Painting

Susan Creamer Joy

What I do today may not be what I focused on yesterday or will be working on tomorrow. Art, like life is in a constant state of flux and to argue with its inherent meandering design is useless. It only took me until middle age to realize this, but once I did, not only am I willing to go with the flow as I blaze through my senior years; but I am promoting the notion for everyone else.

It is all about recognizing the value your input has on each moment and running with it.

Age does not matter, neither does gender, race, upbringing or appearance. We are all Half Past Pretty in some respect because none of us is perfect and the most noble way to redeem our imperfections is to celebrate them and most especially, to forgive them in others - to find the beauty inside the brokenness of everyone and everything.

It is all about Grace and Compassion.

I have been writing and creating artwork all of my adult life and for just as long, I have been given reasons why it is a flawed and impractical choice and warned of the probability that I might not have the chops to be successful. What does that even mean? If success means 'material wealth,' than I have failed; but if it means routinely diving in among the contents of your soul to scrape clean its walls of whatever is stored there and then to share those motley findings in whatever way you are drawn to share them, then I am building an empire.

It is all about Integration and Communication.

The distinction between what I create as an artist and believe as a sentient being is nonexistent and circles my goal of seeking transcendence within the mundane while communicating the sacredness of all life through words, art and actions. As a reluctant arbiter of senior dysfunction in need of redemption; I write, illustrate, paint and cobble together "Sari Art" tapestries made from reproductions of my artwork onto treated canvass then sewn in place with my trusty 1938 Singer Featherweight using vintage silk sari remnants and beaded trims from India.

I frequently sports burns on my fingers from the soldering iron, paint on my palms and ink under my fingernails, but my hair is usually combed.

When I am not losing time in the creative vortex of my studio, I am likely to be found wondering how I got here and how best to leave the planet in better shape than I found it. I know it is a long shot, however, living on a farm in rural Iowa with my brilliant, handsome and patient husband, Steve Warbasse; our five dogs, two cats, three chickens and a rooster certainly helps keep me grounded .

Art is my supplication; writing, my prayer and both are executed with the sincere hope that they bring joy to someone else.

It is all about letting go and letting God.

Please feel free to contact me if anything on this site interests you or even if you only want to say "hello" - because really....

it is all about sharing.