Susan’s Portfolio

Wabi Sabi Series

This series is a modern perspective on the philosophy of wabi sabi. Wabi is loosely translated as being alone in nature. Sabi over time, has come to convey a profound and tranquil beauty that springs from the passage of time. Finding beauty in qualities such as distressed metal or dilapidating walls are in the spirit of wabi sabi. It is a long-held Japanese way of life that embraces the beauty of the imperfect.

The essential elements of wabi sabi principles include asymmetry, roughness, simplicity, and the admiration of both natural objects and the forces of nature. The Japanese art of Sumi-e has been an interest of mine through the years, and I continue to explore the traditional style by adding my own flair. The work reflects my minimalistic attitude of life.

Flecked with Altar Ash

10″x 10″

Immersed in Silence

18″x 24″

Kiso

10″x 10″

O’ Night Divine

10″x 13″x 2″

Fossilized Memories

10″x 13″x 2″

Archaic Shadow

10″x 13″x 2″

Vessel

12″x 12″

Whispering Stones

10″x 10″

Veins and Eons

10″x 10″

And this the language only I know

16″x 20″

Scattered Sacrament Bits

12″x 20″

Abstracts

With my abstracts, I express my work by exploring the relationship between nature and our aging environment. Using dialogue between the two can be my best source of inspiration. The severity of the elements can age and weather to create the most interesting designs. The distressed look of patina on metal and dilapidating walls intrigues me by their abstract surfaces and patterns. How many stories do these old structures hide in their layers as they are slowly peeling away by nature? The past is fascinating, and this inspires me to create my own historical narrative in my paintings.

Red on Red

30″x 48″

Chartreuse on Salmon

30″x 48″

Salmon on Terracotta

30″x 48″

Blue on Periwinkle

30″x 48″

Archival of our Journey

30″x 48″

Melon on Violet

30″x 48″

Green on Green

30″x 48″

Walled Adobe

36″x 36″

Under Crystal Bay

30″x 48″

Filtering Light

36″x 36″

Nocturnal Visions

24″x 30″

Splintered Kaleidoscope

36″x 36″

Star Gazing

16″x 20″

Vessel of Hope

16″x 20″

Split Mesa

16″x 20″

Sky Blue and Aqua

20″x 24″

Lemon Yellow and Blue

20″x 24″

Steel Blue and Cream

20″x 24″

La Primavera

16″x 20″

Sea of Cortez

16″x 20″

Lime Green and Pink

24″x 30″

Desert Spring

24″x 30″

Metamorphic I

18″x 24″

Metamorphic II

18″x 24″

MY TRIBE: IN OUR AGING WORLD

The concept for My Tribe series is aimed at a twofold view of how the physical body and mental mind age. There is the obvious breakdown of the physical body, but there is also our spirit which illuminates like a shining light. Thes two elements are fully explored in my series.

I developed a series of ten full size paintings titled, “My Tribe: In Our Aging World.” Using paint, pen, and markings, each painting shows signs of disintegration related to aging of the body. The canvas further has signs of distress and fraying done to the edges to simulate atrophy. To symbolize the beauty of our souls and the energy that is alive in us, I added elements of bright colors such as fluorescents and purposeful “Ancient markings” to the surface.