Thursday, September 4, 2014

Getting To Know The Cre8ive Crew: Susan M. Walls

Say hello to me! 

I’m one of a triumvirate that are your hosts here at Cre8tive Klatch!


I am originally from New York but I now happily live in Southern California (where it doesn’t snow).

Currently I run around the countryside with my themed charm jewelry and whacky art to wear items made from alternative materials...plastic, resin, and found objects. One of my favorite things to do outside of  that is mosaic work in the form of 3D pieces and large residential installations. I also love to paint. On canvas, on walls, on most anything that doesn’t move too fast. Mix into that I love to sew, decorate, cook, and I’m never at a loss for anything to do!

How often do you create? 

Everyday. Normally about 40+ hours or more a week. In addition to loving it its also my business. Some weeks its 40, others its 25, and sometimes its 100...it all depends on what’s on the calendar. 

Describe your personality in three words. 

Loyal, creative, obsessive.

When/how did you realize your life had to have art in it? 

I can’t remember a time when I didn’t feel that way. So, forever...


Mixed Media "Bird in a Window" Necklace

 What is your normal (bad word, none of us are normal) day like? Well, i can sum that up in one word...busy! 

We have two teenagers both with busy schedules plus both my husband and I work from home. I get up about 5 am, have coffee, throw myself in clothes, and get in the car to drop kids at school. Run home and get to work. Check the computer, make sure I have a to do list, make a green smoothie, work on new designs, pack orders from Etsy, maybe some book work, have lunch, work on some more jewelry or whatever is on my studio table, plan dinner, maybe a little house work, check the computer again, pick up kids, run to the post office, cook dinner, clean up dinner and whatever might be left in the studio, start the next days to do list, put kids lunches together for the next day, check that the kids have done all their work, maybe sit down for an hour...pass out...start over the next day.

Give a couple of tips on how you stay organized. (This doesn’t have to be about your art or studio, could just be life, office, kids...whatever) 

Organized? What’s that?

If you could pick one tool or supply to do more experimenting with what would it be? 

This may sound crazy but cement...! I’ve always been intrigued with it and I would love to play with the recipes of hypertufa to make wild garden outdoor sculptures. Gigantic balls or crazy creatures, wouldn’t that be fun? Maybe if I ever get a couple of weeks off ill play with it.

Do you believe that only some are creative or that everyone is creative in some way? Why? 

Truly everyone has some creative ability. I’ve seen it happen when teaching a class. Folks just need to let go of their inner critic and their fear in order to reach it. The moment they free themselves of those the creativity starts to flow and they light up like Christmas trees with excitement. Never underestimate what you’re capable of!


Mixed Media Painting "Angel"

Which side of the bed do you sleep on? Can you sleep if forced to change sides? 

I sleep on the right side of the bed as you look at it from the foot. It’s a miserable thing if I’m stuck on the other side. I don’t sleep, I toss and turn, and don’t do well the next day with sleep deprivation. 

If money were no object in what country, place, or on what planet would you live? ...and why? 

Envision the white vintage buildings high on the edges of an island mountain, the steel blue sea views as far as the eye can see, soft breezes, and a lovely libation in hand...Santorini Island, Greece. Why? Just because it seems to be one of the most beautiful spots on earth. Add in that you would have to have no real schedule, calendar or commitments...just time to do whatever you wanted to do.

What’s your least favorite food? 

Anything that has cilantro in it or on it. There are two camps when it comes to cilantro...you either love it or you hate it!  

...most favorite? 

All kinds of pasta, red sauce, white sauce...green...any kind and I could eat it everyday!

What is your earliest childhood memory? 

Sitting in the window of my childhood home in New York watching my Dad hop in his baby blue Ford pickup truck and drive away headed for work. My Mother tells me i might have been three years old.

If  we all came to your house for dinner what would you make for us? 

First we would have to open several bottles of wine in both red and white. Easy appetizers that we can pop into our mouths and still have plenty of conversation. Small crab cakes, BBQ shrimp wrapped in bacon, maybe some vegetable crudités. Once we sit down for dinner we would have to start with an organic kale salad mixed with Marconi almonds, dried cranberries, chopped apple and peppered ranch dressing. Moving into the main course of Ahi tuna with fresh sweet peppers, red onion, and a touch of mango baked en Papillote and served with a light mango red pepper tartar sauce. Dessert would need to be small. Perhaps mini flourless chocolate cakes with red raspberry sauce coupled with coffee drinks and aperitifs. The perfect ending to this would be staying up half the night with the entire group just talking and laughing.


You can find out more about me through the following links:

Website: http://susansartcircus.com
Blog: http://susansartcircus.com/blog
(my old blog is: susanscharmingtrinkets.blogspot.com)
Facebook: Susan's Charming Trinkets
Instagram: Susanmwb
Twitter: Susanmwb
Shop: http://thecre8ivecircus.etsy.com (art supplies) http://charmingtrinkets.etsy.com (jewelry)
Pinterest: Susanmwb
Google+: Susan M. Walls-Beverly

3 comments:

LindaKay said...

Yeah, I am coming to your house for dinner Susan, but leave out the mango for my fish! Lovely post my friend!

Mimi said...

Sweetie, if I had the money, we'd be on the next plane out for dinner, & I seriously just bookmarked as a favorite in my browser this week a spot on Santorini for travel ideas some day....we have got to get together some time! Peace, Sue

This Moment said...

Oh I want to come to your house - sounds like a yummy night! Greece is also on my list of one of the most beautiful places in the world - I hope to get there some day. It is amazing.

Jill

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