Susan Faye's Picture Show

Reasons No. 26, 27, and 28

2010-11-23T08:09:00.000-08:00

Reason No. 26

of 55 Reasons to Take Care of Mother Earth:
Lions

Reason No. 27

of 55 Reasons to Take Care of Mother Earth:
Tigers

Reason No. 28

of 55 Reasons to Take Care of Mother Earth:
Bears (oh my!)

All photos were taken at the Portland Zoo last fall on a lovely cool day when all of the animals were out and about and active.

Did you know that the number of tigers in the wild has plunged some 95 percent over the past century? It is estimated that only 3,200 remain in the wild, in large part due to loss of habitat, poaching and illicit trade in tiger pelts and body parts. Three of nine tiger subspecies are extinct: the Bali tiger in the 1940s, the Caspian tiger in the 1970s and the Java tiger in the 1980s. The south China tiger, which has not been seen in the wild for over 40 years, is feared extinct. Officials from 13 countries signed a declaration yesterday aimed at saving the remaining big cats from extinction. More information here: Save The Tiger

Thanks for visiting!

Over the next few weeks I will be posting photos or artwork of 55 reasons why I think it's a good idea to take care of Mother Earth. If you find any of my 55 reasons compelling, please consider making a small donation if you can: 55 cents, $1.55, 5.50, or $55.00 (you get the drift...) to the Susan Faye Double Nickel Birthday Fund for Mother Nature to benefit the Nature Conservancy.

Your donation will support the many programs of the Nature Conservancy, an efficient and effective organization that has been working around the world for 60 years to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. My goal is to raise $550 to help with their important work.

If you would like to donate, please click here:
Double Nickel Fund

Thank you for participating...it means a lot to me!

Reasons 23, 24, and 25

2010-11-17T11:01:00.000-08:00

Reason No. 23

of 55 Reasons to Take Care of Mother Earth:
Lilacs

Reason No. 24

of 55 Reasons to Take Care of Mother Earth:
Nasturtiums

Reason No. 25

of 55 Reasons to Take Care of Mother Earth:
Foxgloves

Reason No. 22

2010-11-14T21:49:00.000-08:00

Reason No. 22

of 55 Reasons to Take Care of Mother Earth:
Red Admirals

..and their funny little faces!

This handsome fellow was very fond of my echinacea coneflowers two summers ago. Read more about Red Admiral Butterflies here: Vanessa Atalanta

Thanks for visiting!

Over the next few weeks I will be posting photos or artwork of 55 reasons why I think it's a good idea to take care of Mother Earth. If you find any of my 55 reasons compelling, please consider making a small donation if you can: 55 cents, $1.55, 5.50, or $55.00 (you get the drift...) to the Susan Faye Double Nickel Birthday Fund for Mother Nature to benefit the Nature Conservancy.

Your donation will support the many programs of the Nature Conservancy, an efficient and effective organization that has been working around the world for 60 years to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. My goal is to raise $550 to help with their important work.

If you would like to donate, please click here:
Double Nickel Fund

Reason No. 21

2010-11-11T15:55:00.001-08:00

Reason No. 21

of 55 Reasons to Take Care of Mother Earth:
Lilies That Bloom In The Desert

I photographed this desert lily (Agavaceae -Agave Family) in the Mojave Desert of Southern California six or seven springs ago during an unusually magnificent wildflower bloom in March.

Thanks for visiting!

Reasons 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20

2010-11-07T05:54:00.000-08:00

Reason No. 15

of 55 Reasons to Take Care of Mother Earth:
Healthy Food From Beautiful Farmlands

Reason No. 16

of 55 Reasons to Take Care of Mother Earth:
The Song of a Red-Winged Blackbird

Reason No. 17

of 55 Reasons to Take Care of Mother Earth:
Thriving Wetlands

Reason No. 18

of 55 Reasons to Take Care of Mother Earth:
Dusky Canada Geese

Reason No. 19

of 55 Reasons to Take Care of Mother Earth:
Great Blue Herons

Reason No. 20

of 55 Reasons to Take Care of Mother Earth:
A Favorite Swimming Hole

All of these photos were taken on a glorious autumn day last week at the Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon. The 2,492 acre refuge sits in the middle of Willamette Valley farmlands and was created to provide vital wintering habitat for dusky Canada geese, the smallest of the Canada geese sub-species. They nest on Alaska's Copper River Delta and winter almost exclusively in the Willamette Valley.

See that dark cloud in the last photo? No, that's not a swarm of locusts, it's GEESE, all honking with wild abandon! You haven't lived until you've heard several hundred geese all honking at once right over your head. You can't help but laugh out loud.

Over the next few weeks I will be posting photos or artwork of 55 reasons why I think it's a good idea to take care of Mother Earth. If you find any of my 55 reasons compelling, please consider making a small donation if you can: 55 cents, $1.55, 5.50, or $55.00 (you get the drift...) to the Susan Faye Double Nickel Birthday Fund for Mother Nature to benefit the Nature Conservancy.

Your donation will support the many programs of the Nature Conservancy, an efficient and effective organization that has been working around the world for 60 years to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. My goal is to raise $550 to help with their important work.

If you would like to donate, please click here:
Double Nickel Fund

Thanks for stopping by!

Reason No. 14

2010-11-02T08:06:00.000-07:00

Reason No. 14

of 55 Reasons to Take Care of Mother Earth:

Lavender Fields

Reason No. 13

2010-10-31T10:11:00.000-07:00

Reason No. 13

of 55 Reasons to Take Care of Mother Earth:

SpOoKy Creatures with Big Eyes and Pointy Teeth

Reason No. 12

2010-10-30T09:20:00.001-07:00

Reason No. 12

of 55 Reasons to Take Care of Mother Earth:

Cinnamon Teal Ducks

This male cinnamon teal was spotted paddling around the restored wetlands of the Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge where thousands of waterfowl winter each year.

Reason No. 11

2010-10-28T21:19:00.000-07:00

Reason No. 11

of 55 Reasons to Take Care of Mother Earth:

Low Tide Tide pools

Click here for 5 Ways to Connect Your Children to the Ocean

Your donation will support the many programs of the Nature Conservancy, an efficient and effective organization that has been working around the world for 60 years to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. My goal is to raise $550 to help with their important work.

If you would like to donate, please click here:
Double Nickel Fund

A big thank you to those who have donated so far!!

Reason No. 10

2010-10-26T14:31:00.001-07:00

Reason No. 10

of 55 Reasons to Take Care of Mother Earth:

Garlic Flower Magic Wands

Reason No. 9

2010-10-24T18:14:00.000-07:00

Reason No. 9

of 55 Reasons to Take Care of Mother Earth:

Bald Eagle Beauty

The handsome creature above was photographed at the Tualatin River National Wildlife Preserve, just a stone's throw away from Highway 99 W in Tualatin Oregon.

Don't live in an area where eagles roam? Then you might enjoy the "Eagle Cam", located on a Nature Conservancy-owned preserve on Santa Cruz Island. This past spring I enjoyed watching the incubation, birth, and flight training of Eaglets A-69 and A-68, all on a live feed from their nest. Most of the activity there is in springtime, but there are archives to enjoy:

Reason No. 8

2010-10-23T16:45:00.000-07:00

Reason No. 8

of 55 Reasons to Take Care of Mother Earth:

watercolor painting copyright 20o8 Susan Faye

American Robins

Populations of migratory birds have declined dramatically in the last 30 years. But there is hope - The Nature Conservancy is working to halt these declines by preserving habitats along their entire migratory path, including breeding, wintering and migratory stopover areas. Your donation will help support important projects like the Migratory Bird Program!

Over the next few weeks I will be posting photos or artwork of 55 reasons why I think it's a good idea to take care of Mother Earth. If you find any of my 55 reasons compelling, please consider making a small donation if you can: 55 cents, $1.55, 5.50, or $55.00 (you get the drift...) to the Susan Faye Double Nickel Birthday Fund for Mother Nature to benefit the Nature Conservancy.

If you would like to donate, please click here:
Double Nickel Fund

A big thank you to those who have donated so far!!

Reason No. 7

2010-10-22T07:39:00.001-07:00

Reason No. 7

of 55 Reasons to Take Care of Mother Earth:

Alpine Meadows

This is one of the lower meadows on the Canyon Creek hiking loop near Sisters, Oregon. One of the rewards of this 4.5 mile hike is this spectacular view of the jagged spires of Three Fingered Jack. It's a great place to see wildflowers in the summer!

Over the next few weeks I will be posting photos or artwork of 55 reasons why I think it's a good idea to take care of Mother Earth. If you find any of my 55 reasons compelling, please consider making a small donation if you can: 55 cents, $1.55, 5.50, or $55.00 (you get the drift...) to the Susan Faye Double Nickel Birthday Fund for Mother Nature to benefit the Nature Conservancy.

Your donation will support the many programs of the Nature Conservancy, an efficient and effective organization that has been working around the world for 60 years to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. My goal is to raise $550 to help with their important work.

If you would like to donate, please click here:
Double Nickel Fund

A big thank you to those who have donated so far!!

Reason No. 6

2010-10-20T21:07:00.000-07:00

Reason No. 6
of 55 Reasons to Take Care of Mother Earth:

Cheeky Little Chickadees

The Nature Conservancy has a great selection of free e-cards to send to friends and family. Click here to see their selection of Bird e-cards

Over the next few weeks I will be posting photos or artwork of 55 reasons why I think it's a good idea to take care of Mother Earth. If you find any of my 55 reasons compelling, please consider making a small donation if you can: 55 cents, $1.55, 5.50, or $55.00 (you get the drift...) to the Susan Faye Double Nickel Birthday Fund for Mother Nature to benefit the Nature Conservancy

Your donation will support the many programs of the Nature Conservancy, an efficient and effective organization that has been working around the world for 60 years to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. My goal is to raise $550 to help with their important work.

If you would like to donate, please click here:
Double Nickel Fund

Thanks for visiting!

Reason No. 5

2010-10-19T09:07:00.000-07:00

Reason No. 5
of 55 Reasons to Take Care of Mother Earth:

Very Tall Waterfalls

This is one of dozens of magnificent waterfalls in the Columbia Gorge. The Gorge was formed by the Columbia River between Washington State and Oregon. Just east of this waterfall is the Tom McCall Preserve. The preserve is named for Oregon's late governor, Thomas Lawson McCall, whose commitment to conservation in Oregon remains an inspiration. The preserve is maintained by the Nature Conservancy, Mayer State Park and national forest lands.

Over the next few weeks I will be posting photos or artwork of 55 reasons why I think it's a good idea to take care of Mother Earth. If you find any of my 55 reasons compelling, please consider making a small donation if you can: 55 cents, $1.55, 5.50, or $55.00 (you get the drift...) to the Susan Faye Double Nickel Birthday Fund for Mother Nature to benefit the Nature Conservancy

Reason No. 4

2010-10-18T09:26:00.000-07:00

Reason No. 4
of 55 Reasons to Take Care of Mother Earth:

Duck Moms in Camouflage

(There are two more ducklings hidden somewhere under her wings!)

The Lower Mississippi Valley is the largest wintering ground in the world for mallard ducks. To find out what the Nature Conservancy is doing to preserve this vital ecosystem, click here: Freshwater Conservation

Over the next few weeks I will be posting photos or artwork of 55 reasons why I think it's a good idea to take care of Mother Earth. If you find any of my 55 reasons compelling, please consider making a small donation if you can: 55 cents, $1.55, 5.50, or $55.00 (you get the drift...) to the Susan Faye Double Nickel Birthday Fund for Mother Nature to benefit the Nature Conservancy

Your donation will support the many programs of the Nature Conservancy, an efficient and effective organization that has been working around the world for 60 years to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. My goal is to raise $550 to help with their important work.

If you would like to donate, please click here:
Double Nickel Fund

Thanks for visiting!

Reason No. 3

2010-10-17T14:54:00.000-07:00

Reason No. 3
of 55 Reasons to Take Care of Mother Earth:

~~~Japanese Maple Leaves in Autumn~~~

A wonderful place to enjoy Mother Earth and Japanese Maple leaves in autumn is the Japanese Garden in Portland Oregon. "One of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside of Japan, the Portland Japanese Garden is a 5.5-acre haven of tranquil beauty nestled in the scenic west hills of Portland, Oregon". Where is your favorite haven of tranquil beauty?

Over the next few weeks I will be posting photos or artwork of 55 reasons why I think it's a good idea to take care of Mother Earth. If you find any of my 55 reasons compelling, please consider making a small donation if you can: 55 cents, $1.55, 5.50, or $55.00 (you get the drift...) to the Susan Faye Double Nickel Birthday Fund for Mother Nature to benefit the Nature Conservancy

Your donation will support the many programs of the Nature Conservancy, an efficient and effective organization that has been working around the world for 60 years to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. My goal is to raise $550 to help with their important work.

If you would like to donate, please click here:
Double Nickel Fund

Thanks for visiting!

Reason No. 2

2010-10-14T22:01:00.000-07:00

Reason No. 2
of 55 Reasons to Take Care of Mother Earth:

~~~Insects That Look Like Space Aliens~~~

For more informations about mantids, including this Praying Mantis, visit this link: European Mantids

Over the next few weeks I will be posting photos or artwork of 55 reasons why I think it's a good idea to take care of Mother Earth. If you find any of my 55 reasons compelling, please consider making a small donation if you can: 55 cents, $1.55, 5.50, or $55.00 (you get the drift...) to the Susan Faye Double Nickel Birthday Fund for Mother Nature to benefit the Nature Conservancy

Your donation will support the many programs of the Nature Conservancy, an efficient and effective organization that has been working around the world for 60 years to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. My goal is to raise $550 to help with their important work.

If you would like to donate, please click here:
Double Nickel Fund

Double Nickel Day

2010-10-14T06:00:00.000-07:00

Please join me as I celebrate the completion of 55 orbits around the Sun on this crazy space ship we call Mother Earth!! [Yes, it's my birthday.]

With each passing orbit, it has become increasingly clear to me how important it is to take care of our Mother Ship and our fellow Earthings, including ALL of the incredible life forms we share this planet with (although I'm a little ambivalent about slugs and mosquitoes if you must know...)

With that in mind, I have created the Susan Faye Double Nickel Birthday Fund for Mother Nature to benefit the Nature Conservancy.

Over the next few weeks I will be posting photos or artwork of 55 reasons why I think it's a good idea to take care of Mother Earth. If you find any of my 55 reasons compelling, please consider making a small donation if you can: 55 cents, $1.55, 5.50, or $55.00 (you get the drift...).

Your donation will support the many programs of the Nature Conservancy, an efficient and effective organization that has been working around the world for 60 years to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. My goal is to raise $550 to help with their important work.

Without further ado, here is
Reason No. 1 to Take Care of Mother Earth:

~~~Rabbits with See-Through Ears~~~

If you would like to donate, please click here: Double Nickel Fund
To find out what the Nature Conservancy is doing for some special rabbits, click here: Pygmy Rabbits

Thanks for visiting!

Bee Inspired

2010-10-03T13:09:00.001-07:00

"In every walk with nature
one receives
far more than he seeks. "

John Muir

Dahlia Bee

2010-09-25T08:33:00.001-07:00

"Everybody needs beauty as well as bread,
places to play in and pray in,
where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul."
John Muir

Star Gazing

2010-08-16T12:25:00.000-07:00

Illustration Friday

(theme:"star gazing")

The best kinds of stars to gaze at are the shooting kind, especially those with fancy stardust tail-trails! Happy gazing to you!

Don't miss out on the Go Green Garden Cat Giveaway going on now at my other blog!

Thanks for visiting!

Flora and Fauna on the Canyon Creek Meadows Loop

2010-07-17T17:11:00.000-07:00

On Monday I had the pleasure of visiting the lower meadows of Canyon Creek near Sisters, Oregon, thanks to my intrepid personal hiking guide--Globe Trekker Mary.

This moderate 4.5-mile loop takes you on a tour of a high alpine meadow of wildflowers, with bubbling Canyon Creek flowing through it. In addition, there are spectacular views of the jagged spires of Three Fingered Jack.

The wildflowers were a few weeks behind schedule but we still saw plenty of flora and some fauna too:

A fuzzy Cat's Ear flower...

A male Oregon Junco...

Indian Paintbrush...

Mountain Heather...

A tiny Silvery Blue butterfly...

And Bear Grass--something I had never seen before! It was EVERYWHERE and looked like giant fairy wands :

At first we thought this was a female Northern Flicker, but upon closer inspection we think it is a female Williamson's Sapsucker...

There was a merry band of Gray Jays...

And lots of lupine, paired here with manzanita...

Possibly the prettiest of all were the Shooting Star flowers!

At the highest points of the trail there were patches of snow! In July! Can you believe it? Here is my artistic interpretation of a snow shelf melting over a creek:

Thanks for visiting!

Directions to the trail: Drive Highway 20 east of Santiam Pass 8 miles. At a "Wilderness Trailheads" sign near milepost 88 (1 mile east of Suttle Lake or 12 miles west of Sisters), turn north on paved Jack Lake Road 12 for 4.4 miles. Then turn left on one-lane Road 1230 for 1.6 miles to the end of pavement, and finally turn left onto Road 1234, climbing 6 miles to the trailhead at the primitive Jack Lake campground.

My Favorite Satellite

2010-06-26T09:58:00.001-07:00

Illustration Friday
(theme: "Satellite")

satellite n. Astronomy: A celestial body that orbits a planet; a moon

Craftsmanship

2010-06-20T11:28:00.000-07:00

I'm thinking about my dad today, who has been gone for 10 years now...

The best gift I ever received was a wooden oven that my dad (a carpenter) hand-crafted for my 4th birthday. It had knobs that really turned, burners made out of coffee can lids, and a door that would open and close so I could put Bingo the Cat inside to "cook" him a little (hey, I was only 4!). It was a thing of beauty and I loved touching the wood--sanded to silken smoothness, with every corner and edge rounded to perfection. And thus began my appreciation for fine craftsmanship and artistry... Thanks Dad!

Many years later the tradition would continue when he hand-crafted this exquisite Sam Maloof-inspired child-size rocking chair for my son Chris who was 1-1/2 years old at the time (he's 23 now!). Some of the wood in this chair is from an old Chinese elm tree from our family home that was cut down when I was 11!

I have the pleasure of being the keeper of the chair until Chris has a place of his own where he can display it. It is a thing of beauty and I love touching the wood--sanded to silken smoothness, with every corner and edge rounded to perfection.

Thanks Dad!

On The Trail...Morning at Mosaic Canyon

2010-06-06T10:47:00.001-07:00

Illustration Friday
(theme: "TRAIL")

Another one from the files...

This watercolor was painted a few years back after a trip to Death Valley with Dave. This scene is from a morning hike up Mosaic Canyon. If you look closely, you can see a bit of the trail winding up this exquisitely sculptured, colorful canyon; but you will have to imagine the rest of it as it winds up from the valley floor in the hazy distance...

Thanks for visiting!

Lizards are Lovely

2010-05-30T07:11:00.001-07:00

Illustration Friday
(theme: "SLITHER")

I've always been fascinated by lizards, especially the part where they would lose their tails when said tail was grabbed by a cat. With lots of lizards and cats in the neighborhood while growing up in Southern California, there were always plenty of tailless lizards slithering around...!

This watercolor painting is from the files and is called "Twig Lizard"--he was quite certain that I couldn't see him as he held very still and blended in so beautifully with the surrounding twigs.

My fondness for lizards grew considerably when my then-16-year-old son acquired a Bearded Dragon lizard named Ziggy. I was surprised by how lovely it was to hold a lizard in ones hands.

Here is a favorite photo of a tiny baby alligator lizard that was found sunning itself on my car tire, just as sweet as he/she could be!

Thanks for visiting!

Enjoy The View

2010-03-06T17:19:00.000-08:00

Illustration Friday
(theme: "brave")

Having suffered from acrophobia (from the Greek: ἄκρον, ákron , meaning "peak, summit, edge" and φόβος, phóbos, "fear") for most of his young life, Rudy Raccoon felt very brave to have climbed to the highest branch possible to enjoy the view on this fine day.

Thanks for visiting!

This tree-hugging raccoon is available on a variety of great camping t-shirts, note cards,mugs, totes, and more in my Cafepress shop:
ENJOY THE VIEW

Farmer's Market Poster Wins Honors

2010-03-05T15:30:00.000-08:00

Exciting news on the local front! Several springs ago I was commissioned to paint the artwork for the McMinnville Farmer's Market poster. Recently, the Oregon Farmer's Market Association held a state-wide contest for the best farmer's market poster. McMinnville chose to send in mine for their entry. Guess what? Mine won first place!

The prize money went to the McMinnville Downtown Association (they DID commission and produce the poster, after all), but I get to bask in the glory and rest on my laurels!

The poster is no longer available for sale, however, you will find THE ARTWORK ON Aa large selection of giftware and apparel that features this artwork in my Cafepress online shop, available with or without text:

FARM FRESH ROOSTER

GARDEN ROOSTER

Introducing WILD IRIS Gifts and Apparel

2010-02-09T14:36:00.000-08:00

In anticipation of Spring, I'm excited to announce a brand new line of apparel and gift items featuring my "Wild Iris" watercolor art! Here is a small sampling of the items included in this collection:

Most items are available with either the caption "Garden Goddess" or with just the artwork only.

GARDEN GODDESS TOTE or BOOK BAG

Our 100% cotton canvas tote bags have plenty of room to carry everything you need when you are on the go. They include a bottom gusset and extra long handles for easy carrying.

10 oz heavyweight natural canvas fabric
Full side and bottom gusset
22" reinforced self-fabric handles
Machine washable
Measures 15" x 18" x 6"

BEACH TOTE

This rugged beach tote is the perfect bag for trips to the surf, soccer game or picnic. Roomy, it features side panels for extra support and an inside lining for water resistance and simple cleaning. With durable straps (and pockets on the outside and inside), it's the only bag you'll need for that fun-filled day trip.

100% cotton (14 oz.) canvas
Dimensions: 12" x 16" x 5¾"
Outside pocket with Velcro® closure
Inside pocket with flap
Available in 3 colors

CERAMIC TILE COASTER

Liven up any room with these ceramic tile coasters, measuring 4.25” x 4.25” and 1/6-inch thick. Four felt pads protect your furniture from scratches. Dishwasher safe. Not for use with abrasive cups and mugs.

WOMEN'S CAP SLEEVE RAGLAN

Looks great on the go or in the garden. Made of 100% combed ring-spun cotton that gets even softer with each washing.

6.1 oz 100% combed ring-spun cotton 1x1 rib
Shaped fit, side seamed
Contrast color cap sleeves and single-needle bound collar

GARDEN GODDESS ORGANIC FITTED TEE

This women's organic t-shirt is earth-friendly and fashion conscious. This form flattering American Apparel fitted tee has a soft and smooth silhouette that keeps you stylish and reduces your carbon footprint.

100% organic cotton jersey
4.3 oz. 100% ultra-fine combed organic ring-spun jersey
Fitted for a fashionable look
Made in the USA, by American Apparel
Size-up for a looser fit

GARDEN LOVER CERAMIC MUG

The perfect size for your favorite morning beverage or late night brew. Large, easy-grip handle. Treat yourself or give as a gift to someone special.

Measures 3.75" tall, 3" diameter
Dishwasher and microwave safe

GARDEN JOURNAL or BLANK BOOK

This Wire-O bound, 160-page journal has your choice of papers and measures 5" x 8", a handy on-the-go size to fit in your backpack. Get creative and let the muse flow.

Back cover made of thin black flexible textured plastic, measures 16/1000" thick
Front cover made of 12pt glossy paper, laminated for durability
Filled with your choice of 60lb bookweight (24 lb bond) paper -- blank, dot grid, lined college-ruled, or a task journal.

GARDEN GODDESS APRON

Made of high-quality cotton twill, this durable apron is deal for gardening, cooking, or crafting. One size fits all--simply slip the apron over your head and pull the waist-level drawstring to tighten it around your neck and waist. Two generous pockets hold utensils and more.

31" long & 29" wide
100% heavy cotton twill
Machine washable

BLANK NOTECARDS (box of 10)

A personal note on a beautiful card will make a lasting impression and a touching keepsake.

Available in your choice of paper stock

High quality, chlorine and acid free matte paper consisting of 30% post consumer waste and 50% total recycled fiber
Twelve point, one-sided glossy paper

Ten cards per package/envelopes included
Measures 4.25" X 5.5"

Look here for additional items, including keepsake boxes, home decor, refrigerator magnets, tank tops, sweatshirts, and more:

WILD IRIS (No Text)

GARDEN GODDESS

Thanks for visiting!

Wild Iris Study

2010-02-08T16:13:00.000-08:00

I am waiting with great anticipation for the blooming of the woodlands here in the Coastal Hills of Oregon--skunk cabbage, trillium, and wild iris are just around the corner! With the mild winter we are having, I wonder if they will bloom early this year

...One more beautiful reason to take good care of our wetlands and forests here in the Pacific Northwest!

This original watercolor painting is a small study of some blooms I photographed last spring. It is currently for sale in my Etsy shop: Wild Iris Study

Thanks for visiting!

Focused

2010-01-31T08:50:00.001-08:00

Illustration Friday
(theme: "focused")

Hard to say who is more focused in this staring contest-- horse or human. This "battle of the brown eyes" is a watercolor portrait of a chance encounter between my "city boy" son and a barnyard buddy.

Be sure to visit my One World One Heart Giveaway at my 365 Cat Ladies blog. You'll have a chance to win this limited edition print of "Begonia Max" --just click on the link for details...

Wilderness

2010-01-18T11:07:00.000-08:00

Illustration Friday (theme: "wilderness")

Another one from the files...This watercolor painting was inspired by the Grand Canyon Phantom Ranch mule train, heading up the Kaibab Trail as I was heading down a few years ago. The mule train is the only form of transportation down to the ranch (other than your own two feet), located at the bottom of the canyon near the Colorado River. These faithful and reliable beasts of burden carry everything that goes in and out of the ranch--linens, food, supplies, mail, and garbage. Thanks to them, hundreds of visitors get to enjoy a little taste of the wilderness each year with a warm meal and a soft bed waiting for them at the bottom, one mile straight down in world's most magnificent canyon!

Thanks for visiting!

Renewal

2010-01-04T12:58:00.000-08:00

Illustration Friday (theme: "renewal")

It's amazing the lengths that some plants will go to--creating the most amazing and alluring blossoms conceivable in order to seduce passing pollinators to ensure renewal... This seductive echiveria from Southern California was no exception...it certainly caugh MY eye!

This is an original watercolor painting from my archives, which is now in a private collection.

Thanks for visiting!

The title of this painting is "Passion", and it is available as a limited edition giclee print, ready-to-frame in dusty blue matting, in my Etsy online shop

Frozen

2009-10-19T19:35:00.000-07:00

Illustration Friday (theme: "frozen")

I came across this little cottontail early one morning on a five-mile hiking loop through the foothills . It wasn't cold at all, but the young bunny was frozen solid. Frozen as in "if I hold so still that not even a whisker twitches, certainly she will not see me and eat me."

It worked!

Treasure Tins

2009-10-19T19:28:00.000-07:00

Just added to my Etsy Shop:

These little tin treasure boxes feature artwork from my "Mother Nature" series celebrating the wonders of nature.

Use for tiny treasures and trinkets, or as a candle holder--a scented tea light candle included!

Great gift idea for your favorite hiking buddy or tree hugger!

Thanks for visiting!

Leave Only Footprints...

2009-09-04T07:19:00.001-07:00

As the season draws to a close and we head into one of the last weekends of summer (a LONG weekend here in the USofA), here's hoping that you make some time to enjoy the beauty and wonder of Mother Earth.

There was a saying that was impressed upon me by a forest ranger in Yosemite when I was a youngster that I thought was oh-so-clever (and to this day think is oh-so-important!): Take only pictures and leave only footprints...

Have a great weekend!

My LEAVE ONLY FOOTPRINTS design is available on a variety of great camping t-shirts, note cards, totes, and more in my Cafepress shop: Susan Faye For Nature Lovers

Mystery Visitor

2009-08-17T07:29:00.001-07:00

This handsome fellow became quite infatuated with my Echinacea flowers yesterday, and as you can see by the photos, I became quite infatuated with him. Does anyone know what type of butterfly he is?

Illustration Friday..."Hollow"

2009-07-13T16:12:00.000-07:00

Illustration Friday (theme: "hollow")

What a pleasure to spot this handsome fellow as he hopped along a hollow log in search of bugs and grubs just two days before spring, signaling the end of a particularly chilly winter...
Thanks for visiting!

Hooray! I'm excited to announce that this original watercolor painting has just found a new home with a lovely Oregon art collector.

Etsy Asks "Which Item Colors You Beautiful?"

2009-06-30T08:10:00.000-07:00

I was pleased and excited this morning to discover that Etsy.com has included my "Peaceable Kingdom" print in their weekly poll asking "Which Item Colors You Beautiful?" Please vote for me at

http://www.etsy.com/voter_list.php?ref=voter&room_id=57

...and if you don't mind, please ask all of your cat-dog-bird-butterfly lovin' friends to vote too {{{pretty please with sugar on top }}}! If you aren't already a member of Etsy, it's easy to sign up! Voting ends early next Monday morning...

Thanks!

This print is available with or without text in my Etsy shop: Matted Print

And is also available as a mini poster in my Cafepress shop: Mini Poster

A Beautiful Day

2009-06-29T06:31:00.001-07:00

I had the pleasure of hiking up the Cascade Head trail for the first time on Friday with Dave, Mary, and Scott. It was one of those perfect, windswept, shining, glorious days along the Oregon coast. God bless the Nature Conservancy for preserving, developing and maintaining a beautiful trail winding upward through a fairy garden forest.

We enjoyed flora...

and fauna...

and the VIEW!

For more information about Cascade Head visit this link: Cascade Head
Enjoy!

Illustration Friday: Cloud Drifting

2009-06-20T09:03:00.001-07:00

Illustration
Friday
(theme:
"drifting" )

Summer is a lovely time to climb to a dreamy mountain lake filled with clouds--upside-down and drifting in tandem with those in the perfect blue sky above.

Thanks for visiting!

"Drift With The Clouds" is an illustration from my Mother Nature Series. These designs are available on an assortment of Nature Lover clothing and gifts at my Cafepress Shop: www.cafepress.com/SusanFayeNature

Illustation Friday: Unfold

2009-06-14T20:33:00.000-07:00

Illustration Friday
(theme:"unfold" )

A watercolor from the archives...a delicate yellow cactus blossom beckons a honeybee while tightly-closed buds await their turn to unfold...

Thanks for visiting!

This limited edition giclee print, called "First Blush" is available as a matted print in my Etsy Shop

Orange Tulip

2009-06-03T17:58:00.001-07:00

Alas, the tulips are gone now, but I have plenty of photos to remember them by, and some will hopefully become the subject of paintings over the next year.

This little orange tulip was an experiment with using watercolors on clayboard. It was my 3rd or 4th attempt and it takes a little getting used to, as the paint moves around differently than on paper. The advantage is that it does not need to be framed under glass!

I'm happy to report that my experiment was a success, as this painting has made its way to a new home, thanks to Hidden Treasures Gallery in McMinnville, Oregon.

Look at these beauties! These were some specialty tulips at the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival in April. I feel a painting coming on....

Thanks for visiting!

Goldfinch Invasion

2009-06-02T07:05:00.001-07:00

I'm happy to report that my watercolor painting called "Delicate By Nature" has flown the coop and landed in a lovely home in Portland, Oregon! It features a pair of American Goldfinches enjoying a spring day. On the same day that the sale was confirmed, a little goldfinch flew into the Lawrence Gallery and Margot was able to rescue it and hold it in her hands for a few moments before she set it free.

Dave and I have been enjoying a record number of goldfinches at the feeders. Dave found this wonderful rock with many holes at the coast and it makes a perfect goldfinch feeder--some holes are filled with water, and others are filled with nyjer seed.

Aren't these birds just the prettiest little things?

Thanks for visiting!

This limited edition print is a giclee reproduction of another watercolor painting of mine called "Such a Pretty Day". Prints may be purchased at my Etsy online shop:

GOLDFINCH LIMITED EDITION PRINT

And The Winner Is......DoodleGirl!

2009-06-01T07:08:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all who participated in my May Giveaway! A winner was chosen by a random drawing and the winner of the Bird Brain magnet set is The Doodle Girl. Please drop by her website and enjoy her whimsical artwork:

The Doodle Girl - Confessions of an Obsessive Doodler

Enjoy!

Through the Cracks

2009-05-24T20:13:00.000-07:00

Illustration Friday
(theme:"cracked" )

I'm always amazed at the tenacity of those things that grow and thrive in just the slightest of cracks in a rock or a sidewalk...

Thanks for visiting!

This limited edition giclee print, called "Banded Gecko" is available as a matted print in my Etsy Shop

What Do You Think? May Magnet Giveaway

2009-05-11T09:22:00.001-07:00

What do you think?

Please check out all of my new "Bird Brain" cat items on www.susanfaye.etsy.com including some new fabric quilt squares... I'd love to hear your honest feedback...thumbs up or {gasp} thumbs down? Ideas or suggestions for other products?

As a thank you, I will have a drawing at the end of the month and the winner will receive a set of magnets as pictured. To enter, just leave a comment at the end of this post.

Thanks for visiting!

Thanks, Mom

2009-05-10T06:35:00.000-07:00

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY
to all you maternal types out there!

"Flower Power" can be found on tote bags, tees, note cards and more at my Cafepress Shop.

It is also available as a matted print and as an original ACEO at my Etsy Shop

Thanks for visiting!

Farm Fresh

2009-05-09T08:11:00.000-07:00

Illustration
Friday
(theme:
"parade" )

There's nothing this rooster likes better than to parade up and down the barnyard , strutting proudly before a throng of cheerfully waving sunflowers...

Thanks for visiting!

Farm Fresh Rooster can be found on tote bags, tees, note cards and more at my Cafepress shop, with or without the caption "Farm Fresh":

Farm Fresh Rooster
or
Rooster (No Text)

Illustration Friday...Peaceable Kingdom

2009-05-02T21:02:00.001-07:00

Illustration Friday
(theme:
"hierarchy" )

The Peaceable Kingdom:
A Kinder, Gentler Food Chain

Thanks for visiting!

"The Peaceable Kingdom" is available as a matted print in my Etsy Shop

Twittering Tweeters...The Real Deal

2009-05-01T21:13:00.000-07:00

(File under: Be Careful What You Wish For...)

For several weeks, I have been looking forward with great anticipation to seeing my first goldfinch of the spring. My wish was fulfilled today. I saw my first goldfinch, plus at least 40 of his closest friends at our bird feeders...As we say here in the Pacific Northwest, "When it rains, it pours". Enjoy!

Vote for Tamayo {{{Pretty Please}}}

2009-04-28T11:29:00.000-07:00

My handsome cat nephew Tamayo is famous!

Etsy.com has chosen his handsome mug for their weekly poll featuring Pet Items this week. Please vote for him at http://www.etsy.com/voter_list.php?ref=voter&room_id=44 (he is the Custom Cat Portrait item). If you aren't already a member of Etsy, it's easy to sign up! Voting ends early Monday morning...

You'll notice that Tamayo is extra special, because he is an Odd-Eyed Cat (one blue eye, one green)!

Thanks for visiting!

Bee Nice To Your Planet...Your Earth-Mates Will Thank You

2009-04-22T06:43:00.000-07:00

Some beautiful earth-mates I had the pleasure of meeting over the past few days:

At the Woodburn, Oregon, Tulip Festival: A Picture-Perfect Pollinator

At the Tualatin River National Wildlife Preserve: A Handsome Bald Eagle

Also at the Tualatin River: A Flirtatious Pair of Tree Swallows

Happy Earth Day!

Illustration Friday...Bird Brain No. 6

2009-04-19T07:25:00.000-07:00

Illustration Friday
(theme:
"impossibility" )

It seemed a complete impossibility to Ferguson, and yet, this was the second time in one day that a bird had landed on his head.

Bird Brain 6 can be found on tote bags, tees, note cards and more at my Cafepress Shop.

It is also available as a matted print and as an original ACEO at my Etsy Shop

Thanks for visiting!

Illustration Friday...Fleeting Moments

2009-04-10T17:13:00.001-07:00

Illustration Friday
(theme: "fleeting")

My bear cub will be celebrating his 22nd birthday on Easter Sunday.

A million fleeting moments have gone by in 22 years, many still fondly remembered, many more simply gone forever from the memory banks...

(Happy birthday son, from your loving mama bear.)

Thanks for visiting!

This Mama Bear image is available on clothing and gifts at my Cafepress Shop: www.cafepress.com/SusanFayeNature

Illustration Friday is a wonderful website that presents a different theme each week, then encourages illustrators to submit an illustration about that theme.

Spring, On the Wing

2009-04-09T11:20:00.001-07:00

I'm always happy when one of my creations finds its way to a new home. Sometimes it takes a while to find just the right person. "Crown Jewels" was one of those paintings that was "oft admired, but not acquired" for two years...But I'm happy to report that this watercolor of two white-crowned sparrow finally flew away last month !

Another creation that is waiting to fly away is this original watercolor painting called "Two Days 'Til Spring", available at my Etsy Shop:
Spring Robin

To celebrate spring, I am offering a 10 percent discount/rebate on any of my original paintings through the end of April. Just put the code AprilShowers in the Notes to Seller when you purchase the item, and you will be refunded the 10 percent.

Thanks for visiting!

Illustration Friday...Lucky Charms

2009-04-04T07:34:00.000-07:00

Illustration Friday
(theme:"talisman" )

Having possibly used up seven of his nine lives to date (the incident with the shi-tzu is still unconfirmed as actually having been a life-threatening situation...), Clancy never leaves the house now without wearing his Good Luck Talisman around his neck.

Bird Brain 3 can be found on tote bags, tees, note cards and more at my Cafepress Shop.

It is also available as a matted print at my Etsy Shop: Bird Brain 3 print

Communing With Nature...

2009-04-02T16:35:00.001-07:00

Bertram just loves communing with nature, and it loves communing with him!

This is an ORIGINAL miniature pen/ink with watercolor painting and is No. 1 from my "Bird Brain Series". It is in ACEO (Art Card Editions and Originals) format, which means that the artwork size is 2.5" x 3.5".

It is is hand-painted on super-heavy Arches 300-lb. acid-free cold-press watercolor paper with professional quality watercolor paints. These mini paintings are adorable when matted and framed!

Thanks for visiting!

This original ACEO pen/ink with watercolor illustration is currently for sale at my Etsy shop: BIRD BRAIN ACEO

"Bird Brain No. 1" is also available on giftware and t-shirts for Kids and Grownups at my CafePress Shop:

www.cafepress.com/SusanFaye

I'M SO GLAD IT'S SPRING...

2009-03-31T19:40:00.000-07:00

...and boy, am I glad! The daffodils are blooming, the tulips aren't far behind, and all of our feathered friends are finding their way back to our bird feeders after their winter vacation in sunnier climes....

"I'm So Glad It's Spring" is the title of this watercolor painting of a White-Crowned Sparrow , and I'm happy to report that the painting is currently winging its way to its new home Missoula, Montana, having just sold yesterday at Lawrence Gallery Sheridan (thank you Margot!). To celebrate, there will be extra suet for all this week, maybe the fancy peanut delight kind...

Thanks for visiting!

"I'm So Glad It's Spring" is also available as a limited edition print at my Etsy Shop.

Each print is personally signed and numbered by me, and is printed on Epson 100 percent cotton rag acid-free art paper with archival quality inks using a "giclee" (ink-jet) process. The image itself measures 9-1/2" x 12-1/2" and is matted in white, ready to frame in a standard 16" x 20" frame. The edition is limited to 200 prints.

BIRD BRAIN

2009-03-22T22:38:00.000-07:00

Illustration Friday
(theme:"subtract" )

Abercrombie is fairly certain that he saw FOUR birds on the wire just minutes ago...

This original ACEO pen/ink with watercolor illustration is currently for sale at my Etsy shop:
BIRD BRAIN ACEO

"Bird Brain" is also available on gifware and t-shirts at my CafePress Shop:
www.cafepress.com/SusanFaye

Thanks for visiting!

Illustation Friday: Legendary

2009-03-14T16:13:00.001-07:00

For at least 700 years, the legendary Havasupai Native Americans have lived along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

Imagine generation after generation telling and re-telling their fireside legends about Raven and Bear.

The Havasupai call themselves the “people of the blue-green water”. This raven is halfway down the trail that goes to the canyon floor, and if you look closely, you can catch a glimpse of the blue-green glint of the mighty and timeless river below...

Thanks for visiting!

This Grand Canyon Raven image is available on clothing and gifts at my Cafepress Shop: www.cafepress.com/SusanFayeNature

Illustration Friday is a wonderful website that presents a different theme each week, then encourages illustrators to submit an illustration about that theme.

IF: Intricate

2009-03-06T18:31:00.000-08:00

My entry for Illustration Friday is a watercolor study of a little song sparrow that I painted last year.

I love the INTRICATE pattern of banding that he had on this throat and chest...it was a fun challenge to paint. He had a favorite fence post and would appear every late afternoon and serenade us with his beautiful song after eating his fill of seeds spilled on the ground by the feeder birds.

I just put this painting up for sale in my Etsy Shop:

Song Sparrow Watercolor

Illustration Friday is a wonderful website that presents a different theme each week, then encourages illustrators to submit an illustration about that theme.

Enjoy!

Let Your Dreams Take Wing

2009-02-28T06:21:00.000-08:00

"Breezy" is this week's theme for Illustration Friday. My entry is my watercolor of a hawk dancing on the wind. We have a wonderful array of hawks, eagles and vultures in the Willamette Valley and Coastal Hills of Oregon, and I always find inspiration when I see one of these splendid birds floating through the sky.

This image is available on my line of Mother Nature giftware at my Cafepress shop: Susan Faye For Nature Lovers

Illustration Friday is a wonderful website that presents a different theme each week, then encourages illustrators to submit an illustration about that theme.

Thanks for visiting!

A Tale of Two Rabbits

2009-02-20T12:31:00.001-08:00

I'm happy to announce that both of these rabbits have recently found new homes, thanks to the beautiful and talented Margot Cole, super Sales Consultant at Lawrence Gallery Sheridan, and a wonderful artist herself.

The jackrabbit was one of many that Dave and I spotted on one of the dusty back roads of Anza Borrego State Park in the California Desert, several springs ago. The cottontail was an inhabitant of Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Gardens in Claremont, California, caught munching on a grape leaf one bright morning....

Both have made their way to the Great Pacific Northwest, where they now reside as watercolor paintings in the private collection of a Portland couple. Like me, hopefully these Southwest bunnies will get used to a little less sunshine and thoroughly enjoy their new home.

To see my current collection of paintings at the Lawrence Gallery, please click here: Susan Faye at Lawrence Gallery

Thanks for visiting!

Illustration Friday: Celebrate!

2009-02-18T14:15:00.001-08:00

I've just learned about a wonderful artist participation site called "Illustration Friday". Each week, on Friday, they post a topic and give artists a chance to interpret that theme in an illustration.

This week's theme is Celebrate, so I'm throwing my (party) hat into the ring!

In the mean time, if you like this illustration of a Cat Lady and her feline fella, you'll find plenty more at my daily blog: www.365catladies.blogspot.com. I'm always looking for great cat lady stories to include, so if you have one, let me know in the comments section of either of my blogs.

Thanks for visiting!

Count Your Blessings And Your Birds

2009-02-12T19:19:00.001-08:00

It's that time again folks--

The Great Backyard Bird Count begins across North America on Friday, February 13th. It's simple and it's fun. It spans four days, but you can participate for as little as 30 minutes during one day of your choice.

For more information, visit the wonderful interactive site: Great Backyard Bird Count

These two paintings feature goldfinch pairs that are regular visitors to our feeders in the spring and summer--haven't seen any of these pretty little chirpers yet this year but Dave spotted a gorgeous varied thrush a few days ago, along with the juncos and chickadees...

I'll be counting birds most of the weekend, but I'll also be demonstrating watercolor painting techniques at
Lawrence Gallery Sheridan
in Oregon on Sunday, Feb. 15, from 1 to 4-ish p.m. in the gallery's Wine Shop.

Both of these watercolor paintings that are part of the exhibit which includes about a dozen more nature studies in watercolor. To see the whole collection, visit this link:

Watercolors at Lawrence Gallery

Thanks for visiting!

The Winter Blues...and Greens, and Pinks, and...

2009-01-29T09:46:00.001-08:00

Got the Winter Blues? Feet dragging as you head out the door into the blustery cold and gray day? I've put a little art collection together that will hopefully put a little Spring in your step...

This watercolor painting is called "Joy Illuminated" and it is a visual description of the joy I felt on a spring day walking through a luminescent tulip field with a riotous display of glowing blossoms in every color.

The entire collection can be viewed in the Wine Shop at the Lawrence Gallery, 19700 SW Hwy 18, halfway between McMinnville and Sheridan in Oregon,

OR click on this link:
Susan Faye at the Lawrence Gallery

Thanks for visiting! I'd love to hear your feedback in the Comments section below...

Featured Art : "DEW-KISSED"

2009-01-24T20:37:00.001-08:00

I'm pleased to announce that my fine art watercolor paintings are now represented by Lawrence Gallery, Oregon. This painting, entitled "Dew-Kissed" is included in the current collection.

The painting was inspired by a trip last fall to the Portland International Rose Test Garden, where hundreds of different rose specimens were still in their full glory.

If you would like to see more of my artwork that is currently exhibited at the gallery, click on this link: Susan Faye at the Lawrence Gallery

To find out more about this beautiful rose garden (admission is free!) visit Portland Rose Garden.

Thanks for visiting!

LET IT SNOW!

2008-12-17T09:46:00.000-08:00

It's SNOWING! The Great Pacific Northwest has been blanketed in a beautiful layer of fluffy white snow; children are sledding down the hill near Lamson Park, and the rest of us are staying warm and cozy inside.

To celebrate the fast approaching Winter Solstice, I have designed six new "LET IT SNOW DESIGNS", featuring Cat Ladies and their Feline Friends, snuggled up in their winter coats

The original artwork is in the form of miniature watercolor paintings in the ACEO (art trading cards) format. These are currently for sale at www.SusanFaye.Etsy.com.

You'll also find these designs on a variety of t-shirts, mugs, tote bags, note cards, and more at www.CafePress.com/SusanFaye.

Enjoy your Winter Wonderland, wherever you might be. Thanks for visiting!

PEACE ON EARTH

2008-12-08T21:35:00.000-08:00

A special "wish upon a star" for you and your loved ones during this holiday season and during the coming year: beautiful, shining moments of peace when you need them the most. Moments of quiet solitude, reflection, inspiration, fulfillment, joy, enlightenment, sharing, illumination...all of these are components of peace and I believe they can be quite contagious.

Not long ago Dave and I saw a roadside sign that said "If you see someone without a smile, give them one of yours". It was hopelessly hokey, but we couldn't help ourselves: we instantly looked at each other, smiled, and then burst out laughing at how beautifully effective that sign had been.

Thank you to all of my wonderful customers and friends, old and new, for giving me the opportunity to share my artwork with you over this past year. I'm all smiles. Take one and pass them along.

All the best, Susan

TUXEDO CAT Treasury on Etsy

2008-11-23T12:41:00.000-08:00

I'm very pleased to have been included in a special Treasury on Etsy which you can view for the next few days at: HOLIDAY TUXEDO CATS.

It features the creations of 12 different Etsy artists who have interpreted the "Tuxedo" Cat (also called Cow Cats, Holstein Cats, and Oreo Cats) in many whimsical and festive ways...

The collection was put together by a wonderful jewelry artist on Etsy who I daresay must also be a cat lover; to see her creations, click this link: WINDANCER JEWELRY

I am currently working on a number of "Custom Cat Lady" portraits--one is going all the way overseas to Great Britain! They make a great gift for any Crazy Cat Lady or Lad (I don't discriminate-- I also do portraits of Men and their pets...). For examples and pricing, please visit my Etsy website at: www.SusanFaye.Etsy.com

Thanks for visiting!

Featured Gift Item...TOTE BAGS

2008-11-21T07:18:00.000-08:00

A great way to save green (as in bucks, dinero, moolah) this holiday season, is to give earth-friendly tote bags to family and friends. At $15.99 each, these versatile and roomy totes are budget-friendly and can be used for shopping bags, book bags, or gardening totes. I have over 150 designs to choose from at www.CafePress.com/SusanFaye

OTHER REASONS TO USE RE-USABLE TOTE BAGS:

Plastic bags don’t biodegrade, they photodegrade—breaking down into smaller and smaller toxic bits contaminating soil and waterways and entering the food web when animals accidentally ingest.

Bags are made from oil: it takes about 430,000 gallons of oil to produce 100 million plastic bags, and the U.S. goes through 380 billion of them a year.

Hundreds of thousands of sea turtles, whales and other marine mammals die every year from eating discarded plastic bags mistaken for food.

So please consider adding our 100% cotton tote bags to your daily routine AND your gift list this year! Thanks for visiting!

NEW! Garden Cat Ladies

2008-11-19T08:52:00.000-08:00

My newest series of Cat Ladies is called "Garden Cats". These were painted last week on the deck of Jim and Gretchen's yurt in the beautiful rolling hills of Sonoma County. Gretchen's beautiful garden is still producing a fine array of late season flowers and vegetables which are transformed into wonderful meals throughout the day. Gretchen's delightful artwork can be seen at www.GretchenButler.com.

My new Garden Cat Lady images are now available as ACEO miniature paintings on www.SusanFaye.etsy.com and are also available on wonderful gift ideas for your favorite Garden Goddess or Feline Fanatic at: www.CafePress.com/SusanFaye, including t-shirts, magnets, tote bags, mugs, and more for birthday or holiday giving.

NEW! Custom Cat Lady Portraits for Holiday Giving

2008-11-04T07:58:00.000-08:00

The PURRfect gift for any Cat Lover! I will paint an original, whimsical CUSTOM watercolor painting of your favorite Cat Lady and one or more cats or kittens of your choice! There are several sizes and formats available including ACEO miniature portraits, and 16" x 20" matted paintings, ready for framing.

Here's how it works:

Visit www.susanfaye.etsy.com and select the size and type of portrait you would like. Then send an email with custom details including: cat lady's hair color and style, skin tone (ie ivory, cinnamon, deep brown), description of each cat or kitten(color, markings, short or long hair, etc). If you'd like, send me several good, clear photos of both subjects. Also let me know your favorite colors for the background and the cat lady's shirt.

When the painting is completed, I will send you an image for your approval. If there need to be any changes, let me know. Once you approve and item is paid for in full, I will ship your item via Priority Mail. Average turnaround time is two to three weeks.

You will be the owner of an original watercolor painting, however, please keep in mind that I retain the copyright and reproduction rights to all of the images I create. It may not be reproduced in any form without express written permission from me. I reserve the right to use the image on my line of Cat Lady giftware which is available on www.CafePress.com/Susan Faye.

I look forward to creating a one-of-a-kind gift for you. Thanks for visiting!

Happy Halloween!

2008-10-10T10:41:00.000-07:00

Cheer up! Turn off those scary campaign ads and the gloomy economic forecasts and enjoy the fun of Halloween! Embrace your fears, whether they be black cats, hobgoblins, skeletons in the closet or those over-caffeinated political analysts!
Rekindle the joys of childhood by playing dress-up and make-believe and carve a jack-o-lantern or two!

With all this in mind, I have created 3 new Halloween designs featuring Lucky Black Cats and their Bewitching Cat Ladies...

You'll find these whimsical designs on canvas trick or treat tote bags, mugs for mulled cider, tee-shirt costume short-cuts, Halloween greeting cards, and more at: Susan Faye Originals.

You'll also find many other great designs for economical holiday or birthday gift giving...most items are under $20, and are sure to put a smile on your face!

Thanks for visiting!

Featured Gift Item: GARDEN GODDESS APRON

2008-09-22T12:58:00.001-07:00

Are you addicted to seed catalogues? Do you know the meaning of the words horticulture, propagation, and heirloom variety ? Do your neighbors avoid eye contact during zucchini season? Then chances are you are a Garden Goddess and this gardening apron is just for you!

Great in the garden or kitchen , this mid-length apron features my watercolor painting of a trio of pretty pink tulips. The apron provides great coverage to help keep spills and splatters off your clothes and makes a great gift for green thumbs or gourmets. Ties at neck and waist. Two center-stitched bottom compartment pouches for keeping tools and recipes handy. 35% Cotton / 65% polyester blend, twill fabric. Machine washable and guaranteed.

This design is also featured on other great gift items including tote bags, mugs, note cards and t-shirts at my online gift shop: www.CafePress/SusanFayeNature. For a direct link to the apron, click here: Garden Goddess Apron.

Thanks for visiting, and happy gardening!

Featured Photo...ROSE BEE

2008-09-14T21:32:00.000-07:00

This past week my friend Mary and I visited the Portland International Rose Test Garden for the first time. It was glorious. The roses were all still in full bloom and the early morning sunshine made all of the blossoms glow with delicate beauty.

And talk about aromatherapy! The exotic scents wafting through the air were a delight for us and our bee friends as we flitted from flower to flower to sample the sweetness that each blossom had to offer.

To find out more about this beautiful rose garden (admission is free!) visit Portland Rose Garden.

Look for some rose paintings somewhere down the road...I took over 100 reference photos for future watercolor paintings!

Featured Paintings: TULIP TREASURES

2008-08-17T20:01:00.000-07:00

Autumn is just around the corner and I realize it's time to order tulip and daffodil bulbs. These three original watercolor paintings are #1, 2 and 3 from my "Tulip Treasures" series. Each is a study of the elegant and luscious colors and forms of various spring tulip blossoms.

Each is painted on Arches 140 lb. Cold Press Watercolor Paper with professional high quality watercolor paints. The image is 10" x 14" and is double matted in a white mat with a black inside border in a standard 16" by 20" size, ready for framing.

All three paintings are for sale on my Etsy site : www.SusanFaye.etsy.com

Thanks for visiting!

Featured Photo...GO GREEN!

2008-07-10T08:32:00.000-07:00

My latest Cafepress design features something new...photography! I snapped this photo of a bullfrog basking in a world of green at The Oregon Garden in Silverton.

This design is featured on T-shirts, note cards, tote bags, mugs, aprons, magnets, and other great gift items for your Favorite Frog Fanatic and Bullfrog Buddies!

Two great ideas for going green: Take a mug to work to use over and over again instead of using throw-away styrofoam cups. Use a re-usable tote bag for all of your shopping, not just at grocery stores, but any kind of shopping....

All of these great items can be found at my CafePress website: Susan Faye For Nature Lovers

If you're in Oregon, be sure to visit The Oregon Garden and say hi to my little green buddy and all of his pond friends....

Thanks for visiting!

Featured Gift Item...STARGAZER TOTE BAG

2008-06-29T07:10:00.001-07:00

Do you have stars in your eyes? Then this earth-friendly tote bag is just for you!

It is roomy enough to use for shopping at the farmers market or for carrying all of your astronomy books.

Re-use it again and again to end the wasteful practice of using throw-away plastic and paper bags....It is 100% cotton canvas and includes a bottom gusset and extra long handles for easy carrying. It retails for $15.99.

10 oz heavyweight natural canvas fabric
Full side and bottom gusset
22" reinforced self-fabric handles
Machine washable
Measures 15" x 18" x 6"

This tote bag, plus dozens of others, can be found at my CafePress website: Susan Faye For Nature Lovers

Thanks for visiting!

Featured Artwork: HALFWAY DOWN THE KAIBAB TRAIL

2008-06-29T06:52:00.000-07:00

It's summertime which means thousands of vacationers will be heading to the Grand Canyon. If they venture over the side and hike down into the canyon, they might just meet this old fellow who welcomed my friend Mary and me several years ago about halfway down the Kaibab Trail. We had stopped to enjoy our first glimpse of our destination: the Colorado River (still half a mile straight down), and this curious and sociable raven stopped on a nearby boulder to peruse the breathtaking and windy vista with us...

The original artwork is not for sale at this time, however, the image can be found on a variety of gift items at my CafePress website: Susan Faye For Nature Lovers

Thanks for visiting!

Featured Photo: WHO'S THE NEW GUY

2008-05-25T08:47:00.000-07:00

The birds are back in full force and large numbers this year at Pumpkinseed Acres in the coastal hills northwest of Willamina. This is one of my favorite photos from last year, of a goldfinch and a pine siskin checking out the chubby and rather stony "new guy" at the feeder.

Although we currently have a very large contingent of goldfinches at the feeders, we have not seen a single pine siskin yet--last year we had quite a few by this time.

For more information on back yard birdwatching visit this site: http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc

Featured Print: "DESERT TORTOISE

2008-05-25T08:27:00.001-07:00

This is a limited edition giclee print that is a faithful reproduction of my original watercolor painting called "Desert Tortoise". It features a ruggedly handsome and fascinating inhabitant of The Living Desert wildlife park in Southern California.

Each print is personally signed and numbered and this print is limited to an edition of 500. It is printed on Epson 100 percent cotton rag acid-free art paper with archival quality inks using a "giclee" (ink-jet) process. The image itself measures 9-1/2" x 12-1/2" and is matted to 16" x 20"; ready to frame in a standard 16" x 20" frame. It sells for $75.00 and is available at:
www.SusanFaye.etsy.com

This image is also available on a variety of gift items such as T-SHIRTS, TOTE BAGS, and NOTE CARDS at this site:
www.cafepress.com/SusanFaye

If you are in the Palm Springs area, by all means visit The Living Desert wildlife park/desert preserve in Palm Desert/Indian Wells (plan your trip in the morning or on a cool day--it can be HOT HOT HOT there during the summer). It is a beautifully designed "living museum" full of wonderful wildlife and desert plants/cactus from not only Southern California, but deserts around the world. For more information, visit their website: Living Desert

Thanks for visiting!

Featured Painting...MOONLIGHT BEARS

2008-05-09T10:07:00.000-07:00

This is my first in a series of new illustrations for a book I am working on--the painting is called "Moonlight Bears", featuring a Mama Bear (or Papa Bear!) and its cub enjoying the moonlight on a spring evening. The working title for the picture book is "Nurture Nature" but since the project is in its infancy, that is likely to change a number of times in the process...

The original artwork is not for sale at this time, however, the image can be found on a variety of items at my CafePress website: Susan Faye For Nature Lovers

My partner Dave had the pleasure of seeing a black bear out for a stroll in the woods just last week...He was out for a motorcycle ride out in the Coastal Hills northwest of Willamina when he came around the corner and met up with the surprised beast. Dave was relieved that the bear took off the opposite direction and was amazed at the speed and agility of what we sometimes think of a "lumbering" creature...

Thanks for visiting!

Featured Photo...BEE-YOUTIFUL PINK TULIPS

2008-05-02T16:10:00.000-07:00

About two weeks ago my friend Mary and I had the delight of attending the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival in Woodburn, Oregon...the first sunny day in a long, long time.

The tulips were glorious and as if that weren't enough, I was treated to my very first helicopter ride!

This little bee was enjoying the tulips as much as we were, especially these extra-fancy pink ones that hardly even look like a tulip.

I can't wait to paint this image, plus about a hundred more that I took for reference photos for paintings. If you would like to know more about the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm
or receive one of their catalogues, visit this link: Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm
They have great growing tips for bulbs and hundreds of varieties to choose from. I like the field mix, because it's like a grab bag and you don't know what kind of fantastic tulips you've received until they bloom! (And they're always spectacular....)

Thanks for visiting!

Featured Gift Item...CAT MOM MAGNETS

2008-04-18T18:37:00.000-07:00

Mothers Day is just around the corner, and I've added a new series of designs to my line of giftware: Cat Moms. Each little "family portrait" features a Cat Lady, Cat Mom, and assorted Kittens.

These designs can be found on mugs, tote bags, note cards, journals, and refrigerator magnets which are pictured here.

These colorful and sturdy magnets make wonderful gifts and retail for $3.49 each

Each measures 2.125” x 3.125”
Metal shell
Mylar/UV protecting cover
Flat magnetic back

Surprise your favorite cat mom or grandmom with one of these fine gifts available at my online shop:
Susan Faye Originals

Thanks for visiting!

Featured ACEO: CAT MOM No. 2

2008-04-16T08:12:00.000-07:00

JUST IN TIME FOR MOTHERS DAY!

This is No. 2 in my series of Cat Moms... A loving cat lady has her hands (and shoulders!) full with a tabby cat and her four precious kittens that she has rescued from the local animal shelter...(Don't delay, neuter or spay!)

This an original miniature watercolor painting from my "Cat Mom" Series . It is in ACEO (Art Card Editions and Originals) format, which means that the artwork size is 2.5" x 3.5".

Each miniature is hand-painted on super-heavy Arches 300-lb. acid-free cold-press watercolor paper with professional quality watercolor paints. It is initialed on front, signed, dated, and titled on back. These mini paintings are adorable when matted and framed!

You can bid on this item on my site at ebay; the auction ends at 8:06 a.m. PST on April 23. Bidding starts at $14.95. A percentage of the sale will be donated to the Oregon Humane Society!

For more information about ACEOs, visit http://www.art-cards.org/display.html

Thanks for visiting!

Featured Print...BEGONIA MAX

2008-04-15T10:28:00.000-07:00

This is a limited edition giclee print that is a faithful reproduction of my original watercolor painting called "Begonia Max". It features handsome cat Max sunning himself in a begonia garden.

Each print is personally signed and numbered and this print is limited to an edition of 500. It is printed on Epson 100 percent cotton rag acid-free art paper with archival quality inks using a "giclee" (ink-jet) process. The image itself measures 9-1/2" x 12-1/2" and is matted to 16" x 20"; ready to frame in a standard 16" x 20" frame. It sells for $75.00 and is available at:
www.SusanFaye.etsy.com

This image is also available on a variety of gift items such as T-SHIRTS, TOTE BAGS, and NOTE CARDS at this site:
www.cafepress.com/SusanFaye

Thanks for visiting!

Featured Photo...GOODBYE DUSKY GEESE

2008-04-13T08:42:00.000-07:00

Honk if you love geese! The weather is finally warming up, so it's time to say goodbye to the thousands of Dusky Geese (a subspecies of the Canadian Goose) who winter here in the Willamette Valley. The skies are filled every day with great V's of happily honking geese as they make their way north to their summer homes.

To find out more information about the Baskett Slough, a wildlife preserve designed with the Dusky Goose in mind (whose specialized winter habitat had been shrinking down to nothing), please visit this link: Baskett Slough National Wildlife Preserve

Thanks for visiting!

Featured Painting...SIAMESE PRINCESS

2008-04-13T08:18:00.000-07:00

This is an original watercolor painting of a friend's beautiful Siamese cat on her favorite dragon chair. I did this painting as a demonstration piece at an annual show of the Associated Artists of the Inland Empire in Southern California. It shows what can be done with a very limited palette (blues and browns...).

It is painted on Arches 140 lb. Cold Press Watercolor Paper with professional high quality watercolor paints. The image is 14" x 10" and is matted in off-white in a standard 16" by 20" size, ready for framing.

This painting is for sale on my Etsy site: www.SusanFaye.etsy.com
Thanks for visiting!

Featured Print: "TUXEDO TWINS"

2008-03-28T07:49:00.000-07:00

This is a limited edition print of my watercolor painting called "Tuxedo Twins" . It features a pair of handsome black and white tuxedo cats and their loving cat lady.

Each print is numbered and signed and limited to an edition of 500 prints. It is printed on Epson 100 percent cottan rag acid-free art paper with archival quality inks using a "giclee" (ink-jet) process. The image measures 7" x 9" and is matted and ready to frame in a standard 11" x 14" frame.

This print is currently for sale on ETSY--just click on this link:
cat prints.
This image is also available on a variety of giftware items, including tote bags, t-shirts, note cards, aprons and more at my Cafepress shop: Susan Faye Origin als

Thanks for visiting!

Featured Gift Item - JUST DUCKY GARDEN APRON

2008-03-26T08:07:00.000-07:00

It's Just Ducky! This versatile apron is perfect for your favorite gardener, duck lover, or gardening duck lover. It features Myrtle Mulligan and her calico cat, entertaining two unexpected visitors in her garden...

Great for gardeners, cooks, teachers, or crafters, this mid-length apron provides great coverage to help keep spills and splatters off your clothes. Makes a great gift for gourmets or grill-masters. Ties at neck and waist. Two center-stitched bottom compartment pouches for keeping tools and recipes handy. 35% Cotton / 65% polyester blend, twill fabric. Machine washable and guaranteed. Retails for $17.99. For more details visit this link: Just Ducky Apron. To see more of my orginal designs, please visit Susan Faye Originals.

Thanks for visiting!

Featured Painting: "TWO DAYS 'TIL SPRING"

2008-03-24T07:35:00.000-07:00

HAPPY SPRING! There's nothing more cheerful than seeing a flock of a dozen or more American Robins descend to a sunny meadow to hunt and peck for juicy worms...

This original watercolor painting is of a "robin red-breast" that I spotted at the Baskett Slough two days before spring arrived one year. The Baskett Slough is a wonderful wildlife preserve in the middle of farm country here in Oregon. To find out more about the preserve, check out this link: Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge.

It is painted on Arches 140 lb. Cold Press Watercolor Paper with professional high quality watercolor paints. The image is 14" x 10" and is matted in off-white in a standard 16" by 20" size, ready for framing.

This painting is for sale on my Etsy site : www.SusanFaye.etsy.com

Thanks for visiting!

Featured ACEO: LIBRARY CAT No. 4

2008-03-23T18:50:00.001-07:00

This is No. 4 in my series of Library Cats! A sleek black cat is looking over the shoulder of her fellow book lover, perhaps a teacher, librarian, or student....

This an original miniature watercolor painting from my "Library Cat" Series . It is in ACEO (Art Card Editions and Originals) format, which means that the artwork size is 2.5" x 3.5".

Each miniature is hand-painted on super-heavy Arches 300-lb. acid-free cold-press watercolor paper with professional quality watercolor paints. It is initialed on front, signed, dated, and titled on back. These mini paintings are adorable when matted and framed!

You can bid on this item on ebay; the auction ends at 7:15 p.m PST on March 28. Bidding starts at $9.95.

For more information about ACEOs, visit http://www.art-cards.org/display.html

Thanks for visiting.

Featured Print: "I'M SO GLAD IT'S SPRING"

2008-03-13T19:10:00.000-07:00

Okay, okay...the official first day of spring is still a week or so away, but there are daffodils and crocus blooming everywhere in the Willamette Valley of Oregon, with the tulips right behind, just on the verge of bursting out.

This watercolor painting is called "I'm So Glad It's Spring " and features a White-Crowned Sparrow and two brilliant red tulips. On the bird watching front, I'm excited to report that I saw a pair of Downy Woodpeckers for the very first time last week, just outside my front door in the fir tree, enjoying some suet that I put out. To find out more about this pretty little bug eater visit this link: Downy Woodpecker

"I'm So Glad It's Spring" is available as a limited edition print at my ebay auctions, (auction ends March 20 at 6:59 pm). Each print is personally signed and numbered by me, and is printed on Epson 100 percent cotton rag acid-free art paper with archival quality inks using a "giclee" (ink-jet) process. The image itself measures 9-1/2" x 12-1/2" and is matted in off-white, ready to frame in a standard 16" x 20" frame, and retails for $75 plus shipping. The edition is limited to 200 prints.

Thanks for visiting! Susan Faye

Featured Painting:: "HOLDING VERY STILL"

2008-03-13T08:16:00.000-07:00

This original watercolor painting is called "Holding Very Still". It was inspired by a little cottontail spotted at the Claremont Hills Wilderness Park in Southern California. The wilderness preserve is located in the foothills north of Claremont, California, and is a great place for mountain biking and hiking...more information at this link: Claremont Hills Wilderness Park

It is painted on Arches 140 lb. Cold Press Watercolor Paper with professional quality Grumbacher watercolor paints. The image is 14 x 20" and is matted in off-white in a standard 22" by 28" size, ready for framing.

This painting is up for auction on ebay this week; the auction ends March 20 at 8:13 a.m. PST. Bidding starts at $200; click here to view auction: "Holding Very Still" Auction.

Thanks for visiting!

Featured Photo: CHOCOLATE BUNNY

2008-03-08T20:04:00.000-08:00

Chocolate is one of my favorite food groups, so it stands to reason that when I saw this little cottontail, he reminded me of a milk chocolate Easter bunny. I took this picture at the Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Garden in Claremont, California last spring. He was so busy chomping on the delectable grape leaf at the end of the vine that he never noticed me....The RSABG is an excellent place to enjoy and learn about native California plants, birds, and wildlife. Their annual Wildflower Festival is in March.

Featured Gift Item - TAKE WING TOTE BAG

2008-03-08T07:51:00.000-08:00

This extra-roomy tote bag features my watercolor of a soaring raptor--perhaps a Golden Eagle or a Red-Tailed Hawk--from my "Mother Nature" series.

This 100% cotton eco-friendly canvas tote bag has plenty of room to carry everything you need when you are on the go. It includes a bottom gusset and extra long handles for easy carrying. Use it for shopping and you'll help the environment!

10 oz heavyweight natural canvas fabric
Full side and bottom gusset
22" reinforced self-fabric handles
Machine washable
Measures 15" x 18" x 6"

It retails for $15.99. I have over 40 tote bag designs to choose from that you can find at this link: TOTE BAGS.

Thanks for visiting!

Featured ACEO: HONEY BUNNY NO. 9

2008-03-08T07:35:00.000-08:00

Just in time for Spring and the Easter season! This red-headed "bunny honey" has her arms full with mama rabbit and baby bunny. This an original miniature watercolor painting from my "Honey Bunny" Series . It is in ACEO (Art Card Editions and Originals) format, which means that the artwork size is 2.5" x 3.5".

Each miniature is hand-painted on super-heavy Arches 300-lb. acid-free cold-press watercolor paper with professional quality watercolor paints. It is initialed on front, signed, dated, and titled on back. These mini paintings are adorable when matted and framed!

You can bid on this item on ebay; the auction ends at 6:09 p.m PST on March 13. Bidding starts at $9.95.

For more information about ACEOs, visit http://www.art-cards.org/display.html

Thanks for visiting!