ARTIST’S STATEMENT

Art, for me,

Is not only a passion

But a compulsion.

Not only how I see

But a reflection of me.

When the sun makes a shadow

When the earth grows a tree

I can too. It empowers me.

It’s not just what I see

But a reflection of me

My way to see

Differently.

Why

Why create? Why do art?

To see. To try.

Rethink. Refocus.

Modify status.

Manipulate surplus.

Rediscover purpose.

Change from contrary

To extraordinary

Making is a testament

That we’re human

We can.

Sometimes not intentionally

Often accidentally

Make old new

And new old, too

And all because

That’s what artists do.

–Susy Johnsen

It’s all about that emotion you feel when you’re gazing at a painting and get submerged in it. You’re understanding the brushstrokes. You’re seeing the splash of colour emerge from darkness. Or the brightness of sunlight glancing off the subject. You ‘get it’, almost like you’ve painted it yourself. I want that for you. I want you to enjoy the texture of the paper. See the colours overlap. Experience the accidents when pigment and water and paper coincide . . . or collide! That’s why my watercolours aren’t framed under glass and why every square inch not covered in paint. After all, watercolours are on the best paper in the world. The paper, the water, the paint, the process — watercolours are as close to raw as you’ll ever get.

Yes I do commissions too – pets * people * places

SUSY.JOHNSEN@GMAIL.COM

250-202-6033

ARTIST BIO. Although born in Denmark Susy is an island gal. At the ripe age of 3 months she convinced her parents to emigrate directly to Campbell River, BC, Canada, where she recognized as early as primary school that she could sustain intense focus whenever doing art. Although assignments were not always well-written they were certainly well-illustrated. Her art education began at CARIHI and was influenced especially by two teachers — Ms Simpson (gr8) and Ms Hilsden (gr11). Upon graduation she won a bursary from the Campbell River Arts Council. That bursary enticed her to enroll into art college. A college portfolio led her to graphic design which segued into a career in advertising. Intense years of deadline-driven agency work led her to rethink her art. The irony was that now she was spending all her time doing everything but art. Quitting the city led her back to the island and the chance to explore watercolours. Without a studio she began painting outside and without a place to display her art she started a blog. She posts a new painting every month often twice-monthly. Follow her passion, see her hone her skills, at https://susy-j.ca