Last Sunday January 27th 2019 was when I finished the Sarah Brightman Hymn drawing for the Febuary 3rd concert at The Met in Philadelphia. My goal is besides to enjoy Sarah Brightman’s concert is to see if she can sign this drawing along with me of course. If this happens, this piece will be my personal private collection.

The image itself was done by one of my favorite photographers Simon Fowler. You can check out his amazing photography by visiting his website at: http://simonfowlerphotography.com/

Simon has been one of Sarah’s photographers for a while now, I’ve always enjoyed seeing what they both come up with for a shoot. Simon has worked with many artists including film.

Sarah on the other hand has been an inspiration to me all of these years. She has inspired me to continue to do what I love. She has paved the way for other artist like Sarah to make a name for themselves in the Classical Crossover. According to Ms. Brightman, her voice can reach an F6. Let’s also not forget that Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber credited Sarah for The Phantom of the Opera, the longest running Broadway show!

It seems I’m doing a shot out of two very popular artists and yes I am but also it’s to give credit where it’s due – for the photo I used for this drawing and a little background if you don’t know who Sarah is.

Fast forward to today Feb 2nd 2019! Sunday Sarah will be touring in Philadelphia at The Met! I decided to do the meet and greet and this is where I am hoping Sarah signs my drawing. If it does happen, this piece will be in my personal private collection. It will be professionally matted and framed. So let’s hope come Sunday night after the meet and greet I’ll have an update… as for now the Krylon Workable Fixatif is dried so if Sarah touches the piece the graphite won’t a) get all over her outfit and b) all over her hands.

So for now, this is my update… a little background on what was used for the drawing they are the following:

~Canson Artist Series Cream Drawing Paper – 90 pound 9×12

~Staedtler Mars® Lumograph® 100 Set – Premium quality drawing pencils (2H, HB, B, 2B, 4B, 6B)

Every year I keep saying to myself I will visit Maine; while every year I end up not making it.  These past two years have been hard, losing both parents in just a matter of a year apart has taken it’s toll on me.  Yes I know there are therapy groups that can help, there are therapy apps that can help and talking can help.  Yes I know all of this and for some time now I’ve done pretty good on my own.  I went to my doctor talked with him as to what is the game plan to figure things out.  One of the things that’s helping is some anxiety medication, and of course having high blood pressure doesn’t help so I’m on that too.  Baby steps I said only because it’s over whelming what he wants done.  All in due time! I’m pretty sure once he (doctor) finds out about the trip he’ll be happy with it.

And for a while now I’ve been trying to figure out what I want to do.  And I figured it out, it wasn’t really hard I didn’t put forth the effort because I kept going back to this one piece of photography I bought off of Etsy.   The photography was of Nubble Light House in York, Maine.  I don’t know why but I love this lighthouse.  Actually I’ve always been fascinated over light houses and the rich history that comes with light houses.

So, I sat down this past Sunday (January 13^th, 2019) and wrote out my PTO request (paid time off).  I decided to go the week of my birthday to Maine!  And now I’m in the planning stages for this trip.  I am excited and basically can’t wait! 

And now my next question will there be photography? 

Yes – over the holiday time I purchased a used Nikon D610 (full frame), and my other Nikon D7500 is a refurbished camera.   I am also in the process of making sure my lens will have the proper filters needed for this trip and I can’t forget the tripod! Plus I’ve had a request for photography… so I need to make sure I do this!

I was told it’s going to be cold/chilly and I’m fine with that.  That’s not going to stop me from doing photography or even drawing.   I made room reservations and now all that’s needed is for me to drive up.  It’ll take about 6/7 hours heading north.  That’ll be the longest I’ve driven… and I figure have a few five hour energy drinks with me and I should be good. 

From now to then I will be planning the trip, but I will also still work on the drawing as well as photography.   I just wanted to make an announcement of this awesome adventure. 

I am back after a much needed time off from drawing. My current work in progress is a portrait of Sarah Brightman who was the original Christine from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera. Which to be frank, is my favorite musical.

I had started back on January 1st, 2019 – working in Staedtler graphite pencils. The paper is Canson Artist Series Cream Drawing Paper pad, that’s wire bound, 90 pound 9 x 12 inches. I do my best to work with the top of the line items. Just depending where I can get my hands on new materials is the key and how much I am willing to spend.

Why this picture – it’s my favorite from Sarah’s Hymn photo shoot.

Why another Sarah Brightman drawing – well after all of these years being a fan Sarah has inspired me through out the years. She stays true to her craft inspires me by how she captivates her audience.

I can’t help but admire Sarah. So this is why I am drawing this piece, plus I will be seeing Sarah live on Feburary 3rd, in Philadelphia and I will also be doing the meet and greet! So I am hoping Sarah would sign this piece.

So until the next update on this drawing… thanks for stopping by!

Here is my last drawing for 2018 of Sarah Brightman from her Eden era. Done in graphite.

Next up; not sure yet but I will have something started by the ending on the week! Stay tune for teasers!

• 

Goodbye 2018, you’ve in truth not been good to me. October 9th, 2018 changed my life once again – this is the day I lost my Mom. She suddenly passed while she was at work which has devastated me. I lost my father over a year ago and now I’ve lost my Mom my other best friend. It’s been very hard because we were close.

You think it’s the same grief since Dad died, you would expect it to be the same, and it’s not. It’s completely different. My Dad was my other best friend, my Mom and I grew closer since my Dad past. She was my rock and I hers. Through the ups and downs we made it through a lot together. Separate I don’t think we would have been successful.

My Mom and I were moving ending the September and you can image how much of a chaos it was. One I never want to repeat again. The stress and standing beside oneself was overwhelming. Again my family was there for me. (I can’t thank everyone who helped enough)

It’s been hard getting back into things. Luckily I have family who has gotten me through these tough times from Thanksgiving to Christmas. It’s been extremely hard on Christmas because it was my Mom’s favorite time of the year. Yes a Christmas tree was put up, decorating it took ages.

Where does this all stand with my website and art? Simply enough, I took some time away to regroup, letting life take over instead of just wanting to do what I only want to do. That’s basically what had happen.

I hate to be a downer at the end of 2018 but in truth it’s been hard. I never expected this to happen nor did I in my wildest dreams think I would have to write another obituary. It’s hard to understand why all of this happens. Why did I lose my Mom too? Why, why? I can’t answer that but what I can answer is this. It’s the way the universe works I’m guessing. You go through a hard patch before it gets great again. It’s going to happen, no stopping the universe. Keep putting one foot in front of the other and don’t give up!

Drawing and photography has help in the past and since the New Year is literally not that far off I’m going to offer this. I am going to do more art…. Either drawing, photography, watercolor and oil painting (and let’s throw a little quilting in the mix while we are at it). I’m going to see where 2019 is going to take me – artistically.

I will do my best to update on my website as much as I can. Follow me on instagram, I have my photography, drawing and quilting there.

I hope to come up with an updated online store where I would be selling some photography. Selling my drawings well I think we would need to have a conversation first… so please feel free to contact me.

As I draw to a close I would like to wish everyone a happy and safe new year! Hello 2019!!

Warm Regards,
Susan