Interview
Susan E. Eck
Susan's paintings are the product of an artist, exploring her spirituality with a passion and strength. This distractive mood can evoke an immediate response. She employs rich colours to display a spirit that is imaginative, playful and sensitive. Susan has a unique way of capturing and representing on canvas the beauty of our natural environment and fantasy in her abstract paintings. Her interpretation and imagination brings you into the painting. Her technique aligns with the subject matter, allowing the viewer to be fully captivated by all dimensions of the painting. The mood, and at times simple theme is superbly conveyed and original.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I’m mostly a self-taught artist. I was accepted in Professional Development classes at the University in Toronto in Advance Paintings. I also studied a program at the Royal Roads University, Victoria, BC, called Arts in Leadership.”
What inspires you?
“Life and travel as I observe my surroundings of nature, water and natural settings.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“I endeavor to capture things spiritually; the spirit of nature - its' movement and at times the unbelievable colours. The love of our earthy treasure, our human desire to be connected with others and that unique bond.”
How would you describe your work?
“As a contemporary visual artist, I express myself artistically through visual art, poetry, songwriting.
I explore the relationship between nature and spirituality. This woven tapestry of life's energy that finds expression in the form of imagery interpretation, and deeply rooted spiritual connection to land, and people all seeking change or fortune. How our changing traditional values, personal memories, experiences, lifestyles, and spiritual associations link us to the earth, to a specific location and path. I create both styles of artwork for contemporary and abstract paintings. I weave in the inspirations of my surroundings, and my creative imagination. I endeavour to employ movement, colour hues and texture that allows for a dimensional appearance. Then the viewer's eyes move through the painting with the use of these techniques.”
Which artists influence you most?
“Van Gogh, Monet, Emilly Carr, Group of Seven, Salvador Dali, Joan Milo, and Picasso, among others.”
“My work is contemporary and abstract.”
What is your creative process like?
“In the development of my concept grouping: I try to give them each painting a voice yet have a singular impact. Then again it's by colour balance to hold the painting together in harmony. I think what story do I wish to express that let the view interpret. Each original canvas convey emotion that is imaginative and sensitive, yet not with absolute perfection. I feel as an artist, we are not perfect, and living elements in nature are not always perfect but beautiful just the same. It's these unique visions in life that stand out as stunning moments.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“My artist role is a challenging role to state. I have to say it would encompass spirituality as I am exploring spirituality in all my life stages. While at the same time observing how society, things have changed over time and not necessarily for the best for our natural environment.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“I had recent exhibitions at the Whitney-Amsterdam Gallery in New York City, NY; the Agora Gallery , NY; ReheatGaleria Y Estudio, Mallorca, Spain; Wagner& Rosenhaum ( Arts on King), Toronto. I also presented my work in many local galleries in Muskoka and Onatario.”
