Art Wildlife ETC..

2019-10-31T08:51:00.000-07:00

The 3 sentence blog: Day2

The 3 sentence blog

with a photo

Books and a love of animals have always been a part of my life.

Yet I was insecure and embarrassed about being dyslexic.

Feeling so passionate about animals and what I learned from them,

left me conflicted about becoming a writer.

I went to see a Panda Bear. In this photo I took of him, he looked like I felt when I started to write; It was like hanging from a tree and staring into the murky waters of my future.

3 sentence about my new book and one photo

2019-10-29T22:46:00.000-07:00

Photo of me distracted

right before I interviewed Actor Richard Gere,

because I was talking to

Richard Gere!

Which has nothing to do with me coming up with the idea for the book.

Just name dropping.

I had the idea for this book; Evolution of a Wild Heart over 20 years ago. I wanted to put down on paper this Evolution that changed me and the lives of the wildlife I raised to be free.
It was a time before it was popular to talk about animal emotions or even my own.

Earth Day challenge 2019

2019-04-22T18:15:00.001-07:00

Lights, Furniture, Art!

2019-02-20T15:43:00.001-08:00

Art can make a room. It is like the cherry on top of a perfect Sunday.

Over the years I have had the pleasure to work with some great designers and was able to help set the stage for some incredible rooms.

What an honor!

I loved every minute of it.

Here are just a few examples of how art brings a room together.

Do you need a unique work of art for your home?

Let me know if I can help.

Want to see more art.

Great!

Here you go https://joannesullam.com

xo Jo

Labor Day- Back to school somewhere in time

2018-08-31T23:13:00.000-07:00

Labor Day is traditionally observed on the first Monday in September.

In 1894 is when it became a federal holiday.

So when did it become about sales and barbecues? Im not sure.

But it reminds me more about going back to school.

It is the great depression for some kids who are not so thrilled about summer's end and getting up so early in the morning.

I did and do love to learn something new every day, but I was most definitely, one of those kids who did not like to get up to go school so very in the early morning.

Sweet Dreams baby seals no school or shopping deals for you.

So this was me, in my pretend world, talking to the new Teacher:"

"Hey, hi there, how you doing today?"

Oh by the way- happy to be here and you know, this kid just love's to learn. But, lets start this learning stuff oh, I don't know-let's say, around noon?

Yea, that would work for me.

And by the way, I don't mind staying a little late, if you want cuz, just so you know, I'm a bit of a night owl, so, yeah, glad we had this little talk."

Could you imagine saying that to your parents or teacher?

I can hear that nice grown up response now.

"NO!

What are you crazy?
Teacher:

"Now you can go- sit yourself in the little night owl corner of your mind and

let this, "

I will get up at six am, for the rest of my life", sink in your little head."

Me now at the blackboards spelling "LET" a hundred times.

Aww, but how I did love the sweet smell of lead pencils and having that brand new plastic baby blue pencil case.

(I had to rebel ,where ever I could.

There would be no pink for this banana curls drop-out, strait hair loving girl.)

Still school was exciting at least for the first day anyway.

The day began with glue for breakfast... or was it oatmeal?

It stuck to my ribs and I could have used it for papier-mâché

An ah ha moment!

It must of been glue.

Lunch and the baloney sandwich on sticky, soggy, white bread, wasn't much better except for my Batman lunch box that made me secretly smile.

I stood out for being the only girl in second grade to ever have a Batman lunch box.

BAM - BOOM-My very neat-o Batman lunch box

Barbie was over rated as far as I was concerned.

That was just my very 8 year old unpopular opinion.

Yes, I was brave for insisting on a Batman lunch box over Barbie.

Because I could hear Batman side kick

Robin saying in a Holy cow sort of way,

" Let's make her a bat girl she is so brave!"

That was one of my many daydreams that would have me saying;

"What?"

to the teacher when she ask a question,that I wasn't paying attention to; then writing some new phrase or word that I have now block out of my mind forever.

Except for the word let that one will go down in my black and white history notebook.

Then I wipe it all away as I cleaned the holy blackboards, Batman, again!

My Mother had warned me what would happen and owe boy was she right that time.

(And only that time, but please don't tell her I said that.)

You are never too old to get schooled by your Mama.

It was the artist in me that wanted to come out, be independent on Labor Day

and draw all over and inside my black and white notebook.

When I look back in time, it was not all black and white but shades of grey and my memory has lost its color for all the wrong reasons. I have cleaned most of it up and I can laugh and draw in my book now without being reprimanded.

Eye trees anyone?
A Drawing
5"x 7"
JoAnne Helfert Sullam

One day not so long ago.

I started for no particular reason to draw eyes and decided that I should honor my old school notebook by picking one up a new one that had no lines and then to fill it with funny, crazy eye drawings.

I Stack
Drawing
5"x 7"
JoAnne Helfert Sullam

Hmm..One became a book bag and I wondered if anyone but someone like me would use it?
Strange and cool and someone on Society6 did and I never met did.

I stack book bookbag

For real, there are other eye crazy drawing lovers out there.

Yes, back to school brings me down memory lane and I wonder as I sleep in and wake well after the fist school bell rings this week, if the home school kids wake up early too and what do they do with their book bags and lunch box.

Happy Labor Day and please don't work so hard and if you do, do it with some barbecue you got on sale, as you sharpen your #2 pencil.

JoAnne

CretacolorBasic Drawing Sets

Love this big kid pencil set from Blick art materials

DISCLAIMER: This description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. This helps support the work I do and allows us to continue to make post like this. Thank you for the support!

painting a wild polo pony

2018-07-10T22:17:00.002-07:00

Many hours up and all night. I think I had the most fun with the lion.

JoAnne Helfert Sullam art Painting a Polo pony

Jaguar Fierce!

2016-06-12T20:13:00.000-07:00

Love seeing some of my work on a new line at shopvida.
Here my painting on a top Jaguar fierce!

Fierce!

Fierce!
can be added to your art collection at or see more at:
http://shopvida.com/collections/voices/products/fierce

Thy Brother by JoAnne Helfert Sullam

Fun stuff!

A work of Art Pet Portraits

2016-04-04T21:38:00.001-07:00

A work of Art Pet Portraits

In recent years animal art has increased in value and popularity. Dog art in particular has fetched record amounts at auctions and is still gaining in its’ status.
Owning a portrait of your pet can be rewarding by providing an everlasting memory of your beloved family member. While at the same time enhancing your home’s personality.
Here is some food for thought when considering a portrait of your pet.


CoCo Graphite pencil JoAnne Helfert Sullam

Think of your pet portrait not only as a beautiful rendition of a truly beloved and pampered pet, but also as a work of art to cherish for all time.
Remember you are getting an original work of art and in this world of mass-production it is nice to have a one of a kind just like you’re favorite furry friend.
Whether it is a painting, sculpture or a simple sketch.
Do you have a particular place for the portrait in mind?
Where you display the artwork will help you decide what kind of medium you might prefer, also consider the size of the portrait. It can make a difference in how your pet is represented and where best to place it in the home.

The size of a portrait can be a matter of taste, but consider the size of your pet as opposed to the size of the portrait of your pet, a very large painting of a Chihuahua will make quite a different impression than a life size portrait, but the contrary can be said of a large dog such as a Great Dane which can work quite well as a small painting.
Also take into account the wall space that you have available. If you have more windows than wall space in your home or an open floor plan you might want to consider a sculpture instead of wall art. There is also a new trend towards minis; some artists are offering miniature bronze sculptures that can be quite charming as an accent piece.
If you do decide on wall art, knowing in advance where you will hang the work can be valuable information. Especially hanging works on paper, such as a watercolor, drawings and pastels, which direct sunlight, can cause fading. Measuring the space will help determine what the dimensions of work should be and the medium you select.
Altogether this information can guide you through the decision making process.


Howie acrylic on canvas by JoAnne Helfert Sullam

Different mediums

Paintings: the surfaces can vary from canvas, board, paper and even wood and can be in oil, acrylic
watercolor,pastels, colored pencils, graphite drawings and pen and ink are typically done on paper and are usually matted and need to be under glass.
Graphite drawings and pen and ink are black and white although pen and ink can
be done in brown sepia.
Sculptures can come in a variety of metals and fired clay's and or finished in bronze.

Jessy Sits bronze by JoAnne Helfert Sullam

And there is also photography.

Baby Jessy photo by JoAnne Helfert Sullam

You want the art to fit in with the décor of your home and be a noteworthy depiction of your pet.

And don’t forget about the garden it can be the perfect place for a sculpture of your pet. A bronze is a beautiful addition to the garden if you have the budget for it.
Having a portrait of your pet can be exciting, and an artist can create a wonderful work of art with your help in understanding what you know so well about your pet.

So before speaking to the artist, consider this, what is unique to your pet’s personality?
What do you love about them?
How do you want to remember them?
Is it a certain expression or a simple gesture that you would like to capture?

You can then share this with the artist, insuring that your pet will be well represented and you have a work of art that will be a family treasure.
And this is my latest pet portrait, dog with tie.


Dog with tie https://www.etsy.com/listing/269799107/pet-dog-portrait

puppy mystery book

2014-12-16T22:10:00.000-08:00

I can Personalize this book and will be offering illustration from the caricature in the book.

I did this video as part of a program and book reading for a school we took Hammie the hamster and showed the video before I did a reading of the little puppy book I wrote.I thought it would be fun to have a video and meet Hammie as part of reading and the kids loved it!

The year of the Horse… Of Course!

2014-06-08T09:51:00.000-07:00

The Dream Painting was a 10 years journey to complete

Although I was born in the year of the dog, I am feeling the year of the horse...

This year for me is a return to horses and has taken me on a new journey and a lesson of a different kind of horse.

Me with my Zebra Polo Pony

It began this year with A Polo pony I painted, that is forever frozen in a pose with the stripes of a zebra...

In the Chinese culture there is a zodiac calendar system, which began with the Han’s dynasty (206-220BC), It is a 12-year cycle that names each year after an animal.

I love that idea and I have always found the horse to be an intriguing creature and although I am not Chinese I am very aware that it is the year of the horse.

Built Ford tough statue on display at he Augusta Airport

http://www.augustaregionalairport.com/ArtistsExhibitions

I started out painting horses because that was the only way I could have one.

I couldn’t afford a real horse or even a picture of one

(that’s what I would call a painting before I went to art school) so I made my own.

This new year of the horse is where I came back to these beautiful creatures with the help of one the galleries(Chisholm Gallery) that represent my work, three polo pony statues commissioned, and now an up coming Equine Art show, that I will be a part of and the hunter jumper, Horses in the sun show back in my town; I find myself literally in a year with horses and I didn’t know how much I missed being around them and painting and sculpting them.


Leap of Faith my first bronze

I didn’t have any real knowledge of horses, what I knew about them I learned from books, movies and from the horses I would pet in passing when I was in NYC near central park.

That is, until I rented an old carriage house and fell in love with a horse that slept below me.

I owned only his heart and he owned mine, with my deep love that I had for him.

I learned so much about horses during that time and loved being able to ride or groom him and I didn’t even mind mucking out the stalls, I would do anything to spend as much time as I could with him and the other horses.

I spent time at the racetrack and then watched them jump over hurdles, and pull carriages and twist and turn on a dime, chasing a ball in a field playing polo.

When I left that part of my life behind I spent more time with wildlife and although this took away from painting and sculpting horses they are always on my mind and in my heart.

What more could I learn?

Two People born in the year of the horse such as Teddy Roosevelt and Sir Isaac Newton, both had a great curiosity about nature and is something I can relate to.

But what they learned I would never. What I know they couldn’t and if I am confusing you now well maybe it will cause you to question and think.

What life becomes and where life takes you should cause you to pause. Just like the horse-even a thought can take you anywhere. It has taken me to places and allowed me to become someone that I never really thought I would be.

To think of where the horse has taken us as culture and what do they receive in return?

Our love and admiration- sometimes and sometimes less then nothing and they still give us all they have to give.

one of the 3 polo ponies I painted

To share some of the qualities of the horse, can bring out the best in us and honor this year of the horse, whether you were born in the year of the horse or you simply love horses.

What’s not to love?

To have more of their traits, such as… patience, enthusiasm for life and pride in doing a good job; is some of what I learned and it is something to think about, as I paint all the pretty horses.

See you at the show!

Mothers Day Flash back 80s

2014-05-09T10:27:00.001-07:00

Happy Mothers Day!

Flash back 80s style
For spring and Mother's Day gift.

I am offering this original silkscreen print.

Untitled 22"w x 28 "h
2 in pink

Created in the 80s
This original silkscreen that I have kept in my private collection is now for sale.
I have 4 of 10 signed 22”w x 28”h (that I am willing to part with) for $200.00 per print.Each one is unique and the colors vary, also will fit in a poster size frame and is sighed yours truly.

I studied at the same place as Andy Warhol- SVA in NYC and used the same printing studio to produce these original silkscreen prints, which were inspired for a love of spring.
Happy Mother Day

Untitled 22"w x 28 "h
2 in Blue

Email me or call me if you are interested.

joanne@joannesullam.com

Live Long and strong...

2014-05-05T23:12:00.001-07:00

Some New links on www.wildmother.org

Wild Mother on Earth Day

2014-04-22T20:24:00.000-07:00

Hey All,

Wild Mother is ... on Earth Day 2014.

Check out the links to love page as for the rest of the site- Not all there yet but it is a work in progress

lets make the world a better place!

http://www.wildmother.org/

Wild Mother is dedicated to this planet and all its inhabitants. Our mission is to create solutions for our mother Earth. We base this on our two words that make up our name.

Wild adjective

Living or growing in the natural environment; a natural state

Mother verb [with obj.]

(often used as noun) brings up with care and affection: the art of mothering- Look after kindly and protectively

With that in mind wild mother sees our planet as a community family and as all families there are those elements that do not function and don't always get along or agree. But mother reminds us that we need to share and learn and be part of a healthy community and family.

Wild Mother approach to environmental concerns...

The question is what can we do to help and make things better for everyone?

We take a positive encouraging approach to a holistic way of living.

How do we plan to do this?

Wild Mother will use media to get the word out and share information and what everyday people and organizations are doing to make the world a better place.

Using this website to help people find information and connect with issues that are important to them and through the Internet people will be able to share their own solutions and ideas.

And we will do our best to make protecting our planet fun!

Founder of Wild Mother,

JoAnne Helfert Sullam

http://www.wildmother.org/

Puppy Love and how to be a rock star

2014-04-11T10:43:00.000-07:00

Me and my friend the wolf Atka

(Mommy where do dogs come from? )

Puppy Love and how to be a rock star

A few words on puppy love…and being a rock star.

Everyone loves a puppy and who wouldn’t want to be a rock star.

So you want to take that puppy home and love it forever and ever and ever.

And now that you have a puppy (your biggest fan) when you go out with your new puppy, you two are now the center of attention. Out the door and down the street, when you go to the park, you and your puppy are rock stars!

You will hear “OMG, How cute! Can I pet him or her?” and when that adorable little puppy looks at you with those sweet, innocent eyes that say,

“I love you and I just want to be with you always”.

You may think “can it get any better that this?”

But then… go home and sooner or later the honeymoon is over.

You’re still a rock star when you walk out the door with the little one.

But when you are home alone with your new BFF little fan….

One of the biggest rocks stars with his fans

Singer Roger Daltrey in the countryside with his dogs on his estate in Sussex, 1978. Photo by Terry O'Neill

Now lets stop here for a moment and; remember that admirer that you thought you wanted to date because he or she was so friendly to you and you could do no wrong and they looked at you with such love in their eyes and maybe you thought I could spend the rest of my life like this… until, he or she started calling you up at 3 in the morning and said “I can’t live with out you!!”

(Bark, whine. Bark.. Bark. Whine… whine.)

Then you think what was I thinking? What did I get myself into?

But, how could you know? You were blinded by this, so cute, unconditional love and “I am such a rock star”.

Now what?

You just made a 10 or even 20 year commitment with a doody and a chew everything barker, who whines all night when you have to be up at 6am!

So where am I going with this?

I have seen this so many times and spent years rescuing and placing unwanted pets.

It makes me sad and after many years, the styles and music have changed and I now have to wear glasses: But the little puppy situation has not changed and who, through no fault of their own, grow up to be untrained, unwanted dogs.

I wrote a little story about a new puppy “Little Puppy & The mystery of the doody in the hallway” to be funny about an unfunny subject but also to give a voice to the critters that live with us who try to be “good pets” and to illustrate that they have feelings and needs too.

So, I want to share some basics for when you get a new puppy and let me just say that there is great info and plenty of experts on the subject and I have worked with some of the best, so you can go further than what I am offering here.

That being said...

Here it is… worth repeating for the- puppy loves you and rock star feeling you or someone you know will have some day.

The first thing I tell people is to picture your life in 1, 5 years or even 10 or 20 with your dog.

What does that look like?

If it fits, great, if not, rethink either the breed or the timing in your life.

The second thing to think about is walking the dog.

I know this seems obvious, but I hear this a lot when people come to me for doody training advice: “I am too busy to walk the dog, he has the whole back yard.”

Yes, this is true you have that backyard but dogs need to be exercised and mentally I believe that they need to use that great sense of smell as a “social calling card”.

Also the first day you bring your pooch home matters

As in any relationship there should be ground rules.

If you let someone (the puppy) sleep with you on the first night then they will want to sleep with you every night and will not understand why they can’t.

I know the first day is hard, you feel bad and you want to show them how much you care, but when you start out with a crate they may still cry the first night or two but it will shorten the time the puppy needs to adjust.

The same goes for potty training and feedings. Just like having a baby (part of your fan club) you do want to keep it on a schedule and just like having a baby you would never leave them unattended, the puppy should go to his “crib” when you are not watching them.

Dogs, “they say” (I not sure who “they” really are but “they” are usually right) come from wolves which are den animals which means they dig a hole in the ground and keep the pups there until it’s safe for them to come out and the puppy will understand this, and if the puppy has regular outings and is properly cared for your little fan will never feel that its create is a cage.

I tell people to think of your little puppy as you would a toddler in the house and when he or she turns into a dog they are still kind of like a child that tries to understand and wants to please you but they do have the limitation of; well being a dog and need a little TLC and understanding.

A page from my Little Puppy book

One more thing I would like to share with you; is that dogs have a different language than us and we can meet somewhere in the middle of a common language. I think it’s important to try and learn some of theirs, after all, would you go into a long term relationship with someone from another culture with a completely different language and expect them to only learn your customs and language?

Find a mate (you new pup) that’s right for you and your lifestyle and if you do take home a little bundle of joy, with an investment of time and patience, you and your pooch will always be rock stars to each other.

Here are a couple of links.

Your fan,

JoAnne

About dogs IQ

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/32349079/ns/health-pet_health/t/dogs-are-smarter-toddlers-iq-tests-show/#.UzMTXOvlEjU

This one’s fun:

http://www.talkingpets.ca/en/speakdog.aspx

Some basics on doggie talk:

http://www.wikihow.com/Communicate-With-Your-Dog

check out the latest edition to the family...

Pet Mummies

2014-03-30T16:24:00.001-07:00

Very interesting...
Here is a link to an article I came across on exhibition "Soulful Creatures: Animal Mummies in Ancient Egypt."that I wanted to share
Animal-mummies-displayed-at-california-museum

little kittens adopted by a poodle

2014-01-07T22:41:00.000-08:00

Found abandoned my daughter save these sweet little kittens and her poodle, Shanna adopts the 2 week old kittens as her own.A happy ending for all

The Snowy owl and NY Times

2013-12-10T17:46:00.001-08:00

Sunset on a winters day on the beach

I generally like to look at life as a glass half-full but In light of recent events of the port authority “wildlife specialist” exterminating snowy owls.

I would like it to be safe too.

But I agree with this statement from Erin Crotty  Executive Director Audubon NY

“A need to protect airline and passenger safety. We believe there are non-lethal control strategies that are equally effective, including trapping and releasing, and have been used successfully at other airports, including Logan Airport in Boston.”

I believe that it has been the easy way to just eliminate any critter that may get in the way but there is always an alternative to this. I am not saying that it's an easy one but at this point in time perhaps a necessary one to save the wildlife and let them live wild and free.

Otherwise what will be left?

Here is a link to sign a petition about the owls.

http://www.change.org/petitions/the-port-authority-of-new-york-and-new-jersey-stop-shooting-snowy-owls-at-new-york-metro-area-airports-2?share_id=pSTiVqbmWU&utm_campaign=signature_receipt&utm_medium=email&utm_source=share_petition

Here's a link to learn more about the owls and airports”.

http://www.massaudubon.org/get-outdoors/wildlife-sanctuaries/blue-hills/snowy-owl-project

Here is my story about the snowy owl:

On The Wildside

Searching for the Snowy Owl,”

Fist printed in the Enterprise Pilot Oyster Bay, New York, August 19, 2004

Me and my friend a Barn Owl

Searching for the snowy owl

It must've been about 10° out, but it felt like 20 below. I was at Jones Beach on one of the coldest days of the year. What was I doing there? I was looking for bird.

Now most people would be wondering (like most of my family) that I must be crazy, or at least a little weird. What kind of bird would be worth getting up at 6 o'clock in the morning and spending the day in the freezing cold?

Well, for me it was the snowy owl. The snowy owl winters on the shores of Long Island from November to March.

This magical creature migrates from places like Alaska, Greenland and Iceland. It is the official bird of Québec (sounds impressive doesn't it). I've always dreamt of going to places like Alaska. Seeing the snowy owl would be like having a small piece of that dream.

I wish I could be like Dr. Doolittle and talk to the owl. I would ask the owl about its travels, things like did he have many stops or did he fly direct? Maybe you could tell me where I could go to see a lot of wildlife? But I have been searching for weeks and have not seen one. Needing someone to share my joy with (if I ever found the owl) I took anyone that would go.

One day I went to work on my then 16-year-old daughter, as we walked on the beach I torture her with my bad impression of Arnold Schwarzenegger, over and over again, I would say “I am looking for ta snowiee owl –have you seen ta snowiee owl?”

(she found my Arnold imitations amusing)and when she got bored, to keep her going I would tell her things about the snowy owl, things that I learned, things like it was the only owl that hunts in the daytime. That it had a wingspan of about 52 inches (she wasn't sure how wide that was, so I told her she would be really impressed when she saw it).

My daughter at the beach with me

She said cool, which meant she would go on this adventure with me.

It was late in the day, half frozen and feeling defeated; we headed for the parking lot. Will we ever get to see the snowy owl? Maybe I would just have to go to Alaska after all. The sun had begun to set. The winter sunsets are so beautiful that we stopped to take a photo. Then out of nowhere, like a ghost in the sky, the snowy owl stopped to rest on a dune right in front of us…

Hues of orange and pink softly reflected on the snow white feathers of the owl. He looked at us, with large haunting bright yellow eyes, it seemed to be indifferent to our presence. Captivated we stood there shivering. My daughter's eyes wide with awe said everything. We were crazy for being out here. It was the timeless allure of nature that brought us here. As we sat waiting for the car to warm up I thought maybe the owl and I will meet again someday perhaps in Alaska.

Winter Retreat

Acrylic on Canvas 11”x14”
http://www.joannesullam.com/Prints.html

__________________________________________

Although I never got a photo of the owl that day it had made such an impression and I painted that which lived forever in my memory and which happen to be the painting that was featured in this NY Times article.

This is part of a personal study about migratory birds and here is the link for the New York Times article about that study.

http://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/15/nyregion/capturing-long-island-s-wildlife-in-oil-and-ink.html

Capturing Long Island's Wildlife, in Oil and Ink

By BARBARA DELATINER

Published: December 15, 2002

OYSTER BAY COVE— JOANNE SULLAM has sketchpad, pencils and camera in hand. At the sound of what she called a ''rare bird alert,'' she will gather her tools and rush to any place on Long Island where an unusual species has been sighted.
Take the snowy owl, for instance. An increasingly infrequent visitor to these parts, the owl was spotted at Jones Beach State Park one day last winter and off Ms. Sullam went to the beach for a look. For weeks she got there just after dawn to sit in the dunes, binoculars at the ready, until the bird finally appeared again, at sunset one day.
''It landed on a dune in front of me,'' recalled Ms. Sullam, a 44-year-old artist who is a native Long Islander and lifelong animal lover. ''And while I couldn't get any good photos, I did see it up close, catch the color variations, the shape of its eyes.''
Ms. Sullam's adventure with the snowy owl led to a portrait in oil, part of her project, ''Wild on Long Island,'' in which she is recording local landscapes and the migratory birds that visit them. Twelve of her oil paintings and pen-and-ink sketches are being exhibited at the Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary and Audubon Center in Oyster Bay Cove. As Ms. Sullam completes more bird portraits and incorporates botanical species, butterflies and animals like deer and foxes in her paintings, she hopes to expand the show and move it to other venues on the Island.
The goal is to raise awareness of the Island's endangered species by showing people the wildlife around them.
''So many species are threatened by changes in their migratory and breeding habitats that it's important to raise public awareness about what's happening,'' Ms. Sullam said in an interview at the Roosevelt sanctuary, where she is a volunteer.
Trish Pelkowski, director of research at the sanctuary, is collaborating with Ms. Sullam on the project. ''Knowing what a bird might look like and where to look for it is the first step to awareness,'' Ms. Pelkowski said.
Completing the project may take a few years, Ms. Sullam estimated, because painting wild creatures takes time.
''The early bird artists, like Audubon himself, worked from stuffed birds,'' said Ms. Pelkowski, who helps Ms. Sullam locate the species. ''Art and nature conservation have evolved so much that this would no longer be acceptable.''
Most of the time, Ms. Sullam's subjects are literally on the wing. As she did with the snowy owl, she waits for hours, days or weeks in dunes, woods, grasslands or marshes to capture the birds in their natural habitats. Sometimes she uses captive animals as models, like a disabled bald eagle and peregrine falcon that live at the sanctuary and are always ready for a close-up. Backyard bird feeders also provide a steady supply of subjects.
Ms. Pelkowski and her colleagues at the center, the oldest sanctuary of the national Audubon Society, often invite the artist when migrating birds are caught in nets and tagged before being returned to the wild.
''I get as much as 15 or 20 minutes and can really get a sense of the bird -- like the shape of its feathers, its colors, the tilt of its head -- and then put all the components, including their usual habitats, together,'' Ms. Sullam said.
Raised in Long Beach and later a resident of Oceanside, Ms. Sullam and her family moved to Brookville seven years ago because ''the wildlife is much better on the North Shore,'' she said.
She attended the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan; her paintings and sculptures, mostly of animals, have been shown in local galleries. Her current project unites both her interests.
''The entire U.S. warbler population has declined by 30 to 40 percent,'' Ms. Pelkowski said. ''And the number of short-eared owls is down 70 percent in the U.S. So JoAnne has to see them soon and paint them before they all disappear.''
''Wild on Long Island'' is at the Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary and Audubon Center, Cove Road, Oyster Bay Cove, through Jan. 11. Information: (516) 922-3200.
Photos: Joanne Sullam, holding a peregrine falcon at the Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary and Audubon Center in Oyster Bay Cove, paints portraits of Long Island wildlife, like the snowy owl, below, and the bald eagle. Her paintings and pen-and-ink sketches are on display at the sanctuary through Jan. 11. (Maxine Hicks for The New York Times)

Art -After the Rain

2013-11-21T20:54:00.000-08:00

        New work After the Rain- 24"x48"

After the Rain
24" x 48" Acrylic on canvas
Part of my new Mood-Scape series
Motivated by a trip to South Florida during mid- summer and it rained almost everyday.
But, the day before I was leaving to come home the skies cleared and it was one of the most beautiful sunsets I had ever seen.
What struck me the most was the deep pinks and orange and the drama in the golden –yellow light coming through and I came home and painted it from memory.
            JoAnne
                            email me if anyone would like to own the original or even a giclee

Black Bear Info and A few tips from a tree hugger for that Black Bear "encounter”

2013-08-19T18:25:00.000-07:00

“ Living with Black Bears”

As I sit in my studio working on my latest creation,

I raise my head and look outside and with a great delight, I often see the local wildlife go by.

It was once upon a time that I would only see cars go by.

I will always be grateful for this change in my day and my life.

“This is a personal choice,” my city friend says, as she focuses on some of the smallest of our wildlife (the mosquitoes to be exact.)

I like to stay focused on the larger of our wild neighbors. I see some of the wildlife I raised and released as a wildlife rehabilitator.

Hercules, the eastern cottontail goes by as does Bella the deer and others I didn’t raise.

Although I do have a bird feeder, I never feed the wildlife I have raised after I release them, but they still come by.

One summer not too long ago, everyday around 4:00 in the afternoon, a red fox passes by.

I always wonder if he carries a watch as he is always on time (more than I can say for myself)

I would anticipate this visit, and it became the subject for this wildlife artist’s work simply named “The Fox”.

Some has called me a tree hugger and that’s just fine with me.

Tree Hug's

Which brings me to… The ultimate “tree hugger” Black Bears.

A bear’s life is not so different from ours.

Raising families and finding food is at the top of their list and sometimes while doing this, we meet.

In recent years their numbers have been growing and they have become familiar sights, though not always in the best of situations.

“I don’t live near bears” is your answer, but if you are going to spend the last of the summer days in the county, or if you live in Black Bear Country and maybe planted a nice garden and like to feed the birds, Then I would like to share this with you.

When I first moved to this Black Bear community,

I had forgotten to put the birdseed away one day, it didn’t take long for the local bear to climb up on the deck and help himself.

What surprised me was how quiet he was and if it wasn’t for my dog Jessy barking I would have never known he was only a few feet away!

As a wildlife artist I enjoy seeing wildlife in the wild.

Live in peace and “bearing” with nature and you can be a tree hugger too.

A few tips from a tree hugger for that Black Bear "encounter”

Bear etiquette 101

When hiking outdoors in Bear country the first rule is bring a friend along.

It’s more fun with a friend anyway.

Also you can bring an air horn or carry a whistle with you.

Talk or just be noisy, if you do come across a Black Bear, stand tall and make yourself as big as possible, be loud and never turn your back on the bear.

You can back away slowly and then leave the area and continue your hike somewhere else.

A treed bear can be frightened so give it some space that s/he can safely come down.

When hiking if you feel frightened by a bear it is appropriate to yell, wave your arms, make noise.

Never turn your back on a bear, you can back up slowly and leave the area.

If you must you can carry a can of pepper spray of the type sold to mailmen for dogs. This is effective in chasing away a bear.

A friend to the Black Bear is one that does not feed him. (He can forage for wild food himself.) Bears don’t know that you like to feed him and your neighbor does not.
This could make him a “Wanted Bear”.

When using bird feeders, you can either put enough seeds out in the daytime with a catchall underneath to prevent any extra seeds from spilling onto the ground that would attract bears.

Also, bird feeders can be replaced with shrubs and flowers that provide food & shelter for the birds.

Have a secure garbage system: use bear resistant cans or

You can put Ammonia in the garbage bags and the garbage cans.

Ammonia in my outdoor cans has worked well in keeping all critters away from my garbage (including my sweet, garbage picking dog.)

Clean up your grill after every use or burn it hot for a few minutes after using.

You compost? Happy days, good for you!

Cover all compost, especially melons, with manure or soil. Avoid putting meat scraps and grease in the compost.

If you find a cub or feel the cub is abandoned you can call your local D.E.C. office

(Department of Environmental Conservation) they will know what to do.

But stay clear just in case mom is around and you just can’t see her.

Never get between a mother bear and her cub, if you come across a lone bear cub avoid getting too close or handling it.

Never offer the bear food or tease a bear and keep the dog on a leash if you think there is a bear around.

When taking photos always keep a respectable distance,

Use a telephoto lens for your camera if you have.

#10

Remember that these are still wild animals and they are just trying to make a living.

Black Bear

Enjoy

JoAnne
www.joannesullam.com

Hope

2013-07-15T07:46:00.000-07:00


Hope 24" x 36" Acrylic on Canvas

What is beauty and what makes a place timeless and magical?
What does Hope look like?
I wondered what is retained in the subconscious, through music and memories?

Hope is the 1st in this new landscape series.

With a beautiful piece of music playing in the background, a blank canvas in front of me, I thought about the places I have seen and the word "Hope" what it would feel like and what it would look like and this is my expression of that word and that feeling.
If you are interested in this Original work of Art or in a print fell free to email me.

Mood -Scapes is a new series of Landscape paintings.

Live your best life for free

2013-04-04T21:07:00.000-07:00

The Author Robert Pagliarini asked how to live your best life for free.

This was my answer, that he passed on to his readers and I thought I would share with you.

FYI (the starving artist is no joke)

So with that being said I feel I can safely say I am an expert on living your best life for free.

I hope you are inspired by the following tips.

Living your best life for free...

Love what you do and do what you love in life, because when you are happy you can do almost anything.

Take a walk and take in the life around you. If you are with someone (a friend, spouse, a child), try shutting your cell phone off for 20 minutes and enjoy the scenery.

Waiting in a doctor's office or standing in line is an opportunity to read a book or listen to music that you enjoy -- this in itself can make you look forward to the office visit! If you're standing in line, try talking to the person in front or behind you.

Do something nice for someone, and if you can, don't tell him or her it was you.

Take a new way home so you can see and think in a new way. You can even make it a challenge to explore which route is faster, what route is scenic, etc.

Call an old friend to say hello, or send them a note.

Motivation is born from passion;
Find out what makes you tick, and use it for everything you do, such as saving money, losing weight,
becoming healthier, becoming more compassionate, being a better listener, etc.

BECAUSE WHEN YOU ARE HAPPY YOU CAN DO ALMOST ANYTHING
so you can live and feel free.

JoAnne Sullam

Wildlife Artist, Rehabilitator, Conservationist, and Author
/http://joannesullam.com/

Have Happy Easter Sunday and Love your bunny

2013-03-31T09:27:00.000-07:00

A drawing of a bunny named Hercules

Me and Hercules

Free Artist website

2013-03-28T21:07:00.001-07:00

Little Puppy book Signed by the Author

2012-11-23T12:36:00.000-08:00

I can personalize this book for you
Best to all, JoAnne

joannesullam.com

“Little Puppy & the Mystery of the Doody in the Hallway”

Cause everyone knows that, when you have a little puppy, "Doody" is going to happen.

Hardcover; 32 pages 30 color illustrations

only $18.95

Happy Thanksgiving free Turkeys

2012-11-19T11:32:00.000-08:00

Talking Turkey
I have painted Bald Eagles but never a turkey.
I have seen wonderful art that depict the turkey.
But never had the desire myself.
They often come by the studio, always looking as if they’re
in a hurry to get someplace.
This sometimes makes me think about Thanksgiving
(That’s when I see them the most)and why I did this little video

I also think about the fact that the turkey was almost
our national bird and..
and what if the turkey was our national bird?
Where would the Eagle stand in our minds?
Food for thought?
This time of year I also remember to give
Thanks. It is “Thanksgiving”
I hope you share in that thought and “give thanks
for the life in us and around us.”
Peace out
JoAnne