Self Portrait
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Here I am, painting on my back porch. This photo was taken in February 2005 --no glamour shot, no fancy hair-do or make-up. This is me, doing what I love most. When I'm not at an art show or sitting on the beach, this is where you'll find me -- working on a new idea or project that kept me awake the night before.
The bottom line is I love to create. Whether I'm painting fine art in my studio, drawing my wacky characters on location at shows, sitting at my pottery wheel on my back porch, or writing at my computer, the creative process is liberating beyond words. I am forever exploring new ways to express the energy inside me. But I feel forever blessed to have these gifts and vow to never take them for granted.
I'm 47 years old, live in Tangerine, Florida in a house surrounded by 100 year old oak trees. I share that space with my husband, Al, and my 28-pound cat, "Bob." I eat chocolate truffles while I paint -- and when they run out, I quit. I drink Perrier sparkling water so much I'm considering taking out stock in the company. I practice Yoga, which for some strange reason I think will help compensate for my horrible diet, and I go to the beach every chance I get.
I have five grown children and ten grandkids who love me as much as I adore them. I've taught them to dip their French-fries in their chocolate shake, make up any words they want to any tune they like and to never, ever color inside the lines. (However, they all feel the need to assure their friends that they also have another set of grandparents who are 'normal')
To give you an idea, my seven-year-old granddaughter recently stunned her parents by announcing that she wants to be a "hooker" when she grows up. I taught her how to hook a small rug while she was visiting last month, and she wants to make and sell her colorful creations like Grandma Suzy -- by hooking yarn, of course.
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Al Toronto
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Here is my husband Al, enjoying the afternoon at the Sandy Mountain Art Festival in Oregon. I am fortunate to have a man in my life who "gets-it!" He is a fabulous support for me and my art. I often tease him at shows and call him my "Beast of Burden." But the truth is, without him, both physically and emotionally, I wouldn't be able to survive in this business. He's an amazing guy! |
Chase Toronto
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Here's the wacky kid who started it all and the youngest of our five children. Chase is now 23 years old and on his way to a stellar career as a computer genius. (I can say this - I'm his mom.) Viewing the world from his own wacky perspective, Chase helps out with the business computers and joins us occasionally at shows. To this day we all still tease him about his innocent question that started the Wonderful Wacky Women line. "Mommy, who is she that grew me In her tummy?"
He's a great kid that makes us all laugh. I smile whenever I think about him. |
