OVERVIEW
Inspired by working from life in oil, pastel and charcoal, Susan paints landscapes, portraits, and still life. She has been an active plein air painter throughout New England, including the North Shore and Cape Ann in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Maine. Susan has said she has loved to draw and paint ever since she can remember. Growing up, she was inspired to pursue a career as an artist and art teacher. In 2005, she began teaching ongoing classes for several educational institutions and organizations, as well as providing private instruction to individual students. She has painted with passion and a commitment to continuous improvement throughout her career, dedicated to executing works that are each better than the last. She currently maintains a resident studio in Franklin, Massachusetts and paints throughout New England.
ARTIST STATEMENT
“I often think how thankful I am for all the people I have met along my art journey, from teachers, mentors, and other artists, to collectors, galleries, friends and students. A lifelong journey that has been joined by many along the way.
I have taken steps both forward and back, but I like to think about what teaching moments I have had. All made me the artist I am today. Still on a path to learn, I have been taught to seek the beauty and truth in Nature through shape, value, design, and color.
I am moved by New England’s seasons and weather, the time of day, ever-changing light, people, the rhythms of the landscape, and colors presented in nature.
”
AWARDS
Susan has taken part in solo and group shows and has received numerous awards for her work in oils, pastels, acrylics and charcoal from curated exhibitions throughout New England since 1988. These include the Rockport, North Shore, Academic Artist, Canton, Cape Cod, Duxbury, Foxboro and Norwood, among others.
Rockport Art Association – Freyda Gallery Award, Second and Third Summer Show, 1998
Rockport Art Association – Antonio Cirino Memorial Award, Third Summer Show, 1999
Rockport Art Association – Phil Bissell Award, Second Summer Show, 2000
Duxbury Art Association – Juror’s Commendation Award, Winter Juried Show, 2001
Rockport Art Association – Stow Wegenroth Award, First Summer Show, 2002
Foxboro Art Association – Award, 2002
Cape Cod Art Association – First Place Oil Painting Award, “Low Tide, South Bristol,” February 2003
Academic Artists Association – Honorable Mention, National Exhibition, 2003
Cape Cod Art Association – Honorable Mention Painting Award, May 2003
Foxboro Art Association – Award, 2003
Foxboro Art Association – Award, 2004
Cape Cod Art Association – First Place Pastel Award, “Jewel,” January 2005
Rockport Art Association – Chester Roberts Award, “Essex Marsh,” 2005
Duxbury Art Association – Second Place Drawing & Pastel, Winter Juried Show, 2007
Rockport Art Association – Joseph Cody Memorial Award, 2007
Rockport Art Association – Portrait/Figure Award, First Summer Exhibition, 2009
North Shore Arts Association – John Paul Manship Memorial Award for Excellence in Drawing, July 2009
North Shore Arts Association – Harry Ballinger Award for Excellence in Graphics, 2014
North Shore Arts Association – Gamblin Artist Colors Award, 2017
North Shore Arts Association – Gamblin Artist Colors Award, 2018 Second Summer Show
EDUCATION AND ARTISTIC HERITAGE
Susan studied painting under three students of noted 20th century American artist RH Ives Gammell (1893 – 1981): David Curtis, Robert Cormier and Thomas Dunlay. Gammell was a noted champion of representational painting during the mid-20th century, and his students have carried on his tradition of The Boston School.
Susan completed a six-year course of study at the Gammell School, two years of which were in an atelier on Newbury Street in Boston under the direction of Master Painter Robert Cormier. She also spent many years studying with David Curtis. Presently, Susan is working and teaching in the studios of noted Master teacher Thomas Dunlay, who continues to pass on the tradition of Mr. Gammell in his own atelier.
In addition, Susan also studied with Joanne Regan, a student of Pietro Annigoni, the Italian 20th century Realist painter (1910 – 1988). Susan also has attended workshops with such notable artists as Kevin MacPherson at the Scottsdale Artists’ School in Scottsdale, Arizona, Colin Page of Maine, and Robert Lemler of Arizona. She also studied pastel painting with Linda Dunn of Stoughton, Massachusetts. Susan attended Framingham College for Art Education.
Memberships
Susan is an Artist member of the Rockport Art Association in Rockport, Massachusetts, and the North Shore Art Association of Gloucester, Massachusetts, two of the oldest in the country. She also is an Artist member of the Academic Artists Association, founded in 1949 to promote the study of realism in art. Susan served as a member of the Rockport Art Association Board of Governors from 2005 to 2008 and was Chair of the Association’s Education Committee. She was elected as a member of the Rockport Art Association and North Shore Art Association Membership Juries for 2004 and 2005. Most recently, she served as Chair of the Jury of Selection for Painting for the Rockport Art Association during 2011-2012. Since 2008, she has served as a member of the Art Advisory Board of Massasoit Community College in Canton, Massachusetts. She is a past member of the Canton and Foxboro Art Associations, and is a past president of the Norwood Art Association.