"Orangecicle", "Hidden", "Drawing Class", "Sasha" ~ New Art, Learning and Corrections ~ Amy Tuso

"Orangecicle"

36"x18"x1.5"

Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Textured, Layered, Acrylic & Glaze

*Signature on back of Canvas*

"Hidden"

21"x18"x1.5"

Mixed Media, Acrylic, Texture, Glaze, Collage

*Signature on back of Canvas*

(* The reason for my signing the back of the canvas on all abstracts is to bring my collectors into the creative process allowing their vision to dictate how they hang and view their new artwork and offering the option to "change-it-up" from time-to-time by rotating the painting for a new look. )

~

I've been attending Scottsdale Artists' School on a scholarship (thank you so very much!) taking a drawing class under the direction of Larry Charles. 

As a self-taught artist, this challenging class is my very first professional drawing class and I am enjoying the experience immensely.  Larry is a wonderful teacher and pushes his students to gain a new way of "seeing", "understanding" and moving forward.

The class has a diverse group of 15 people, which makes for a very interesting growth period as we look at each others' work and learn from our struggles!

The following are some of my drawing assignments.  In looking at them retrospectively, growth is apparent (at least to me :}).  Take a peek and feel my own struggles with creating a drawing with nothing more than a pencil and eraser....yikes.......

Listening to Larry and actually understanding what he is presenting lead me to re-visit "Sasha" and make a few very important changes.  Maybe you can see them, maybe not...

"Sasha"

48"x30"x1.5"

Oil

Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Available Here

As spring is arriving, new growth is happening.  Thank you for taking this journey with me.

Have a blessed day filled with beauty...Amy



Although I've not been blogging...creating has been hopping!

"Saturday Shopping"

15.5"x6"x6"

Paperclay Sculpture

This month has proven to be challenging with both Jack and I ping-ponging nasty colds and flu back and forth.  Add into the mix of my mother recovering from a bad fall injuring her knee requiring several various doctor visits, as well as being her advocate at the assisted living facility where she currently resides. 

And so...my art has once again become my refuge!

The paperclay sculpture entitled "Saturday Shopping" is heavily influenced by my childhood and growing up under the watchful eye of my Russian grandmother, Mary.  She and my grandfather had a chicken farm in southern New Jersey where I spent a vast amount of time while my parents were off playing.  Every Saturday morning she would put on her "good clothes" and off to town we would go to pick up the supplies needed for the upcoming week.  It was always a treat to climb in the back of her big black Buick and visit with her brother, Uncle Pete, whom we would meet in front of the Jewish deli where more delights awaited!  Ah, memories...so sweet and full of love.

~

It was during my childhood that the cartoon "Bullwinkle" was a huge hit on black and white TV...again the joy of watching cartoons was an early Saturday morning ritual that would spark my imagination with happy fantasies. 

And so, while I have been trying to "escape" from the demands of adulthood while creating... "Bullwinkle" came to mind and developed from a mound of clay into this really charming, whimsical paperclay sculpture.

"Bullwinkle"

13.5"x14"x7.5"

Paperclay Sculpture

~

A dear friend of mind had mentioned how much she like my original "Love Bowl".  She recently had a major milestone marked in her life and I felt she could use some extra love surrounding her.  I packed up my prize- winning (February Contemporary Fine Art International) sculpture, and it is happily residing with her on the east coast. 

This development lead to the creation/birth of "Love Bowl II" which is a larger version, but equally overflowing with love, light and joy.

"Love Bowl II"

4.5"x4.5"

Paperclay Sculpture

~

Living in Fountain Hills, Arizona I am surrounded with desert beauty!  The following 2 oil paintings, "Butterfly Cactus" and "3's Company" are from my imagination mixed with some realism. 

Color, lots of colors, mixed, mingled, complimenting, juxtaposing create these 2 beauties.  Viewing them in person is really an experience, as the camera just can't seem to capture all of the variants in each stroke.

If you would like to view any of my pieces under magnification, just click on the highlighted titles which will take you to their pages on my website where you can play with various sizes of magnifying.

"Butterfly Cactus"

36"x18"x1.5"

Oil

"3's Company"

36"x18"x1.5"

Oil

~

And so you can see, even though I haven't been blogging...my studio is bustling along and allowing me a gentle refuge for this thing we call life.

Thank you for taking the time to stop by here and my website. Wishing you good health, peace, light and love for you and your loved ones.........Amy

Jack and Amy Tuso~AT Studio Greening of Downtown Leaf Plaque

"Jack and Amy Tuso~AT Studio Plaque"

This sculpture in Fountain Hills Park is quickly filling up with donation plaques for the "Greening Of Downtown" project.  Our leaf was added a few weeks ago...top right corner spot.

The day that I stopped to read the plaques, specifically looking if ours had been added, the wind chime enclosed in the center of the sculpture started to lightly chime...almost as if telling me "I'm here!".

Normally at this time of the morning I would be walking around the park...but BRRRRRRR!  Our current temperature is 29 degrees with wind chills of 16 degrees.

Just before Jack was getting ready to leave the house, our power went out...not something that normally happens here in sunny, warm, power lines buried under ground Fountain Hills!  The house was suddenly pitch black and weird.

I have to laugh at Jack and myself...we lived on the southern coast of NJ most of our lives and were used to bad weather, howling winds, pounding rains...days of rains, ice, snow and yes, extended power outages.

We definitely have become desert lizards....skittish ones at that! 

The cold temperature, mixed with the high winds has me wishing I wasn't going out today...jeez!  I mean good grief...the skies are blue, the sun is shining, the power is back on and the temperature for the day will reach mid 40's. Get a grip!  And so, I'm off to pull up my big girl pants and head out for a day of painting with two of my best girlfriends...I'll just be wearing several, maybe 3-4 layers of clothes to keep my lizard thermostat moderated..............

I will be posting the oil painting that I'm presently creating on my website within the week. If you would like to automatically be notified with a link to view it, please go to my website and click on the link at the bottom of any of the pages to be "Notify Me Of New Art By This Artist" and enter your information.

Have a great day, stay warm and feel the inner heat of love...Blessings...Amy

The Love Bowl

"The Love Bowl"

PaperClay Sculpture

Perfect Affordable Valentine's Day Gift

I just learned that I won 2nd place in the Contemporary Fine Art International January's art contest...gotta luv surprises!

Check out all the winners by following this link http://www.contemporaryfineartinternational.com/CFAI_Art_Challenge_Winner_Page.html

Wishing you a blessed day full of wonderful surprises...Amy

Morning Walk Around The Park

Greening of Downtown Project

Donors Commemorative Plaque Sculpture

I've often written about my morning meditative walk around the park in my town, Fountain Hills and thought you might like to see some of the beauty that surrounds me.

Most of you know that Fountain Hills is in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona approximately 30 miles northeast of Phoenix.  What may surprise some is the vast amount of greenery we live among.  I've have been asked in the past if our landscape only consists of barren sand, rocks and cacti...and as you see from this photo, the answer is a huge no.

Currently Fountain Hills Cultural and Civic Association is spearheading a project called "Greening of Downtown" which is a private/public cooperative securing donations and grants that are paying for desert-adapted trees, low-water landscape gardens and native species of wildflower gardens along with park benches. 

This mornings' walk was on brisk side...for a desert lizard as myself...I think it was in the mid 50's...enough to make my eyes tear and nose run from the cold.  (Do I hear some snickering?)  Anyway, the lake is full of visiting geese, coots, pinhead ducks along with our regular mallards and herons.  The turtles that live in the lake have not made themselves known and are staying deep within the water for warmth.

Our other "snowbirds" (human winter visitors) are also enjoying the park for their early morning walks and are easily identifiable because they are wearing shorts with light jackets or sweatshirts.  Us Arizonians are bundled up, wearing gloves and hats...burrrr:}

As the rest of the US is experiencing snow, freezing rain...all is wonderful here with the expected high of 72 this afternoon...still on the chilly side, but no complaints!

Hope you have a blessed day and please take a few moments to enjoy my artwork by clicking here.

http://www.amytuso.com/

"Pairing" Mixed Media Textured Acrylic Color Blends Thought Provoking Abstract by Daily Painter Amy Tuso

"Pairing"

36"x36"x1.5"

Mixed Media

Loads of Texture

Beautiful Color Blends

Gallery Wrapped Canvas

I completed this beautiful painting a few days ago and absolutely love the completed piece.

Click here to view under magnification and see the multiple color blends.

Creating art is such a magical experience for me.  Instinct takes over as I reach for colors and tools.  As I step back from my work to see where I am and where I am going, inspiration comes rapidly and I find myself back in the magical place of creating.

The color scheme of "Pairing" is unique for me.  Although this piece has softer blends than my normal palette, I appreciate the pop of colors emerging throughout the piece.

Thanks for stopping by and taking a look at my newest creation.

Have a blessed day...Amy

"Gathering" Spiritual Angels Emerging From Pulled Layered Oil Abstract Painting by Fountain Hills, AZ Artist~Amy Tuso

"Gathering"

Pulled Oil

This "pulled oil" painting is going to be auctioned at "AAHA!" which stands for "An Auction Of Heirlooms & Art" held by Hospice of the Valley in Phoenix, AZ on Saturday, March 5, 2011.

AAHA! features both silent and live auctions of collectible art, antiques and art-related items to raise money for Hospice of the Valley end-of-life care programs and services.  This year's event will be held at the Arizona Biltmore Resort.

AAHA! draws over 300 guests and begins with a cocktail reception where guests browse the "art gallery" of silent auction items.  A live auction and sit-down dinner and entertainment follow.

A fellow artist brought AAHA! to my attention as she has a warm spot in her heart for Hospice, just as I do.  Both of us have experienced the wonderful services of Hospice through our respective fathers end-of-life journeys.

I cannot say enough about Hospice and the Earth Angels that work with this outstanding organization!  Hospice treated my father with dignity, respect, compassion along with coordinating his health care and pain management superbly.  Our Earth Angel became one of our family members and extended her respect and compassion to my mother and sisters, as well as myself.

I am so pleased to be able to contribute my painting "Gathering" for their fundraiser.

Should you be considering making a tax-deductible gift, please consider your local Hospice as a possibility and if you are in the Phoenix area there are tickets available to attend this wonderful function at the Biltmore.

God bless Hospice.  God bless you.

"Sasha" Palette Knife Oil Nude On Abstract Copper Background Modern Figurative Painting by Amy Tuso

"Sasha"

48"x30"x1.5"

Gallery Wrapped

To learn more and view under magnification click here.

"Sasha" whispered her name to me as I was working on her facial features...and it just fit!

This painting is unique for me as it is the first time I was guided to use a palette knife while working on a human body.  As I was applying the oil with the knife and scraping the canvas the layering effect that was created astounded me.  Click here to view it under magnification.

The only brush work is in her facial, hair and necklace detailing.

It was extremely difficult to capture the true tones through the camera.  If you live in the Scottsdale area and would like to view "Sasha" in person, contact me to set up an appointment for a studio visit.

Thank you for stopping by and have a blessed day....Amy

Listening For The Title.....

Progression of this commissioned oil nude and still listening for her name...

Hope you had a very merry Christmas...

light, love and peace...Amy

Listening For The Title.....

This is a large 48"x38"x1.5" commissioned nude oil in it's very early stages.  As it progresses I will post updates.  The background is showing a glare in this photo as it is a mix of orange, iron oxide, copper and yellow ochre.

Check back in a few days to follow it's progression and if you have any title suggestions contact me through my website contact page...and while there...look around and enjoy!

http://www.amytuso.com/

Have a blessed day, filled with light, love and joy.....Amy

"Mosaic Series" Complete Oil Mosaic Series, Nautilus, Gemstones, Custom Oil Colors Palette, Intricate, Colorful, Evolution by Fountain Hills, Arizona Fine Artist~Amy Tuso

"The Complete Mosaic Series"

This series was inspired by "mother nature" and all the beauty that surrounds us.

As I studied the evolution of the Nautilus it became abundantly clear this creature masters the art of moving forward with life...one doorway at a time...until the ultimate journey home to our Father.

The first and last images shown here are done completely in oils and measure 36"x36"x1.5" on gallery wrapped canvas.

The other five pieces (counting 2 for the dyptichon) all have deep layers of black acrylic as the background with oils comprising the intricate mosaic pieces.

My use of black was to emulate the "spaciousness" of time allowing one to sense the floating that a nautilus experiences in the sea.

Each piece took extended periods of time to create allowing the oil to cure properly before adding additional layers of oil to the mosaics.

To view these beautiful oils under magnification click here.

Thank you for stopping by and enjoying a bit of your day with me!

Have a blessed day and may it be filled with light, love and peace....Amy

http://www.amytuso.com/

"The Red Sash" Paper Clay Sculpture Party Dress with Red Sash on Antique Dress Form

"The Red Sash"

17"Hx7"Wx7"D

Click here to view under magnification.

I am so excited about my new extension of art...paper clay sculpture! 

This form of sculpting allows me to explore creating by feeling and molding the clay.  It is awakening a wonderful form of expression within me.  I have so many ideas floating in my head and my soul that sculpting is going to allow me to affordably manifest.

Paper clay is just that...clay made from paper.  No firing or actual metal is used and when the piece dries, it hardens as if it has been fired.  I than paint it with acrylics and finish with a UV glaze that creates a visual of metal.  What absolute fun!

I hope that this holiday season brings joyful insight into your soul as you discover the inner you, just as I am.

Please stop by my website and check out my sculpture of "Webster" which can be found in the New Artwork Gallery as well as in the Sculpture Gallery and drop me a note telling me your thoughts or perhaps what you would like to see manifest as a new affordable sculpture.

Have a blessed day of love, light and peace....Amy

Art&Abstract&Contemporary&Modern&Amy Tuso

Art&Abstract&Contemporary&Modern&Amy Tuso

"Souls' Journey" Chakra Essence Alzheimer's Searching Oil Painting by Arizona Daily Painter Amy Tuso

Souls' Journey

30"x30"x1.5"

Oil

Gallery-Wrapped Canvas

In honor of Alzheimer's Awareness I am offering this original painting at a 50% discount from its' original price on my website. If you are interested in purchasing this provoking oil painting, contact me and I will make the necessary changes in pricing.

~

There are many Alzheimer's Awareness Walks happening across the country today.  My family is very familiar with this memory robbing disease as 3 of our loved ones have been lead through this very difficult journey.  An aunt and uncle have died from Alzheimer's and my mother is presently in its' grip. 

I am pleased to share that mom is in a rather good phase presently...if there is such a thing.  Her moods have stabilized and she seems happily content although she struggles with her words and any changes to her routine causes major confusion.

I am very thankful for her doctor and the early recognition as to what was happening.  Medications were started about 2 years ago and although the meds won't stop this memory thief, I believe that they have helped in slowing the robbery.  She has peaks and valleys but with the help of open discussion between her doctor, me and mom there are times that she truly understands what is happening...and I look at that as a blessing. 

I am offering this painting at a discount of 50% and will make a donation to the

Alzheimer's Association with the proceeds.

Blessings to you and yours...Amy

 

Prayer for a cure of Alzheimer's

 

www.amytuso.com

Daily Painter from Fountain Hills Arizona

Creating Original Oil Acrylic Textural Abstract Contemporary Modern ART



"Taste" Tropical Multicolored Whimsical Bloom Bumble Bee Oil Original by Arizona Daily Painter Amy Tuso

Taste

36"x36"x1.5"

Oil on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Artwork Continues on the Sides

To view this lovely tropical flower under magnification click here.

This was such a FUN painting to create!  The background is oil blends over a textured canvas offering depth and dimension.  Once that was dry (which takes a long time with reds) I let my imagination go with the flow...feeling the petals of the flower connect through my minds' eye and brush strokes.  Bright colors standing on their own merit along with blends of multiple colors creating unique tones came together...right down to the pollen falling off of the stamens.

It was at the very end...or when I "thought" this beauty was finished that a bumble bee started buzzing in my brain and landed at the bottom of the petal covered with pollen...and Taste was completed!

Isn't that the way of life and life's lessons....just when we think we "know" the way or "understand" something/someone fully, a surprise or another question pops up.  What a blessing He gives us every day, with each challenge, each victory, each joy when we are open to hearing all that He is saying.

Thanks for stopping by and taking a look.  Remember to pop on over to my website often as I'm constantly adding new art and while you're there, click on the "Notify Me" link, fill in the form to be one of the first to view new pieces along with my email listing.  There are many new ideas and interesting things brewing that I'll soon announce via email. 

BTW, your email address is NEVER disclosed to anyone...Promise!

Have a blessed day and listen for His whispers...Amy

http://www.amytuso.com/

Fairy Tale Pumpkin by Amy H. Whitehouse | artalee.com

Fairy Tale Pumpkin by Amy H. Whitehouse artalee.com

Amy and I painted together today and once again totally enjoyed each others' art energy. I always gain inspiration from Amy and learn simply by painting together.

Stop by artalee where I just posted her wonderful painting "Fairy Tale Pumpkin" and than visit her blog to see more of her lovely art.

http://www.artalee.com/artwork/fairy-tale-pumpkin-amy-h-whitehouse

"Dwellings" Texture Vibrant Colors Metallic Cliff Dwellings Southwest Original Acrylic Painting By Daily Painter ~ Amy Tuso

"Dwellings"

16"x12"x1.5"

Acrylic Mixed Media

Texture

Available

"Dwellings" is my imaginative depiction of a village high on a cliff with canyon walls surrounding the homes in beauty.  Take a few moments and view this painting under magnification for a closer look at the detail and allow your imagination to soak in the colors of the canyon walls of the desert southwest.

The last few weeks have been very healing for me as I looked at my life under magnification without judgement but with His guidance.  The simple act of "being still" and allowing my inner voice to be heard (His guidance) has lead me to answers that I was seeking. 

My personal "Dwelling" ~ mind, body and soul ~ had become cluttered with the rust of others.  I came to realize that it is perfectly fine to "dump" their issues and concentrate on myself, my life, my husband and sacred space.

Accepting the true fact that we cannot "do it" for others is not only freeing to ourselves but empowering to the  people in our lives when they realize they can stand on their own without clinging on in weakness.

I have posted a link to a song "With My Own Two Hands" that I found wonderfully happy...I hope you enjoy it.

Have a blessed day...Amy

http://www.amytuso.com/

KarmaTube: Ben Harper: My Own Two Hands

KarmaTube: Ben Harper: My Own Two Hands

"Dream State" Colorful Silky Dream Abstract by Daily Painter from Fountain Hills AZ Amy Tuso

"Dream State"

24"x24"x1.5"

Acrylic

Layered Palette Knifed Abstract

Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Available

"Dream State" looks like dyed silk in person and is a lovely mix of colors, blends and tones.

It is also available as a giclee, print, poster or greeting card through Fine Art America.

My husband and I returned from a wonderfully restful and restorative vacation on the beach in Oceanside, CA this past weekend and it has taken me all week to catch up with pending business, shipping out paintings, bookkeeping, emails...yada, yada, yada.....in other words ~ life.

Our weather took a bazaar turn earlier this week with massive storms and huge hail.  Unfortunately my husbands' truck did not fair well and lost to the hail. We are now waiting for our insurance company to figure out how they are going to handle our claim.  We are not alone in this, as my agent told me yesterday morning that at that point they had over 8300 claims with more rolling in due to the tornadoes that hit northern AZ.  These claims are being handled as "catastrophic" due to the vastness of property damage.  There are people who lost their homes in the Flagstaff/Belmont area but luckily, through the grace of God no lives were lost.

Prayer. The power of prayer is a source of refuge and guidance.  During our time at the beach, as I watched the tide bring waves crashing in and rolling out, there was prayer.  I prayed in gratitude, thanksgiving, release and hope.  I prayed for healing for both my physical pain brought on by stress that reignited my fibromyalgia and  I prayed for mental healing, release and peace for both my mother and myself.  I prayed for guidance and heard Him tell me that I had done all I could and I cannot do everything for mom.  He reminded me that even in her aging state, she still has free will and I must accept this. 

I understand this on a deeper level than I have in the past.  We cannot "do it" for others...only for ourselves.  We must live our life in the present moment...be aware in this moment. This can be achieved with His guidance and with our ears and heart open to hear and receive.

This week has been a very busy time for me but yet I am surprisingly more relaxed than I have been in a very long time.  For this I give Him gratitude.  I am grateful for today, for life today, for my life and all of the blessings and abundance that fills who I am. 

May you have a blessed day and acknowledge each moment as part of your uniqueness and beauty.

Thank you for sharing a moment with me...

"Little Roper" Young Cowboy Southwest Acrylic Original ~ Amy Tuso

"Little Roper"

Acrylic

SOLD

This charming young cowboy with his mischievous smile and eyes is hanging in a collectors home here in Fountain Hills.

While I was painting this young man the presence of my father was with me and while working on the facial features I realized I was looking at my father's eyes and smile. 

I felt my father's presence very strongly yesterday as I was digesting all that transpired during my tending to moma.  What should have been a very easy chore and visit turned into a difficult confrontation with Alzheimer's.  I thought I was speaking with moma...until the situation was out of bounds.

That's part of the strangeness of this disease...you see glimpses of your loved one and out of habit you speak to that glimpse...somewhat hesitantly, but still think you are carrying on a conversation with them until all of a sudden...the realization hits.

Once I returned to my home I crumpled while sitting in my favorite red leather chair in my studio.  I felt my dad comforting me...he used to call me Missy and he was addressing me that way.  My mother confuses me with my father at times...in my heart, or is it my trying to rationalize the

bickering that she pulls me into...anyway, she is coming from a point of love as she loved my father greatly, so her confusing me for him stems from her love for the both of us. 

Anger, hurt, despair, helplessness...so many emotions at once...I can only imagine what is happening in her mind when this rotten disease takes control...

I pray for guidance in finding the correct, loving pathway so I don't bring hurt to moma and I am able to keep the anger and irrationalities of Alzheimer's out of our loving home...our spiritual sanctuary and place of refuge.  Please pray for me and all the other families that are dealing with this horrible disease.

It's too late for my mother and many others...but please pray for a cure for Alzheimer's...the robber of souls, minds, memories and eventually the physical body.

"Thru Her Eyes" Colorful Mountain Majesty Textured Sculped Acrylic Abstract Desert Southwest Sunrise Sunset by Amy Tuso

"Thru Her Eyes"

30"x40"x1.5"

Textural Acrylic Abstract

Gallery Wrapped Canvas

UV Glaze Protected

$800.00 via my website and secure PayPal

Living in Fountain Hills offers breath-taking views of the McDowell Mountains, Red Rock Mountain, the Superstition Mountains and the Mogollan Rim in the distance.  I view Four Peaks from our balcony and have the honor of greeting Grandfather Sun each morning as he begins announcing his arrival with a flood of multicolored glory in the sky until he crests the peaks and his brilliance overtakes the palette of colors with a golden blinding glow.

Four Peaks were the inspiration for this painting as the sun was setting one day and the mountains took on the purple-mountain majesty that is sung about.  Second by second, minute by minute the colors change and take my breath away.

Our Creator, God, Great Mystery...whatever name rings true in your soul...is the ultimate artist as well as teacher!  Visually He offers comfort from the beauty that surrounds us...if we have the eyes to see it and take the time to absorb it.  Spiritually He offers a continual flow of love...if we have the heart to feel it and allow our souls to embrace it.

Life offers challanges as lessons to be learned...if we allow His guidance to be heard...if we have the ears to hear it and the faith to accept it.

I hope you allow yourself some quiet time in nature as often as possible.  Offer up your gratitude for all that you are and for your life. Tune into His love, guidance and feel His grace enter your soul.  Pass His love onto others...and onto yourself.

Have a blessed day...Amy

http://www.amytuso.com/

"Echos" Vibrant Color Texture Sculpted Blended Linear Southwest Abstract by Amy Tuso Daily Painter From the Desert Southwest of Arizona

"Echos"

40"x30"x1.5"

Acrylic and Texture

Available via PayPal on my website.

"Echos" is highly textured and sculpted with layers upon layers of acrylics and glazes.  The end result is this beautiful, leathery-feeling tactile and visual joy that was inspired by the canyon walls throughout the southwest.

I chose "Echos" as my posting today because I am "hearing" echos in my memories of times gone by where I needed to dig deeply into my soul for the strength to continue forward movement.

It has been a rough 2 months with preparation to completion of moving my mother into assisted living.  She agreed to move and than resisted moving straight through the move.  Although everything was on schedule and worked like "clock work", her apartment is charming with loads of bright light streaming through the windows overlooking a beautiful courtyard she continues to struggle with both her new circumstances and me.

Anyone who has had to become a true parent to their parent understands the enormity of the soul draining energy involved before, during and day-to-day here on out.  The gratifying news is that when I speak with our contact at this community, she informs me that mom is "charming", "liked by everyone" and that she is taking advantage of many programs that are offered...and so when she lashes out at me it is "just because" I am the one who is here and that she feels safe in expressing her inner thoughts and deamons.

I pray on our present circumstance continually and feel His answers blanket me.

This morning I was lead to an old file of mine that had "Gratitude" writings from over 12 years ago.  A portion of one in particular stood out to me....

"I am grateful for the peace and quiet that is usually at my disposal at any given time during the day.  I am so lucky to be able to do anything, anytime that my heart desires.  The peace is here in this house.  The peace is in my heart.  The peace is in my mind...my soul...my surroundings.  The peace is in my love...I just sometimes forget that all I need to do is stop, breath and enjoy!"

Have a blessed day and allow yourself time to remember just how much you are loved.

peace, light and joy....Amy

"Sunday Afternoon" in September 2010 American Art Collector Ad

Daily Painters Ad in September 2010

American Art Collector

This is such a happy painting!  One of my favorites and hopefully yours!

Have a blessed day...

"Hasen Gatherer" Oil on Acrylic Sonoran Desert Saguaro Fruit Native American Art~Amy Tuso

"Hasen Gatherer"

40"x30"x1.5"

Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Available

Living in the McDowell Mountain region of the Sonoran Desert of Arizona offers doorways for my imagination to travel through.  There is a lot of history in these mountains showing that with this climate of extreme heat in the summer and bouts of frost in the winter the people who came before us were true survivors!

Let your imagination focus on this oil painting.  The woman had to make her way across rough terrain to find hasen (fruit of the saguaro) and then using a pole constructed of dried saguaro spines hoisted high above her reach snagged the fruit for a source of food for herself and her family.  Go ahead...continue the story as you see it...

This painting is available through PayPal via my website in the Southwest Gallery.

May your day be a blessed one...Amy

www.amytuso.com

"Rising" Colorfully Vibrant Textural Lines Imprinted Acrylic Abstract Daily Painting By Southwest Artist Amy Tuso

"Rising"

24"x24"x1.5"

Acrylic with Texture that is Carved, Sculpted and Inprinted

UV Glazed~Gallery Wrapped

$500 via PayPal at http://www.amytuso.com/

My creative process for this beautifully textured acrylic is so freely fun!

I begin with a sturdy cotton, gallery wrapped canvas and apply a texture compound with a large palette knife pushing and pulling the medium to various thicknesses allowing the knife to create the first layer of textures.

I proceeded to carve and sculpt the linear aspects and than took out my basket of tools to inprint grids in interesting positions before laying the canvas to cure.

Layers of acrylic and glazes were applied playing with colors, tones, hues and light values.  This process allows for the beautiful blends and pulls of colors to emerge.  Golden copper metallic acrylic gently kissed the grids giving the appearance of an actual wire inlay.

I finished the 1/2" gallery wrapped sides with a burnished purple and allowed that color to wrap over and onto the front of the painting as another layer of glaze creating an aged appearance.  As with all of my artwork, my final step is applying a UV Glaze as protection.

You can view this painting with magnification via my website.  Just click on the magnifier and move it across the image to gain appreciation of the colors and textures.

http://www.amytuso.com/

Daily Painter from Fountain Hills Arizona

Amy Tuso