ALLOW ME TO INTRODUCE SUE PRIMEAU. Sue is one of those people you absolutely love to be around – full of energy and creativity, loving life. She’s a wonderful artist. Always full of ideas. And she has graciously offered to share a lesson with us this week.
So, right off you have to love that name of hers: Sue Primeau. SUPRIMO! She is, indeed, and if you ever have the chance to study with her, you would love the experience.
And now, from Sue:
Inspiration can come in so many forms and sometimes the most common things or life’s simplest activities can provide the spark. Combine that with a little travel away from home and you have all the fodder for exciting new paintings.
There I was in southwestern France, surrounded by medieval architecture, quaint villages and the sprawling Fall countryside; yet I was unable to find that “something” I was longing to paint. I hoped to create an image that spoke of our extraordinary experience, the rich history and so much of it was wrapped up in our cozy studio, delectable meals and comfy surroundings at our home away from home, Le Vieux Couvent (the old convent). After a daylong excursion to yet another breathtaking locale, we returned with the sun low in the sky. As I walked across the grounds to return my gear to the studio, I noticed a wonderful old watering can that was forgotten up against a garden wall and heavily shadowed by fading light. A quick photo and I dreamt of the painting-to-be all night. This old work horse is a well-used, behind-the-scenes character at Le Vieux and I was thrilled to put it on center stage.
The finished piece is titled, Quencher. I painted all my shadows with a mid-tone of cobalt and permanent magenta. Color and texture were added with a technique called color-sanding, watercolor pencils are literally sanded into waiting pools of water. Once the water evaporates the watercolor granules are adhered to the paper
On a return trip to this magical spot, I noticed this long-loved chair and the wonderful shadows it cast. Color-sanding seemed the best way to render this sweet chair, now titled, Shadowy Sunshine Chair. Old, rickety, everyday common things can be endlessly inspiring.
I was lucky enough to combine art and travel once again but this time it was Italy, beginning with Venice. This would be my first time in Italy and in preparation I sought a book on the country, hopefully based on historical fact combined with art. Vivaldi’s Virgins was recommended and it was a page-turner! The story takes place mostly in Venice. Who knew Vivaldi was a red-headed, priest and in this book he taught his music to children who were foundlings at a convent! Well if you’ve been to Venice you know there’s plenty on Vivaldi, including a small museum in his honor. Being that I played violin oh-so-many years ago, I learned that no one did more for the “strings” than Vivaldi. His music is sublime. Upon exiting the small museum that included forms and parts for building violins along with numerous other vintage musical instruments, I looked at the signage around the doorway and there was a blow up of Vivaldi’s very ancient style of scoring music. Click, had to have a photo of that too, but what to do with it remained a mystery.
After our glorious stay in Venice, we were off to Umbria and all its hill towns. The flowers were in bloom given the warm May temperatures and most particularly everywhere we went there were the most amazing calla lilies. WELL, that was it…I now had all the ingredients for my next painting, King of Strings.
Be alert to those things that tickle you or that you find exciting and interesting, no matter how common they may be. Note these items in your journal, sketch them even. Wherever your travels take you, immerse yourself in the stories, rituals and music from the area. The possibilities are endless and you do not have to travel to far flung places to have such inspirations…I just happen to have photos from these events.
MORE ABOUT SUE:
Sue refers to her work as abstract realism. She is passionate about the world in which we live and our everyday life. It is this readily available subject where she finds her inspiration. Being that she works primarily in watercolor, a medium which she prefers not to control, she often begins by letting the shapes and colors occur spontaneously with little or no guidance. Sue then studies the resulting image to determine how she will develop the painting. She feels a favorite expression of her mother and grandmother sums up her painting style: “It is the little things that count”.
You can visit her website at: www.teamingpondinc.com
Check out more of her work, her classes and her full bio.
Thank you, Sue, for taking your precious time to do this post!
I’M HANGING IN THERE – I look like a light bulb right now. Who knew that underneath all that hair was a pristine white scalp? I’m not sure I’m brave enough to post photos. I do have a wig. It’s sitting up on the shelf in the bedroom closet (away from cats) and it scared the life out of Mike one night when he opened the door and thought someone was in there. Poor guy. He’s hanging in there, too.
Thank you for reading!
Kathie
I am glad to hear you are hanging in. I do love to hear from you on Tuesday mornings
Hi Kathie,
What you are going through can’t be easy!
Best to you! Thanks for post by your friend. I really enjoyed it. ❤ Kathy
Thank you for introducing us to yet another wonderful creative soul.
So glad you are doing as well as you can, you are a strong, positive vibrant amazing and inspiration person
Beautiful composition by Sue shows that out of a watchful eye, a creation is born! Thanks for sharing her with us.
I am sure in your new ‘light bulb’ existence, you will find creativity as well as things that change from the norm to the sublime. Thanks for the update and our prayers continue with Ralph for you. He is especially tuned in to your situation with heartfelt concern.
Hey there, so good to hear from you. Think of and pray for you a lot. Really appreciate you sharing your friend Sue with us, she does beautiful work and sounds like a inspiring and fun person to have as a friend. You just keep on, keeping on and tell hubby not to worry about the guy in the closet. That hairy guy is temporary, he’ll be gone before you know it.
Thanks for keeping on, Kathie — you’re on your way! BTW, there’s nothing like a ‘wig in the wardrobe’ to keep things interesting! That must have been quite a shock…. ;0) A story: Years and years ago my girlfriends and I went to Fort Lauderdale (early 60’s) during spring break. We worked, but took vacation time. We booked a kitchen/room in a boarding house, and the proprietor was blind. He and his wife ran the place; he knew it like a book. Well, we had to call him up to fix something in the room. My girlfriend was a hairdresser, and she had brought a few of her hairpieces. Stuck one right on top of the lampshade in the living room. This poor man came up the stairs and went to place himself in the room and — yep — picked up two hunks of curls. He almost fainted! So I know how your husband’s face might have looked in the middle of the night!!
I really liked Sue’s thoughts and her paintings — she brings Karlyn Holman to mind, and that’s a compliment! I’ve been slipping away from watercolor and Sue’s work is tugging me back. Love her titles, also! Thanks for reaching out and showing off others’ works. Don’t worry about your shiny pate: my father used to say that ‘grass doesn’t grow on a busy street’ … 😉
Lynne
Glad to hear you are hanging in. Think of you often and continue to send good wishes and prayers your way
Hi Kathy…I know you will beat this..your positivity and all the love from well wishers will help…praying for you daily….
Loved Sue’s postings and paintings! I believe I have a picture of that watering can! I guess I’ll have to paint it now. Keeping you and your family in my prayers, Kathy. Sending happy thoughts! xox. Judy
You’re doing good Kathie & now you’ve got one more treatment finished, which brings you closer to being done with them! 🙂 We all need to laugh about some of the little things and of course, that’s what you’re still doing -taking those moments of life to enjoy those little things. Thanks you Sue for your inspiration reminding us to use those things that cause us to give everyday objects a second look – and to observe the shadows that they make!
Take care, sending hugs to you, Kathie!
Glad to hear you are hanging in Kathy! Hugs!
Beautiful work Sue. Thank you for the lesson. I’m going to try the cobalt and perm magenta in my shadows and the colour sanding sounds interesting, too.
Lydia
I have been following your journey and realized that you have the most wonderful support team. Many of us are quietly supporting you thru prayers and many others share their thoughts and prayers thru their emails. You became our friend the first day we met you. Thank you for sharing your story and know we are on this journey with you. Sending love and prayers.
Kathie, just remember the light bulb showing on top of anyone’s head is showing the AHA moment of inspiration! You are simply showing off your very own AHA’s of many, many inspirations!! And YOU have so many inspirations you share. Go Girl! Go! You’re an inspiration and winner now!
And Thanks for sharing Sue with us. I’ve signed up on her site.
So good to hear from you & that you are hanging in there. I got out my travel journal and looked through it the other day. I still can’t believe how much fun we had traveling, painting and laughing and getting lost a few times. I’m looking forward to filling up some more of those blank pages with you. So be strong and hang in there little chickadee. Also, you now know you have a big fan club to take care of too. Love you and thinking of you each and every day.
I’m sure you must know someone who makes those pretty silk scarves!!!!
I recognize that watering can!
Thanks for keeping me updated and inspired.
A light bulb, huh? Well you certainly have given all of us “light bulb moments :)” Now you are ready to grow some ANNIE curls. Maybe even red ones? Glad you are doing okay and I can’t wait to check out Sue’s site.
More importantly, to share Spain with you.
Love you, girl
Sandi
Good Morning Kathie
I enjoyed Sue’s tips and her words inspired me to watch for common things.
Here’s to you feeling better soon and light st the end of chemo. Hugs. Elaine
My brother went through all that last year and looked pretty good with no hair….now that he is in remission, his hair is fully back and you would never know what his 2014 looked like. This too shall pass! Best wishes in the meantime and a healthy future.
GOOD MORNING KATHIE, GLAD TO SEE YOUR HANGING IN. POSITIVE THOUGHTS AND ACTIONS HELP SO MUCH.
WENT TO A CLASS WITH JAN FETTERS FRIDAY AND SATURDAY IN LAKE PLACID, FL. ONE OF YOUR STUDENTS WAS THERE, GOT TO CHAT WITH HER ABOUT YOU AND YOUR WORK. HAVE HER NAME IN MY STUFF SOMEWHERE. ; (. LOVE TO DAYS POSTING. GOING IMMEDIATELY TO HER SITE. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. PRAYERS AND CARES ARE SENT YOUR WAY. NONY
Ok ‘Slick’ I’m waiting for a photo of you with spiked hair just like mine.
Kathie….. So glad you are “hanging in there”! I look forward to my Tuesdays with you….thank you! I have learned so much from you, especially the 30 days of drawing. You are my inspiration!! Sue’s article…fantastic!! I will be checking her website out today! You are in my thoughts and prayers…..
Hugs…
Nell
Thank you for keeping us up to date on your journey and continuing to inspire us.
Thank you for introducing Sue to us. Looking forward to meeting her one day. Hang in there, Baby! We are all praying for your return to good health, and for all those in need of prayers. Love and hugs!
So glad to hear from you Kathie, you are a most beautiful light blub, I’m sure. Please get your rest and keep that wonderful sense of humor. We all love you.
And I’m sure you are a beautiful light bulb! Keep your beautiful smile and wear big earrings! Hugs and love to you —
Glad to hear that you’re hanging in there Kathy…it must be very difficult….Stay strong. I often say a little prayer for you as I pass by the sheets of rice paper sitting in my studio. Thanks to you and Sue, I’m inspired to get my paints out and work, especially on Tuesdays when I receive your e-mail. Love to hear your words of wisdom and encouragement. Thanks much to you both! Excellent work!!!!
Be sure to protect that precious skin on your shiny head now. My daughter had a bunch of hats she used when she was going outside. She only wore her wigs to church and work. At home it was either knitted caps (several people gave her some) because they were warm, and her chemo continued into winter. She had some broad brimmed straw hats for warm weather. She rarely went a la natural. I might do the same if the shoe were on the other foot. Please know that her hair has come back even thicker, and her hair actually has more body–can’t really say curl, because her hair has always been stick straight! She had very long hair going into treatment. We cut it really short when it began coming out. Then one Sunday, she asked me to bring my clippers and shave her head. I took one photo of her with her brother, who shaves his head since he is career military. I promised to never show it to anyone. Hang in there and keep laughing each day. Think positive thoughts and take this one day at a time! I am praying for you.
Most inspiring in all ways. Thank you Kathie and Sue.
Connie Rose
True wig story. I had an aunt and one of her daughters that both wore wigs on occasion. They were both blonde-ish. One day after my aunt died, my cousin had visitors that included a young grandchild. The grandchild came out of the bathroom very excited and a bit wide eyed and claimed to have seen grandma. Everyone was surprised and after a short inquiry, my cousin went to inspect the scene. The child had seen the wig on it’s stand. It was on a counter in the shadows and could only be seen on the way out of the bathroom.
It is always good to hear from you, Kathie. I love your stories and your perspective on life in general.
Hi Kathie,
Your sense of humor and creativity shine far better than your “light bulb”. Please keep hold of that – it really does give you strength.
Thank you for keeping us (your fans) in the loop. Like someone else has posted, I say a little prayer for you each time I go to paint.
Just think of everybody you have touched and encouraged through your painting, classes and blog – we will be there with you in one big VIRTUAL GROUP HUG every time you go for treatment. It will be a giant ball of people with brushes, paint and paper sticking out in all directions. The nurse will say, “you can’t bring all these people in here with you” and you can say “That’s how I roll!”
Hugs
I know you will come through this in flying techno colors! It can’t be easy, just take it one day at a time and know many people will continue to send warm vibes your way!
Kathie, you are such an inspiration to many of us who have not met you…both artistically and emotionally!
I have not had the pleasure to work with you, but Wendy Watson has introduced me to your philosophy and techniques…I am in awe of you.
Sending cyber hugs and strength your way…today and always!
This post is wonderful. I like the way you can use the common thing and make is special.
I am glad to hear you are hanging in there. It is hard and unfair that anyone has to have cancer. You are well loved, so keep that in your heart.
You may look like a light bulb but you will be the most beautiful and brightest bulb ever! I was so glad to hear from you through you blog. Keep fighting. We love you.
Kathy think about you daily. Glad to hear you are hanging in there. You are in my prayers daily.
The brightest light is your spirit. You are always in my prayers. Thanks for the input from a guest artist. Always nice to see what someone else is doing and what inspires them.
So nice to see your wonderful sense of humor is still hanging in with you. My sister’s wig stayed in her closet too. She was much more beautiful and comfortable with out it. Thanks so much for the introduction to Sue and her beautiful painting. Thoughts and prayers are with your from Canada
Thanks, Kathie. Hugs and prayers.
Joan Brown
Hi Kathie,
Hope all is going well with your treatments. My son is having his third one this Tuesday and has good days and bad days. Hang in there…with your attitude I’m sure you are doing fine. Just wanted you to know you are thought of often.
Lovely post and glad you are ‘hanging in’. Keep smiling. We are all sending prayers and good wishes!!! hugs!!!
Here’s a favorite survivor story.
Here’s a favorite survivor story. A woman with her hair just growing back was feeling the effects of the struggle … Until her grandchild yelled “grandma has NEW hair”. After that she loved her “new” hair.
You’ll have new hair too. Glad you’re hanging in there.
Had to smile at the thought of Mike reacting to your wig. I’ll never forget the look on my grandson Jack’s face the first time he saw me without my wig. It was quite by accident when they just stopped by one day. I was afraid he might be scarred for life, but he said he was okay with it. He was 9 at the time. I didn’t wear my wig at home much. I preferred soft little caps I got from TLCdirect.org. They are a great source for head coverings of all kinds.
Thanks for sharing Sue with us. Her paintings are wonderful, and so was her article.
Keep the faith, Girlfriend. You’re going to beat this and be stronger than ever! Kathy xoxo
Love and kisses sweet Kathie ((( )))
Thank you Sue
With everyone praying for you, you’ll have it behind you, stay strong and positve!
thanks for the update. Your friends in the villages are asking about you. Prayers are sent your way every day.
Love Sue’s inspiration thoughts. I love Sue and we are lucky to have her teaching in the Village college.
Love to you both
Glad to hear you are hanging in there and still have your sense of humor. You are such a beautiful woman inside and out. Hope the good days are many. Happy Easter!!!!
Thanks for Sue’s post. Very insiring.
I loved the story and it brought back many memories for me as well. I was with Sue on this trip. She is a very giving person. We were out one day on one of our many adventures and I love to paint but don’t spend much time drawing. I was having trouble drawing a building on the side of the street, but really wanted to have a sketch of this building. Sue was kind enough to take the time to help me conquer this feat. Thank you again Sue for this. It is one of my favorite drawings!
Kathie, I don’t know you, but you are such an inspiration!!!! I would LOVE to study with you one day! Thank you for Our Tuesdays with Kathie!!!!
Love your Tuesday posts, and loved this one from “Suprimo.” You are the best, and you will be better soon.
Sending prayers your way.
Judy
Thinking about you every day. Praying for you. Be well sweet lady. The world needs you in it.