France 2012

France 2012

It had been four years since our last visit to France. We left September 4^th for a two-week visit and this time it would be all about family and friends.

We flew in to Lyon got our car a headed to Daniel’s Sister’s house in Roanne, just north of Lyon. That would be our base. From there we saw other family members, which is always great because they always start off with Champaign. (it’s hard but someone has to do it, smile). The weather was beautiful, warm and sunny which is not always the case. 

After about five days of eating and drinking all the wonderful things we haven’t had for four years we headed northeast to Cancale and Saint Malo to see two very dear friends. This was the first time we had been in that part of France and it didn’t disappoint. It was beautiful. It’s on the Atlantic Ocean and this is where they have some of the most extreme tides in the world.   They can have tide differences of over 25 feet and the Atlantic is breath taking. Cancale is know for it’s oysters but the oyster industry is having some difficulty as of late so it is really taking off as a tourist hot spot and it’s not far from Saint Malo and Mont Saint-Michel, two very famous landmarks in France. There is a lot of history in these parts both from the middle ages and in modern times.  We spend a half a day walking through Walled city of Saint Malo. It was truly one of the high points of our visit. Saint Malo is a middle ages fortress that during the WWII all of the building in the interior of the walls were destroyed but the outer wall were untouched. So what is there today is the wall of the 14^th century and the buildings inside are after the WWII. It is one of the most visited site in France. In the summer this area have beautiful weather but in the winter it has gray skies, cold and lots of rain. 

This is just part of the trip. I will be add more is stay tuned. 

This time we visited "The Bob"

After my photo shoots we headed in to the backcountry of Montana. This time we were in the Bob Marshall wilderness, known as "The Bob" to the locals. This time we were seven people, seven horses, 6 mules and 1 Bell mare (that's the horse that the mules follow).

 These are just some of the photos taken on our trip.

It's always a moment to remember going in to the backcountry with our very special friends. Jay and Kim Deist and their family are in our hearts always. Thank you for a wonderful time.

Montana was amazing.

We were up there for a week. The first couple days were spent photographing animals. And as always it didn't disappoint. I photographed babies and babies with adults this time. Grizzly, bobcat, fox, wolf but the hight light was the Amur Leopard. This was a first for me. It is the most endangered animal on earth right now. It is a leopard found in Russia. The one I saw was only a three months old. 

They look very similar to an African leopard but their fur is a lot more dense and longer. There are only 30 left in the wild.  

I also photographed a beautiful three month old snow leopard. 

One day soon you might be seeing these two wonderful creatures in my paintings. 

Montana here we come.

We are leaving for Montana tomorrow morning. Every time we go up there it's an adventure. The first few day I will be photographing animals. Yes, It's the hardest part of my profession, smile. Spending time with all the wonderful animals I paint. This time I will be photographing an animal I have never seen before. I'm not going to tell you what because it's going to be a surprise.

Then we will pack up mules and saddle the horses and head in to the back country for several days. It's something both Daniel and I look forward to. This will be our fourth trip and each time we going to another part of the Bob Marshal wilderness. This time Jay, our dear friend and guild, pleases us an easy trip. That is yet to be seen. But what ever we see or find it will be amazing.

I will post some of my photos. Stay tuned.

Here are the winners

WINNERS!!!!!

First of all I would like to thank all of you that sent me your emails to up date your contact information so I could go paperless. This is a big step forward to help our environment and making it easier to keep you up to date on what is happening.

I had hundreds of emails and this morning the drawing was held. Here are the winners.

Jean Pettibone
Costa Mesa, CA. 

Sue & Joshua Hill
Moreno Valley, CA.


Margie Nolan
Peabody, KS.

John Abbot
Glen Burnier, MD

Kela Chase
Pfafftown, NC

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! to all you winners and I will be sending you an email about what you have won.

Thank you again to all of you and see you soon either here on my website or at a show

Sincerely
Susan

Adding a few days to the drawing

I was going to hold the drawing June 30th but I have added a few more days. I will be doing it on the 4th of July. So anyone that has not yet sent me an email with your contact information and your email address you still have time.

I will be posting the results here on my blog the morning of the 5th.

Let the drum roll begin.

New Trip in the Plans

As many of you know my Husband, Daniel, and I head to Montana as often as we can to photograph animals and to go in the backcountry on horseback and pack mull.

We will be heading back up to our loved Montana July 17th for a week of both. Four days in the backcountry and the rest to photograph the animals of Triple D. Jay Deist is getting some new and exciting animals in and I might have some surprises in store for you at my shows in the form of new paintings. I will post some photos from up there.

Stay tuned

Print Drawing

Hi to all,

Thank you, everyone, that sent me your email address so that I can go ahead with Paperless Communications.

For those of you that sent me your email the drawing for five of my Lithographs with be held at the end of this month and I will be posting the results here on my blog. If there is anyone else that would like to be entered into the drawing you can by sending me an email with all of your contact information and most important is your email address.

From now on all of my Show announcements, news letters and all other communications will be sent by email.

I'm looking forward to seeing you all at my shows and sending you up-dates.

Thanks to you all
Sincerely
Susan

The adventure of blogging.

Two days ago I had no idea what this was all about and now here I am BLOGGING. I guess the most important thing about all this is I need something to say. Right now I'm feeling a little on the spot for something to say.