We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Susan M. Story. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Susan below.
Susan, appreciate you joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
My life has been one risk after another. The way I like to think of it is, charting my own path and trusting my intuition. One of the most impactful decisions was to leave the exciting and glamorous world of fashion design. At one point I was jet setting around the world. I was married at the time but was usually traveling. That experience and what I observed about life around the world made me think twice about the real value of my career. I asked myself: what was I contributing? After a short ten or twelve year career I decided to make a change.
My husband and I owned a house in Westchester County, a suburb of NYC in the early eighties.The world was a much different place than it is today. Filled with dreams and supported by a strong economy, we both decided to leave our jobs and “do our thing”. We worked together and formed a clock company combining our talents, mine the creative side and he used his cabinet making skills. We worked hard and received a lot of press. Orders were coming in and we outgrew our space.
Taking another risk, we decided to leave the suburbs for a country home with more space to work. Within a few years it became obvious this move had hurt our business. I did love our home and community and was inspired by the beauty and peace I found in nature. It became clear that this was what I needed to share.
I firmly believe there is a solution for every obstacle and follow my instincts. My husband started to renovate historic homes, perfect, since we live in a historic district. I returned to my art which was the very first thing I can remember ever doing in my life and will probably be the last. It feels right to pursue my career as a professional artist. I have learned over the years to sustain my career in different ways as necessary.
Everyday is a risk at the easel which I accept willingly.
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 back background and context?
Coming from a family of artists, I left behind a career in fashion design to pursue my passion for landscape painting. Graduating from the Parsons School of Design where the intense and focused curriculum of color, design, shape, textures, balance and a foundation of drawing prepared me for the discipline required for a successful fine art studio practice. I was following in my father’s footsteps who also retired from his career early to create the art he loved.
Painting and mark making are my means of communication as well as my way of understanding the world. The elements of nature and woodland vistas of the Hudson Valley, where I live and work, serve as my muse. I employ diverse mediums in my creative process but rely on soft pastel as my principal voice with which to convey and amplify my narrative.
I am drawn to the landscape and intrigued by the complex interweaving of lines, textures, and shapes: the chaos and the order of nature. My work offers the viewer the opportunity to stop and “smell the roses,” a respite, a moment to breathe and be replenished. I believe this holds a lot of relevance, particularly now.
I am proud of myself for making the big leap to become a professional artist, above the allure of my previous career and all the predictability and commercial benefits. My accomplishments have been many. I have become a Signature – Master Pastelist member of the Pastel Society of America, I serve on the Board of Governors and have International Association Of Pastel Societies Master Circle status. I am a juried member of the historic Salmagundi Club, as well as the Academic Artists Association, Allied Artists of America, Audubon Artists, Hudson River Valley Art Association, and the
Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Club.
Some of my artistic achievements include: features in the prominent publications: Pratique des Arts magazine; the Pastel Journal magazine and their 2019 book Pure Pastel: Contemporary Works by Today’s Top Artists by Anne Hevener. My recent honors include: New York State Regrant Artist commission Award; Grand Prize, Horace Champagne from the PSEC; Art Spirit Foundation Gold Medal, 138th Salmagundi Club’s Members Exhibit; PSC’s President’s Award at the PSA Annual; the IAPS Award for Excellence Online MC Exhibit and several top awards over the years at the Pastel Society of America. Several pieces of my work have been purchased for Apple TV productions. It is always a thrill to see my work in print or even in TV productions. It was also a big thrill to complete my commission to paint a 12 foot x 12 foot apple tree!
It has been my privilege to share my technical experience and understanding of many mediums with students, young and old, from library-supported classes to workshops at the National Arts Club in NYC. At this point I have stepped back from teaching. I would like more time to paint and I would like to become a mentor. I was very fortunate to have two mentors in my life, both very accomplished artists, Stanley Maltzman, my father and Bill Creevy, my dear friend. I have learned so much from watching and listening. Their lessons were invaluable. I would like to have the opportunity to share that gift with other artists.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
My father was an important influence on my work. Actually, he was the reason I became an artist. When I was very young I was so eager that I was reprimanded for coloring on the TV screen!
My father nurtured my interest by taking me to the New York City museums and big galleries. He would bring home new materials for me to work with and would critique every piece of work and showed me everything he learned to teach me to create the way he did. I was always drawing, coloring and creating. We would go out and paint en plein air together where he taught me to see and appreciate nature.
I attended Parsons School of Design to study fashion design. It was the first opportunity I had for formal training. I worked as a designer for about a dozen years. Traveling the world, particularly third world countries, made me consider what I was doing, its real value and what I was contributing to the world. I finally decided to leave my career behind and go back to my first love, fine art.
Again under my dad’s wing we would paint together. I would assist him when he taught workshops which was a great education in itself. We frequently exhibited our work together. It wasn’t until I was invited to join the Board of Governors for the Pastel Society Of America, located at the National Arts Club in New York City, that I found my own voice. The turning point was when I decided to take a workshop with another artist, Bill Creevy. His work and approach was completely contrary to my father’s. I was set free to fly!
I have since taken many workshops with artists whom I admired although they may not approach art in the same way as I do or paint the same genre. I always learn something new from them which I then interpret in my own artistic vocabulary.
Life does have a way of being ironic. My father is now one hundred and three years of age. When I visit him I now set him up and help him paint. The shoe is on the other foot…
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
Being an artist can be a very lonely path. We spend a lot of time alone as we usually create in solitude. One of the most rewarding aspects of being an artist is the great community I have found.
Becoming a member of the Board of Governors for the Pastel Society Of America and serving as Education Chair and Exhibition Co-Chair, has had a profound impact on my life and career. I have contributed many days and hours which have taken me away from my easel but it has enriched my life and made me a better artist. We learn so much from each other.
The historic Salmagundi Club in NYC is another great environment that provides an artist with community, a place to hang out. My friend, Bill Creevy, introduced me to the club by inviting me to a monotype party. Artists sat around the table creating and laughing. They have many opportunities to participate in shows and both educational and social events. I quickly became a member and found a home away from home.
Participating and joining organizations is very rewarding and can play a huge role in your growth and career. I can’t imagine how hard it would have been without them. Social media has also been a great resource. Professional art organizations have their own pages and websites. Exhibitions and workshops present a valuable occasion to connect with those virtual friends who are all over the world. It is amazing how resourceful, generous and helpful those fellow artists can be. They are always there to cheer you on!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.susanmstory.com
- Instagram: susanmstoryfineart
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SusanMStoryFineArt and. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002209814438
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-m-story-97609919a/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SusanMStory
Image Credits
Susan M Story
Kim Lorang, Visual Winds