Writing / Illustrating Exercise

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.
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.

Working on My Craft

Back in class.

I am now enrolled in a gouache painting class with Rachel Grobstein.

Our first project: still life concentrating on recreating light values.

It's quite wonderful to be in class again. Great teacher, nice students and the thrill of improving my skills.

The Dream Catcher

Recently completed artwork for new book, "The Dream Catcher," written by Geraldine Haggard.
Available soon from Centering Corporation.

R

Surfing the Net

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 Marblespark.

Happy Winter Wishes

Wishing You a Cozy, Marshmallow-Filled Winter.

Inspiration - Hand-Stitched Felt

My latest round of finger puppets were inspired by Kata Golda's book, "Hand Stitched Felt."

The cute cover drew me in and I ordered the book.

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.

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.

Character Takes on a Life of Her Own

Kitty eating at Nha Trang in Chinatown

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.

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.

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.

You can follow Kitty's adventures on instragram at: susannapitzer

Kitty and her friend, Lucky

Kitty rescued kittens in Central Park