In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, we at Off Broadway Boutique have decided to present a wondrous display that is pleasing to the eye and the soul. Designed with the love that symbolizes this holiday, we truly believe that you’ll love our windows. This is why it is our pleasure to introduce you to Sue Kreitzman – our friend, our customer, as well as a prolific cookbook author, lecturer, teacher, and television personality. Much to her surprise, she was seduced by Art in the second half of life. It was a coup de foudre, coming upon her “… violently, inadvertently…” Despite completely dissimilar backgrounds (Sue has no training, showed no early talent, and had, until ten years ago, “never so much as doodled,”) they’re enjoying a joyful, passionate, and productive relationship…the fruits of which we share in our windows this month.

Paintings and constructions of “powerful and colorful female figures, imagined goddesses, personal heroines, glimpsed strangers, and self portraits” line her walls, fill her shelves and obsess her imagination. Favorites include Eve, Josephine Baker, Frida Kahlo, Wonder Woman, Carmen Miranda, and Medusa, whom Sue feels got a bad rap living as a strong, singular and magical woman at a time ruled by men.

Her iconic “Memory Jugs” continue a tradition gong as far back as memorials to the dead created by African slaves of the deep South, and as differently motivated as a kind of three dimensional scrapbook female hobbyists would put together beginning in the Victorian era. Memorials were made by emptying the pockets of the deceased and embedding these small objects with others of a personal nature into a clay or putty covered jug. Decorative pieces would be fabricated by pressing on found objects-thimbles, marbles, bits of broken jewelry, buttons, toys…and then, sometimes, painted gold.

Sue’s indomitably cheerful and completely unique modern day interpretations of this genre are richly decorated with “fascinating and profound junk gleaned from charity shops, salvage yards, and flea markets.” Each is topped with a head or head and torso – from mannequin to doll or action figure- representing the essence of the character being saluted. Most of these are embellished as well. The work sings of her zeal. Its confidence, energy, and mythological presence galvanize emotion and tickle one’s spirit.

If you’re interested in commissioning or selling Sue’s work, do feel free to e-mail her with your inquiries. Should you want to learn more about her international Outsider Art Group, you can check out their official website for more details. Meanwhile, we invite you over to Off Broadway Boutique to get swept up in the enchantment of our amazing display this Valentine’s Day!

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