One is an exhibit at Monroe Community Hospital in their Garden Gallery from August 5th through September 28th.  Monroe Community Hospital is located at 435 Henrietta Rd. Rochester.  Gallery hours are Monday thru Friday, 9AM - 5PM.

The other exhibit is entitled ‘Colored Pencil Plus!’ and will be at the High Falls Gallery , 60 Brown’s Race, Rochester from September 4th through November 2nd.  Reception will be Sunday, September 21st from 3 - 6PM.  Gallery hours are  Wed. -Fri 10-5, Sat. noon-6, and Sun 1-5.

at Gallery 821, 7 West Main St., Webster, NY from August 29th through September 26th in their ‘Small Works‘ show. The opening reception will be Friday, August 29th from 6-9PM. Please drop by and see a unique show of mostly 11 X 14 or smaller paintings. For more information, gallery directions or hours go to www.artgallery821.com.

‘Stormy Sunset on Pleasant Bay’ has sold!8/29/08!

The first in the series was of my husband’s hand on his saxophone (see photo in my Gallery under Still Lifes). The second in this series is from a cropped photo I took of Chris Botti at the 2006 Saratoga Jazz Festival.  Hands are difficult to shape and paint and I am finding their juxtapositions with the musical instruments are making them very challenging!

Next up in the series will be David Sanchez’ (a young black performer) hands on his silver saxophone. Prints will be available for all in the series. Use the contact us form if you are interested in purchasing any of these prints as they become available. Stay tuned!

Suzi is pleased to announce that Tasteology is buying the pastel portrait of their chef, Russell! It is not currently displayed but if you are in the restaurant, ask for Russell and he will be more than happy to show you the portrait!  He loves to show it off and when you see his face light up you will understand why I had to paint his portrait!  He is pretty special.

3400 Monroe Ave., Pittsford Colony Plaza from June 3rd through June 29th.  The pastel portrait is of Russell.  He is a wonderful chef and an artist with food.  His cohort, Jim, is no slouch either!  If you want fabulous food, a great atmosphere and wonderful people this is the place to go!  Anyways from the first moment I met Russell I knew I had to paint him!  He has wonderful dimples when he smiles, and becomes enraptured when describing food and his recipes. His eyes literally sparkle!  I hope I captured just a little bit of that creative spirit in him, his creative soul when cooking and creating. If you go to Tasteology ask to meet him. You will see what I mean.

Saturday, May 17th, and Sunday, May 18th, I had the honor of meeting and witnessing Beatrice Biira’s graduation from Connecticut College. For those of you new to my site I did a portrait of Beatrice about five years ago. It is included in my portrait gallery along with the story. Beatrice was ‘discovered’ by filmmaker, Dick Young, when she was nine years old in Kisinga, a poor village in western Uganda. Beatrice desperately wanted to go to school but could not afford the cost of a uniform. Heifer International (www.heifer.org) came into her village with goats. She milked the goat and with the money raised by selling the goat’s milk Beatrice was able to go to school. Long story short, she ended up atNorthfield Mt. Hermon Prep School in Massachusetts. She then won a scholarship to Connecticut College. In 2004 she was a summer intern in the office of U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton. In 2007 she had a summer internship with the Clinton Foundation in Quincy , MA.

On May 18, 2008 she graduated from Connecticut College with a degree in International Development and Gender Studies. She will be returning to Uganda the end of May to renew her visa and visit her family. She will then return to the U.S. in the fall to attend the Clinton School of Public Service in Little Rock, Ark.

Beatrice signed my copy of ‘Beatrice’s Goat‘ with …….”Suzi, it is a pleasure to meet you. Your artwork is inspirational! I love my portrait! I hope that my story continues to inspire you to appreciate the gifts of giving and sharing. With Best Wishes, Beatrice Biira, 05/17/08″ In addition to meeting Beatrice, my friend Chris and I had the pleasure of meeting Rosalee and Paul Sinn, Dick Young (the filmmaker), Page McBrier (author of ‘Beatrice’s Goat‘) , Peter Kato (Beatrice’s father who was visiting the U.S. for the very first time) and numerous other Heifer folks who were just wonderful! We feel like we have made new friends!

at the High Falls Fine Art Gallery, 60 Brown’s Race, Rochester from May 18th through July 6th.  Opening reception is Sunday, May 18th 3 - 6 PM.  Suzi is honored to be amongst some of Rochester’s finest professional artists in this show.  Hours: Wed - Fri. , 10am- 4pm ; Sat. , 12 - 4 PM.

Suzi is thrilled to announce that her portrait of her son, Brett, titled Dog Day Afternoon, has been juried into the Fourth Annual Northeast National Pastel Painters Exhibition to be held at the Arts Center/Old Forge from May 10 to June 8, 2008. Duane Wakeham, PSA was the Juror of Selection. Awards will be determined by Doug Dawson, PSA on April 21st. Opening reception is Friday, May 9th from 5 - 7 PM, invitation only.