Holy Macaroni Art Tribe,

It's been awhile since my last blog post. But, I think you will understand why as you learn about the abundance of art happenings I've been involved in here in the Brazosport area the last few weeks. If you're an art lover, you're sure to enjoy reliving the art adventures of myself and fellow artists. If you are an artist, you'll definitely want to read all the way to the end. I've got some exciting opportunities to share that you will not want to miss. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy some recent snaps!

February 21st was the opening reception for the Blackfire Gallery Showcase at the Brazosport Art League Main Gallery. Returning artist Rodney D. Butler has assembled a uniquely talented group of creators under his Blackfire Gallery label: Eddie Filer Jr., Vicky Gooch, James Gill, Rickale West, Muhammad Ali Bhatti, Dominic Clay, Vincent Blair, Luther Vinson and, of course, Rodney himself. Here are some highlights...

(Click on the thumbnails below to view in greater detail.)

The Blackfire Gallery Showcase just came down, but Rodney, myself and dozens of other artists will have artwork on view during the Brazosport Art League's People's Choice Awards Show now through April 27. A reception and awards presentation are planned for Friday, April 25 from 6:30p. – 8:00p. with refreshments.

To learn more about Blackfire Artists Gallery, contact Rodney directly: ​https://rodneydbutlerartist.wordpress.com/bio/

While the Main Gallery at the Brazosport Art League has an artists reception sometime during every exhibition, our other two galleries (the Art Shop and Members Gallery) do not. We have change-out dates for art, but no opportunities to really have a Meet & Greet or brainstorming session with those artists. Deciding it's time for a change, I am implementing a couple of opportunities for artists exhibiting in the Art Shop to network and also meet our guests in person.

The first opportunity is a gathering we are calling the Art Shop Coffee Shop Talks! Every month the artists currently exhibiting in the Art Shop are invited to meet on the first Saturday of each month at a local coffee shop or eatery to get to know each other a little better and brain-storm creative ideas. This month five of us met at Panera Bread in Lake Jackson: Phil Partridge (digital / mix media), Elizabeth Davis (mix media), Ruth Wooters (fiber arts), Carolina Lozoya (acrylics), STUTZ (mix media). It was a lively and fun gathering and I am very much looking forward to our next Art Shop Coffee Shop Talk! 

Art Shop Coffee Shop Talks will be held on these Saturdays @ 11a.:
April 5th, May 3rd, June 7th, July 5th, August 2nd, September 6th, October 4th, November 1st, December 6th.

Would you like to meet more artists, make friends, share ideas and learn about art opportunities? The Art Shop Coffee Shop Talks will be held at different locations each month. Here's how to participate:

1) Become a member of the Brazosport Art League, if you are not already, by clicking HERE.
2) Show your artwork in the Brazosport Art League Art Shop. (Email me to participate in our next change-out: [email protected])
3) RSVP YES when you receive the Art Shop Coffee Shop Talk invitation with location.

That's it! You do NOT have to live in Brazoria County to become a member of the Brazosport Art League or show your artwork in the Art Shop. These opportunities are open to any artist living anywhere. Most of our Art Shop Coffee Shop Talks will take place in and around Brazoria County for logistical reasons, but we are planning field trips to Houston and other  locations, so stay tuned!

​Truth be told, I really overcommitted my time to projects for the Brazosport Art League this month. In addition to those projects, I went to concerts at The Clarion and plays at Brazosport Center Stages. Honestly, there were too many art related events to mention. For the sake of this blog post, we'll stick to visual arts. Despite all the activities, I somehow managed to find time to work on my own art and currently have several started all over the studio. You can check out my process on one recent stream-of-consciousness drawing that I finished in the slideshow below. It is currently on view in the Art Shop and can be purchased there or by reaching out to me via the comments section of this post. Enjoy!

"Solving Mysteries"
5'H x 7"W unframed
6"H x 8"Wx2"D framed (in beautiful black shadow box)
Markers, Colored Pencils, Acrylic, Ink on paper
75.00 framed

​By the time March 10th rolled around, I was happy to finally get to meet up with our local Plein Air Group at a nearby nature reserve. This group meets the first Monday of every month at different locations, but somehow my plans have been incompatible with theirs every month...until this one. Gosh, it was so nice to spend time outdoors with some of the nicest most laidback folks you'll ever want to meet. No agenda. Just chill, make art, or not. They even brought extra art supplies in case someone might need them and did an ATV tour of the property. I needed some R & R and this group was the absolute best medicine. (Check out the slideshow below.)

​To learn more about how you can participate in this creative,  outdoor, judgement-free zone, contact Cynthia Grandjean. You can enjoy her website and view her contact info HERE. 

The very next day, on Tuesday, March 11th, I hosted an event for local families that was several weeks in the making. During a Brazosport Art League leadership team meeting a few months ago, I learned that The Center for the Arts and Sciences planned to have a week of activities called Spring Break Spectacular! The art league was asked to provide activities for one of those days, so I stepped up when the request came for an organizer. How could I resist the opportunity to work with kids? Anyway, I dreamt up an idea for a mixed media mural the kids and their families could work on together with the idea that introducing the concept of an ART COMMUNITY in young folks might benefit them the rest of their lives. The theme was wide open: What Art Means to Me.

I created a sample of what the smaller works on paper might look like the night before the event using the same materials the kids would be using. (See below.)

We expected about 100 participants, so I created instructions that would be quick and easy to follow...

What happened next was kid art magic. Special thanks to our wonderful volunteers for being the glue that held the event together: Joan Joiner and Michelle Booth (assisting the kids with markers and other art supplies), Cynthia Ketheley and Cynthia Lancaster (assisting the kids painting the background of the mural) and Phil Partridge (manning the popcorn machine). It takes a village to build a mural! (See slideshow below.)

Kids and family members of all ages came and went for 2 hours. Some worked on paper making individual creations. Some collaborated by painting the larger background on canvas. Some did both. Some kids and parents really got into the theme of What Art Means to Me...and a whole lot of people drew and painted things they just happened to like including trees, soccer balls, anchors and more. As the smaller drawings were completed, they were left in a stack on a table...

Some kids did multiple drawings so there ended up being almost 100 drawings in all. Next the drawings needed to be attached to the finished canvas background...

After everyone had gone, I spent time carefully attaching all of the drawings so that a little bit of everyone's work - both the background paintings and the drawings - would show. It's important for all of us to understand, I think, that everyone's individual personalities and gifts can come together to make something amazing and new for ALL. One of the key concepts of this project was that the children be as free as possible to create without coaching, unless they requested it. Here's what the finished artwork looks like from all sides...

It will hang up on the Brazosport Art League Studio wall for a full year until the next Spring Break Spectacular in 2026. I hope the kids bring their friends and families to see it and enjoy trying to pick out their artwork amongst all of the others. But, mainly, I hope it leads to an understanding that being different is okay and working together, collaborating doesn't have to be about competition and can just be fun.

Is this blog post finished, yet? Nope. There's more and it gets even better.

On Saturday, March 15th, the Lake Jackson Parks and Recreation Department held an outdoor drawing competition under a covered pavilion called Chalk the Lot. A request went out for judges. Myself and 2 other fellow Brazosport Art League leadership team members answered the call. Dorothy Dean (Department of Education), Mary Chauvel (Teen Studio) and I had a wonderful time considering every single entry. While not every team received a ribbon, they were all winners as far as we were concerned.

A big THANK YOU to Justin Janis (Head of LJP&R Marketing and Youth Program Director) for inviting us and also to Angela Atkinson (LJP&R Adult and Youth Athletics Coordinator) for making this fun community event a reality! 

There were 11 competing groups in all and several noncompeting spectators that decided to join in the spirit and draw alongside the competitors. You can view the exciting works-in-progress in the slideshow below.

And these are some of the winners with their finished artworks. (Click the thumbnails to enlarge.)

It's great when neighbors collaborate for the enrichment of the community! Looking forward to the Brazosport Art League partnering with the Lake Jackson Parks and Recreation Department on some future endeavor. So many creative ways to bring people together! To learn more about family friendly events held at the Lake Jackson Recreation Center, click HERE.

And, you guessed it, THE VERY NEXT DAY I took every piece of art in the Art Shop down so that we could begin another 2 month cycle of brand new artwork. 

Monday, March 17th, I had the pleasure of welcoming 8 Art Shop artists into the gallery to drop off their spring inspired artwork. Three of our artist could not attend Take-in day due to a nasty stomach bug going around. But, there was plenty of new artwork delivered. It kept me quite busy looking for just the right locations for each piece of wall art, sculpture, jewelry and glassware. What a joy! Check out the photos below and let me know what you think! (Click each thumbnail to enlarge.)

I have many more photos of the artworks in detail that I upload to our Art Shop Pinterest page which you can view HERE.

The Art Shop is a dynamic gallery of small works with artwork being replaced almost as soon as it is sold. We currently only accept cash and checks as ALL of the money from art sales goes directly to the artists and NOT to the art league! The Art Shop sells more artwork that any of the three galleries at the Brazosport Art League.

If you are an artist and are interested in exhibiting your small works with us, reach out to me directly. I am the Art Shop manager: [email protected]

If you are an art lover and would like to stop by and peruse all of the unique one-of-a-kind artworks at all three of the Brazosport Art League galleries, we would LOVE to meet you! You can find us here:

The Center for the Arts and Sciences
400 College Drive
Clute, Texas 77530
HOURS
Sunday 2p. - 5p.
Monday CLOSED
Tuesday - Saturday 11a. - 3p.

So NOW we come to two last bits of news, BOTH of which are amazing opportunities for local artists: Art Shop Artists in Action on Friday, May 16, 2025 and The Brazosport 70th Anniversary Family Fun Day on Sunday, September 28, 2025! If you are an artists, you can show and sell your art for FREE on May 16th OR you can rent a booth for a very reasonable price on September 28th.

Both events are FREE for our art lovin' guests and open to the public!

The Art Shop Artists in Action event will be held indoors and will feature makers showing work in the Art Shop. It is limited to 5 artists, but will be repeated every 2 months, so if you miss the next one, there will be others you can participate in.

The Brazosport 70th Anniversary Fine Art Family Fun Day is open to ALL fine artists, but I expect booth spaces will fill up fast. We already have several artists waiting for the contracts to be completed (in the next day or two) so that they can sign up. 

If you are interested in learning more about either opportunity, I am your contact person for BOTH and I am easy to find! Contact me ASAP! 832-549-1730 TEXT

I am so excited to have the opportunity to offer these fun events for artists and art lovers to participate in and enjoy. I am also so very grateful to The Center and Brazosport Art League for these and other art opportunities.

The Art Shop Artists in Action flier is not yet finished, but I can share the ​Brazosport 70th Anniversary Fine Art Family Fun Day flier now. Here ya go!

Whew! What a whirlwind few weeks it has been! Going forward I'll be creating more of my own artwork and posting to this blog more frequently. 

Lots of Love and Hugs Art Friends & Family!
​  S.

Happy February 1st, Friends!

I recently heard January described as the "Monday" of the year. That made me smile. Although I do not work a regular 9-5 / M-F / J-O-B, I get what that means. The first day of last month gave us a beautiful, sunny beginning then mid month we experienced days that will likely be the coldest of the year. We were blessed (or cursed, depending on your POV) with SNOW! A rarity for sure here on the Texas Gulf coast. And now, just like that, it's over. I don't know about y'all, but I will be looking for the first buds on our Texas Redbud trees, which usually arrive in the Valentine month to assure us that SPRING will soon be here. Ah, springtime... 

So, how did you spend the first month of the year? The last couple of weeks  of January found me bundled up in the studio while listening to music and creating new art. That's my happy place. Snow? What snow?

I was channeling great joy when I created this little surprise that I am calling Celebration Angel. It started out as an op art drawing done in metallic markers and florescent pencils. I wanted an abstract piece that would vibrate inside a small heart shaped frame I bought a few days before. I never expected an angel to pop into my consciousness. But, there she was, so I had to draw her. Who am I to question Universal Mind? You can view the finished artwork in a photo and my process in the slideshow below. (If you can't view the slideshow below the photo you may need to update your OS.)

"Celebration Angel"
5'H x 5"W x 1/2"D 
Markers, Graphite, Colored Pencils, Ink on paper collage
49.00 framed

Another project I been have wanting to get back to are some small, unfinished abstract paintings on paper. On another cold day I decided to use one of the paintings as a background for collage. I thumbed through a variety of catalogues and magazines with the intent of finding a black and white fashion princess...but that's not what happened. I flipped to a page with a full color image of a body builder turned activist and it grabbed me. It's not my usual style. I tried to thumb past it...but I couldn't. This was the image I was supposed to use. A complete 180 from my angel. The yang to her yin. Once I completed the piece I understood why. This represents my inner badass. And, that's an energy we all need. Do you have someone in your life bombarding you with unsolicited criticism? Or are you floating on a sea of "can't", "shouldn't" and "won't"? Reach deep within yourself and find the part of you that is like this guy...

"Unstoppable"
5'H x 7"W x 1/2"D 
Acrylic Paint, Ink, Card Stock, Photo on paper collage
49.00 framed

During my last blog post I mentioned that I would be attending the Camo & Canvas Art Walk on January 25th in Bay City, Texas as one of their vendors. Well folks, it was an overcast kinda drizzly day, but spirits were high and people dressed in camo were aplenty! My Chihuahua, Poco, and I met many nice people, I sold some art, and I was delighted that one of my Brazosport Art League alums, Cynthia Grandjean, was there as a participant, too. Poco (my silent partner) and I were even interviewed by a reporter from the Bay City Tribune! It was a very nice day and I'm glad we went. 

​If you couldn't make it down to Bay City last weekend, check out the photos and slideshow  below to get a peek at what you missed.

I guess what I learned this last couple of weeks, and what I'd like to share with you all, is this: You may be having a rocky time. An entire month may feel like one long MONDAY. There may be snow. There may be trolls. It is possible that someone may RAIN on your parade. But, it doesn't really matter what is happening on the outside of you so long as you are doing what you love and recognize that no one and nothing can take away your happiness. Go deep inside, commune with your angels, find your inner badass and you may discover that Life is an Unstoppable Celebration of your own making.

I'm not sure what I'll be doing between now and my next blog post, but I hear there's an outdoor market that I've not been to yet in Jones Creek. Maybe they will have art or nice people to chat with. Maybe it will be a sunny day. Who knows? Here's the 411 if you want to check it out:

Jones Creek Market
231 North Gulf Prairie Road
Jones Creek, TX 77541
February 25, 2025
10a. - 2p.

Go have yourself an adventure. Even if it is in your own neighborhood, living room or art studio.

Peace,
​  S.

Happy Winter Evening Friends & Loved Ones,

I'm making time for my midmonth blog post on this busy and most important day. There will not be as many back links to our fellow artists and community members today, but I am able to share many photos from this last couple of weeks AND I promise to make it up next time.

Naturally, I've been creating art. This small work is called Blow Away. It was inspired by the feeling I have while listening to one of my favorite George Harrison songs of the same title. If you have been feeling a little down, I want to offer you some encouragement with this artwork and a link to the original music video followed by the lyrics to Mr. Harrison's uplifting ballad. (See below.) Let's remember that sad feelings don't last for long and we can all move forward in Life on a positive note!

Full disclosure. Before I sat down to draw Blow Away I had been rocking out and dancing wildly in my studio for about half an hour. Haha! Head tosses and the whole thing. I probably shouldn't do that. It could cause a brain injury. Hahaha!!!  ;-D

​When I was ready to settle down and draw, I sat down and played some George Harrison. So, now you know...

Anyway, I hope the drawing and song made you smile. Feel free to pass it along to your friends and loved ones that may need it. Onward!

Saturday 1/11 I met some friends that I haven't seen in many, many years at one of my favorite Houston art haunts: Silos at Sawyer Yards. Since my day was spent visiting and catching up with long lost buddies, I didn't network with as many artists as I might have ordinarily. But, I sure got a lot of photos of some artists works (with labels w/ info when possible), studios and some amazing outdoor murals. (See below.)

On Monday 1/13 I spent a fun filled day swapping out artists' works @ the Brazosport Art League's Art Shop. It was a joy to help the artists, some of them brand new members, and get to see the work of their hands before anyone else. Deepest Gratitude to each of them and for the privilege of managing the Art Shop. Stop by if you get the chance. I'll be there in person on these dates if you want to chat and let me share a little bit about each artist and what makes there particular artwork special:

Sunday 1/26 2p. - 5p.
Sunday 2/2 2p. - 5p.
Sunday 2/9 2p. - 5p.
Sunday 2/16 2p. - 5p.
Sunday 2/23 2p. - 5p.
Friday 2/28 6:30p. - 9:30p.

Art changes out frequently. As our guests buy artwork, the artis will bring a new piece to replace it. The Art Shop carries small, handmade artworks that make perfect gifts any time of year. Please, consider us when you are shopping for that special someone. I'll post a sneak peek below, but keep in mind that if you see something you want, you'll need to reach out to me right away before it's gone!

The very next day, and on the opposite side of the Brazosport Art League Gallery, the Main Gallery hosted a show of children's rodeo art. The place was PACKED as parents and families of the talented kiddos crowded around to see these southwest themed artworks. Twelve schools from Brazoria County were represented in grades from 1st through 12th. The pictures with teal blue rosettes went on to be judged at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. There were cookies, punch and other goodies to snack on while enjoying the variety of paintings and drawings. Personally, I think they were ALL winners. I took a ton of photos and tried to get the name tags alongside each piece. My personal favorite was called Potato's Pasture. I mean, a Chihuahua wearing a cowboy hat, how could I not LOVE that?! (See below.)

Check out the slideshow below with a couple dozen more photos from hundreds that participated in the Rodeo Show.

While most of the art was representational and pretty much what one might expect from a Rodeo Show, I wanted to highlight a few of my own "honorable mentions" for young artists that were thinking outside-of-the-box.

For my out-of-town readers and those that enjoy a good road trip to go look at art, you'll definitely want to check out Camo Fest in Bay City, Texas on Saturday, January 25th from 12p. - 6p. It's billed as a day to celebrate wild game and wine. This year they are bringing back their well regarded Camo & Canvas Art Walk. Only 14 artists were chosen and I am one of them. Yay! It's been a long, long time since I have participated in an outdoor festival with my artwork, so I'm excited to try this venue out. If this goes well, I will dive back into the outdoor festival circuit again.

How will wine fancying folks dressed in camo receive my stream-of-consciousness drawings and abstract work? We'll find out! You can learn more about the event by clicking HERE.

I'm told that cooking “guides” will provide locally caught samples of wild game, fish and fowl and food inspired by Texas wines. Festival goers will enjoy samples of wine from local wineries, live entertainment, shopping with festival specialty vendors and artists, and activities for the kids. Sounds like fun for foodies and art lovers alike. Come on out!

Before I wrap up this edition of my blog, I'd like to mention that the time I spend here once or twice a month (hours and hours of downloading photos and adding links) is truly a labor of love. I do it because I love art. I do it because I love people and I think that just by doing the things we love and spreading joy, we make this world a better place. It is my mission to connect artists with art lovers and other small businesses. To support those trying to live their dreams while sharing a bit of my own story and what brings me joy, too.

Tonight I ask that you consider reaching out to someone you know and offer them encouragement when they are feeling down or don't think their dreams are possible. It's easy to love the people that we agree with. How about the people we disagree with? They deserve love and encouragement, too.

This evening I want to dedicate this blog post to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. A braver man there never was. A nobler vision has never existed. Picture in your mind Dr. King walking arm in arm with other spiritual leaders on a peaceful mission to unite people.  Can you envision yourself in the crowd walking along with him?

There are many ways to promote peace in the world. One way to peace is to spread love and joy without asking for the same in return. All I've got to be is, be happy. 

Peace,
  S.

Good Evening Art Lovers,

It's the end of the very first day of 2025 and I must say there's a feeling of optimism in the air. Before we launch into what's new, I want to take a moment to share some photos from 2024's last event at the Brazosport Art League.

Cure for Christmas Chaos held on 12/26/2024 was without a doubt the most fun I have had at BAL, so far. I managed to shoot a handful of photos of a few families and volunteers before we got really busy, but I wish I'd had time to take more. If you'd like to see additional photos of the event, you can visit the BAL fb page HERE.

All of the families seemed to really enjoy constructing their Mini Collages and our volunteers were the BEST. Definitely, looking forward to doing this again next year!

The days following Cure for Christmas Chaos I've been busy creating some artworks of my own. 

Today, after taking my son and our doggies out for a leisurely drive to Pearland and back on what had to be the most beautiful blue sky January 1st I can ever remember, I settled into the studio and completed The Happiest House on Surfside Beach. This whimsical artwork was actually inspired by a nighttime drive I took my family on two nights ago. We made a big loop around Oyster Creek and Surfside. On a whim, I thought it might be fun to drive by some of the properties I had seen for sale online while also enjoying outdoor Christmas lights. We stopped at one little beach house that looked sort of lonely by itself. Once I returned home, however, I couldn't stop thinking about it. There was a feeling of joy as I imagined what it might be like to live there or someplace like it. When I sat down to draw, this image just came out of me. I didn't plan it. Honest! I hope you feel as happy viewing it as I felt creating it. (See the slideshow and photo below.)

"The Happiest House on Surfside Beach"
 8"H x 10"W unframed
Graphite, Colored Pencils, on paper
150.00 unframed

I think there's a second reason my beach drawing came out the way it did: Optimism.

I made a decision this week to release something that's been holding me back and weighing me down. Once I let it go, I felt empowered. And, as is often the case when we release negativity, the Universe said, YES.

Something exciting is on the horizon, my friends. I can't tell you what it is just yet, but I can share that it will be something beautiful for our fellow artists and art lovers. Look for more information in my next blog post midmonth. Until then, I wish you many blessings on this most wonderful beginning of the New Year.

Peace, 
​  S.

Dear Friends and Loved Ones,

​With Winter Solstice several days behind us, the evenings are gradually growing shorter and the days longer.  This holiday season has been filled with contrasts in many ways including impossibly beautiful sunny, warm days following some truly cold and dreary wet ones...and back again. For me and my little family, the Christmas holidays officially began by replacing some lost Christmas ornaments and topping the Norfolk pine we call Charlie with the most unusual, and somehow perfectly appropriate, white poodle tree topper.

 Along with the busy work of everyday life, we made time for Christmas concerts at the Clarion in Clute and more than one holiday party. The Brazosport Fine Arts Council celebrated our wonderful docents with a catered breakfast and a gingerbread house building party on December 10th. (I took my house home and put it in the freezer to munch later.) Special thanks to Mallory for pulling this party together! (Check out the fun and some of the sweet creations,  below.) 

On my short list of things I have really wanted to do since moving to the Brazosport area is visit the Freeport Historical Museum. Founded in 2009 by the late Historian and WWII Veteran Nat Hickey, the Freeport Historical Museum is located in Historic Downtown Freeport, Texas and focuses on over 300 years of history and Freeport's impact on the Texas Coast.

The museum was closed for awhile due to damage from Beryl, but recently had a grand re-opening. On the morning of December 12th, they hosted a lecture about the founding of Freeport in 1912. This seemed like the perfect time to visit!

When my son and I pulled into the parking lot, we were greeted by some fabulous tropical holiday inflatables. They served holly jolly with beachy flare!

In addition to the lecture, the museum also had an exhibit about Freeport's Christmas' past.  We had a wonderful time and I'm glad we went. A couple of hours did not do it justice, though. We'll have to return when we can spend more time especially in their library. I am hoping they will have some old news clippings and information about my Dad from when I was a little girl growing up there. He was a shrimper and Freeport holds an important place in my family's history.

BTW, You might be interested to know that Freeport Historical Museum features original artifacts and bilingual interpretive panels that guide visitors through Freeport's rich and diverse history. The photos below will give you just a small taste of our experience during that visit and what this museum has to offer.

Just two days later, I packed up the dogs and headed off for a dazzling display on Surfside Beach. Under a full moon and misty skies the annual Surfside Christmas Kites was well underway when we arrived @ 6:30p.

Maximus the Poodle service dog was off work for the evening, so he was happily spinning and jumping on the sand. While he was very excited to be there with other people and pets, it was a bit much for Poco the Chihuahua who preferred to view the entire event from his backpack.

The word I think best describes this experience is SURREAL. I have posted some photos  below for you to enjoy, but there's a lot you can't see. For instance, there were kites that did NOT have lights and they appeared against the moonlit sky as dark, eerie shadows. Also, the lights on the kites that had them were PULSING. The effect was mesmerizing, but my phone is not letting me upload the videos here. Look for them on my fb page: 

​www.facebook.com/STUTZStudiowerks/

I would definitely go again next year. Take a look and let me know what you think!

The party to end all Christmas parties was held in the Brazosport Art League Gallery on the evening of December 19th. Delicious food and beverages were plentiful as was good cheer. Door prizes, games, sing-a-longs and delightful conversation. So many nice people that I feel blessed to know.

​(There's a slideshow below, but if you have an older OS on your phone and cannot see it, let me know. I'll text the photos to you.)

So, about a week and a half after the BFAC Docent Party, I decided to take the gingerbread house I made out of the freezer. (See photos below.) Isn't it pretty? Might have made a nice decoration for a few days...but we ate it! Haha! The temptation was too great. It sure was tasty, though!

I'll be heading up A Cure for Christmas Chaos at the Brazosport Art League Studio on 12/26 @ 10a., so I made these samples of Mini Collages a couple of nights ago. The glue was still wet when I took the finished photo. I had fun making them and I think our young guests will, too. If you live in the area and have kids age 3 - 18 years, stop by and join in the fun! You can RSVP HERE.

Christmas Eve my little family and I relaxed, listened to Christmas music and counted our blessings...

Typically, I do not include extremely personal content in this blog. My goal is to share our mutual love for the arts and tips for fun things to do that art lovers and creative folks might enjoy. But, I'm going to break that tradition for a moment...

Earlier this month we called Justin's grandma Joanne and had a nice chat. She lives far away and it was good to hear her voice. A couple of days later we learned that she had been rushed to ICU. At 92 this was a serious concern and it was hard to decide if we should stay or go. My experience has been that when too many people rush to an elder loved one's side, it can interfere with their recovery and the outcome is not good...so we talked it over and decided to stay. It was hard. There were many phone calls and texts back and forth with family to keep us up to date on our dear one's progress. Often it was two steps forward and one step back.

This morning, we were able to call Joanne. She has been out of the hospital for five days, resting and recovering in an assisted living center near her home. She is doing well and that is the best Christmas gift of all.

From our little family to all of yours, we wish you a very Merry Christmas!

Dear Art Afficionados,

It's finally here! Today is Artists Sunday - a movement designed to encourage holiday shopping with your local artists. As an incentive, many of us are running specials to celebrate, including yours truly. I have created delicious 25% OFF Gift Coupons which you can access near the end of this blog with instructions on when, where and how you can take advantage of this discount. 

In anticipation of the holiday season, I've been busy creating fun new artwork. However, due to time constraints, I am only featuring my 3 favorites (plus a bonus sketch), which include slideshows demonstrating my process on each one.

The last couple of months I've been exploring mix media collage more than I have in a long time which will be highlighted today. But, I've also made several small abstract paintings and a bunch of little drawings which we'll save for another time.

I completed the first artwork (see below) just a few hours before sitting down to type this blog, so...it is FRESH from the studio!

"Rain Frog"
 4"H x 6"W 
Graphite, Marker, Colored Pencils, Acrylic Paint on paper, print collage
65.00 framed
​
This artwork will be framed if not sold before long. Once it is framed I will update dimensions and price.

"Rain Frog" started spontaneously. I just saw this little guy in my mind and sketched him out quickly. The entire drawing start to finish only took about an hour.  (See slideshow below.)

Once I cut him out, I experimented with different backgrounds. They were all pretty good, so I did something I've never done before. I posted Mr. Frog with several backgrounds on four different social media sites and let my friends and fans pick! I was really surprised because the background that my son and I thought was the best only got 1 vote! I went with the fan favorite which was the pink sand background...but I tweaked it with some blue card stock to make it more interesting. Check out the background choices below and let me know what you think. Can you guess which one was my personal favorite? Choosing the background and mounting all the components was more painstaking than the drawing. If you like this little guy and you think I should have done him differently, no worries. I have drawn other versions of him that you can see next time. :-)

On November 19th I held in my hand the beginning of a floral piece that I wanted to use as collage, but it needed another element. As I contemplated the photo, I mentally saw an array of images. Butterfly? Nope. Beetle? Nope. Then, FLASH. I was surprised to see a winged person in my mind's eye. I spent a few days drawing her and working out how I wanted the finished result to look. I posted the initial sketch as a tease across social media. (See slideshow below.)

"faerie shy"
7"H x 5"W x 1/2"D framed
Graphite, Gel Pen, Marker, Colored Pencils on paper, photo collage
​65.00 framed 

I mentioned in my last blog post that in October I learned a technique that is new to me: gelli print. While I really enjoyed learning the process, almost immediately I saw the image transform into a mix media piece in my mind. I took it home and started work on it right away and this is what developed (see slideshow below).

"Disdain & Valor"
 10"H x 10"W unframed
Gelli Print, Gel Pen, Markers, Acrylic Paint on paper, Foam Core Collage
75.00 unframed

This was an extremely labor intensive piece. If it is not sold unframed, I will have it framed and adjust the price accordingly. I really like the contrast of soft, organic shapes juxtaposed to the hard, metallic, geometric background.

Alrighty, friends. As promised, these are your Holiday Gift Coupons!
(See below.)

You can capture the image and email it to me @ [email protected] with your request if you want to purchase your artwork online OR you can present the coupon in person at the Brazosport Art League if you would like to purchase one of my artworks there. You can use these coupons online 24/7 through December 28, 2024. BUT, there are a couple of caveats to using them @ the gallery:

1) These coupons can ONLY be used on STUTZ artworks. They CANNOT be used to purchase anyone else's art.
2) You need to use them on the days I will be at the gallery. Stop by on these dates: 12/1, 12/14, 12/15, 12/20, 12/22, 12/28.

I can also email to you or print them and snail mail the coupons to you. You have options!

Feel free to reach out to me anytime via text if you have questions about this offer: 832-549-1730.

Not sure what to buy for your loved ones? Tap me for custom gift certificates made to your specifications! 

If you are interested in commissions, please hurry to get your order in if you want it completed before Christmas. Times vary depending on the complexity of the work.

 Recently, I stumbled upon a sketch I started two or three years ago that I think is really cute. As a BONUS, I am going to post it below. If you'd like to purchase it as-is or if you think I should finish and frame it, let me know.  If you reach out to me before my next blog post you can name your price. Make me an offer!

"Levitating Pals"
10"H x 8"W
Graphite, Colored Pencil on paper

I have way more inventory than is available at the gallery or represented on this blog. If you'd like to see more, give me a shout. We can arrange a viewing at your convenience.

Happy Artists Sunday y'all!

  S.

Hi Friends!

The Holiday Season is going to be action packed so I'm not going to wait 2 weeks between blog posts. You'll want to know where to do all your holiday shopping NOW, right? 

First off, let's talk about the BAL Members Holiday Show which opened November 12    
and runs through December 28 featuring art by Brazosport Art League members. 
We had our reception last Friday, November 15 which was a lot of fun and very well attended. We didn't have a docent for the front desk, so I missed a lot of the party, but for a great reason: People were buying art! With hundreds of one-of-a-kind artworks to choose from, we sold wall art, mosaics, jewelry, shadow boxes and more.  Since no docent was present, I jumped right in and handled the sales. Some very happy holiday shoppers scored amazing gifts! There is something in every price range and for all tastes at the gallery. Seriously. Check out the slide show below and click on any image to be taken to the Brazosport Art League website.
​
I personally have artwork in all three BAL galleries (Members Gallery, Art Shop and Main Gallery) through 12/31...unless it all sells. That's my goal! But, naturally, I am not alone. Our members are skilled in multiple disciplines and it shows.

As art sells, the artists can replace their SOLD artwork with something new. To keep up with the changes in the Art Shop, you'll want to check out our Pinterest page which I update regularly: https://www.pinterest.com/balartandevents/art-shop/

BTW, did you know that the first Sunday after Thanksgiving is Artists Sunday? It's a reminder to show some love to local artists by purchasing handmade gifts for your friends and family. Who doesn't appreciate that extra special out-of-the-ordinary gift?

I have new work and lots of surprises in store for art lovers on that Sunday, December 1st. And, I want to keep you all up-to-date this season so, as I mentioned, I'll be posting more than usual. Definitely  planning to offer a BIG ART DISCOUNT that weekend, too!

As a reminder, you can purchase my art in person at the Brazosport Art League OR, if you can't make the trip, you can reach out to me via phone, text, email or social media. I can take payment over the phone or online and SHIP your artwork directly to your door. There's lots more artwork in my studio that is not being shown in the gallery right now. If it is on my website it is for SALE...unless it is already sold. Here's my contact info, social media and  payment links:

​832-549-1730 CALL / TEXT
[email protected] 
https://www.facebook.com/STUTZStudiowerks/​
​https://x.com/STUTZEnterprise​
​https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandystutzncmg/​
PayPal.me/stutzstudiowerks

Support your local artists and STAY TUNED for more updates! ​

Dear Friends,

​The wild and wonderful world of art is full of fun and unexpected adventures. Whether near or far, there's always art to be found. I'll cover a variety of art happenings, plus fun places to find art now that the holiday season is in full swing. Stay with me to the end of this post. You won't want to miss any of these scrumptious little artsy tidbits.

We begin with what might seem like a very unlikely place to find fine art: Clute City Hall! 

All of the art in the slideshow below can be found hanging in the main lobby. This collection is by artist Jill Friedman and is currently for sale.

After leaving Clute, I went to the Dow Diamond Center looking for an art exhibit. What I found instead was a custom mural created exclusively for that building. It is approximately 2 stories high and is the largest Intarsia mural in the United States. It's really spectacular and worth the trip just to enjoy it in person. (See below.)

In my many excursions out and about looking for art, I often stumble upon unexpected delights. Case in point: Imagine strolling into one of the Lake Jackson Branch Library's meeting rooms looking for art and finding a friendly group of knitters! (See below.) The ladies were nice as can be. We had a chat and they told me that the Needlecrafters group meets every Tuesday @ the library from 1 - 3p. So, if you're in the area and you're a knitter, this just might be your tribe.

All of the art in the next slide show can currently be found at the library. These bold works are by local artist Frank Allen Cameron.

Just a short walk from the library is a neighborhood favorite. Wurst Haus has been a family owned business for, gosh, probably 40 years or more. It also currently houses an eclectic collection of fine art. Multiple artists contributing many styles from painting and photography to digital work. Since the artwork is literally all over the restaurant, and out of respect for the patrons, I only shot a small sample of what is available to view. My recommendation? Do yourself a favor and order some delicious German food and maybe a good beer and enjoy the artwork for yourself. (See below.)

There are still more local art venues that I visited recently and would like to share, but before we continue I want to take a break for DINOSAURS!!! Last October 23rd during a Brazosport Fine Arts Council meeting this baby T-Rex statue was revealed. It turns out the the Brazosport Museum of Natural Science has acquired TWO of the little terrors and they will be permanent fixtures outside the museum for kiddos and their families to enjoy. Everyone had fun taking photos with the newest member of The Center for the Arts and Sciences, myself included (see below). Isn't this dinosaur awesome???

A couple of days later, Brazosport Art League Gallery hosted another artists reception. Friends & Family: Art of Relationships features art by Eric Fasking, his dad Don Fasking, Anne Spoon, Lori Ball and Bill & Roxanne Dacy. This is possibly the most diverse show at this level of expertise that I have seen at BAL, so far. The show ends on 11/10 so, in case you see something you like among the thumbnails below and miss seeing the show in person, you can call me and I will share the artists' contact info with you: 832-549-1730.

Venturing over into Angleton, TX a couple of days later, I found art displayed at the Brazoria County East Annex. The paintings are by Dana Moody-Stevens and the photography is by Charles Jesse Miller Jr. (Scroll down to the slideshow below.)

Art in public places is such a joy. City of Richwood is currently hosting lovely watercolor art by Linda Strickland. I've included a few thumbnails below.

Did you know that there are more Satellite Galleries in public places around lower Brazoria County? Most of the artwork on view at these public locations is for sale. Reach out to Charles Jesse Miller Jr. to learn more about hanging your art around the area or purchasing an artwork to take home: [email protected]

Are we finished looking at art? Heck no! There's so much more to share. But, I'd like to take a moment before we continue to thank Phil Partridge for teaching me a technique that is new to me. I was admiring some of his Gelli prints and he invited me to the BAL Art Studio so I could learn how to make them. Isn't that nice? The slides below show my very first one. It's not finished. I'm going to work on it some more. What do you think? So far, so good?

BTW, the Brazosport Art League Art Studio is quite spacious and a great place for artists to create and play together. It is right next door to the gallery. Members and visitors can use the studio Monday and Wednesday mornings as well as Monday evenings. Contact BAL for more details.

One Monday a month, the studio has a potluck to celebrate all the artists who had birthdays in that month. October 30th was one of those days and since it was just before Halloween costumes were encouraged. What fun we had! And, it just happened to turn out that I was the only October baby. What are the odds? I feel like I had TWO birthdays this year and that I am the luckiest girl in the world to know all of these nice folks. The honorary birthday hat was placed on my head and a wish was made. :-) Check out the slideshow below!

Funny side note before we wrap. You may remember a little piece I posted about last time called "Surfacing." Well, I really wanted to show it in the Art Shop, but BAL has a rule about frontal nudity. Artwork showing nipples is not allowed. So, I had a brain storm and made my aquatic person a swim mini out of gold spangly vinyl cling material so she is no longer nude, but the buyer can peel it off after purchase...if they want to. (See below.) Guess what? The artwork was in the gallery less than 5 days and it SOLD! I'm glad the buyer enjoyed my little work of art and I hope it brings her much happiness. :-)

Finally, I'd like to invite you all out to the Brazosport Art League Art Shop to see our new display of artworks. Eleven artists have artwork in all mediums for your viewing and buying pleasure. I worked  for several hours Monday 11/4 arranging each piece, but it was 100% a labor of love. I feel fortunate to be surrounded by such beautiful treasures created by our very talented artisans. These make great one-of-a-kind gifts for your friends and loved ones. They don't last long, so if you can't make it out to the Art Shop in person, reach out to me HERE if you see something that catches your eye in the photos below. As artwork is sold, new artwork goes in it's place so the Art Shop may be a little different day to day. (Click on each thumbnail to enlarge.)

Well, that's all for this time, folks. As always, I've left links throughout this post for your Internet surfing enjoyment. If you'd like to hang out and chat with me while I'm in the Art Shop, you'll find me there from 2 - 5p. on these Sundays: 11/17, 11/24, 12/1, 12/15, 12/22.

As artwork is sold, I post NEW artwork on our Art Shop Pinterest page, so you'll want to check it out frequently: https://www.pinterest.com/balartandevents/art-shop/

You can also connect with me on LinkedIn, Nextdoor, X and fb.

Peace, Love and Happiness to one and all!

​  S.

Good Evening Artists and Art Lovers,

I have a variety of news to share - past, current and upcoming art shows, a call for artists - something for everyone! But, first let's dive right in with this...

I was creating a series of mer-person drawings, but I wasn't "seeing" (or more like, feeling) the scales. I decided that these beings must be something different, so I've been calling them aquatic humanoid mammalian creatures. More akin to dolphins or manatees than fish. They are warm blooded and breathe air. I will post one that I recently finished and framed, below. Let me know what you think they should be called.

"Surfacing"
9"H x 6"W x 2.5"D framed
Graphite, Gel Pen, Colored Pencils on paper
​SOLD 

I found this really cool floater frame for it and have photographed "Surfacing" on a bookshelf and also on a table so you can see the proportions and how it looks from above. 

Oh, before I get back to art shows, past, present and future, I wanted to mention that if you are in the Brazosport area and would like me to show you around the Brazosport Art League Gallery, just give me a call: 832-549-1730. You can also stop in the gallery and I will definitely be there on these Sundays from 2:00p. - 5:00p.: 10/27, 11/3, 11/17, 11/24.

Currently on view at the Center for the Arts and Sciences is the juried exhibition Los Vivo y Los Muertos: A Celebration of Hispanic & Latino Culture. It's a fun show so hurry over to see it. The last day is Sunday, November 3! Check out these highlights below...

The Brazoria County Fair rolled into Angleton, TX on 10/11 and left on 10/19. I enjoyed a wonderful day there which included an art exhibit. I was amazed at the variety of artwork from folks as young as Pre-K all the way to adult. There were winners in many categories including BAL's own Dana Moody-Stevens taking a first place ribbon for the Nature division! (She also takes commissions, BTW.) In case you missed it, I'll post a slide show with some of my faves out of the hundreds of entries. (See below.)

Do you make art? Is creating jewelry your passion? How about sculpture? I am looking for a variety of creations to show in the Brazosport Art League Gallery Art Shop this holiday season.  The Art Shop features small, giftable, handmade works by member artists that our guests can purchase and take home the same day. All styles of arts and crafts are welcome and it's a great way to get your art SEEN. BONUS: Artists do not have to wait to get paid! You'll receive a call to pick up your envelope as soon as the artwork is sold. Wow! So what are you waiting for? Contact me before 11/1 to participate in our next exhibit:
832-549-1730 call/text
[email protected]  

Hmmm...I have a few ideas for artwork I'd like to place in the Art Shop for the holidays. I'm also just getting started on a collage. Not sure where I'm going with this, but I'll keep you posted...

And one last thing...I stopped by BAL today to take measurements of some shelves and just happened to see an AMAZING show going up in the Main Gallery. There was beautiful stained glass, 2D wall hangings and more. The opening reception for Friends and Family: Art of Relationships will be this coming Friday, October 25th from 6:30p. - 8:00p. Refreshments will be served. Hope to see you there! The show will run from 10/22 - 11/10. 

That's all for now. G'night friends!

​  S.

Greetings Dear Ones,
​
Today marked my 64th trip around our Sun. Glad we're all taking this ride together! I'm not sure if I have ever published a blog post on my birthday, but I decided that this would be a fun way to commemorate an important year. (Been feelin' a particular Beatles song all day. You know the one, right?)

But, before we get into that, let's catch up on some local art happenings...

The evening of 9/20 marked the opening reception for the Brazosport Art League Main Gallery Artists Showcase featuring work by artists of the Houston Visual Artists Network (HVAN), including Suzanne Buckland, Joanne Kendall, Cora Salvino, Rodney Butler & Winnie Wells. It was a fun night with amazing artwork and some of Houston's nicest artists. The show runs through October 20th. (Check out photos of the artists below.)

The very next day (if you follow my blog you may see a pattern here) my son and I had an absolute blast @ the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory's annual Xtreme Hummingbird Xtravaganza! Truth be told we go to a lot of events in the area, but if it ties into art in some way, you can be sure that I'll be sharing it here. Before I get to the part about the art, I want to mention the important work that GCBO does for wildlife. This organization conducts large avian conservation projects including migration studies, habitat enhancement, land acquisition, regional habitat mapping, and more. The information they accumulate provides a scientific basis for the protection of birds and their habitats around the Gulf of Mexico and far beyond. During this event we got to watch them band some teeny-tiny hummers and let them go. They literally flew right past our heads!

This event had the cutest hummer mascot that was worn by an eight-year-old child. There were plenty of booths and activities for adults and kids including food and wildlife encounters.

Notable amongst the booths was wildlife photographer Mike Williams. He offered beautiful hummingbird posters for only 7.00 each! The purchase of these photos help fund GCBO. I hope you will visit their Lake Jackson, TX location. In addition to Mike's photos, they have all kinds of souvenirs for bird lovers including books, t-shirts, hats and even native plants to attract birds. Did I mention GCBO is a great place to bird watch? This stop should be at the top of every photographer and plein air painter's list.

We also met a fiber artist at the Xtravaganza. While not affiliated with GCBO, I thought her creations were adorable and worth a mention here. Click the images below to contact the artist via email.

One of our favorite booths was hosted by the National Wildlife Refuge. They had a chart to measure each guest's "wingspan" against a bird of the same size. Once our match was discovered we were given a name tag to wear with the name of the bird. My wingspan was equal to an Osprey. Wow! Can you guess which bird was Justin's match? BTW, we were both very happy with the results of this fun activity. 

The two of us have been so busy! Between the hummingbird event and yesterday, Justin has enjoyed his chess club at Brazosport College, I've been to 2 concerts at the Clarion (highly recommend!), we went to the City of Clute's Sunday Funday featuring Willie Manchew ( a towering mosquito wearing a cowboy hat and boots) and live music, and I've been to a couple of BAL meetings. Holy Macaroni! There's no shortage of fun things to do around here.

As a side note, for those of you that don't know me personally, you might be wondering why I spend so much time with my grown son. Well, a few years back Justin had a TBI (traumatic brain injury). After a while he began to have cognition issues and difficulties with his short term memory, so he moved in and I care for him full time. He still has good long term memory which allows him to continue playing chess. He likes learning new things, although it might take him awhile longer than some folks to lay down new memories. One of his latest endeavors is writing poetry. It was a very nice surprise when he gifted me this poem on 10/2. (See below.)

So the big day rolled around. I woke to a beautiful sunny day and wondered, What will I do on my 64th birthday? Will I go out to eat with a friend, hop on a river boat tour, pedicure, movie? So many choices! My entire schedule was wiped clean so that I'd have the whole day to do whatever I wanted uninterrupted. After breakfast I realized that I do "special" stuff all the time. I just wanted to stay home and enjoy being 64. So, that's what I did.

​Justin's (much appreciated) other present to me was doing my dishes all day. Isn't that nice? I spent a good part of the day finishing a cute little drawing that I started last night. (See below.)

"Born to Love You"
6"H x 8"W x 3/4"D framed
Graphite, Gel Pen, Colored Pencils on paper
​65.00 framed (see below) 

Midday I took a nap (HEY! I'm 64!).

After Justin's friend picked him up for an outing, I loaded the doggies in the Jeep and went adventuring around the area. We drove to Demi-John Island and Hide-Away-on-the-Gulf. Both are old neighborhoods I haven't visited for decades. Next I took Maximus and Poco for a fun walk around the lovely wooded Oyster Creek Municipal Park which they both thoroughly enjoyed. (The park sits right on Oyster Creek and has a 24 hour fishing pier so, again, if you are a photographer or a plein air painter, this is a great spot for both.)

A beautiful sunset and it was so-long to a relaxing agenda-free birthday. Many happy returns! ;-)