I honestly was “painted out” a few years ago. I loved painting furniture and over 8 years, I created a fantastic business doing it. However, the market became over-saturated, doing only custom work became a slog, the comments became more and more unkind and hurtful, and I found myself not really having the desire to paint any longer.
I started my new life by getting a job at a performing arts center, Strathmore Music Center in N. Bethesda, MD and I threw myself into the job with the same drive and passion that I once had had with my painting business.
Now, after my two year absence, I find my creative side just itching to pick up something – anything – and create. Will this be sketching, will it be painting? I have no idea.
Not that it matters much but I am curious…has the intense wave of painting any piece of furniture in sight finally had its day? I haven’t been paying much attention and was wondering. I wonder if my old work would still sell today?
Is this still “current”?
I still enjoy my job working with the Children’s Chorus immensely but I am at the point where I need to take a a leap and jump back into another creative outlet. Is it worth putting myself out there again and just basically shrugging off the negativity that comes with sharing ones work? I hope so.
So, here goes! A quick sketch of Harper that is certainly not professional but I enjoy sketching our dogs. I’ll share with you all later about our other pup, Tilly and all the poor little thing endured with a bad injury and how that set us back for months dealing with nursing her back to health.
Here they are welcoming me home 🙂
and, one of me now (you haven’t seen me in years!)
Enjoy your week!
It’s nice to hear from you again. I remember the unkind comments, so I get the hesitation. That said, you are quite talented and if you love creativity, than you must answer the call somehow.
Dear Megan, Thank you so much! I’ll give it another try 🙂
So sad some folks are so ignorant, Suzanne. Your painted furniture is still relevant to me and lots of others. In fact, I’ve done more painting than ever before and just ordered some stencils for a painted secretary/bookcase. In fact, I’ve been ignoring my own card-making blog because I’m enjoying the “new” furniture. Still look at your tutorials every once in a while.
Hi Sue, that is great to hear! I felt that it was becoming so over saturated but am glad that there is still room out there for people to paint furniture. I’m not exactly sure what I will end up doing next. I would like to paint furniture but not solely furniture. I’m going to head over to your blog later and check out your card-making blog!
Hi Suzanne! Nice to see you back! My opinion is that your furniture creations are absolutely timeless and so beautifully executed…….and you can sketch too! Of all skills, I’d LOVE to have that one ;-D It’s like watching a miracle occur when I watch someone sketching! You’re lucky!
Dear Constance, Thank you so much! I do love to sketch and need to work on that more. I’m going to give it all a try and see what sticks!
Suzanne, some people with be critical no matter what, don’t take it to heart. Artwork – including that of furniture artisans is so personal – some will like your style and some won’t. I love your work and think you have terrific taste, your classic pieces will always be in demand. Personally, when I see a style or piece that someone has worked on that is not “me” I just move on…if you don’t have anything nice to day, don’t say anything at all. 🙂 You sketch is also adorable…go where your creative heart leads.
Thank you, Claudine! You are so kind and what you say is totally true. I need to not take it all so much to heart and learn to roll with it! I’ll give it another go!
I was wondering about the story behind the story. I’ve watch you create pieces for years and learned a lot from you in the past 4 years I’ve been refinishing furniture myself. But I feel the exact same way. More and more people requested custom work and I ended up painting for them, not for me and I found the projects lost their uniqueness that came from my heart. So I too have lost the drive to paint for other people. One difference is I refinish furniture. Sometimes that means, paint, but more often it means staining or sanding off a finish and leaving the wood natural. Perhaps step into that – work with furniture but in a different way – and for yourself (and then to sell). Or take your experience in a whole new direction and teach classes.
Dear Vicki, Yes, this is the story behind the story! The drudge of custom work, the mean comments…it all became a bit much to take. I’m stepping back in gingerly and hope to once again use my creative side. I’ve missed it! I like the idea of working with furniture but I honestly love to paint and sketch and feel that is more my “thing”. I’m glad that you found happiness with refinishing. That definitely takes a lot of effort! I need to check out your work and will pop over to your blog 🙂
I was wondering about the story behind the story. I’ve watch you create pieces for years and learned a lot from you in the past 4 years I’ve been refinishing furniture myself. But I feel the exact same way. More and more people requested custom work and I ended up painting for them, not for me and I found the projects lost their uniqueness that came from my heart. So I too have lost the drive to paint for other people. One difference is I refinish furniture. Sometimes that means, paint, but more often it means staining or sanding off a finish and leaving the wood natural. Perhaps step into that – work with furniture but in a different way – and for yourself (and then to sell). Or take your experience in a whole new direction and teach classes.
I find that critical, nasty people are the ones that need to tear down other people’s creations in order to feel good about themselves! You will ALWAYS find nasty people everywhere, writers suffer this, painters, cake decorators. The trick is to see those comments for what they really are, jealousy and self hate! Your work is amazing and so talented, please, please don’t let those haters influence you in any way! Look to those of us that admire your work and appreciate your amazing creativity! Also, is your creative soul pleased w your work? We all are self critical but you know how lovely your work is! WE NEED IT FOR INSPIRATION! IGNORE THE REST!
Dear Jauquetta, Thank you so much for your comment. It really touched me that you actually have found inspiration in my work. That definitely makes me want to pick up again and share with others. I really need to develop a much thicker skin!
Suzanne — your blog is great and your painted furniture is still very timely and relevant. Forget about what others may think or want — if what they say resonates with you take it; if it rings untrue then forget it and move on. Stick with what makes you happy and makes your heart sing. Good Luck with wherever your heart takes you!
Dear Deb, Thank you and yes – I shall do what makes my heart sing. I love that! Thank you!
How terrible that you gave up something you loved because of unkind people!!! Do what you love! The way that you love! If you post it on the blog then the second you realize someone is saying something unkind just DELETE!! And if you can Block them!! Then just move on!! Don’t give people who have no sense the time of day. Life is just too short!
Thank you, Jan! I need to develop a thicker skin. But when I initially read a nasty comment, it immediately brings me down. So, I have tried to avoid it. But I suppose I am just letting them win! I honestly am completely great with criticism but just not with comments directed at me and not my work.
I’ve really missed seeing your beautiful furniture paintings. You’re so talented. I don’t know why people have to be so negative. I never understand the need to hurt anyone’s feelings. Your work is beautiful!
Thank you, Barbara. I also do not understand why someone makes hurtful comments. I can take criticism but some of the comments on YouTube were just hateful. Thanks and I will jump in again 🙂
I love seeing all your creations, and I think you are very talented. I have learned a lot from you reading your blog & watching your videos. I still love the idea of taking something old & recreating it by painting. I have not had the nerve yet to try staining, but I fell in love with taking old dated furniture and giving it a new look in my home (and for less money that buying something new). 🙂 That being said, you need to express your creativity however you want (and ignore the haters as someone once said in a song). Do what makes you happy 🙂
Dear Sharon, Thank you and yes, I do need to express my creativity. I just need to get going again and feel that accomplishment I feel when I finish a piece or whatever I am working on and can look at it and be quite happy with the result! And share it with everyone 🙂
Always admired your Painted Furniture. Hope you come back, It is all still so beautiful. Ina
Dear Ina, Thank you so much. I am so touched by all the kind comments!