Susan Dehlinger, Jacksonville, Florida
Member Since November 2006
Artist Statement Art appreciation has always been an integral part of my life and an underpinning in my career endeavors. From minoring in art history in undergrad school; to becoming an international flight attendant spending much of my layovers in some of the world’s greatest museums and market places; to becoming a marriage and family therapist and approaching couples therapy as an art form rather than a science..........art has somehow always been a cornerstone in my life.
As a parent, I applied my love of art by painting life size wall murals in my children’s bedrooms of their latest interest du jour from Sesame Street to Star Wars. Now as an empty nester, I can finally exercise this life long passion with oils on canvas primarily in the form of still life and landscapes.
I love to play with light and shadow in my work to highlight small, intimate details that might otherwise go unnoticed by a casual observer. I am basically self-taught and self-representing and paint primarily in a traditional style. My excitement for a new project is palpable from the very moment I decide my subject matter and plan my color palette to the piece's natural conclusion. Subsequently I experience an emotional mix of personal reward for the artwork's completion and a sense of sadness for the same reason ... as if saying good bye after such an intimate encounter is ever easy.
I have been fortunate to be a featured artist in several local shows; and I maintain an international presence with my art residing in private collections in Scotland, Italy, Australia, and South America. In addition, I was honored to have one of my paintings on exhibit in Kennsington Square College of Art in London, England for the Lilly Oncology on Canvas “Expressions of a Cancer Journey” - the subject of the painting in honor of a dear friend who has since passed away. The art book of that exhibit is to be published sometime next year.
Please visit my website at www.sunshine-gallery.com or contact me at desooze@aol.com
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