Spring, On the Wing

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!

Count Your Blessings And Your Birds

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...

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 Artwork: HALFWAY DOWN THE KAIBAB TRAIL

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 Print: "DESERT TORTOISE

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

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 Gift Item...CAT MOM MAGNETS

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

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

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 Painting...SIAMESE PRINCESS

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"

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 Originals

Thanks for visiting!

Featured Gift Item - JUST DUCKY GARDEN APRON

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"

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

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"

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"

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 Gift Item - TAKE WING TOTE BAG

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

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!

Featured Print: "Such A Pretty Day"

Spring is just around the corner here in Oregon! The daffodils are starting to open in the valleys, so the tulips and the goldfinches can't be far behind.

I participated in the Great Backyard Bird Count two weekends ago and counted birds in the Coastal Hills north of Willamina-which is a beautiful mix of woodlands and conifer forest.

There were juncoes, robins, towhees, song sparrows, a varied thrush, chickadees, nuthatches, stellar jays, mourning doves, and best of all, a flock of 40 evening grosbeaks (watch for photos in a future post). To see the results of the Bird Count for your own neighborhood, visit this site:
http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/

This watercolor painting is called "Such a Pretty Day" and it is available as a limited edition print at my ebay auctions, (auction ends March 4) and also on t-shirts, note cards, and giftware at Susan Faye for Nature Lovers

Thanks for visiting! Susan Faye

Featured Gift Item- Farm Fresh Rooster Apron

This versatile apron features my "farm fresh" watercolor painting that was commissioned for the 2007 McMinnville Oregon Farmers Market Poster.

Great for gardening, cooking, arts and crafts, --this mid-length apron provides great coverage to help keep spills and splatters off your clothes. Makes a great gift for gourmets, grill-masters, teachers, artists, domestic gods and goddesses. Ties at neck and waist. Two center-stitched bottom pockets are handy for keeping tools and recipes handy. 35% Cotton / 65% polyester blend, twill fabric. Machine washable and guaranteed. $17.99.

Please visit my online gift shop SUSAN FAYE ORIGINALS to see my full line of aprons--45 different designs to choose from!

Thanks for visiting! Susan Faye