Susan and her three sisters grew up with Nellie, their “Beagle- sister,” and Frisky, a grumpy semi-feral cat, horses, and an assort- ment of rabbits, hamsters, birds, turtles and even a monkey. “We lived in a small South Florida community where
everyone knew each other,” explained Susan. “My dad was friends with a lot of people, including the chief of police. The city had enacted a leash law that, I believe was at least partly inspired by my father who let Nellie out for a run through the neighborhood at least three times a day. One Sunday afternoon, Dad was sitting on the sofa reading the paper when the chief ’s police car pulled into the driveway. Over a loudspeaker he said, “Mike, I’ve got a prisoner here and I could use a hand.” Dad, always willing to help out in matters of law enforcement, jumped up and ran out the front door. He was seriously disappointed when the “bad guy” turned out to be Nellie, who was sitting in the back of the squad car, wag- ging her tail and grinning like she’d won the lottery. After that, Nellie learned to walk on a leash like all the other dogs.” Painting since she was in kinder-
garten, Susan remembers spending hours in her room copying Disney characters from a book her mother gave her. “Bambi was my favorite. I drew so many pictures of that little fawn, I can draw him with my eyes closed,” said Susan.
Current Dog Situation: My husband and I have three dogs: Sparky, a Maltese mix, who was inherited after my father- in-law passed away 12 years ago. Shadow is a blue-eyed Australian Shepherd we’ve had for 11 years. He was unwanted and locked up in a horse stall at a ranch in New Smyrna when I got him. He’s a cheerful, outgoing boy with a sensitive side. He seems to know how I’m feeling and will put his head in my lap or snuggle up next to me when I’m sad. Lanie is our little Sheltie girl we adopted from Mid-Florida Sheltie Rescue two years ago. She’s definitely the alpha of the group. Lanie makes sure everyone gets up on time, is on constant squirrel patrol, and keeps the other two dogs in line. Sparky has seniority so he sleeps next to my drawing table. Shadow is usually close by and Lanie waits at the front door for my husband and never leaves his side when he’s home.
This is Lucy as an adult.
Her puppy portrait by Susan H. Long graces the cover of this issue of The New Barker.
Beatrix Potter created all those wonder- ful Peter Rabbit characters. She was an unassuming person who loved nature and
did great things in her own quiet way.
My husband, Mike, inspires me. He’s so patient and has a great sense of humor. When I’m taking myself or my work too seriously, he has a way of snapping me out of it. I also find being around the grandchildren, our nieces and nephews and the kids at school helps to keep me young.
No secrets, really, except I’m afraid that one day, in an ironic twist, I’ll trip over a dog and that will be the end of me.
U
A small but efficient studio. One wall is filled with books on painting, anatomy, animals, birds, dogs and dog training. There are built-in cabinets for supplies, racks for paintings and a long counter for my computer and printers. The windows look out over the front yard where I can see the birds and squirrels feed- ing underneath an oak tree. I have a wooden stand-up easel but prefer working at my drawing table. On one side of that table are my paint brushes and on the other side are my pastels.
Celtic and classical music help put me in the painting zone.
www.TheNewBarker.com
The most cherished possessions in my studio are family photos, my books, and the dogs.
Painting schedule: I’m usually in the studio by 10 a.m. I’ll often do a couple of quick sketches to loosen up before I begin painting. I try to paint from mid-morning until about 5 p.m. with a break in between. Depending on my schedule, I may work some evenings.
Working with kids is very rewarding. A few years ago, an artist friend of mine, Grace Liu, asked me to teach at her children’s art school in Oviedo. Grace is a gifted painter and art teacher who currently has sixty students. I’ve been teaching there about 10 hours a week for the past six years. The thing about painting is you spend a lot of time alone in your studio. Teaching helps me stay connected to the outside world and keeps me from going stir crazy.
Blue, turquoise and orange are my favorite colors. Sometimes when I see the iridescent colors in a peacock’s feather or the rich, warm colors of a sunset, it takes me back to when I was very young. I don’t know how to describe the feeling but it’s like seeing that color for the first time all over again.
Contact Susan H. Long at: 407.864.0703
susanlong407@gmail.com View Susan’s art on her website:
naturespastels.com
THE NEW BARKER 73
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