Susan Welsh
Growing up in a large, blue-collar family, making a living was the norm, and being a “starving artist” was out of the question. However, having very creative parents, the DNA and drive were there, and I have always used art as an outlet. After holding jobs in the financial field that allowed me to make a living, I decided to embrace the “starving artist” lifestyle once my children were born. I started a paper products company during a time when people still wrote paper thank-you notes and sent paper invitations to parties.
I loved having a job that didn’t involve the financial markets but instead centered on the Pantone Color of the Year market. After the pesky internet replaced paper, I went back to school for a graduate degree to study drawing and painting, earning a Master’s Degree in Fine Art. Classical training was very important to me, especially since my undergraduate degree is in Art History.
And the rest, shall we say, is art history.
Contact
susanwelshfineart.com
susan.welsh@me.com
@susanwelshfineart
Interview
What inspires your art practice and keeps you motivated?
The anticipation leading up to the start of summer every year inspires the images I paint. Summer is truly a magical time, and the figures in my work explore the season with abandon, challenging the viewer to connect to their inner child. Painted with oil on canvas or linen, the paintings serve as a map illustrating how to embrace the summer season and the beach with childlike wonder.
How does your mission as an artist influence the work you create?
My mission as an artist is to explore the beauty around me and share what I see with my viewers. Living near water, that beauty is often translated into beach scenes where children and adults alike enjoy the earth's magic.
Can you share a key part of your creative process that helps you stay focused?
A key part of my creative process is photographing scenes that inspire me to paint them. Searching through the photos is an exciting part of my process and motivates me to work on numerous pieces at the same time.
What mindset tip do you rely on to overcome challenges in your art career?
To do something creative every day helps me stay focused.
How do you hope your art impacts the world or your community?
I hope my work reminds people to get outdoors, have fun, and enjoy life's wonders.
