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Susan Burgess
Throughout my adult life, I have
been involved with colour and design.
I taught needlework for many years before moving into the
restoration of furniture and furnishings. With a move to Cornwall in
2002 and retirement from teaching, I was able to spend time
following a desire to develop my painting. Living near to St. Ives,
I was influenced by the whole atmosphere of the area and enjoyed the
rugged coastline and the light effects that the north coast offers.
Due to health and family commitments, I moved back to Derbyshire in
2007. Having lived here for ten years prior to Cornwall, I was able
to slot back into the life of the Dales from which I again draw
inspiration. Of course Cornwall has not been deserted and I still
spend time there painting with friends.
Style
and Inspiration
I work mainly in oils. I tend to use strong colours so my work is predominantly thick paint and worked with a palette knife. My paintings take many months to complete as I work several layers to gain the colour and texture I desire and each layer takes time to dry. I take great care with framing to ensure it matches and contributes to the painting itself, sometimes having the frame customised to reflect the colours in the painting.
My inspiration comes from many subjects. I am now turning my attention to the dramatic and colourful landscapes that surround me. I particularly enjoy the heather and autumn colours. However, I will never desert the dramatic coastline of Cornwall which features in my expressive painting of the sea and will always be a major part of my work. I always try to capture the mood of the scene with dramatic skies and light effects as in a recent painting of a buttercup field with storm approaching.
If the weather is good, I do like to paint outdoors, even if only on the decking around my studio. Like many artists when travelling around the country I always have my camera ready. I may not do a copy of a particular scene but accentuate certain features to make a more interesting painting and also play about with colours – so it is an artist’s impression rather than a photographic reproduction.
I am pleased to be a member of Peak District Artisans (formerly Peak District Products), a group of talented artists who exhibit in prominent exhibitions in Derbyshire and other major venues around the country. I take pleasure in my painting and if others enjoy them too then I feel privileged. However, I can only paint what inspires me but I do try to include a variety of scenes and moods in my work. I always enjoy meeting the people who have taken the time to visit my exhibitions.