Suzanne Unveils Works on Paper at New York City’s Premier Art Exhibitions in Spring 2013

Suzanne is always searching for ways to expand her artistic practice.  Most recently, she has been producing a series of works on paper.  In these latest pieces, Suzanne is using pastel and watercolor to articulate the color rich, abstract expressionist style for which she is known.  Observed is the fact that the inherent properties of paper can be used as expressive elements.  This has led Suzanne to think about the qualities of surface and texture and how they interact with different media.

The shift from canvas to paper has opened up doors to many new opportunities.  In late March of this year, Suzanne participated in the National Arts Club‘s 114th Annual Exhibiting Artist Members’ Exhibition. On opening night, her entry titled “Ageless Beauty” was honored with the Flora Giffuni Memorial Award for Pastel.  A pastel on paper work, “Ageless Beauty” explodes in a gestural employment of kinetic line and bold colors.  At the same time, the build up of layers on the paper’s surface creates a contained composition that seems to hover contently in space.  The award was created to honor Flora B. Giffuni, Founder of the Pastel Society of America (PSA).  Established in 1972, the PSA is considered the oldest organization devoted to the medium and is largely credited with the current renaissance of pastels in American art.  This year’s exhibition was produced in memory of visionary painter and print maker Will Barnet.  A longtime member of the NAC, Will Barnet was a bright light within the club and his legacy is sure to live on for years to come.  Hillary Weldon did a great job coordinating the event – it was hard to believe that this was her first year to take on the role.  Her introductions to the various honorees – accompanied with personal, often humorous and heartfelt stories – easily became one of the highlights of the evening.

In May, Suzanne was invited to exhibit with Benefit Print Project at PULSE Contemporary Art Fair in New York.  Directors Thomas W. Lollar and Paul Limperopulous established Benefit Print Project as a kind of  active think tank, which coordinates the creation of limited edition prints to raise money for non-profit arts organizations.  Suzanne’s award winning pastel and a new watercolor from her Nature Series were selected for exhibition.  Also on view were works by renowned artists El Anatsui, Helen Frankenthaler, Jeff Koons, David LaChapelle, Vik Muniz, Tal R, Joel Shapiro, Mickalene Thomas, and Donald Sultan.  Situated in the Fair’s VIP Lounge, the private opening reception drew a dynamic group of guests.  Joining the evening’s celebration were Grammy Award-winning violinist Joshua Bell, artist Mark Sheinkman, rock singer Tony Harnell, Beat Poet and pioneering multi-media artist Gerd Stern, Nobel Prize Winner and Al Gore’s Advisor on Global Warming David Rind, John Devol, Founder of Arts Horizons, Elizabeth Halverstam, Executive Director of Arts Horizons, opera singer Larisa Martinez, Associate Publisher at Art News, Judith Esterow,  and inspiring basketball player Kevin Laue.