Featured Artist: Susan M. Story
Artist’s Bio:
Susan M. Story is a nationally recognized “plein air” artist and instructor. She is a signature member of the Pastel Society of America as well as a juried member of the Academic Artist’s Association, Audubon Artists, the Hudson River Valley Art Association and the Salmagundi Club in NYC. Susan serves on the Board of Governors of the Pastel Society of America and the board of Audubon Artists.
Susan has a comprehensive resume of group and solo exhibitions. She was invited to show her work at the 2014 Pastel Association of Taiwan International Show. Her solo exhibitions include the Guggenheim Pavilion, the Art Center in Old Forge, now known as “View,” and the Woodstock Artist Association and Museum. She has been awarded the Silver Medal of Honor from Audubon Artists as well as many other awards from national exhibitions such as the Northeast National Pastel Exhibition and the Pastel Society of America.
Artist’s Statement:
I grew up in a suburb of New York City where my artistic interest was nurtured by my artist father, Stanley Maltzman. After receiving a degree in Fashion Design from Parsons School of Design, I worked as a fashion designer in New York City and internationally. My work included extensive travel to Europe and Asia. Since moving to the Catskill Mountain area I studied at the Hudson River Valley Workshops and the Pastel Society of America.
My passion as an artist is to express the many moods and emotions evoked by nature’s landscapes with soft pastels. I choose to work outside whenever possible so I can immerse myself in the sensual riches of nature. There are constantly new perspectives to be discovered. Nature is always in flux, as is the light that plays upon it, so a vista never appears the same twice, and I am continually provided with new inspiration. My goal is to capture a sense of the fleeting moment in my paintings, in order to preserve the beauty and share it with others. I also create with other media to keep my work fresh.
The exhibition is from July 1-31, and Susan’s opening reception will be on Saturday, July 4 from 3-5 pm. Refreshments will be served.