missing. They were full of questions about what happened to the real Mabel. Luckily, I could tell them that she had lived a good, long, full life.</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Shown is the draft of a cover sketch based on the ideas of a student.</span><br />
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<br />Susanna Pitzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15916601123869710324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866416341074758201.post-42904027675846317132018-07-23T16:22:00.002-04:002018-07-23T22:22:46.911-04:00Creative Collaboration - Orphan Train Project - April 25<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SOmg1O_NFbA/W1Y0SK-9RbI/AAAAAAAABdw/Ws7zadqskl0L_RmxtQMB2VA59qzekBHSgCLcBGAs/s1600/Image%2B7-23-18%2Bat%2B2.48%2BPM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="199" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SOmg1O_NFbA/W1Y0SK-9RbI/AAAAAAAABdw/Ws7zadqskl0L_RmxtQMB2VA59qzekBHSgCLcBGAs/s320/Image%2B7-23-18%2Bat%2B2.48%2BPM.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Closing Our Eyes to Envision the Best Cover</td></tr>
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As an author/illustrator, much of my work is done alone. However, to create the best possible book, I share my projects with others and benefit from the gift of their reactions, suggestions and ideas.<br />
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One of my current projects is a picture book based on a real little girl named Mabel, who lived in a New York City orphanage at the turn of the century. In the early 1900s, Mabel rode an <a href="https://orphantraindepot.org/history/">orphan train</a> across the country to a new home in the Midwest.<br />
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I have reached the stage in this project where I need feedback from the target audience, young people.<br />
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A big "thank you" to <a href="http://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/nyer-of-the-week/2015/03/6/nyer-of-the-week--jo-umans-creates-a-new-chapter-in-the-education-of-city-students.html#">Jo Umans,</a> <a href="http://www.behindthebook.org/">Behind the Book,</a> for arranging a sharing of my book draft with Ms. Amy's 2nd grade class at P.S. 125 <a href="http://www.ralphbuncheschool.org/">Ralph Bunche School</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manhattan">Manhattan, NY, </a>in April.<br />
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Before reading the book draft aloud, I set the early 1900's stage, a time when unwanted, homeless and orphan children could be found living on the street. By the 1900's, laws were in effect that these children would be gathered and placed into homes and orphanages. Hoping to leave behind the days when children were left on the street to fend for themselves.<br />
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z7zFgqljucg/W1aNPBLeleI/AAAAAAAABe4/DRpj6z1z9c4vhKVUWCJxZatFo2Cu2r7_ACLcBGAs/s1600/fullsizeoutput_1cd0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1429" data-original-width="1600" height="178" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z7zFgqljucg/W1aNPBLeleI/AAAAAAAABe4/DRpj6z1z9c4vhKVUWCJxZatFo2Cu2r7_ACLcBGAs/s200/fullsizeoutput_1cd0.jpeg" width="200" /></a><br />
This information prompted students to discuss what an orphan was and to share ideas of what they <br />
would do if they found themselves without parents. I admired their ideas and how they listened to each other and built on ideas and came up with additional plans. It was an empowering situation of coming up with solutions.<br />
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Children who rode the orphan trains were the forerunners to today's <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foster_care">foster children</a>. Both groups had and have good experiences and bad experiences. One of the classroom students, knowing about what things can happen to children, voiced his concerns about how were we sure that these orphan train children were taken care of. I explained that there were things in place to help with this, but there was no assurance and it couldn't be very thorough, but that we could do things today if we saw something that didn't seem quite right.<br />
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This lead to another classroom discussion of who we could trust to report something to if we saw something that didn't seem quite right...we could share our concerns with people that we felt safe with...this could be our parents, or a teacher, or a police officer, etc.<br />
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I was so grateful to these students and their teacher for their time, their suggestions and the depth of their compassion and their ideas of taking care of themselves and of others.<br />
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Thank you! P.S. 125.Susanna Pitzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15916601123869710324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866416341074758201.post-6742016039290706182018-02-07T16:55:00.000-05:002018-02-07T16:55:32.486-05:00Mean Pony<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mean Pony sketch</td></tr>
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When my nephew, Lucas, was little, he wanted the story of Mean Pony. I loved the idea and worked on it, complete with full sketch dummy and finishes.</div>
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Turns out the book was a little too mean and angry for the general population. So, Mean Pony is still a work in progress because I love the title and idea. </div>
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The book is about an angry pony that lashes out and scares people away and the cycle begins. Because she lashes out people leave her alone and because no one gives her kind attention, she lashes out.</div>
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Eventually, a little boy changes the cycle by overlooking the anger and being kind.</div>
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Kindness is always the way to go. Sometimes people, and ponies, just need some positive attention.</div>
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Susanna Pitzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15916601123869710324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866416341074758201.post-89594746594245429102018-02-05T13:13:00.000-05:002018-02-05T13:13:14.583-05:00A Happy New Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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"Sometimes letting things go is an act of far greater power than defending or hanging on." </div>
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-<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eckhart_Tolle">Eckhart Tolle</a></div>
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On a regular basis most of us need to be reminded to be free, be ourselves, and not hang on to things that we really don't want afterall.</div>
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The most miserable people I've met are the ones who hold on to things that make them unhappy because they are afraid to let go and have a life they would truly enjoy.</div>
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As <a href="http://juliacameronlive.com/blog/">Julia Cameron</a> says, "Leap and the net will appear." </div>
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Wishing you all a brave, happy, free, adventurous new year filled with making changes toward the life you want.</div>
Susanna Pitzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15916601123869710324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866416341074758201.post-26519713170469923072016-05-28T22:31:00.000-04:002016-05-28T22:32:20.198-04:00Writing / Illustrating Exercise<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Writing and illustrating cards for family and friends is one of my favorite ways to exercise and improve my skills at drawing and putting words and paint on paper.<br />
It's also an activity that makes me very happy as I think of the people I love and how happy they will be to receive actual mail.<br />
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<br />Susanna Pitzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15916601123869710324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866416341074758201.post-41956440329659439702016-05-08T21:43:00.000-04:002016-05-08T21:43:44.681-04:00Working on My Craft<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Back in class.<br />
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I am now enrolled in a gouache painting class with <a href="http://rachelgrobstein.com/">Rachel Grobstein</a>.<br />
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Our first project: still life concentrating on recreating light values.<br />
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It's quite wonderful to be in class again. Great teacher, nice students and the thrill of improving my skills.Susanna Pitzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15916601123869710324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866416341074758201.post-3169412522537340782016-05-02T19:03:00.000-04:002016-05-02T19:37:59.044-04:00The Dream Catcher<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3866416341074758201" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y19umz64ISU/VyfjJrUgj8I/AAAAAAAABMI/rhkYYhzu_kY-LQcswy4B2teFSHlXY-H0QCLcB/s1600/New%2B-%2BDream%2B8-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y19umz64ISU/VyfjJrUgj8I/AAAAAAAABMI/rhkYYhzu_kY-LQcswy4B2teFSHlXY-H0QCLcB/s400/New%2B-%2BDream%2B8-9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Recently completed artwork for new book, "The Dream Catcher," written by Geraldine Haggard.<br />
Available soon from <a href="http://www.centering.org/">Centering Corporation</a>.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3866416341074758201" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />Susanna Pitzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15916601123869710324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866416341074758201.post-10402731462961896442015-04-28T21:05:00.001-04:002016-05-02T18:44:43.106-04:00Surfing the Net<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://www.marblespark.com/images/blog/posts/EndOfSchool_shadowbox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a>Every now and then I like to type in my name and do an Internet search. In doing this just now, I was surprised by an illustration that I did several years ago for <a href="http://www.marblespark.com/blog/end-of-school/">Marblespark</a>.<br />
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<br />Susanna Pitzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15916601123869710324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866416341074758201.post-47957702871215160572015-02-08T17:49:00.000-05:002015-02-08T17:52:03.092-05:00Happy Winter Wishes<div style="text-align: center;">
Wishing You a Cozy, Marshmallow-Filled Winter.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZERJD0sKntI/VNfnuSxnufI/AAAAAAAABKc/wRQ4U-blY6c/s1600/mouse%2Bskate001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZERJD0sKntI/VNfnuSxnufI/AAAAAAAABKc/wRQ4U-blY6c/s1600/mouse%2Bskate001.jpg" height="400" width="270" /></a></div>
Susanna Pitzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15916601123869710324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866416341074758201.post-25121002018435297232014-07-20T17:20:00.000-04:002014-07-20T17:20:00.401-04:00Inspiration - Hand-Stitched Felt<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; clear: left; color: #333333; float: left; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R2ZmpWP4kOc/U8wyC4Zzv5I/AAAAAAAABJk/0mth8eqHvw0/s1600/kata+golda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R2ZmpWP4kOc/U8wyC4Zzv5I/AAAAAAAABJk/0mth8eqHvw0/s1600/kata+golda.jpg" /></a></div>
My latest round of finger puppets were inspired by <a href="http://www.katagolda.com/">Kata Golda'</a>s book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kata-Goldas-Hand-Stitched-Felt-Whimsical/dp/1584797983/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405890642&sr=8-1&keywords=hand+stitched+felt">"Hand Stitched Felt."</a><br />
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The cute cover drew me in and I ordered the book.<br />
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While my finger puppets have a much different look than Kata's, I was inspired by her construction - folding a rectangle to create the puppet body.<br />
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I was also inspired by the way she made pockets for the finger puppets to be housed and carried around. My puppet purses are different from her rolled up puppet bed. However, I would not have come up with my purses if I had not seen her puppet beds.<br />
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Susanna Pitzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15916601123869710324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866416341074758201.post-78626195409823114052014-07-20T16:54:00.004-04:002014-07-20T16:56:28.512-04:00Character Takes on a Life of Her Own<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Kitty eating at Nha Trang in Chinatown</b></td></tr>
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As can happen, writers/artists create a character and that character takes on a life of its own. This character does not pause for our conscious direction, but plunges forward with what I imagine is in our subconscious.<br />
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So, is the story of Kitty. She was created as a gift to my 3 year old friend, Maizie. Maizie played with her and during our day of fun, Kitty fell out of the car. Upon hearing of this, I promptly mailed Maizie a new kitten. As I turned around from the mailbox, what should I see? but Kitty on the street under a car where Maizie and her family had dropped me off the night before.<br />
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Since that moment, Kitty has been with me always. She has adventured her way through New York City, making friends, finding stray kittens (of her species) and in general, following her impulses.<br />
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You can follow Kitty's adventures on instragram at: susannapitzer<br />
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<br />Susanna Pitzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15916601123869710324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866416341074758201.post-48978864076531156872014-06-25T22:31:00.001-04:002014-06-25T22:31:24.245-04:00New Puppet Purse<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>I made this puppet purse to my 3-year old friend, Maizie</b>. She was so happy. She especially loved standing the puppets on their heads.<br />
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It was such a fun project to make with her in mind... and, <b>I liked trying something new...the circle flowers on the back</b>.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Back of Purse</span></b></td></tr>
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Susanna Pitzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15916601123869710324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866416341074758201.post-35426239623880974672014-06-23T22:14:00.004-04:002014-06-23T22:14:55.767-04:00Squirrels!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm at the <b>last week countdown to 100 finger puppets</b>. I'm up to 69, 31 to go!<br />
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Made four squirrels, several rabbits and a couple pigs this weekend.<br />
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<b>Next...more purple cats. Meow!</b>Susanna Pitzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15916601123869710324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866416341074758201.post-43209536215414664272014-06-18T23:31:00.002-04:002014-06-18T23:31:53.751-04:00Tigers on the Loose<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by William Green</td></tr>
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My finger puppets are making their way out into the world.<br />
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These two were spotted in Central Park.Susanna Pitzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15916601123869710324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866416341074758201.post-57390373512894244412014-06-14T14:59:00.000-04:002014-06-14T15:00:39.317-04:00Puppets in Process<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Zebras being born</b></td></tr>
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Over the years, I've created many finger puppets. <b>They are fun to make and even more fun to give away</b>.<br />
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<b>This newest round of puppets has a simple basic body.</b> I cut out a thick rectangle and then add the face and other elements to create a specific kind of animal.</div>
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<b>My puppets are made without patterns.</b> On rare occasion, I might do sketching to see different ways to create the animal, however, my usual way is to free hand cutting out the pieces. <b>I think of it as 3-D sketching and illustration.</b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Completed Pair</b></td></tr>
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<b>I like to make multiples of each animal, this allows me to make changes and try different things. </b>Since I have many young, and young at heart, friends - <b>I know that each puppet will go to a good home</b>.</div>
Susanna Pitzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15916601123869710324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866416341074758201.post-86256542273571411192014-06-12T21:42:00.001-04:002014-06-12T21:42:40.570-04:00Finger Puppet Challenge<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Gift Created for a Little Friend</b></td></tr>
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In the past month, I've made 58 finger puppets. <b>My goal is 100 by July 1.</b><div>
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I like to give myself quantity assignments. They prompt me to try things.</div>
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So far, I've made: panthers, squirrels, dogs, cats, mice, zebras, horses, giraffes, elephants, deers, pigs, lions, lionesses, bats, donkeys, butterflies, frogs, elephants...and my personal favorite, rabbits. </div>
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<b>I'm also creating puppet purses.</b></div>
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Susanna Pitzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15916601123869710324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866416341074758201.post-39140708185122249972013-05-03T22:59:00.000-04:002013-05-03T23:03:10.787-04:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><a class="rg_l" href="http://www.google.com/imgres?q=you+fail+only+if+you+stop+writing+ray+bradbury&start=103&um=1&client=safari&sa=N&rls=en&hl=en&biw=1280&bih=617&tbm=isch&tbnid=KiggBvXnpjtY8M:&imgrefurl=http://www.waukeganpl.org/news/ray-bradbury-writers-life-and-his-waukegan-il-roots&docid=Oe6rFWpODvn3TM&imgurl=http://www.waukeganpl.org/sites/default/files/kids/ray%252520bradbury%2525206.jpg&w=415&h=415&ei=tHiEUbGrN9Sw4AOMzICYDg&zoom=1&ved=1t:3588,r:16,s:100,i:52&iact=rc&dur=438&page=6&tbnh=183&tbnw=177&ndsp=24&tx=42&ty=79" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cccccc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #1122cc; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: 183px; left: 0px; line-height: 19px; position: absolute; text-decoration: none; width: 177px;"><img class="rg_i" data-sz="f" name="KiggBvXnpjtY8M:" src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSCm63dNWp4yqJkq3V3j6FLlksX-mhgf14WTCwnrYHZx_rFxIRU" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; height: 183px; margin-left: -2px; margin-top: 0px; width: 183px;" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 11px; white-space: nowrap;"><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>" You only fail if you stop writing." </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> Ray Bradbury</span></div>
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Susanna Pitzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15916601123869710324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866416341074758201.post-38634339763293890552013-05-02T23:15:00.002-04:002013-05-02T23:18:01.331-04:00Bonjour!!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mzyxq6k9J-Y/UYHDxJFhOpI/AAAAAAAABC8/-MJmJCnvDJE/s1600/IMG_1244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mzyxq6k9J-Y/UYHDxJFhOpI/AAAAAAAABC8/-MJmJCnvDJE/s200/IMG_1244.jpg" width="148" /></a>I'm busy working on <b>my dream of speaking French</b> to the French when I return to <a href="http://www.france.fr/en">France</a>.<br />
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The next time I'm doing a school visit at a French school and a child asks me if I speak French, I want to be able to say, "Oui."<br />
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<b>I'm a true beginner...starting with the alphabet, numbers, colors, etc.</b><br />
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Soon, I'll be enrolling in a French class. Until then, I'm listening to French every day...music, podcasts, and movies.<br />
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<b>Two of my favorite French learning tools are:</b><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bilingual-Songs-English-French-Vol-1/dp/B000093U10/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1367456167&sr=8-2&keywords=bilingual+music+french" style="clear: left; color: #cc6600; float: left; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: underline;"><img alt="Product Details" class="productImage" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51BQD3VR7QL._AA160_.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: 160px; width: 160px;" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="lrg bold" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bilingual-Songs-English-French-Vol-1/dp/B000093U10/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1367456167&sr=8-2&keywords=bilingual+music+french">Bilingual Songs: English-French Vol. 1</a></span></span> </span><br />
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by Sara Jordan<br />
A great CD of bilingual songs that are helping me learn how to say the alphabet, numbers, months, food, animals, weather, how I feel, plus so much more, in French.<br />
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and the<br />
<a href="http://www.learnfrenchbypodcast.com/"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Learn French by Podcast</span></b></a><br />
Real Life French for Everyday Conversation<br />
This is a great podcast that is supported by printed educational information available on their website.<br />
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This all reminds me of college. On the first day of new class, I would wonder, "how am I ever going to learn all this?" And then on the last day, I felt completely comfortable with the subject. After this past week of listening to French every day, <b>some words are starting to take hold</b>.<br />
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In French, I can now count to 10, tell you to touch your eyes, ears, or mouth, and <b>say that I prefer orange jelly beans.</b><br />
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<b>C'est tout bon. (It's all good.)</b>Susanna Pitzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15916601123869710324noreply@blogger.com0