i've been in a lot of pain these last few years due to wrist and arm injury from painting tiny paintings. my physical therapist i've been working with these last several months has really helped me understand what's happening to me exactly and how i can improve my work behaviors for the future with some stretches, exercises and changes in my work environment.

he taught me this trick, which i think will be useful for not just painters but also people who crochet and writers and jewelers and anyone who works with their hands, so i thought i'd share it here!!  i'm not a doctor obviously so this isn't medical advice or a replacement for it, but it's a little tip to reduce your likelihood for injury and possibly provide some relief from some existing work-related pain.  (if you're in serious pain, you should see a doctor immediately)



ok!  so here goes. you'll need:
1. your narrow instruments (paintbrushes, pencils, pens, knitting needles, anything with a pretty narrow diameter in the handle)
2. some tennis overgrip tape (you can get it at any sports store)
3. scissors





and that's it!  it'll take a minute of your time and could save you from a lot of needless suffering.  hope this is helpful to someone else out there!
xo susie

a few sneak peeks!




please join me if you are able!

hello craftsters!  i have a solo art show coming up on saturday, august 18th at giant robot new york. i've made some soft sculptures and drawings and all kinds of things and thought i should post about it here. if you can make it, please join me!

i'll post the details from the gallery below:



Teacher’s Pets, August 18, 2007 – September 12, 2007
Reception: Saturday, August 18, 6:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Giant Robot Gallery
437 East 9th Street
Between 1st Ave. & Ave. A, in the East Village
New York, New York 10009
(212) 674-GRNY (4769) | http://www.grny.net

Giant Robot is proud to present Teacher’s Pets, a solo art show by Susie Ghahremani at GRNY.

Ghahremani is a RISD graduate who has contributed work to Nickelodeon, Chronicle Books, and The New York Times, and was featured in the 2006 American Illustration publication. Illustrations by the San Diego artist have a patchwork appearance that is simple in design, complex in execution, and all-around pleasing to the eye. In addition to making two-dimensional art, she crafts tote bags, buttons, wallets, stationery, and other goodies.

Themes of the show include patterns and fine detail, animals and nature, and interior spaces with domesticated wildlife. Ghahremani titled it “Teacher’s Pets” because she takes imaginary animals and teaches them how to do her favorite things: play the piano, make origami, ride a bike, swing in a hammock without falling out. Approximately 200 paintings, soft sculptures, unframed line drawings, framed work, wood pieces, and miniatures will be on display.

A reception for Ghahremani will be held from 6:30 to 10:00 on Saturday, August 18.

you all are just awesome. thanks to everyone who came out. believe it or not, i'm still recovering!

there's a big group show at gr2 this weekend i'm in again, though with about 1% of the work. a group show to benefit "kitten rescue" a nonprofit org, all kitty themed art from a lot of different artists:

http://www.gr2.net

hey silverlining86, i have those same bedsheets!

i recently did a total overhaul of my studio, it feels great!!! i got rid of some bulky cabinets that i could never seem to keep stuff in and replaced it with almost a wall high unit from ikea. i'm completely convinced that the only way to keep a room clean is to have shelving that goes ALL THE WAY UP! it's like taking my entire floor (which was covered in crafts and things) and just tacking it right up on the wall out of the way. ha!

the best part of my studio now is that i feel professional working in here. that's a feeling i never really had in my studio before. it always felt like a part of my home, and now it feels like my workplace, so i am more efficient when i'm in here.

without further ado. the before pictures:



the after pictures:


gotta love ikea.

i'm not sure if anyone from craftster made it over to the show, but if you did, thank you so much! it was just the best night ever, everyone was so awesome and enthusiastic and it was like a big party.
i didn't have my camera out at opening night, but here are some photos of the show
(and the final painting count was 180!)
the work is all up for view at http://www.gr2.net/artshow.php





(with more pictures on my website and my flickr accounts! http://www.boygirlparty.com and http://www.flickr.com/photos/boygirlparty/tags/birdcall/)

but seriously, to anyone who came out, you guys made the evening for me. it was just such an honor, and i'm so completely humbled by the amazing show of love!

here are another secret sneak peek!
don't forget: this saturday!


thanks for the well wishes, everyone.

a couple sneak peeks, as promised!





but these are just 5 of about 150..so more sneak peeks soon, maybe!

hey, if anyone's in the area, i have an art show in los angeles opening on saturday, november 11th and will be there along with about 150 of my latest paintings. the show is titled "bird call" and takes place at giant robot at 2062 sawtelle blvd, which is a really cool gallery, store, magazine, restaurant, etc. if you haven't already been there (there's one in san francisco and new york as well!)

let me know if anyone needs more info, and please pass it on to anyone you know who may be interested in checking out the show or helping to spread the word! (i need help spreading the word!)

sneak peeks to follow soon. drop me a line if you have any questions, please!

[JUNE 15!]

HEY So. Cal!  The San Diego Craft Mafia and SD Bad Girls of Craft are organizing a two day punk rock craft show JULY 29 + 30th and are looking for vendors of all kinds and performers of all kinds...Application s are due by JUNE 15!

The event will be held at UCSD's Che Cafe off Gilman Dr, in La Jolla, CA and promises all kinds of interesting performances, music and shopping throughout both days.  Vendor spaces are only $15, but limited space is available.

The application is available for view here  (word document):  http://www.punkrockcraftfair.com/apps/PRCF_2006_vendorapp.doc
APPLICATIONS ARE DUE JUNE 15

Please join the Punk Rock Craft Fair myspace here:  http://www.myspace.com/punkrockcraftfair

More info about the event, how to apply, be involved, and attend are here:  http://www.punkrockcraftfair.com/

Any crafters interested in participating but not in the area are also invited to contribute to SWAG BAGS being given to the first 100 attendees.

Questions?  Contact info@punkrockcraftfair.com

Thanks for reading!  Pass it on!