Are you ready for SPRING???

   I can't wait to see the dogwoods and azaleas blooming, hear the birds chirping and the grass turning green!  The cold weather seems to be hanging around, but I am getting ready for SPRING!  Bunnies, crosses, and new abstracts are in progress in my studio.  Lots of events are coming up in the next few months... so look for my art during the Fairhope Arts and Crafts Festival in Shoefly, during the Alys Beach Wine Festival in Mercantile(Seaside, Fl), in Amber Ivey Fine Art Gallery, and several other stores and galleries along the Gulf Coast.

   I also have a little SpRiNg in my step because... I am ENGAGED!!  God just continues to pour His blessings over me each and every day in all areas of my life. He has blessed me with a talent that I hope I'm using to please Him and now He has blessed me by putting a wonderful spiritual man into my life!  

May His blessings pour over all of you this year and forever...

_____________________________________

 "He Strengthens Me"
10x10 ~ $95

"Hippity Hoppity"
8x8 ~ $75

"He has Risen..."
4x12 ~ $55

"Ribbons and Bows"
20x20 ~ SOLD

"Christening"
24x36 ~ Lyons Share Gallery

"Blooms"
20x20 ~ SOLD

"Line of Faith"
10x10 ~ $95
________________________________

Mardi Gras is over, but I wanted to share a 
couple of commissioned debutante paintings.  
All of the ladies were exquisite!

Fabulous Fall

     As summer comes to a close and the cooler weather creeps slowly in, fall is in the air with a new excitement of football games, festivals, fundraisers, and lots of events.  So far my fall has been FABULOUS!  My team has been winning in football...my little Boo will soon turn one on Halloween...and the art world is flourishing!
     I was proud to be asked by my good friend Amber Ivey Bostwick to join her in her new gallery on Old Shell Road.  Amber has opened the first and only gallery in the Springhill area of Mobile, Alabama.  She held a Grand Opening on Thursday, September 25th.  Thanks to all of you who came by ~ a good time was had by all!  Lots of great wine... great music by Dennis "Finger Roll" Nelson (jazz artist)... and great company!! 
     I have been painting a new series called "Line of Faith".  My inspiration for this series comes from my favorite verse in Hebrews.  By putting all my hope in God's hands, it puts reality into perspective.  The reality is that just because you hope for something, it doesn't always turn out the way you planned.  We don't know God's plan for our lives.  We have to have a "line of faith" ...then praise Him in all circumstances.  By taking a leap of faith... I've discovered a true freedom. 

"Now faith is what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."

Hebrews 11:1  

Line of Faith Series

36x36

24 x 48

Amber Ivey Fine Art Gallery

 Reflections

48x48 

 Dennis "Finger Roll" Nelson

Gift of Love

30x40 SOLD

 Abstract 

30x30 SOLD

Cross

10x30

Inspirations from Prague, Czech Republic

 St. Charles Bridge 

36x48

Church in Prague

16x20

River View in Prague

16x20

 He Strengthens Me

6x6 on burlap

Be sure to visit me @ www.susancalhounart.com

Summer...Sand...Sun...

 Each time I drive along the pristine beaches of 30A from Destin to Panama City, I am inspired...not only by the scenery, but by the people who live, work and play there!  What better place to mix business with pleasure?   I have enjoyed getting to know Stacie and Bryan Pritchett ~ owners of Mercantile and Duckies in the heart of Seaside! If you haven't been in either of their stores... you are certainly missing out!  My daughter and I call Mercantile "The COWBOY STORE".  You can smell the leather before you ever step foot inside...and oh the clothes, shoes and MY ART!  My favorite store in Seaside! I've also had the pleasure of doing commission work for their beautiful home. 

2013 and 2014 have been very busy for me. We had a new addition to our family who arrived on Halloween. What a joy! I've thought about starting a blog called, "Let me tell you about my little Boo", but I will spare all of you. However, I may have to throw in a picture or two every now and then even if this is an "ART" blog. 

I'm posting some of my new work and a couple of commissions recently completed.  Enjoy your summer...stay cool...and safe travels wherever you may be vacationing this year. 

Bryan and Stacie's Watercolor Home

Line of Faith  24x48

Guardian Angel Commission

Colors of the Sea

Melanies II in Orange Beach

 Display at Mercantile

    Commission in Austin, Texas

How cute is this?

Hippity Hoppity...Easter's On Its Way...

       With the Lenten season underway as a time of penance, reflection, and fasting it prepares us for Christ's resurrection on Easter Sunday, through which we attain redemption.  Last year I attended a Women's Conference where the speaker gave each of us a wooden egg.  The egg represents new life, faith and hope.  I have it sitting on my window sill and every morning it reminds me of how blessed I am. God always provides for me and has given me a life of fulfillment beyond what I could ever have imagined. I am so fortunate to have so many wonderful friends whom I know I can count on, a family that is always there for me, and two wonderful children and daughter-in-law.  I thank Him everyday for the talent he has given me and the new doors that just seem to keep opening for me in my career as an artist and as a teacher.  May all of you feel the blessings of the Lord pour over you these next few days leading up to Easter and beyond.

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."

Hebrews 11:1

This is one of my favorite verses...  

   



Hippity Hoppity

Southern Antiques in Laurel, Miss.

Parrots

New Work in Boxwood Home & Garden

Commission for SK Design Group

Austin, Tx 



"Gift of the Red Bird"

The Paper Moon in Biloxi, Miss





Deeply Committed ...

Proverbs 16:3 “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”

                I am truly honored that my church has chosen one of my cross paintings to be the logo this year  for our Stewardship Campaign.  To me this is living proof that if you use God’s talents in your life to honor Him that He in return will shine His light on you.  God continuously asks us to make different commitments through the scriptures.  I am openly making a commitment to open my heart and call God personally into my life each day.  As our hearts surrender naturally to the Will of God, our lives open to joy and creativity beyond our wildest dreams.  God pours His love through us and we are the co-creators who direct it toward how we serve Him.

                God blesses me each day with new clients and opportunities in the “art” world.   I have included some of my new commissions placed in homes this past month.  There will be several events coming up in the fall to support charities in our surrounding area... The Vintage Affair  and Polo at the Point in October, plus a Silent Auction sponsored by Ashland Place United Methodist Church in December.  Please try to come out and support these charities.  Some of my paintings will be on auction at all of these events.  God Bless all of you who are committed to serving Christ using the talents He has given you...

1 Samuel 12:24  “Only fear the Lord and serve Him in truth with all your heart;

 for consider what great things He has done for you.”

 

 

Stewardship Campaign Logo for

Ashland Place United Methodist Church

 

 

Commission Pieces

 

"I can't change the direction of the wind,

but I can adjust my sails to reach my destination."

 

Beautiful Home on Fowl River

 



 

Bride and Groom

 

New Year...New Stores...New Work

Where did 2012 go?  The older I get...time seems to be moving a little too fast!! December was a blur...but I was blessed to have been so busy with my art, my friends, and my family.  Over the holidays I have put my work into two fabulous shops -  Mercantile in the heart of Seaside, Fl and The Paper Moon in Biloxi, Miss.  Both of these shops need to be on your MUST VISIT list!  The Paper Moon carries high end gifts for all occasions and Mercantile carries fabulous clothes, leather goods, shoes, jewelry and of course ART!  With Mardi Gras upon us, I am painting Fleur-de-lis' for that special gift to someone on the court or for all of you New Orleans Saints fans! 

Don't forget I still have my work in other wonderful stores as well...Shoefly in Mobile and Fairhope...Boxwood in Fairhope...Beau Interiors in Santa Rosa Beach...Love Lace Interiors in Sandestin...Lily Pads in Grayton Beach...The Visitation Shop in Mobile...The Artful Giraffe in Sarasota, Fl....and The Villager in Auburn.

Happy New Year and Happy Mardi Gras to All!   

May you be showered with MOONPIES galore!!

Susan 

 

Mercantile in Seaside, Fl

 

The Paper Moon in Biloxi, Mississippi

 



Art Shows and Auctions...

   School is back in session, football fever is in the air, and many organizations are gearing up for fall fundraisers.  As a teacher, an Auburn fan, and an artist....all of these activities are keeping me extremely busy!  I love it!  Sometimes I think the more I have going on in my life...the more organized I become!  This past weekend with the anticipation of hurricane Issac's landfall and my preparation for upcoming art shows and auctions....I have painted  and painted and painted!  My kitchen table is stacked with angels, crosses, small abstracts, and commission pieces ready for shipment or delivery.

   Recently I participated in a silent auction for the American Cancer Society and I am participating in two other fundraisers to benefit charities in both Baldwin County Alabama and Santa Rosa County Florida.  Polo at the Point will be held in October and Taste of the Beach in November.  I am participating in an art show in Lookout Mountain, Tennessee in September and one with me as the featured artist at Boxwood Interiors on October 5th during the First Friday Artwalk in downtown Fairhope.  I feel so honored when asked to participate in events for the greater good and I try to make sure my paintings reflect that purpose.  For the American Cancer Society, my painting was called "A Little Slice of Heaven" which I think says it all to someone looking for something positive in their life when struggling with this disease.

   Hope everyone has a wonderful school year and please look for me if you are attending any of the events I've mentioned. 

"A Little Slice of Heaven"

Auction Painting

"A Moment in Time"

Displayed @ Shoefly in Mobile, Al

Family Portrait for My Son

Kyle, Allison, and Callie (the dog)

Commissioned Painting

Landscape (1 of 3 in series)

"He Strengthens Me"

(on wood)

Commissioned Painting

Seaside Chapel in Seaside, Florida

 

I know this is a random collection of paintings, but I have enjoyed all the challenges.