“Lavender Shadows” 9×12 Pastel
Bio
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Susan Kuznitsky was predisposed towards art from an early age. Raised in the suburb of Wilmette, her creativity was both nurtured and encouraged by her parents who spotted her potential during her high school years. Through their supportive actions, Susan was able to explore her talent at the Village Art School, under the tutelage of the acclaimed Western Artist, the late Joe Abbrecia. It was here that she was exposed to a traditional art curriculum, working primarily with charcoal, oil, and watercolors.
After graduating from high school, Susan further honed her skills at the American Academy of Art in Chicago. Her postgraduate journey introduced her to the dynamic world of freelance portrait artistry, where she worked for a Chicago-based chain of department stores. The subsequent four years were not only formative but also instrumental in shaping Susan’s career as it offered her the necessary ‘on the-job’ training in creating live 25-minute portraits.
It was also around this time that she fell in love with the Impressionists while exploring the Art Institute in downtown Chicago during her time at the academy. Particularly inspired by pastels of that era, Susan made a life-altering decision to move to Woodstock, New York, to learn from Master Artist Albert Handell, who fortunately needed a studio assistant around the same time.
This encounter undeniably had a long-lasting impression on Susan. Handell not only introduced her to the nuances of pastels and oils but also the art of teaching. Under his stewardship, Susan developed a unique teaching style that remains influential till today.
Following a two-year stint in New York, she returned to Chicago, opening her own studio where she held workshops and classes. This step marked the beginning of a series of traveling and teaching engagements across the U.S. While back in Chicago, she had a memorable time painting at the Palette and Chisel Academy of Fine Art with Richard Schmid, another living master painter.
Her journey throughout the 1980s was marked with personal challenges, including the loss of her first husband to terminal cancer. However, rather than being overwhelmed by grief, these trials deepened her desire to experience life fully and to express this raw emotion through her painting.
In the early 1990s, Susan remarried and relocated to the Pacific Northwest with her husband, where they started a family. Despite the responsibilities of raising two boys, Susan’s love for painting prevailed. She continued to create art and teach, but sadly, her husband passed away suddenly at the end of 2017. Through the years of joy and grief, art has been Susan’s constant solace.
Today, Susan professionally pursues her passion for art, teaching in-person classes and workshops, locally, internationally, and online. Her extraordinary journey, passion, and resilience set her apart, making her art not just unique but also deeply empathetic and moving. A testament to her skills and personal narrative, She remains active and committed to her craft, a lifeline that has seen her through life’s challenges and triumphs.
“If I could say it in words there would be no reason to paint.” ~ Edward Hopper
Artist Statement
As an artist, I find solace in the belief that words often fail to capture the true essence of our existence. I am convinced that painting possesses a language of its own. It is through my brushstrokes, mark making and color that I strive to communicate the beauty that surrounds us.
When it comes to selecting my subject matter, I pursue something deeper than mere appearances. I seek the elusive dance between light and shadow, a captured mood that resonates with the viewer’s soul. For me, the subject matter comes second.
What truly captivates me is the lyrical rhythm that permeates nature and human beings alike. The world pulsates with a symphony of beauty, waiting to be discovered and translated onto my canvas or paper. It is this innate search for harmony and grace that draws me to a particular scene, fueling my creative spirit to capture these fleeting moments.
In the end, my artist’s statement goes beyond words. It encapsulates a longing to capture what lies beyond language, offering a visual experience that transcends mere description. Through my art, I hope to ignite that spark within others, to stir their souls, and to leave behind a legacy of beauty that echoes through time.
Recent Awards and Juried Shows
2024 – Pastel Artists of Oregon – 3rd Place
2024 _ Northwest Pastel Society – Bill McEnroe Award
2024 – April Boldbrush Painting Competition – Outstanding Pastel
2023 – American Impressionist Society – Award of Excellence
2023 – Pastel Society of the West Coast – Product Award
2023 – Oregon Society of Artists Rose Festival Show – 1st Place
2023 – March Boldbrush Painting Competiton – Outstanding Pastel
2022 – Hilbert Museum of California Art Voices in Pastels
2022 – West Coast Pastel Society – HK Holbien Award
2021 – Pastel Journal Pastel 100 Edition – 1st Place Portrait and Figurative Category
2020 – Pastel Painters of Oregon International Show – Best of Show
2020 – Northwest Pastel Society – Juror’s Award
2020 – Oregon Society of Artists Rose Festival Show – Best of Show
2019 Portland Plein Air – 2nd Place
2019 Oregon Society of Artists Rose Festival Show – Best of Show
2018 Painters Showcase Best of Show
2018 Portland Plein Air Best of Show
2017 West Coast Pastel Society Product Award
2017 American Art Awards 5th Place Human Figures Category
2017 Pastel Society of America 45th Juried Show National Arts Club NYC
2017 Northwest Pastel Society Director’s Award
2017 IAPS World Pastel Juried Exhibit
2017 Southern Oregon Plein Air Artists’ Choice
2017 Southern Oregon Plein Air 3rd Place
2017 Oregon Society of Artists Rose Festival Show 1st Place
2017 UArt 10th Anniversary Online Juried Show
2017 Bold Brush February Outstanding Pastel
2016 Uart Competition Merit Award
2016 Toledo Oregon Plein Air 2nd Place
2016 Paint the Peninsula Invitational Paint Out 3rd Place
2016 Muse Online Competition Merit Award
2016 Northwest Pastel Society Juror’s Award
2016 Oregon Society of Artists Chosen for Portrait Commission
2016 Washington County Plein Air Honorable Mention
2015 Toledo Oregon Plein Air 2nd Place
2015 Washington County Plein Air Best Nocturne
2014 Yamhill Lavender Plein Air Honorable Mention
2014 Oregon Society of Artists Honorable Mention
Memberships
International Association of Pastel Societies – Master Pastelist.
Oregon Society of Artists – Member and Instructor
Northwest Pastel Society – Signature Member
Chicago Pastel Painters – Honorary Member
West Coast Pastel Society –Distinguished Pastelist
Pastel Society of America – Signature Member
Pastel Artists of Oregon – Signature Member
American Impressionist Society – Member