ARTIST’S STATEMENT
“Life without Art would be unlivable.” Steven Soderbergh
Art is creation that offers so much possibility for the artist and their viewer: illustrating a story...a point of view... capturing beautiful gesture, communicating a feeling...presenting the simple essence of daily life through one's unique point of view, be it in a landscape, portrait, figure, or still life, etcetera. I have been studying art, painting and drawing for the past 15 years in various mediums. Since 2003, however, I became captivated by the richness and diversity of painting in oil, and since then it has been my medium of choice. The paintings I now create for exhibition and sale are primarily done in this medium. It is my hope that my works convey a sense of poetry and rhythm to the viewer.
Because of my viewpoint on the nature of art as stated above, I do not limit myself to a particular aspect of art: be it landscape, portraiture, figurative, or still life, etcetera. All these things are worthy of painting, so I paint them as I am moved by the Spirit to do so.
I work out of my studio in Tampa, Florida.
Thank you for stopping by. Please contact me if you have any questions about a particular piece I have for sale.
BIOGRAPHY
Susan Hanlon is a New Jersey native, relocating to Tampa, Florida in 1985. Professionally trained as a Freelance Court Reporter, it wasn’t until 1997 that the realization set in that her creative aspirations were left unfulfilled. To that end, she began studying in earnest the Masters, often copying the drawings of Michelangelo, Rubens and Degas. As time passed, and her confidence grew, she began exhibiting her work in art festivals with success. More study ensued with figurative workshops and portrait classes, which are still ongoing to this day. Current influences that affect her work are the Chinese Master Hongnian Zhang, American Master Jeremy Lipking, and the Impressionist Master Renoir. Here she finds a perfect balance: The fundamentals of good technique, melded with the joy and whimsy that can be captured with embracing life to the fullest.
Workshops
Painting the Figure in Oil, HongNian Zhang, Woodstock School of Art, Woodstock, NY 2005
Portraiture in Oil, Vilas Tonape, Tampa, Florida March 2012
Oil Painting with Expression, Joanna Karpay, October 2012
Private Lessons
Portrait Painting, Diane Becker, Brooksville, Florida 2006
Workshops
Oil Painting with Expression, Joanna Karpay, Tampa, Florida 9/2012
Painting Realistic Wildlife in Oil, Mauri Barnett, Tampa, Florida 1/2014
Exhibits
Oil & Acrylic Exhibition Jan 2014
Old Hyde Park Art Center, Tampa, Fl
Awards and Honors
Honorable Mention "Family" - Carrollwood Cultural Center Black & White Show, April 2011
First Place"Hothouse" - Carrollwood Cultural Center Visual Poetry Show, 2012
Second Place "Nightclub Gig" - Old Hyde Park Art Center 2012
Publications
Hernando Today, 2005
Carrollwood Patch, January 28, 2012
Children’s Book
Bronky Sawdust, written by Richard Blum, illustrated by Susan Hanlon, 2005
Organizations
Tampa Regional Artists, 2011 – Present (Newsletter Editor 2012- Present)