susan
Susan Schwake-Larochelle
Link to Susan’s author archive
My place at whip up:
Writing about children’s crafts – something I have been participating in almost daily for the past 15 years with children in small groups
at my little art school and in artist-in-residence programs out in the community.
My past work:
I will work with most any art materials I can get my hands on. However, I consider myself a painter and a printmaker foremost, and
work with the two mediums constantly. I have a passion for sculpture and try to put time aside each year to weld some metal or work with stoneware clay. I went to art school in the 70s and found it to be a good experience. After graduating, I kept painting while working for a Scottish Hi FI company called Linn Products, traveling back and forth across the pond for some years listening to great music, quaffing some impeccable Scotch and laughing at silly men spending way too much money on stereos. In the late 80’s I had a beautiful
baby girl and gave up the day job. I designed a line of children’s clothing and hand dyed them and had them hand screen printed by an
art school friend. I sold them first at craft fairs then went wholesale throughout the 90s. I had another beautiful baby girl and decided they were more fun to play with than the wholesale market in NYC.
I have been making my living as an artist for the past 18 years and work side by side with my husband now for the past four years in our
studios. I am determined this year to finally learn to knit or crochet or both because he can. I teach fine art part time for 8 months a year in my school to children and adults. I feel each person’s work should be their own and I am there to encourage and guide them through the technical rough spots.
My aesthetic:
everyday objects – urban gardens – rural spaces
areas formed then abandoned by man
energy from my children and other busy beings
color from worn objects – weathered type and images on posters
sense of internal home/ family – orientation of self in life
handmade textiles – carved stone
My approach:
making art daily fascinates me by the loss of preciousness of the work done. constantly moving forward with artworks allows me to
experiment freely with ideas and media. Color above all directs and informs my work. Creating artwork on a variety of surfaces – some quickly others over months or even years guides my finishing processes. The variety of line and lack of line develops my paintings. For me, to create art around a fleeting moment, reoccurring thought, memory, or event is the most accurate and immediate way to express my passion for visual art.
My loves:
my family
travel and coming home
the oceans
contemporary art
learning
originals,in everything
a wild garden
September
walking/swimming
minimalism
chocolate and coffee and artichokes – not necessarily together
a good glass of white wine
