From my point of view there is nothing better than a peaceful day at the beach, unfortunately living in the Chicago suburbs those are few and far between.   I always told my mom, that something is amiss, I was truly to be born in a warm climate, and it wouldn’t have hurt if I was born into a very wealthy family so I could have just been a beach bum and sat on the shores and painted. 

Well, that’s not the case, so with my painting, I bring those beaches to the midwest. 

This is a window mural that I painted for my god daughter Nicole, who over this weekend, will be celebrating her 28th Birthday!

Happy Birthday Nicole!

Currently Nicole is heading up the Dance Team for the Peoria Pirates! With a passion for dance, never giving up on her dreams.  Moving to Peoria and giving up her dancing with the Chicago Luvabulls was a tough move on her.  It’s awesome to see that she has delved into her desires and dreams and found a destiny.  (sdk-2008)

I especially like this set of paintings because of the greens and the blues that were used to create the waters of the Caribbean.  Delta Ceramcoat Acrylic - Tropic Bay Blue and Caribbean Blue, blending them together to form the crystal waters of the Caribbean.  The canvas of these paintings is actually cardboard, using the cardboard as a painting surface can be tricky, if you over saturate it, you can see the ridges.  These windows came out of an old school house off Lake Cook Road in Barrington, Illinois. 

These are part of my recycled collection, a little less rubbish in the landfill.

Let me start this post with a confession: I thought Ginger Baker was a woman, and I did not realize that Grace Slick was white.. I knew the names, but I honestly never paid attention to the face.

Yes, Di and Shannon, I spent several lunch periods at the creek, but once I figure it out I get it, and it sticks.

I once said to my dear husband after way toooo many Corona’s, if Stevie Ray was alive, I would be a groupie.  TRUST me..that is truly not something you tell your spouse of 20 years.  Another tip, if you ever get one of those email’s that ask… if you could spend the rest of your life with anyone, who would it be?   First off, leave your husband off the list if you answer anyone else but him.

Speaking of Groupies, I have a blog groupie, who has been loyal, honest and most helpful.  THANK you Frank, the recent re-vamp, re-work and re-design of my little old blog is due to a fine man that took the time to help out a newbie.

Thank you Frank! This Grace is for you!

Yeah, I know, it’s a repeat Stevie Ray Vaughan Drawing.  I originally brought two with me to allow Cutter his choice for the SRV Memorial Ride, but on our second visit to Heart of Texas Music on South Lamar Street, and meeting Ray Hennig, I knew that this picture was to have a home in one of Stevie’s favorite hangouts, and the place he first layed his hands on his ‘59 Strat.  AKA Number One, the story behind that is a great one, I will share it the upcoming days.  Stevie was in Ray’s store each and every day.  It was great to hang out and just feel the nostalgia there.

Ray Hennig was one of Stevie’s closest friends, and what a kind southern gentleman he is.  Ray took the time to share stories about Stevie and several things that went on during those beginning years, and told us the story of how he would throw Stevie a pack of strings over the counter, when he would buzz in before he was going to do a show.

As we were getting ready to leave, Ray asked Jake what strings he used, and set him up with a bag full.  I got one of the greatest compliments that I have in my life, being that Stevie is such a passion of mine to draw, Ray asked if I would inscribe it to him, as I was doing so, he put his hands over Stevie’s mouth, and said the mouth looks good, and I have seen a lot of drawings of Stevie, but you really captured his eyes, and that nose dead on.

Ray was going to hang this in the back, so no one stole it, and I inscribed it - To: Ray, thanks for sharing your stories.

Susie Kleiner

~ Soul to Soul from Austin !

Happy Birthday Steven Tyler!

Steven Tyler has a style all unto itself, if you have ever listened to Just Push Play, the beginning of the song starts with a sassy nanananahhhh, nannahhhnna from a front man that can belt out some fantastically ferocious lyrics.

You Gotta Move debuted on Tuesday, November 23rd at 7:00 PM at several Regal Cinema’s across the country, I happened to snag tickets for this IMAX type event.  My son & husband crabbed the entire drive, by the end of the Big Screen Concert they were pleasantly surprised.

This was truly a unique experience, with interesting footage of the band. 

Steven Tyler says, “I just spent four weeks in Pandora’s Box mixing this puppy into a sweet 5.1 lather, and tonight, for one night only, you’re gonna hear, see and feel 30 years of clubs, arenas, juke joints and jams rolled into two hours of sweet concert insanity!”

While I was watching this Big Screen Concert, it was clearly evident that this man’s mind never stops ticking, constantly trying to figure out the best mix of crazy composing and blending it correctly to make yet another number one song.  Dedication to his passion, is most likely the drive behind the success and continuation of a band that has seen the seemy side of life, and lived to tell about it.

Flipping channels and seeing Madonna’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame was something to see, ever the choreographer and business woman, she certainly is an entertainer. 

I have never been to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, but was told by a dear friend, you can spend a decade in there and still not grasp the entire collection.  The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is located in Cleveland, Ohio.  Whether you are planning a move or just a weekend trip you can find a wealth of information at the Cleveland Real Estate Blog 

Ohio is the state with the theme song of “Hang on Sloopy” and many great people that formed our history as we know it.  Neil Armstrong, The Wright Brothers & Charles Goodyear. 

Elvis Presley was inducted into the Rock & Roll  hall of fame in 1986, wow.. that seems like many moons ago. 

Receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award the same year was John Hammond, and I mention him because he was the one who brought Stevie Ray Vaughan’s legendary guitar playing to label in 1983.  What an accomplishment and a great justice for all of us sharing with us Stevie with his Fender guitar called Lenny and Number One.  I personally like the attitude of Ol’ White..

This sketch is one that I did in woodless graphite of Elvis as well as ebony charcoal for the guitar to “pop”.  I am counting the days until I take off to Austin, to walk the streets that carried Vaughan through the hard times, as well as the good times.  I can’t quite think past it, but I certainly have on my radar the Rock & Roll hall of fame, and will be checking out the sites, as well as Cleveland Real Estate, just in case I plan to stay!