Suzanne Lee Chetwood: December 2008

Artist's Bio

Art is my first language. I remember observing the colors in a sunset before learning how to read. This passion for color and observation led me to become an artist with a penchant for fresh air and intrigue in the mystery of nature.

Growing up in the sheltered Pennsylvania forest with daily images of moss underfoot and leaf filtered sky left space for plenty of dreaming and solitary time in nature. This deep connection to the aesthetic of the natural environment informs my artwork. Themes of lens, space and time occur in all of my media. Exploration in surface and layer is repeated in my work. At times my art is realistic and graphic in nature, and others it becomes very tactile and uses the medium to fully explore a texture. Each day I unfold new work in my home studio.

Art comes from an ephemeral experience. A fleeting moment can inspire a passionate fluidity in line and color. It can also be gained through knowing about your environment and the history that occurred over time in ones places of inspiration.

As an artist that wants to preserve the western landscape, I recall the forms of earth I visit, reviving them with clay and paint. At times I will mix basalt from local cliffs into my ceramics and reform the earth in my kiln. I am led to define my vibrant composition by the draining of snowmelt in the hills and the way it carves the land while journeying to the river. Dark recesses occurring naturally in rock and earth are my shades, while the colors at the close of each day, which are most saturated, define my palette.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Things to look forward to....

Today is the last day of the sale at the Artisan Gallery in Eagle, Idaho.

January I have a show of Idaho Landscape Paintings in Moscow, Idaho at The Cafe Silos. -I just can't get enough Idaho.- February 13th, 2009 I have my first figure painting show, I am so excited! The show will be at The Artisan Gallery in Eagle, Idaho and up for the month. There will be an opening reception on the 13th so please mark the date and join me and ALL NEW WORK!! The show is called "Erotica" and it will be a showing of my paintings and work by Karen Neiderhut, and Mark Davis. The Gallery at Hyde Park in the North end of Boise, Idaho will be featuring a collection of my work in April. Finally The Loft Gallery in Hailey, Idaho will be hosting a show and reception at a date to be announced! 2009 is going to be great and abundant year and I am bursting at the seams to tie up the loose ends of 2008 so that I can begin the work ahead.

~Suzanne

Suzanne Lee Chetwood

Artist's Bio

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Wednesday, December 3, 2008