susan begy biography

ARTIST STATEMENT

"Tree Portraits" series
I feel a powerful, somewhat unusual connection to trees. Whenever I relocate to a new area, I not only seek new companionship, I acquaint myself with the local arbor population.

In this series of large-scale paintings, I approach the subject in the manner of portraiture, intending to capture each rugged, majestic personality. The individualized, dramatic shapes of trees and their reaching, coiled branches have become a metaphor for what is noble and unique in humankind. Wandering amidst, say, the mighty evergreens of the Eastern Sierras, I sense their history; I am awed by their power and elegance. I simultaneously feel protected and an urge to protect these living, breathing entities from the arrogant, insatiable imposition of human progress.

As I ponder the relationship and interactions we humans have with Nature, I am struck by my own hypocrisy. I embrace technology, I crave creature comforts, I consume, I waste. And yet, I relish and long for a pristine, sacred, natural environment. The introduction of enigmatic objects and symbols is a reflection of such ponderings.

I follow the socio-political battles unfolding on the world stage and I contemplate an ideal, consummate balance, however unattainable, as I paint these trees.

"Ambition...Yours, Mine & Ours" series
This series was begun in Los Angeles and completed in Santa Fe, interesting in the sense that ladders, the fundamental subject matter, abound in northern New Mexico. There is a continued use of sharp color, elongated format, and action-oriented lines emphasizing movement and drive, but also an introduction of text in the composition.

The diverse depictions of the ladder represent an exploration of personal and collective aspiration and yearning. I probe the notions of multiple life choices; the sacrifices and rewards of our endeavors; the presence or lack of spiritual assistance; the man-made vs. the natural; obstacles; and the concept of freedom. I contemplate how we regard one another in this ongoing competition as well as how we may be regarded by the rest of the animal kingdom.

In composing and painting this series, I continued to be awed by our natural surroundings and am struck by the perseverance of humankind. We have the need to reaffirm our vitality and eternal nature by erecting and resurrecting various monuments that are dwarfed by those that exist in the natural world.

Commissions
When I accept and undertake a commission, a collaboration between the client and me, my goal is to extract an image out of my client's imagination. This illuminating challenge often results in a departure from my current style which may, or may not, subsequently lead to a new body of work.


Selected Works "Desire & Discovery" "Tree Portraits" "Ambition..." Commissions Works on Paper Biography Contact Home	ARTIST STATEMENT "Tree Portraits" series I feel a powerful, somewhat unusual connection to trees. Whenever I relocate to a new area, I not only seek new companionship, I acquaint myself with the local arbor population. In this series of large-scale paintings, I approach the subject in the manner of portraiture, intending to capture each rugged, majestic personality. The individualized, dramatic shapes of trees and their reaching, coiled branches have become a metaphor for what is noble and unique in humankind. Wandering amidst, say, the mighty evergreens of the Eastern Sierras, I sense their history; I am awed by their power and elegance. I simultaneously feel protected and an urge to protect these living, breathing entities from the arrogant, insatiable imposition of human progress. As I ponder the relationship and interactions we humans have with Nature, I am struck by my own hypocrisy. I embrace technology, I crave creature comforts, I consume, I waste. And yet, I relish and long for a pristine, sacred, natural environment. The introduction of enigmatic objects and symbols is a reflection of such ponderings. I follow the socio-political battles unfolding on the world stage and I contemplate an ideal, consummate balance, however unattainable, as I paint these trees. "Ambition...Yours, Mine & Ours" series This series was begun in Los Angeles and completed in Santa Fe, interesting in the sense that ladders, the fundamental subject matter, abound in northern New Mexico. There is a continued use of sharp color, elongated format, and action-oriented lines emphasizing movement and drive, but also an introduction of text in the composition. The diverse depictions of the ladder represent an exploration of personal and collective aspiration and yearning. I probe the notions of multiple life choices; the sacrifices and rewards of our endeavors; the presence or lack of spiritual assistance; the man-made vs. the natural; obstacles; and the concept of freedom. I contemplate how we regard one another in this ongoing competition as well as how we may be regarded by the rest of the animal kingdom. In composing and painting this series, I continued to be awed by our natural surroundings and am struck by the perseverance of humankind. We have the need to reaffirm our vitality and eternal nature by erecting and resurrecting various monuments that are dwarfed by those that exist in the natural world. Commissions When I accept and undertake a commission, a collaboration between the client and me, my goal is to extract an image out of my client's imagination. This illuminating challenge often results in a departure from my current style which may, or may not, subsequently lead to a new body of work.