Inspired by her father, a Chicago architect, Susan has focused on creating art since her early teens. She began a lifelong pursuit of painting after studying at the Art Institute in Chicago. Specializing in oils and pastels portraiture, she also creates landscapes, florals and still lifes and is constantly fascinated by color and the transfer of light.
Susan spent 25 years in California and had the opportunity to study Life Drawing and Anatomy at Long Beach City College under the tutelage of Michael Daniel and, soon after, concentrated on the art of portraiture. She continued her studies with Daniel Greene, Ramon Kelly, Chuck Hammond, Michael Shane Neil and Robert E. Wood in various workshops.
In her paintings, Susan conveys her own philosophy of art and loves to explore the complexities of color, engaging collectors with uplifting paintings, filled with the harmony of vitality. While striving for truth in her work, she believes that “perfection is the enemy of great art.” Since a single brushstroke can convey volumes in a painting, Susan is inspired by John Singer Sargeant and Edgar Degas.
Her work has received many Awards of Merit, consistently over the last 18 years and her paintings hang in many art collections in the U.S. and Scotland. She is a member of the Portrait Society of America, and in Charlotte, N.C. participates in the Piedmont Pastel Society, the Pastel Society of North Carolina, the Cabarrus Art Guild and the Mint Hill Art Guild. She lives in Charlotte with her husband, Greg, and their two Australian cattle dogs.
click on the thumbnail pictures below to see the full painting
