Blog
Posted on 4/25/2026 1:06:43 PM
By Susan Gainen
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April 25. When working with cats, the creative process sometimes gets wonky and often gets LOUD. This cat claims to be a "Red Dot" cat and has been caterwauling for 10 hours, demanding her dots. "Where are my dots? I demand my dots! By depriving me of my dots, you are discriminating against me. I'm calling my lawyer!"
While I applaud her request/demand for dots, she is being a bit pushy. Red Dots are whimsical, but who knows? She may get Red Stripes.
Tune in again tomorrow.
Posted on 1/21/2025 1:52:49 PM
By Susan Gainen
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Flying Molecule from the Big Bang in Progress
Substitute Imagination for an Electron Microscope
Although I own a lot of stuff, I have not -- in 75 years -- acquired an Electron Microscope. So, as I've now committed to documenting 2 Seconds after the Big Bang, I'm relying on my imagination for images of molecules flying throughout the universe, and a lifelong commitment to unhinged microbiology.
Nomenclature and The Plan
Nomenclature is a work in progress: each of these molecule images deserves a name. The plan is to create a significant number of images and to create an installation for an as yet unknown location. On the principle of rarely letting facts interfere with a good story, I'm likely to incorporate some -- not a lot -- of genuine science into the supporting text.
Seeking Random Acts of Whimsy
Knowing virtually nothing about the origins of the universe, it seems logical that its very beginning would be loaded with strange, new and beautiful things and wondrous images. Because the first of these would be molecules, it seems right to employ Painstaking Exuberance to make the tiny shapes and tiny spaces. Join me on this journey!
Posted on 4/17/2024 2:28:50 PM
By Susan Gainen
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Edward, Elegant Blue Cat, from the Third Clowder of Cats
Mr. Piano Owl from the Parliament of Owls, Welcomes you to the Hallberg Center for the Arts.
Seeking Whimsy in the World opening reception tomorrow (April 18) in the Hallberg Center in Wyoming, MN will go on without me. The Good News is that I have neither strep nor Covid. The Bad News is that I have something that's taken my voice, inflicted a wicked sore throat, made my nose run to Iowa, and generally make me feel yucky.
Update: Optimistically, I've planned to be at Hallberg on April 27 at from 1 to 4 in conjunction with Kids Can Be Artists, Too!, a free art experience the last Saturday of every month in 2024!
This art class is for all ages and abilities. Class begins with a brief, inspiring picture story read by local storyteller and tutor, Ashley, and then is followed by an art project led by local artist Surelle. (Parents need to stay with younger children, please!)
April showers bring May flowers, and this month we'll be making raindrop suncatchers that sparkle like jewels!
This class is FREE and there are NO SUPPLY FEES, so don't worry about that note below that says you agree to paying supply fees - there are none!
Posted on 3/22/2024 3:34:13 PM
By Susan Gainen
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Orange Curlew from the Family of Climate Warrior Curlews
Whimsy in Wyoming, MN. The Hallberg Center for Creative Arts will host Seeking Whimsy in the World by Susan Gainen from Thursday April 18 to Saturday May18, 2024.
While not a comprehensive and authoritative collection of her work -- she has made at least 36 owl paintings, and each owl wants to participate -- this show documents her journey as a watercolor painter through the discovery of gesso-covered cave paintings, to her current work with acrylic ink. From the first nanoscapes to her current crew of Whimsical Curlews, inhabitants of Starry Nights, LLLamas (their spelling), The Parliament of Owls, to the Flamboyance of Flamingos, everyone may find a new creature to befriend and a new abstract painting in which to get lost.
Artist Talk: April 20, 2024. 2 pm.
Encouraging Random Act of Whimsy
Featured snacks: Judith Olney's Joy of Chocolate Pound Cake and Ginger Chili Krispee Treets. Come hungry.
Posted on 8/21/2022 12:06:19 PM
By Susan Gainen
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August 18, 2022
Instead of a slide show, which requires fast viewing and can be -- frankly, a little annoying -- I've made a selection of 2 New Curlews* in progress. Beginning in early July, I painted almost (but not quite) daily until mid-August. The latest image is from August 18.
There is lots more to do. There are still some open spots in the #starrynight sky and in the #stained-glass grass. The the body feathers, heads and beaks need work, too.
Then, after two months of painting with acrylic ink, it will be as if I had to start all over as I outline each shape with my trusty fountain pen.
This is the ultimate in #artfun.
July 14. Pencil covered with clear gesso.
* These are the #strawberry curlew and the #kiwi curlew. They do not muck about in marshes as their heretofore well-known cousins.
Posted on 7/11/2022 6:01:48 PM
By Susan Gainen
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Fantasy Fibonacci #1
Burnsville, MN... Five artists cheerfully agreed to collaborate with me to create "Whimsy is what we need now," a new show at the Burnhaven Library in Burnsville MN. The show runs from July 10 to September 4, 2022.
Why whimsy? For me, personally, whimsy is part of my artist DNA, and for all of my Whimsical Creature work, spreading whimsy is the Prime Directive. Click on this link to see all of my pieces.
My wonderful collaborators are: Rebecca David (painter and ceramicist), Layl McDill (polymer clay artist), Lisa Nordstrom (oil and acrylic spinner), Catherine Palmer (painter), and Debra Ripp (mixed media artist, collage artist, painter & box maker).
Samples from my part of the exhibit:
1. Connected Circles: Unhinged Microbiology; 2. African Gray Parrot from the Lost Cave Paintings of Saint Paul;
3. Flamboyance of Flamingos #4: Five Birds in Dance Class
Posted on 5/9/2022 12:18:19 PM
By Susan Gainen
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Wild Quilt Squares
My new show, "Random Acts of Whimsy," will hang at the Downtown Minneapolis Pizza Luce from May 7 to June 4, 2022.
I work with acrylic ink because the colors are so strong...I love tiny shapes and spaces...No, these are not reminders of long-ago acid trips. Why would you think that?
Here are some of the images:
Wild Quilt Squares Acrylic Ink 16x20 $300 Red Star Acrylic Ink 16x20 $300
Mona Lisa Marble Cat aka Watcher
16x20 Acrylic Ink $300
Golden Roo 16x20 Acrylic Ink $300
Check out the amazing Pizza at Pizza Luce, and five other paintings: Glass Bead White Elephant,
Yellow Star, Random Rectangles #3, 8 Stars, and Connected Circles #3: Unhinged Microbiology.
Mark your calendars for Art in the Hollow, a one-day show in Swede Hollow on June 4, the most magical place in all of Minnesota.
