susangainenartist.com — Giddily under construction

Whimsical Wildlife Documentarian 

I live on a path well-traveled by whimsical creatures who visit Saint Paul. They visit my studio, sit for portraits, tell stories, and eat snacks. They always clamor for more exposure, and they appear in four books: Meet the LLLamas (their spelling), The Backyard Roosters of Saint Paul, The New World of Cats: Max-the-Cat & his friends, and The Small Friends’ Chronicles.

Backyard Rooster Nine 2015
Backyard Rooster Nine 
Mary Anna Musk Ox
Mary Anna Musk Ox
Green Paper Mosaic Parrot
Green Paper Mosaic Parrot

                                                                     

Red Headed Rooster One is part of a family of roosters and other creatures who came to life after I painted sheets and sheets of tiny abstract designs.
Red Headed Rooster One is part of a family of roosters and other creatures who came to life after I painted sheets and sheets of tiny abstract designs.
Lost Cave Paintings of Saint Paul, Cave Toucan
Lost Cave Paintings of Saint Paul: Cave Toucan. Watercolor on Tinted Gesso.

                                                                                                                      

William the First From the Clowder of Cats
William the First From the Clowder of Cats

Abstract Painter & Neighborhood Maker

My first art memory is as an obsessed finger painter who wanted to paint all over everything all of the time. My Mother gave me crayons. A life-long doodler, I finally found an outlet in what I later learned was called “abstract” painting. Even later, I realized that my abstracts stand for The Grand Metaphor: “Every piece looks better because of the pieces that surround it.” Each of my abstracts has a complicated back-story, which I am happy to share. My Superpower is that when asked to tell several of them, I will put you to sleep.

Conversations Connections 2015
Conversations Connections 2015
Big Neighborhoods 2: every piece looks better because of the pieces that surround it
Big Neighborhoods 2: every piece looks better because of the pieces that surround it

Rings #9: Every one is linked.
Rings #9: Every one is linked
Paper Mosaic Neighborhoods: Orange 1
Paper Mosaic Neighborhoods: Orange 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

Terra Forming Molecule

Exhibits and Shows

Up next

2019

2019 Winter Carnival Fire and Ice
2019 Winter Carnival Fire and Ice Art Show
Yellow Rooster Waits Impatiently for Spring
Yellow Rooster Waits Impatiently for Spring

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2019 Saint Paul Art Crawl

April 26, 27, 28, 2019 • Friday 6–10 PM, Saturday 12–8 PM, Sunday 12–5 PM

Honored to be at the Show Gallery in Lowertown

 

 

 

 

2018

Vine Arts Holiday Sale, December 1-2
Vine Arts Center, Seward Neighborhood

2018 Saint Paul Art Crawl at The Rossmor, 500 North Robert Street. (2nd floor)
October 12-13-14, 2018.
Friday 6–10 PM, Saturday 12–8 PM, Sunday 12–5 PM
Download the free Metro Transit Passes for Saturday and Sunday
Metered Street Parking and Ramp Parking next to Alary’s
Food in the building: Sawatdee, Keys, and more!!

 

Click Exhibits and Shows points you to find shows (in person and online), sales and special events. My work is always at The Art Shoppe at Midtown Global Market, at my ETSY shop, and at my zazzle store.  Don’t forget the books: Meet the LLLamas. The Backyard Roosters of Saint Paul.  The New World of Cats: Max-the-Cat & His Friends.  The Small Friends’ Chronicles.  See something you like? Want to customize it?  Inquire at susangainen@comcast.net.

What else?

Oh my. I have thousands of images which I am currently (February 2019) organizing and making accessible by way of a creature alphabet and an abstract matrix.