12 x 16
Oil
Artist: Susan Tyler
I became enamored with Art way back when I was eight years old. Art sparked something in me. I was hooked immediately and still am. As I look back at my time at Sam Houston State, I can’t help but smile. I was able to immerse myself in Art everyday. My professors taught me the principles of Art and challenged me at every turn. They nurtured that spark. Art has persevered as an important part of my life. I love every day that I can spend painting. It doesn’t matter what I am painting, just so I am painting.
My professors planted a foundation of Art: 1 the basics (drawing, watercolor, etching, oils, sculpture) 2.critical appraisal 3. never stop learning and pushing yourself. Consequently, I have used this foundation to hold me in good stead today.
The Basics Essential drawing skills are extremely important. I learned how to draw perspective, proportion & mass, etc. Practice, practice and practice is a must. To this day, I carry a sketch book with me everywhere. One of my favorite places to sketch is at concerts and the symphony. The fun part of sketching frequently is that when I review my work, I have a wonderful journal of where I have been and what I have experienced. I learned early on that in order to have a good oil painting, I have to apply well honed drawing skills.
Critical Appraisal
I learned how to appraise my work by listening to my professors, teachers and mentors. Criticism is difficult to listen to, but I learned to not get upset with opinions. In fact, I seek out criticism, I want to know what people really think of my art. How does it touch them and how do I fall short. Of course, I don’t always take criticism to heart, sometimes I just don’t agree with the critics. Listening to criticisms of my work not an easy lesson to learn. But if I don’t welcome the criticism, I will never progress. Sure it hurts sometimes. Sometimes the way the criticism is delivered is harder to take than the actual words. The surprise that happens as a result of embracing criticism is that I get better.
Never stop Learning
The fun part of being an artist is that there are always mountains to climb. I am constantly reading, watching videos, visiting museums, going to workshops & talking to my mentors. After I have had a learning session, I take the information and push the new principles into my painting. Surprisingly, this doesn’t make my work more like who ever I am studying, but it does give my work a fresh feeling. This formula of learning and then applying learned elements is what keeps my work from getting stale. The importance of learning and pushing my self is also what makes art fun for me. It challenges my brain!
Susan
