and then went back to making things that didn ’ t keep her up at night . She made more whimsical , fun pieces — even things like real or imagined animals .
She has been working on a collection she calls the “ Feral House ” series , which appear to be houses and parts of houses . She has made four so far . “ All of them have souls except for the one I just made , which I call ‘ Rooted ,’” Suzanne says of the series . “ I don ’ t just make pretty things , but things that start conversations .”
According to Suzanne , art is not something you can put on a list and then cross off when it ’ s complete . She keeps telling herself it is not a task . It isn ’ t something you can finish and then tell yourself , “ Look what I just did today !” It ’ s not like gardening or doing the laundry or grocery shopping . It has to come from another part of your brain , and an artist can ’ t force it . When she has tried , the wrong things happen . She has had to throw away a couple of forced pieces . At one point , she started to temper her art to the gallery she was in but discovered she didn ’ t want to make art to sell more . It wasn ’ t the reason she did it . Suzanne realized she needed to grow as an artist , say what she felt she needed to communicate with her art , and let the chips fall .
“ My art is fun , and every part of it is me ,” Suzanne often says . “ I have people coming
into the studio from time to time , and we usually have a party in here every year . This last year was an exception , of course . I ’ ve had people come in here and tell me , ‘ There ’ s an energy in here that I can feel .’ I don ’ t even know what that means , but it ’ s a good thing , I think . At least , this is where I can be totally me . I don ’ t edit myself in here .”
Finally , creating art helps her live in the moment . She doesn ’ t spend time worrying about the future or dwelling on the past when she is creating something . It keeps her mind stilled and connected in a way that would be more difficult if she didn ’ t have these creative times . She claims it ’ s like meditation in that you realize all you have is now . “ I love our home and where we are . Wherever you go , you are there , and it puts perspective in your mind .”
You can find Suzanne on the web at suzanneellerart . com or check out her Facebook page @ primrosestudios .
“ One Eye Open ”
“ I don ’ t just make pretty things , but things that start conversations ”
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