We are obsessed with all things color. It comes with no surprise that when we discovered artist Susan English, we immediately fell in love with her paintings’ subtle variations in color that she achieves through a complex technique called pouring. Susan’s ability to mix and manipulate color in a dramatic yet tranquil way is beyond belief. Susan’s paintings are colorful, sophisticated, and meditative, and truly have the power to transform a room.
When creating our new Essential Wraps, we found ourselves inspired by Susan’s art, and we hoped to eventually share with her how special her work is to us. We were very excited and grateful for the opportunity to chat with Susan and learn more about her artistic journey, rituals, inspirations, and more.
Can you share your journey as an artist? What inspired you to pursue this path and how has your art style developed?
I knew I wanted to be an artist at a young age. I majored in ceramics but shortly discovered my love for painting. My work has developed quite a bit over the years. I’ve always had my own studio and shows, but I’ve explored oil painting, representational painting, abstract painting, and more. I also started a decorative painting company with my husband and by working with colors in so many different homes and spaces, I uncovered my appreciation for the power of color which definitely pertains to the painting I do today. The paintings I currently create are contemporary and abstract, and focus on color, light, and surfaces. I use a method of pouring layers of paint onto panels and then manipulating the panels to attain vivid yet delicate variations in colors and surfaces.
Exhibition Install Views 2022-2024 Susan English
Do you have any specific rituals or routines when creating your art?
Because I can’t see the final outcome until 24-hours after pouring, I look forward to walking to my studio every morning, sipping a coffee, and observing the actual versus anticipated results to determine my next steps in the piece. It’s a really nice and peaceful way to spend my mornings.
When and where do you find yourself the most creative?
I am fortunate that creativity comes very naturally to me. With that being said, my studio is a place that consistently channels my creativity and allows me to easily connect with many inspirations from real time and memory. Some of my recurring inspirations include my grandparents’ home in Maine, the light and scope of the Hudson Valley, and other art from various artists and time periods.
How do you decide on the color palette when creating one of your paintings?
I believe the color palettes in my art are often unconsciously influenced by my surroundings. However, it’s not as easy as it sounds. Sometimes, I find myself forcing my way around the color wheel because I naturally gravitate towards blues and greens and sometimes, I begin pouring with a color that is nowhere to be found once the piece is complete. Whether I start a painting with a very vague or specific idea, the color palette always becomes a call and response process and takes on a life of its own.
Do you have a favorite color palette to work with in your art?
I actually don’t believe in favorite colors. I love all colors. I feel that color is always contextual and all colors have moments when they’re important to me or my favorite.
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Thank you, Susan, for telling us all about your art! We loved getting to meet you!