An elephant, St Pat's sketchbook pages

And other rare beasts

The painting I finished this week is titled “White Elephant”. You're the first to see it. Notice all of the green…

It rarely happens but for “White Elephant” there weren't any preliminary sketchbook drawings in preparation. I was looking at one of my art boards and “saw” a white elephant sitting in green grass… so it happened.

Earlier this week Amie McGraham at Cook & Tell interviewed me about my kitchen sketchbook and what was on my St Patrick's Day menu! There are photos and sketchbook pages and our St Patrick's Day recipes … https://amiemcg.substack.com/p/shot-in-the-kitchen-sue-clancy

…and this fun photo of a leprechaun, aka me, cooking in the kitchen.

Here's a look at my small 3 x 5 inch kitchen sketchbook from which the above mentioned interview came.

Here is one of my St. Patrick's Day related sketchbook pages… (more details in the interview on Cook &Tell)

Here's another…

I reproduced much of my kitchen sketchbook as “Favorites So Far" and in this photo below you're looking at my original sketchbook in the lower left and the same page reproduced in Favorites So Far. As you see it's about the same size as the original. More details and how to get a copy here: https://www.blurb.com/b/10863384-favorites-so-far

…there are more pages from my sketchbook and details from my creative life - particularly about my St. Patrick's Day food celebrations - on the Cook & Tell post link. 👇

Shot in the Kitchen: Sue Clancy

Because of St Patrick's Day I wanted to share another special page from my kitchen sketchbook.

I mention favorite cookbooks like Pie and Whiskey in my sketchbook because it's good to remember particularly fun resources. Besides recipes for pie and cocktails the book Pie and Whiskey has delightful short stories and essays!

I mentioned in my last newsletter that I would make a mug with the hippo “feed your joy" drawing from my recent sketchbook pages… Here it is: https://www.zazzle.com/we_need_a_little_joy_regularly_mug-256156990226458186

As a professional artist I have to write artist statements and “philosophy” blah blah which often feels too formal and stuffy for my tastes. But now and then I write something in that category and it feels right. Here's the rare beast, a current statement, that I wrote and illustrated in my sketchbook this week. And it relates, I think, to the spirit of St. Patrick's Day.

I hope your day and weekend is oriented around love too.

Please lift your drink for this traditional Irish toast: To all the days here and after, may they be filled with fond memories, happiness and laughter!
Sláinte!!!!

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!!