Interview with Suzan Obermeyer

Suzan studied Fine Art at the San Francisco Art Institute. She completed her undergraduate studies earning her Liberal Arts degree from The Evergreen State College. Suzan received her MFA from Plymouth University, UK in 2015. Suzan’s continued education includes studies at Anderson Ranch, Colorado Mountain College and European Graduate School. Suzan has attended artist residencies in Berlin Germany, Brooklyn and Manhattan New York, Venice Italy, Marfa Texas and Anderson Ranch. Suzan’s work has been exhibited internationally in Sweden; Germany, Italy and Ireland. Suzan’s works are held in private and public collections in Australia, Bahamas, Canada, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Ireland and the USA.

How would you describe yourself and your artwork? 

I’m a USA based artists, who shows Internationally. She received her MFA through Plymouth University in the UK. Her works are held privately in Australia, Bahamas, Canada, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Ireland and USA. 

My current art works reflect my relationship with nature and her creature’s, plants and animal. Along side of this physical content I’m contemplating how memory re-sorts with imagination to create visual stories. My paintings range from pure paint to mixed media. 

How do you go about beginning a new piece? Do you have an idea already in mind, or do you start working with materials or sketches to find the departure point? 

Usually I am gathering inspirational elements such as palette concepts, sketch and free writing. Once I have clarity of the feeling, light and color I begin freely playing with the materials that can best assist in my story telling. 

When do you think your most prolific time of day or week is? 

Definitely during day light hours for painting as I like natural light along with studio lighting. In the evenings I read, think or organize. 

What is a barrier you as an artist overcame? Is there anything that enabled you to develop your work as an artist in your life? 

Yes, I’ve dealt with barriers the largest one grief. Realizing that grief can sometimes be another word for love helps to transform it into a resource. 

Every year I seek out artist residencies or some sort of artist community experience so I can drop in and focus 100%. This gift of time and creative support frees me from distraction and allows me to take risks and experiment. 

Did you have an idea of what you wanted to create right from the beginning? 

I have a sense of the emotional feeling, color and content as I begin. My favorite part of the process is having a dialogue with the painting and responding. 

What is the meaning or creative inspiration of your work? We’re curious what the narrative or story is to what you are producing? 

During the past couple of years of Covid’s closures & news cycles I decided to do a series called Fantasy Botanical remembering what I love and appreciate about nature; her abundance and life force. These works are about mediating on how positive nature can be; how she sustains and inspires us, bringing us abundance and joy. 

Besides your artworks, are there any other things in life that your voice as an artist may consider vital or valuable? What makes you joyful and creative, in other words? 

I’m inspired by travel, people and Cultures. I like adventure and go on pack trips on my horses and I enjoy the ocean. Warm places where there are lush plants fill me with energy. I do go to cities for Culture several times a year for arts. 

Are there any exhibitions or places where people can see these beautiful creations in person soon? Anything on the horizon? 

I have a solo show coming up Mid June in Aspen at Mc Hugh Gallery showing the Fantasy Botanicals. In April at the Argentina Biennale in Buenos Aires, I’m showing large black and white equine paintings. 

Website: www.suzanlotusobermeyer.com