Artist Statement.....

Writing an Artist's Statement is always a daunting task, and I have written variations of it many times, as my work is continuously evolving.  It is hard to condense all that you want to say, and all that has gone into a body of work, or a lifetime of painting into a few paragraphs, but having said that, here is my latest artist statement:

The girl next door, the playmate, and even photographs of women in Vogue magazine, are the images I grew up with in the late 60's and early 70's.  They had a huge influence on me, and what I paint today.  When I choose a model, she has to have that girl next door quality that we have all known (or been) to make the best subject, and hence the best paintings.  When I photograph my model is when the creativity really takes place, and if we are lucky, working as a team, it becomes almost magical.  When I see "it", the "perfect" fleeting moment, I know it, and hopefully capture it on film, which is later translated into oil on canvas.

My current work focuses on the idealized female nude in front of an iconic artwork, which allows me to not only pay homage to my favorite artists, but to paint in different styles, contrasting figures with background.  It may be that the background is painted with thick paint that allows for a difference in textures, or it may be that a complex, or organic design adds to the sensuality or spirituality of the painting.  The women I paint are truly the girls next door, but have come a long way since the 60's, and I find their strength and beauty to be a product of our uniquely  American culture.www.suzysmithart.com

Scott Richards Contemporary Art.....new gallery representation.

My art work is now being represented by Scott Richards Contemporary Art in San Francisco.  It all happened very suddenly, but I am so happy to have my art seen in both of Scott's galleries: Tangent, which is located just off Union Square (street level) at 373 Geary Street, as well as his main location at 251 Post Street. 

I have been going to the galleries at 251 Post Street since I lived in the Bay, 17 years ago, and Scott's galleries definitely do not disappoint!  He and his amazing, and friendly staff show contemporary art by many incredible artists, and I am excited to be a part of it!

"Laura with Narcissa's Last Orchid", oil, 24" x 18", by Suzy Smith

As an artist, people often ask me if I didn't sell my work would I still paint....and of course the answer would be a resounding YES!  It is always an interesting question to me, because there is nothing I would rather do than paint and create....not saying it is always easy, but to me, part of the act of creating is to share your vision with other people.  Sometimes your work is not liked, or people don't understand why you are painting it, and I learned very early on, you need a thick skin sometimes to be in this business.  And make no mistake.....it is not only a creative endeavor, but it is a business.  That is why I am so excited to have my work actually hung and seen!!  Now as far as selling......I would still paint without sales, but selling the work becomes the final act of validation!  It is a bonus of creating to get a nice check in the mail....

"Reverie", oil, 40" x 30, by Suzy Smith