Susan Jespersen: About Susan
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Susan Jespersen
Artist's Statement
The beauty of nature in our world has always inspired and uplifted Susan, while recent natural disasters made her realize that what she loves may soon cease to exist. The destruction of nature through the process of climate change is a great pending threat. Susan feels compelled to express her perceptions and impressions of nature somewhat like a celebration, as we celebrate our nostalgic memories of our loved ones passed.
Susan wanted to learn all she could about painting and the great artists that explored beautiful art. She decided to seek a BA degree in Fine Art – Studio with a concentration in Painting at Appalachian State University, College of Fine Art. Exploring art history she enjoyed the magnificence of the past masters. Initially intrigued by the ideas of Turner, Cezanne, and Delacroix to increase the breadth of communication and free expression in her paintings, Susan’s greatest inspiration came from the discovery of the works of Zao Wou-Ki and Chu Teh-Chun. These highly successful Chinese artists moved to France to join western painting traditions in the 20th century, in the lyrical abstractionist movement. Susan even visited China in 2017 to learn more about their foundations and culture at the China Academy of Art in Hangzhou.
Susan’s art goes beyond simply recording visual experiences in a free flow of self-expression. Her work has an Asian influence using the lyrical abstract expressionist approach, which involves colorful brushwork with an absence of premeditated form and structure. It is lyrical because, like music, the colors sing.
Recent Exhibitions
- Artist in Residence at Edgewood Cottage. Blowing Rock Historical Society, Blowing Rock Art & History Museum, Blowing Rock, North Carolina
- Anything Goes! Annual Juried Exhibit. Arrowhead Artists and Artisan League, Arrowhead Gallery and Studios, Old Fort, North Carolina. Worlds Apart, 2017, 30x24 - Honorable Mention Acrylic.
- Grand Opening Exhibit. Blue Ridge Artisan Guild, Blue Ridge Art Center, Wilkesboro, North Carolina. Juried Member.
- Best of the Blue Ridge Juried Exhibit. Ashe County Arts Council, West Jefferson, North Carolina.
- Away Juried Exhibition: China, Netherlands, Spain, Scotland. Appalachian State University College of Fine and Applied Arts Study Abroad Program. Blowing Rock Art & History Museum, Blowing Rock, North Carolina.
- Chancellor's Home Juried Exhibit. Appalachian State University College of Fine and Applied Arts. Boone, North Carolina.
- Senior Juried Studio. Smith Gallery. Appalachian State University College of Fine and Applied Arts. Boone, North Carolina.