Susan M Gibbons

 1-25-2022 It's snowing here in Denver creating a beautiful blanket of white over everything. When it snows, it always reminds me of new beginnings. The old is covered and the freshness and newness of the white cleanses the grime of what came before. This got me thinking of what is new in my life. This is really the first year I haven't made resolutions. I'm thinking of them more as goals or new directions instead of resolutions.  I want to push my art work to the next level. I've spent since 2019 working on my Stirring Series and it has gotten me to a good place, professionally, creatively, and spiritually. My work has always been reflective of my relationship with the Spirit but now, I feel that intensify. What is within my psyche and spirit is coming forth in a frenzy - not in a bad way but in a way that is exemplifying the energy and movement of the Spirit. Joy has returned to the work. In one sense, I'm simplifying things but in another sense, I'm building

 12-15-2020 How art itself is awakened in a humble brushstroke, making the surface of the support vibrate, printing a dynamic movement in the eyes of the viewer, making the barriers of distance jump to tell us from the underground texture: “what you feel is emotion, not you are ashamed, do not look for an explanation”, this work is an example, brilliant. Victor Lopezrua The above quote is a response for one of my latest, Stirring Series paintings on Instagram. I was very humbled with his kind words. While I thanked him for his gracious comment, it had me thinking about that humble brushstroke.  It does awaken a stirring within us and it is that stirring that brings about an awakening which begins with a single stroke.  It takes a level of faith to create, to trust the process.  It takes guts sometimes to make that first brushstroke. But once it's done, the creating can begin. It arises from that first stroke illuminating the first idea, then moving forward adding stroke upon stroke

 11-9-2020 I hit the wall. I got to the point where I couldn't create. I'm slowly coming out of it but it lasted a couple of months. I couldn't create. The only thing I could do was rest and think. Even then, thinking was difficult. It has been a long while since I was in this place. I'm usually very productive and creative but this time, all of my energy was sapped. It was an uncomfortable place. I had painted over 30 paintings and almost 20 drawings. I felt I was on a roll but it came to a screeching halt. Was I tired? Yes. Did I feel like I exhausted my possibilities with my work? No. But I felt a change coming. What that is, I'm not sure yet. I feel a new sense of stirring which will inform my work but I'm in the dark as to what it is. I know I need to get into the studio and work it out. This is unknown and uncharted territory of which I embrace. I'm excited to see what comes out of it but I'm still tired. I'm still in this place of inaction. I&

 8-10-2020 “Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” Edgar Degas What does an artist see? How does the artist translate it to others? How does the magic of an art work happen?  One of the first things that an artist learns is how to see.  Beginning with rudimentary observation skills to the development of intuitive creating, seeing becomes paramount to the creation of any art work.  Seeing encompasses a large percentage of the creative process. But what is 'seeing'? It is more that just looking at something to copy it.  Seeing involves much deeper and intuitive factors. Seeing allows the artist to take what is before her/him and bring to to a place of significance - bringing it out of the ordinary, of cognizance - making the artist and viewer aware of something new, and transcendence - transforming the moment to a new level of understanding.   It is within these factors that an art work speaks.  The creative endeavor of an artist aims to reach others with it, all

7-31-2020 Every production of an artist should be the expression of an adventure of his soul. W. Somerset Maugham I couldn't agree more with this quote. The creation of art is an adventure, one that requires honesty, trust, commitment, and faith. Without them, the works suffers. Honesty is essential to the artist, for the creation of the work is a direct outpouring of what is inside her/him. It's a reflection of the soul. If the artist is not honest, if the artist is holding back or relying on copying another visual source and not interpreting it with her/his own unique perspective, then honesty is compromised. Even not taking a risk can compromise the honesty of a work. Honesty requires the artist to dig deep and pull out what needs to be said, unabashedly, in the work of art. That is where the adventure begins, being true to oneself helps create works of art that are unique to the artist's voice. Trust is another component of creating work. Artists need to trust the proce

7-20-2020 I've been busy in the studio, working on paintings and pastel drawings. I found a new surge of energy after a time of not feeling to inspired. I'm excited about what I've created. I'm still working on my Stirring Series and a new series of pastel drawings titled, Verve. They, like the paintings, have much movement and energy. I feel like they reflect the chaos and energy of the time. I've also hung my solo show at D'art Gallery in a smaller gallery within the space. The room is filled to the brim with my work and it has energy! I'm very pleased. It's been a blessing and honor to be able to exhibit. My hope is that the work touches those who see it. This time of Covid-19 has been a challenge for when I didn't have the energy or desire to create, it really affected me. I finally forced myself to paint and was glad I did for the creative force that drives me was renewed. I've been listening to many artist friends that have said this ti