Suzanne

Suzanne Havens is a mixed media artist who lives on the Gulf Coast of southwest Florida.

Feb 092016
 
the skyline has grown dramatically since I worked here

the skyline has grown dramatically since I worked here

the atrium of the Javitz Convention Center cast shadows reminding me of ships

the atrium of the Javitz Convention Center cast shadows reminding me of ships

the circle repeated in a tight pattern over the face of this high-rise

the circle repeated in a tight pattern over the face of this high-rise

from inside the Museum of Modern Art in Midtown looking at classical and contemporary styles

from inside the Museum of Modern Art in Midtown looking at classical and contemporary styles

forms and textures of the skin of this building held my attention

forms and textures of the skin of this building held my attention

the new tower reaches to the clear sky

the new tower reaches to the clear sky

 in the American Express headquarters, where I once worked, their employees who died in 911 are memorialized, their names and adjectives describing their qualities in life, around and in the reflecting pool, with water falling into the pool, like tears being shed forever

in the American Express headquarters, where I once worked, their employees who died in 911 are memorialized, their names and adjectives describing their qualities in life, around and in the reflecting pool, with water falling into the pool, like tears being shed forever

trees planted along side the fountain in the footprint of the South World Trade Tower testify to the life that springs up after destruction

trees planted along side the fountain in the footprint of the South World Trade Tower testify to the life that springs up after destruction

this enormous sculpture outside the new entrance to the PATH train reminds we of a bird taking flight

this enormous sculpture outside the new entrance to the PATH train reminds we of a bird taking flight

visitors to the 911 South World Trade Tower memorial  were hushed and reverent as they traced their hands over names of victims carved into stone

visitors to the 911 South World Trade Tower memorial were hushed and reverent as they traced their hands over names of victims carved into stone

my montage of the memorial fountain, bird-like sculpture taking flight, and the new tower  say that love and freedom will prevail over hate and terror

my montage of the memorial fountain, bird-like sculpture taking flight, and the new tower say that love and freedom will prevail over hate and terror

my imaginary Manhattan skyline with the Hudson River so still it reflects the lights

my imaginary Manhattan skyline with the Hudson River so still it reflects the lights

As a member of Venice Camera Club, two of my montages will exhibited in our annual show, including the montage, Freedom Rising, above. A reception for the public will take place at Pinebrook South Clubhouse, 1343 Featherbed Lane, Venice, Florida, 3:30 – 5:30 PM.

Oct 252015
 

The Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore along Lake Michigan in the northwestern part of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula is a national treasure. Majestic clouds swirling about provided a special opportunity to share their natural beauty.

Sleeping Bear Dunes

Sleeping Bear Dunes

Steep Climb up the Sleeping Bear Dunes

Steep Climb up the Sleeping Bear Dunes

Windswept Dunes

Windswept Dunes

Climbing to the Top of the Sleeping Bear Dunes

Climbing to the Top of the Sleeping Bear Dunes

Dancing Clouds

Dancing Clouds

Farm Nestled in the Dunes

Farm Nestled in the Dunes

Layers of Beauty

Layers of Beauty

Glen Lake

Glen Lake

Oct 182015
 

The western coast of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula along Lake Michigan’s dune area makes a great microclimate for farming. Oceana and Grand Traverse counties are known for their many varieties of cherries. I had the privilege of visiting there in July to see tart cherry orchards at harvest time. I also bought quarts of black sweet cherries at a road-side stand of a farm owned by the same family for over a century.

Oct 092015
 

In June of 2015 the beautiful, eight-acre DeVos Japanese Garden was opened at the Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I visited in mid-July after a day of refreshing rain.

in appreciation of all who contributed to this contemplative space

in appreciation of all who contributed to this contemplative space

the streaming water flows into the rock carved water basin as an opportunity for purification

the streaming water flows into the rock carved water basin as an opportunity for purification

this tree spirals like a wave reminding me of the ocean

this tree spirals like a wave reminding me of the ocean

the smoothness of the stones and basin contrasts with the rough texture of the surrounding rocks

the smoothness of the stones and basin contrasts with the rough texture of the surrounding rocks

the hydrangea and lantern accent the path

the hydrangea and lantern accent the path

the island in the pond reachable by boat takes our minds to a serene place

the island in the pond reachable by boat takes our minds to a serene place

as water pours over the rocks the sound removes the need to talk only listen

as water pours over the rocks the sound removes the need to talk only listen

a Japanese thread-leaf maple tree beside a waterfall tumbling over rocks gives us a sense of timeless beauty

a Japanese thread-leaf maple tree beside a waterfall tumbling over rocks gives us a sense of timeless beauty

a long view across the pond reveals the tea house, bridge and sculpture as the water reflects the tranquil rocks, trees and sky

a long view across the pond reveals the tea house, bridge and sculpture as the water reflects the tranquil rocks, trees and sky

contemplation of near and far, solid and reflection

contemplation of near and far, solid and reflection

elegant lotus blossoms

elegant lotus blossoms

baby and great grandfather

baby and great grandfather

inside the garden a zen garden provides a stark contrast of minimalism

inside the garden a zen garden provides a stark contrast of minimalism

zen garden seating of stone harmonizes with the garden and provides a place to be quiet and mindful

zen garden seating of stone harmonizes with the garden and provides a place to be quiet and mindful

contrast the fleeting beauty of flowers with the old stones and flowing water of time

contrast the fleeting beauty of flowers with the old stones and flowing water of time

May 232015
 

birthday abstraction

I made this abstraction in Photoshop of selections from photos I made this year. I moved jagged selections around to fit like a puzzle. I masked and brushed and erased edges till it flowed. I changed hues to create a feeling of benign breeze. Can you tell we live on the Gulf and visited the West Indies this winter? Enjoy!

May 032015
 

These exotic birds are residents of Jungle Gardens in Sarasota, Florida. In some cases the backgrounds were quite distracting, so I employed Photoshop or Lightroom and my imagination to give them a new context.

P1100826-Edit

P1100826-Edit-2

P1100821-Edit

P1100675-Edit

P1100682

P1100708-Edit-Edit

P1100689-Edit

Apr 022015
 

Celts settled in what is now Carcassonne, France around 3,500 B.C. It is located in southern France near the Pyrenees mountains. A double-walled city surrounds a palace and cathedral. In 1209 the French pope’s army made a crusade against its residents to root out those they considered to be heretics. Others say that the crusade was a land grab of fertile farm and grazing land.

As we contemplate the crucification and rising of Jesus Christ this Holy week may the images of this medieval cathedral give you a space for reflection and hope.

P1090666

P1090667

P1090669

P1090670

P1090671

P1090675

P1090676

P1090677

P1090678

P1090679

P1090687-Edit

P1090697

P1090699

Mar 282015
 

The towns nestled in the mountain ranges of Southern Spain are white stucco with tile roofs, which makes sense in this hot and sunny climate. And we think our neighborhood covenants are strict! The individual personality shows up in the entries, flower boxes and business signs. The continuity makes the entire community stand out as a form against the surrounding mountains.

Gibralter is 45 km's from this lookout, appearing as an insignificant gray triangle along the horizon.

Gibralter is 45 km’s from this lookout, appearing as an insignificant gray triangle along the horizon.

A fortress overlook makes a mysterious destination

A fortress overlook makes a mysterious destination


The Zorro family served us a delicious lunch of fish and pork roast

The Zorro family served us a delicious lunch of fish and pork roast


Dramatic changes of light and shadow with fast-moving clouds

Dramatic changes of light and shadow with fast-moving clouds


Terraces make this vertical landscape of the gorge accessible

Terraces make this vertical landscape of the gorge accessible


Looking over the balcony of our hotel room the water in the gorge reflected a bright blue sky

Looking over the balcony of our hotel room the water in the gorge reflected a bright blue sky


The countryside around Ronda at dawn from our hotel room balcony

The countryside around Ronda at dawn from our hotel room balcony


Ceramic tiles, pots and plates behind a wrought iron gate suggests an artistic inner life of the residents

Ceramic tiles, pots and plates behind a wrought iron gate suggests an artistic inner life of the residents


Nuns strolling

Nuns strolling

Dec 242014
 

Merry Christmas to my Christian friends and family! While in Sevilla this fall, we visited the Cathedral and the Iglesia de el Salvador (Church of the Savior). So for a Christmas greeting of hope for all humankind I share these photos to attempt to give a sense of the adoration the Spanish Christians have expressed for Jesus Christ.

Catedral de Sevilla

Catedral de Sevilla

Cathedral Tower

Cathedral 2

Cathedral 3

Cathedral 4

Iglesia de el Salvador

Iglesia de el Salvador

Church of the Savior altar

Church of the Savior altar 2

The light from the stained glass window bathed the Madonna statue in rich color

The light from the stained glass window bathed the Madonna statue in rich color