Susan Tuttle - Exhibition 36 Mixed Media Demonstrations + Explorations

SUSAN TUTTLE

EXHIBITION 36 Copyright 2008 by Susan Tuttle. Manufactured in China. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer, who may quote a brief passage in review. Published by North Light Books, an imprint of F+W Publications, Inc., 4700 East Galbraith Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45236. (800) 289-0963. First edition.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Tuttle, Susan
Exhibition 36 : mixed-media demonstrations + explorations / Susan Tuttle.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN-13: 978-1-60061-104-9 (pbk. : alk. paper)
ISBN-10: 1-60061-104-4 (pbk. : alk. paper)
1. Handicraft. 2. Decoration and ornament. I. Title.
TT857.T97 2009
745.5dc22

2008023309

EDITOR / Tonia Davenport
COVER DESIGNER / Geoff Raker
INTERIOR DESIGNER / Mari ssa Bowers
PRODUCTION COORDINATOR / Greg Nock
PHOTOGRAPHER / Adam Hand

A heartfelt thank you to my stellar editor, Tonia Davenport, who, like the perfect teacher, gave me direction and valuable tutelage, as well as the freedom to find and share my own, unique voice, both as an author and artist. The experience was one of sheer joy! Thank you to all those at North Light Books who have made the production of this book possible; your talents amaze me. For all of the artists who made contributions to this book, I am awe-inspired by your work. If it were not for you and your talents, this book could not exist.

To my very special husband, Howie, for all of the times you picked up the slack around the house while I chipped away at this book and, of course, for the time you were Super Howie! coming to my rescue when my computer crashed. If it were not for your technical genius, I would have lost nearly a years worth of work on this book. Thank you to my sweet children, Elijah and Rose; you are both unending sources of inspiration and joyyou keep me young at heart and unafraid to try new things.

For my mom and dad, who supported and valued my musical endeavors from a very young age, and exposed me to the arts, so that I could begin my creative journey.

To Wendy Ifkovic, for believing in me as I set out on my artistic pathI really did write a book, just like you said I would! To my dear friends Jessica Theberge and Lisa West, for cheering me on and showing continuous support. Sheri Gaynor and Kate Cutko: Thank you for being my sounding boards. Thank you, Gloria, for providing me with fabulous finds with which to make art. For my friend and mentor, Nanette Jones, who somehow knew Id be on this path even before I knew I would. Thank you to Suzanne Simanaitis for giving me a chance to contribute to your book; you opened a door for me, and I will be forever indebted. For Grace, my guardian angel, who has always encouraged me to dance. A big thank you to you, the reader, who took a chance on me, on this book. I hope you will enjoy it. A sincere thank you to everyone aforementioned.

FOR ELIJAH AND ROSE: YOU CAN DO ANYTHING YOU SET YOUR BEAUTIFUL HEARTS AND MINDS TO.

FOR HOWIE: I COULD NOT ASK FOR A BETTER LIFE PARTNER. THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART FOR YOUR UNENDING LOVE AND SUPPORT.

FOR ALL MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS NEAR AND FAR:

I cherish you.

I was amazed to find an aerial view of my home on Google Earth. Zooming in the satellite camera from outer space, moving seamlesslyin three dimensions, no less en route to planet Earth, to North America, honing in on the United States, getting closer now to Maine, even closer smack down in my rural town, moving along the dirt road that I live on, seeing what my backyard birds would see flying overhead and finally, to my little white house surrounded by acres and acres of woods (which would seem in the middle of nowhere to most folks). That blows my mind!

I am a stay-at-home mom, living with my husband and young children in these beautiful Maine woods. It is such a gift to be surrounded by inspirations of nature, endless space and quietthere is a sense of peace and contentment it brings that my family and I have not felt anywhere else. Even though there is no place I would rather be, the experience can be very isolating at times and a bit removed from artistic and cultural life. I have always thrived on culture and the arts and could access these essentials quite easily growing up. I had the benefit of living near New York City in my childhood, and lived in Boston as a young adult.

Today, use of the Internet helps us connect to the greater worldand the magic of Google Earth so perfectly demonstrates just how small a place the world is actually becoming. The Internet helped me create my own cultural mecca, if you will, from the confines of my own home, right from the tips of my fingersliterally! Art enthusiasts, whether living in a yurt in a remote part of Alaska or in a flat in the middle of Paris, can visit virtual galleries online whenever they choose (for me, I love those late-night visits), connect with other artists via blogs and e-mails, and view artists work and read about their creative processes via online publications and other digital venues. We can create and share our own art through these same avenues and be a part of collaborative projects via swaps and round-robin online groups. For many of us, our involvement and/or career in the arts would not be the same if it were not for all these amazing digital tools.