We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Susan Semenick a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Susan, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I was born in Pennsylvania and grew up playing in the verdant fields of my home. I developed a love and connection with the trees surrounding my home and always kept in mind how they transformed my thoughts. In my art, I attempt to portray trees as a representation of the love I experienced during my childhood.

I taught biology for 33 years, with a genuine interest in botany. I also ran long distances every day, focusing on the plants along the way to combat boredom, memorizing their scientific names and observing their growth patterns.
After retiring from teaching, I became free from stress enough to try painting. I completed a few pieces, experienced some success, and was invited to showcase my work in a small gallery at the back of a gift shop in a nearby town.
Initially, I feared that I wouldn’t be able to fill that small space, but I quickly did and went on to participate in small, then larger, art festival venues. I purchased all the necessary tents and supplies to push myself into various towns around my home, eventually expanding into larger towns.

After thoroughly exploring the art festival scene, I began painting earnestly, focusing on watercolor. I recognized that the popular and accepted painting method was oil, but I am completely allergic to oil paints, so I chose watercolor instead.

I have received multiple awards for my work. I spend hours in the studio honing my talent and have started to sell regularly.

Susan, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

After retiring from 33 years of teaching high school biology, I began painting in watercolor. My hillbilly mother from Appalachia, who was a masterful painter in all mediums, encouraged me to start and was a great source of inspiration to me. She gave me sage advice such as, “Don’t worry, Suzi, it will be easy.” I began with a tiny gallery in a neighboring town and started trying to complete paintings every day. I did not care about them being accepted by others; I just worked in my studio. In trying to promote myself, I began entering small art festivals nearby. Comments from people who observed my work gave me the courage to work harder. The comments were, almost without fail, complimentary. I started selling my work through art festivals, which gave me the confidence to begin entering larger and larger exhibitions and competitions.
I strive to give an in-depth look that, only happens with oils and acrylic paints. I dislike the light floral approach to watercolor and, instead, embrace dark, mesmerizing landscape work. This has served me well, and I now sell regularly in the Indianapolis area.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I was a great teacher in high school and junior high. I disagreed with a principal who expected too much. I let him know about my concern, and was immediately let go. At 55 and able to collect full retirement, I had to switch to something different. For the first time, I wasn’t a teacher anymore. It certainly was a time to rethink the direction that I would go. A few friends inadvertently helped me decide. One wanted to join me for a watercolor class, and the other offered a room to exhibit my art in the back of a gift shop. It was a start. They pushed me and I accepted. The rest is a realization that I should have been doing art all along. What would have happened had I never been “kicked” out of teaching? I may have been well-known by now. I can become even more well-known than I am now.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My creative and artistic journey is spurred on by the fact that I am 76. The amount of time I have left on this earth is negligible. This means that I worked almost every day and for hours a day. I want to leave behind a legacy that someone may be aware of.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.susansemenick.com
• Instagram: @suesfineart
• Facebook: Sueswatercolor