Artist Statement
Art and Spirituality go hand in hand in my life. My book, The Cross Symbol: Ignite Your Divine Feminine Intercultural, Christian Awareness, is a creative effort that has involved spirituality, illustration, photography, graphic design and layout, meditation and creative journaling. Some of the Highlights help the reader:
• Connect to the Divine Feminine.
• Experience ancient mantras.
• Grow your creativity through easy art exercises.
• Understand religion.
• Make symbols come alive.
In the works at the moment is another book to help people with plein air painting, which is an important practice to help me connect with nature. I pay close attention to the natural world and feel guided and nourished by what I pick up with my intuition. I have found that when you set an intention for your painting and then spend time paying close attention to a scene or an object, the spirit comes through and surprises you with insights about your intention. My attempt is to convey to the viewer the magic that is before us in everyday realism. My fondest hope is for my students to connect to and engage with their own creativity, even if they have no prior art experience.
Biography
One of Susan’s earliest important memories she acquired while camping. While lying in her sleeping bag looking up between the trees, she suddenly remembers feeling like she was falling through the sky. It was hard to tell if she were looking up or looking down. This was her first experience of visual transcendence. “It wasn’t until many years later that this experience made sense to me.” While on a trip to Europe after college, she once again had a deep experience while viewing the Mona Lisa at the Louvre. “I remember that just after viewing the painting for about 30 seconds I had this experience of oneness where I became a drop of water plopping myself into a lake from very high place. I was one with everything, and then in a split second I was back viewing the Mona Lisa. I sat back on my heels and thought, ‘Oh, that must be why they call it the girl with the mystic smile.’ I have thought about that moment many times over the years. It taught me the power of art and spirit.”
After that experience Susan decided to study art and earned an AA in graphic arts. She worked for fifteen years designing promotional marketing materials. She later studied and received an MA in Theology and Art and became a humanities instructor. After nine years teaching, she decided to become a full-time artist and writer. She finished off her AA with a BFA in Art. “I have loved all my various experiences from designing brochures, to teaching comparative religions. My history and interests continue to feed and contribute to my artistic growth. I realize now, that spirituality combined with art is where I feel the most alive.”
She works as a painter, writer, and teacher in Scotts Valley, California. Her subjects and vision involve theology, feminism, the natural world, myth and symbolism. Susan has a special affinity for the study of the Divine Feminine, which she reflects in her writings and her art.
Partial List of Exhibitions
Wisteria Antiques
5870 Soquel Drive,
Soquel, CA 95073
Selected Plain Air Paintings
September 13-14, 2014
Saratoga Contemporary Artists
14376 Saratoga Ave.
Saratoga, CA
Teaching and Painting Demo
April 5, 2014
Beasts On Broadway
526 Broadway
Santa Cruz, CA
“Wolf Birth Totem”
Jurors: Jane Gregorius, Janet Fine
October 26-November 24, 2013
2013 Open Studios Art Tour
Cultural Council of Santa Cruz County
1070 River Street (Kron House at the Tannery Arts Center)
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Oct 5 & 6, Oct 19 & 20, 2013
Preview Exhibit for OS 2013
Santa Cruz Art League,
526 Broadway
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Sept 28 thru Oct 20, 2013
Plein-Air in Santa Cruz County
The Art Store
216 E. Mt. Herman Rd.
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
"solo"
July1, 2013 thru September 15, 2013
Art in Public Places Program
Hinde Chiropractic
216 - A Mount Hermon Rd.
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
"Native American Animal Totems"
June 1, 2013 to Sept 6, 2013
pARTy in the Library
Scotts Valley Library
251 Kings Village Road
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
“Arboretum Eucalyptus”
Sept 22, 2012
My Best Friend
Gallery at the Loft
230 Mount Hermon Road
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
“Momo”
Juror: Valri Peyser
Sept 15 - Dec 8, 2012
Gallery at the Loft Opening
230 Mount Hermon Road
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
“Native American Animal Totems”
juror: Dawn Teall
Feb 18, 2012- Sept 15, 2012
Scotts Valley Artisans Grand Opening
230 Mount Hermon Road, Suite D
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
“Selected pieces”
March 2011
Scotts Valley Library Revolving Exhibit
251 Kings Village Road
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
Totem Animals- solo
Oct 20, 2011- Feb 3, 2012
Works On Paper, National Exhibit
juror Preston Metcalf,
Santa Cruz Art League,
526 Broadway
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
“Deva, Goddess of the East”
Oct 22- Nov 20, 2011
North County Preview Exhibit OS 2011
R. Blitzer Gallery
410 Natural Bridges Drive
Santa Cruz CA 95060
“Delaveaga Stream”
Sept 23-Oct 16, 2011
Preview Exhibit for OS 2011
Santa Cruz Art League,
526 Broadway
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
“Bear Birth Totem”
Sept 25 – Oct 16, 2011.
2011 Open Studios Art Tour
Cultural Council of Santa Cruz Co.
1101 Pacific Avenue, Suite 320
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Juried, selected pieces on display in artists’ studios
Oct 12 & Oct 15-16, 2011
Scotts Valley Library Opening
251 Kings Village Road
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
Les Dudes and Demoiselles of Santa Cruz
June 17- Nov 3, 2011
San Jose State University, San Jose , CA
Vice President of Instruction Office
Selected pieces on exhibit
November 15 –May 15, 2010
Nature, Spirit, and Sacred Space
San Jose State University, San Jose, CA
One Washington Square
San Jose, CA 95192
Art Building, Gallery 3
Solo exhibition
Oct 12-16, 2009
Susan’s art is featured here or by appointment at (831)430-6615. You can also see pieces at Scotts Valley Artisans, 230 Mount Hermon Road, Suite D,Scotts Valley, CA 95066. (831) 439-9094
