A word of thanks.

I just wanted to say a quick thanks to all that have read my posts here this year.

2009 has been a year of ups and downs, with the GFC my partner and I definitely felt that affect us, ironically I made a lot more art print and product sales than I did last year, though last year I only really started selling my work 1/4 of the way through the year.

So thanks to all that have kept up with my posts and to the lovely words of support and interest when I post my art and also to my wonderful customers that have purchased works, prints and other products from my ETSY and Zazzle stores.

This year definitely feels like it is ending on a very positive note, with my partner and I expecting our first baby in mid 2010 which we are very excited about.

Wishing you all a very happy and creative New Year and wonderful blessings for a fresh 2010!

Celebrating Halloween with a Giveaway!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN everyone!

I decided to host my first giveaway over at my Facebook Fan Page.

I am giving away 2, 5 x 7 inch prints of my paintings "Goddess Of Moon & Stars" & "Wood Spirit"

If you would like to enter just read my latest update on the Fan Page, its really easy to enter. You just have to join if you haven't already and then leave a comment - either the word FAIRY or GODDESS under my giveaway announcement to say which print you would prefer, winners will be randomly chosen and contacted by the end of next week! Good Luck!

Here is the link ---> Facebook Fan Page

xo
Susan.

Original Paintings now for sale at my ETSY store!

Hi all,

Its been a while, I have had so much going on it's been a little crazy!

Anyway I have decided to put up for sale some of my Original paintings on canvas.

Even though I have sold originals before this is the first time I am putting them up for sale online. I am starting with a handful of earlier Fairy themed acrylic paintings, some are on canvas panel and some are on stretched canvas and I will probably slowly add more soon.

Here are a few, to browse my store here is the link and just click on "Original Paintings" section on the right side panel of the storefront http://SusanRodio.etsy.com

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade SusanRodio.etsy.com

Exciting Faerie Calendar News!

I'm very excited to announce that one of my paintings "Fairy Gathering" has been selected for inclusion in
THE MAGICAL FAERIE CALENDAR for 2010, put together by Magical Festivals UK.

It is very exciting to be part of the calendar which includes internationally known artists who's work I admire greatly, such as Josephine Wall, Judy Mastrangelo and Linda Ravenscroft!

If you would like to take a look at all the lovely faerie art included CLICK THIS LINK!
Here is the front cover of the Calendar

A fun little interview/feature

One of my lovely ETSY customers asked me to do a mini/quirky interview on her blog. It sounded like a bit of fun and of course I said yes.

To read the interview visit Alyssa's blog here

New Painting - Goddess Of Moon & Stars

This is my latest painting titled: Goddess Of Moon & Stars
Medium: Acrylic Paint on canvas panel
Size: 16 x 20 inches

About the artwork: She represents the idea that we are not merely of the earth but the moon and the stars, in other words the belief that our souls are connected to so much more than the everyday experience of life. I feel with this painting it is also more of a personal aspect of my psyche where usually I feel I am painting more as an observer, this feels like it has come from a very personal place.

Posters, Cards, Postcards and more products now available from my Zazzle Store.

2010 Mermaid Art Calendar!

Hi Everyone,

It feels like it's been a while since I have posted. A lot has been going on and I have been busy working away on lots of things, but still needing to make that space to start a new painting. I will get there, hopefully very soon.

In the meantime it took a fair bit of work to get this one together, a couple of times my computer was playing up which mean't that it took a bit longer to come together, but finally it has. Phew!

So here is my 2010 Magical Mermaids Calendar, which is now available via my zazzle store!

It features a different mermaid for every month of course and I even have a couple of my earlier mermaid paintings in there that have never been released before as prints or otherwise.

Here is a preview of the Front & Back of the calendar. To see in much more detail visit my Zazzle Store here.

Popping in :)

Where have I been? I have been wondering to myself of late.

After the last few weeks of almost full time hours at my office job having some time off for more than a week feels like pure joy & freedom!

I'm hoping the next 10 days will be a combination of major relaxation time and painting! I'm looking forward to catching up on all things art related that I haven't been able to attend to or follow up on etc etc and I plan to start a new painting too. So we'll see.

Also some other news, very exciting.... finally the release of The Magical Times Magazine, the issue featuring some of my paintings! YAY!

You can purchase a copy via their website here, its the one with Linda Ravencroft's art on the cover.

New Mermaid Painting!

Finally got her finished, I think the detail in the water and other bits mean't this one took a bit longer to complete - I think it took about 3 - 4
hours longer than my usual time.

"Mermaid Sunset"
Acrylic paint on canvas panel

Mouse Pads & Postcards available from my Zazzle store

Astrology & Art

Anyone that knows me, knows that I am very much into astrology, not just sun signs or what is commonly referred to as Star Signs, but , more in depth stuff like analysing natal charts to understand one self or another on a more in depth level.

When I began studying astrology years ago now I think it was back in 1999, I was amazed to find that there were reasons people behaved in certain ways or displayed certain tendencies which could be understood if you look at the archetypes and deeper meanings within astrology and I couldnt believe how indepth, intricate and accurate it was. I was finally able to understand why certain people I knew had certain moods or ways of interacting it was like a whole new world had opened up to me.

That said I do think that your sun sign is a big influence too, I am a Taurus and pretty typical of a Taurus in many ways, when I was asked to write about how being a Taurus influenced my art and artmaking process for Luludesign's blog, I thought cool, I know exactly how I do this and went about attempting to explain it.

Kathy Crabbe (Luludesign) does "soul readings" and I have actually had a reading from her myself which was very accurate - you can check out her blog here and read about how being a Taurus influences me in my approach to my art and life.

Excited

I received my complimentary copy of Pagan Magic's Beltane Edition of Witches Digest which is out today, the one featuring my art.

There are some great articles in there, I highly recommend it if you are interested in mythology, astrology, crystals, herbs etc.

---->Here is a link

ETSY Treasury & ETSY Shopping!

Wow Im up early today..

Was checking my emails this morning and received a message that one of my Fairy ACEOs was put in a treasury. I LOVE this one as its all blue (one of my favourite colours) and its just put together so beautifully by this clever person. She has featured my work in a treasury before so I thought Id add a link to her too.

Here is the TREASURY link if you would like to have a look


Speaking of ETSY, I love etsy by the way - I have found it a great place to shop online for cool things that you wouldn't normally find elsewhere, I was never really a big online shopper not that I am now either but there are some things I cant resist and it's just such a fun and easy experience.

If you like make up but DON'T like all the gross chemicals that most brands put into their make up these days check out this brilliant shop on ETSY, it is called
PURE MINERAL SOURCE,

All her make up is natural Vegan & Mineral make up (no chemicals) and I have bought myself a few little pots they last for ages and they go on so smoothe and light, it feels like your not wearing any but it stays on all day and you dont have to apply lots to get the colour showing, so far this is the best eye shadow I have ever tried better than any of the supposed top of the market brands that I have tried before and its all very affordable too.

well I have to get ready for work and eat some brekky :)

Magazine Cover & Feature News.

Hi,

I mentioned this news on my Facebook page recently but forgot to update here too.

My painting 'Twilight Eclipse' is the cover art for the Beltane edition of Pagan Magic's "Witches Digest" Magazine and they are doing a feature with my art inside the magazine too!

The magazine is a UK based print magazine which is also available online as a PDF. The magazine features articles about crystals, environmental news, folklore, mythology & more.

If anyone is interested in a copy you can buy the magazine online here is the link where you can also see the cover!

New Faery Painting!

Well I finally got her finished!

Title: "Wood Spirit"
Acrylic on canvas panel
Size: "12" x 18"

A lonely fairy falls into a deep sleep near a large oak tree. As she dreams away, the wood spirit watches over her making sure she is safe & protected.

5 x 7 prints available at my ETSY Store.


Some products (Mouse Pads, Postcards & Stickers) now available at my zazzle store

New Facebook Page and other stuff

In the past few months I have noticed I have been getting more and more friends requests on facebook from people that appear to be interested in my art so I have put together a separate page specifically for people interested in my paintings.

If you are on facebook and would like to join here it is - click link

Things have been quiet on the art making front of late for mixed reasons, I think it is mainly because I have been a bit distracted, my partner has been in and out of work ( yep feeling the recession bite) so I have had less time to focus on painting, he is very distracting, in a nice way though :)

I really want to get into a new painting sooner rather than later, I have lots of creative energy pent up, needing to be channelled, times like these I wish I had my own studio space to paint in, or even a small spare room would do!

Today...

I had such a nice day today. Anthony & I both had the day off, and since we had no plans and it was such a lovely perfectly sunny day we had to get out and about, so we decided to walk into town.

We were trying to work out we could do that wouldn't see us spending too much, as we have noticed living in inner Sydney you can step out your front door and before you know it you have spent $50. Anyway, we decided to go to the Art Gallery Of NSW (which is the largest art gallery in Sydney).

 We were so glad we did, we saw the Art Express exhibition and wandered around looking at 20th century Australian art, and analysing different pieces - we had fun doing that. 

Then stopped for a coffee at the gallery cafe. After the gallery we went for a walk around the Botanic Gardens, there is so much greenery around that whole area which is huge so many different, flowers, plants, gorgeous morton bay fig trees (huge trees) and the water looked so divine I just wanted to jump into the sea, but of course I didn't. The light of the sun sparkling a long the surface of the harbour was truly magical.

I took a few photos on my camera phone, they didn't turn out that clear, it was so bright and sunny out so they are a bit glary.
Anthony took this one of me next to some bright red flowers that I thought were really pretty. In this pic you can actually see in the top right (its rather faint) Sydney Harbour Bridge.


After 3 hours of pretty much non stop walking we decided to head home. I feel I absorbed lots of inspiration for new art, thought its all swimming about in my subconscious at the moment. Hopefully I can get some sketches down by the end of this week some time.

Magazine Feature!

I just wanted to update my blog with some really exciting news - did I mention I was excited! 

The Magical Times magazine is doing a feature on my art!

It is a UK based print magazine and will be available in the UK at certain locations but will also be available for purchase online.

The issue featuring my art is due out in May this year. I just wanted to post this sneak peek!!  :D

Here is a direct link to the website: http://www.themagicaltimes.co.uk/#/aboutus/4532603955

I think I forgot to mention...

That back in Octorber last year, I opened up a new online store at Artfire.com. I thought I would trial this new one out to see how I like it.

They were in beta testing so there were some some glitches being worked out and still are a few, but each week they are adding more and more new features and improving the site and so far I am really liking what I see there.

What I really like about Artfire as a selling and buying venue is that you can shop in your own currency and if you are selling there you add your items also in your own currency, the site automatically updates to your own IP address so if you are in Australia the currency will show up in AUDollars which I thought was pretty cool, especially for us Aussie sellers of for anyone outside of the US who is used to selling/buying on ETSY and seeing everything in US dollars. Dont get me wrong I still LOVE ETSY. Its just so cozy there and everything flows so well.

However, I recommend Artfire if you are thinking of selling online and especially if you like shopping in your own currency and there is another new feature I read that they are working on is that anyone can purchase from the site you dont need to open up an account which I think is a clever feature and will make it so much easier for buyers,also with the ability to shop in your own currency it makes it a lot easier than having to use a currency converter all the time!

Here is my shop at Artfire if you would like to take a peek!

Also.........

Checking my emails this morning while waking up with my lovely cup of coffee (mmmm coffee) and was notified that my 'Crystal Water Sprite' print was added to this Treasury on etsy today!

Link:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=42058

New Prints at my ETSY shop.

Things have felt sooo busy lately, I felt like I have'nt posted in a while, but I have been keeping updated with most of the posts here.

Is it just me but the days this month have really felt like a blur, seems to be going quite fast.

This month has been a little testing for me, so I'll be happy to see the end of Feb and start March with a fresher feeling.

Those of you into astrology ( I had some rough transits) Chiron square Venus (not fun) believe me, but trying to integrate these life lessons as best I can.

Anyway, just wanted to update that I have some new prints of my recent painting
'The Lotus Pond Fairy' at my etsy store as well as some of my works from 2008. To visit my store: http://susanrodio.etsy.com/

New Fairy Painting!

This is my first painting for 2009.

Title: "The Lotus Pond Fairy"

Medium: Acrylic paint on canvas panel

Size: 15" x 18"

I was recently headed back home after my late afternoon walk and spotted an amazing pink lotus flower right next door to my place.

About a month earlier I noticed that my neighbour had a couple of strange looking pots filled with water and greenery in them, I had no idea that she was growing this gorgeous lotus and as I had never seen a real life lotus before, I found it so beautiful to look at.

So I took a few pictures which partly inspired this artwork. As the painting came together I felt like it had a symbolic meaning also.

"A storm has passed and just as the sun is making its way through receding clouds, the fairy that lives at the lotus pond is free to emerge and enjoy the beautiful pond again "

----> To view larger images of the painting click link below to view at my artwanted portfolio

http://www.artwanted.com/imageview.cfm?id=787436&SGID=6832

NEW Art Features!

Check out the February featured Artist (its me!) at Celestopea.com

CLICK this link to view article

I was informed by the editor that their next feature artist is Judy Mastrangelo (one of my favourite artists!!) so if you love her work like I do, have a look out at for her interview also coming up in March.

Also my painting "Twilight Eclipse" is featured in the latest issue of Eclecticsm E - zine
Here is a snippet - the front cover and to view it via the site here is the link

Mini update

I am currently working on a new fairy painting, its in the early stages so probably wont be finished for another week or so.

I should get a chance over the weekend to make some headway with it. I dont know where I got the motivation to start a painting yesterday it was sooo hot in Sydney around, 35degrees celcius and I just felt so sleepy all day, but I made a start on it so thats the main thing.

Also I wanted to share a treasury that I was put in today on ETSY, it is one of the nicest ones I have been in, its all owl stuff, and I LOVE owls. :)

Here is the linkhttp://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=40406

Introductory post

Hi,

I have decided to start a blog here. My main blog for the last 2 years or so has been over at Live Journal, (which I am still keeping) but I have recently become aware that there are lots of interesting people here on Blogger as well who I would like to keep updated with and I look forward to sharing my art with some new people here too.

My posts will be about new paintings as I complete them, art related news and some personal snapshots of my life etc. I look forward to seeing some old friends here and getting to know some new ones too :)

If you have not seen my art before you can do so by clicking the links below:

My Website

My Live Journal

ETSY shop

Zazzle shop