We were lucky to catch up with Susan M Gibbons recently and have shared our conversation below.

Susan M, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I had my first inkling that I was an artist when I was 8 or 9 years old. I received a stuffed orange daschund with a white beret from my uncle. He said, ‘it was an artist’, and I thought, ‘that’s what I am, an artist’. From that point, I realized I was a creative person. I was involved with dance and singing but didn’t start pursuing visual art until my senior year of high school. From the time I was 17, I studied art seriously in order to pursue it professionally.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

I am a visual artist, specializing in abstract painting and mixed media constructions. I started studying art in high school and continued my artistic education in college (AA and BFA) and graduate school (MFA). I have taught art at the Kindergarten through College levels for over twenty years. In addition to painting my original works, I create commissioned artwork for clients. My ability to work with clients with commission work has been a highlight of my career. I find it fun and energizing to create works that fill a specific need and design. While I work out of my studio, my artwork is represented by Space Gallery in Denver, CO.
I also teach art lessons out of my studio to children and adults. I am excited by the ‘Ah Ha’ moment of my students and enjoy seeing them succeed with their creations. Whether my students are beginners or accomplished artists, I am able to translate the knowledge of techniques and materials to their ‘reservior of knowledge’ that serves them creatively.
I am most proud of the work I create and the relationships I build with clients and students. Creating and passing on that creativity is a passion of mine, one I thoroughly enjoy.

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

My goal for my work is to create art that expresses the human condition in a non-literal, abstract way. I try to capture the emotions and responses to my internal and external influences. Since abstraction can have so many different associations with it, my desire is that the viewer relates to the work in whatever way it speaks to them. There is no right or wrong way to experience a work of art because everyone has their own unique perspective, which comes from their life experiences. Those are brought to the table, so to speak, when viewing a work of art and with those experiences, comes a unique interchange between the viewer and the art work. Much of my work comes from a place of contemplation and prayer and I believe art is a spirit to spirit communication, meaning that what is birthed from my spirit communicates with the spirit of the viewer. That doesn’t mean that everyone will see or relate to my work in the same way but the potential is there. Although much of my work is energetic, I want the viewer to take the time and slow down to see everything that is in the work. If someone can relate to what I am saying within the piece, I feel success. A relationship develops between the viewer and the work and that is what I, as an artist, try to achieve.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist/creative is the ability to create what I feel or desire to convey and have the work received by the viewer who can relate to it on a personal level. The ‘I get it’ or ‘I see it’ moment is very exciting for both parties involved. There is satisfaction in the creative process where I can get lost in the moment in creating a work of art and when it works, that is very gratifying. I believe that the artistic process is completed when the viewer steps into the dialogue of the work and responds to the work, whether positively or negatively. Their response is from their point of view and is valid due to their life experiences. That completes the creative act and makes me want to continue to create.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.susanmgibbons.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smgibbonsfineartist/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanmgibbonsfineartist
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-m-gibbons-647a641b/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/smgibbonsart1

Image Credits
Photographer: Jason Braddock and Susan M Gibbons