Susan painting on location |
Every Susan Lyon painting conjures up a narrative, whether it be a heartwarming tale from some exotic location or a sweet and tender glimpse of a child’s toys gathered for a make-believe tea party. Says Susan, “I want to create an impression that will make you wonder and fantasize about the story around the figures or objects. That’s what I love to do.”
Perhaps Susan’s penchant for narrative is rooted in her education. She attended the American Academy of Art, where she learned from the masters of illustration who were so adept at conveying an entire story through one image. “We were influenced by the lineage of the old-style illustrators, and not as much by modern art as some other schools,” she explains. “My education was very basic and technical, all about the fundamentals. There wasn’t as much focus on self-expression, and it was assumed that you would later develop your own style and technique as you discovered what inspired you as an artist.”
Today, Susan is still enjoying the ongoing quest to discover what sparks her creativity. One source of ideas, she says, is studying other artists’ work, which she finds in museums, in magazines, and on the Internet. “I keep scrapbooks of amazing paintings, and then I try to analyze why each painting hits me. Whatever it is, I try to incorporate it into my paintings.”
But perhaps what Susan has found most enlightening the past several years are the annual painting trips she has taken with her husband and fellow artist Scott Burdick. “What makes a good painting, or what makes me want to paint something? These are golden questions, which I’m better able to answer since I started traveling,” she says. “I love learning about other cultures, and especially about their art forms, like textiles, pottery, and craft. It’s just like Sargent and Chase, who were inspired by Eastern artists’ brushwork and designs.”
Hitting the Road
At this point, Susan’s travels have taken her to nearly all parts of the globe. “Every place has been so amazing,” she says, “but we tend to choose locations based on what types of subjects we want to paint.” Her European trips have revolved more around architecture and scenic landscapes, whereas people and cultural experiences have drawn her to the East—such as China, Tibet, and India—and most recently to Tanzania in Africa.
A lot of people are a little intimated by artists, but the stories they find in the paintings make it easier for them to start a conversation with you by asking inventive questions.
Each place she’s visited has had an impact on Susan, both as an artist and as a human being. At times, it’s been a challenge to accept the very different cultural practices she’s encountered, such as India’s patriarchal society, or to witness the extreme, heartbreaking poverty found in many locations. But, she says, the rewards are well worth the struggles. “Nepal was probably the most overwhelming because the Himalayas are truly breathtaking, and Katmandu was literally so medieval and ancient, so foreign to me. And Africa…,” she adds, lapsing into her own little reverie, “Africa was by far the friendliest place I’ve ever been. I can’t wait to go again!”
Susan’s painting trips typically last for a month or more, which can be grueling both physically and emotionally, but she’s discovered some smart moves for maintaining her sanity. When possible, she tries to vary her subjects so that some days she’s out in nature and other days are spent in villages or towns. “When you go out among people, especially in more remote locations, they’re so touched that you find their home beautiful that they tend to crowd around you. They want to be close to you and even touch you,” she says. “It’s wonderful, but it makes it really tough to paint, so we tend to just do lots of drawings or quick watercolors, and take lots of photographs on those days.”
Engaging Viewers
One surprising and welcome benefit of all the travel has been the effect it’s had on her collectors. The exhibitions that have resulted from each of Susan’s trips have been very well attended and well received. “Most people want to travel or have traveled, and the paintings give them a way to see or remember other cultures through your eyes,” Susan explains. “Also, a lot of people are a little intimated by artists, but the stories they find in the paintings make it easier for them to start a conversation with you by asking inventive questions.”
It’s clear that Susan finds inspiration in many different sources, but one consistency is laced throughout her work: a heartfelt sensitivity and respect, even reverence, for her subjects. Through her paintings, Susan allows us to experience and engage in the people, places, and activities that fill our world.
See her demo below!
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