An exploration in texture.
This series of paintings began with the pandemic. What began as a study in line, color and movement soon morphed into a deeper dive into the unexpectedness of life and the journey we found ourselves exploring. These pieces began to represent pathways, life’s odyssey, bridges we cross, the fluidity of people weaving in and out of our lives and how the choices we make in our lives of the ones made for us change our direction. We sometimes think life would be less complicated if it were just a straight line, more comfortable or perhaps safer. That can look easy but in reality it lacks interest and opportunities for growth. Those straight lines persist in our thoughts as we meander through life rich with all of it’s unexpected twists and turns. Those twists and turns make it more interesting and you focus your attention on what you see as well as peak interest for what is out of sight.
The art created during this period changed with emotions. The quiet and calm, the anxiety and fear, the frustration and apprehension, the knowing and not knowing and the peace of hope. Some works were controlled and clean while others became messy, textured and lumpy. Other pieces opened up space for resting.
Whatever our journey is we are not alone. People come into our lives and some sit and stay for a short period of time while others have stayed for a lifetime. From time to time those same people may return to us and others may not. Some acquaintances we embrace and others we keep at a distance. Sometimes we simply live parallel lives never actually meeting those who influence us.
BIOGRAPPHY:
Inspired by her summer of study in Italy in 2017, locally based Merced California artist Sue Thompson remodeled her barn and settled into her new studio where she continues to explore a new artistic path. She received her BA and teaching credential at California State University Fresno majoring in Art and History. Sue taught high school art for Merced Union High School District for almost 4 decades. She has also been a master’s teacher for the Academy of Art University located in San Francisco and a mentor teacher for Fresno Pacific University. She continues to give private instruction in her home studio. Her artwork hangs in private collections throughout the United States.
EXHIBITIONS:
2023 – Concept to Creation group show – Community College Gallery, Merced, CA
2023 – Emergence group show – Scarab Gallery, Fresno, CA
2022 – Emergence group show – Merced Art Center, Merced, CA
2022 – Far Out group show – An.a.log Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2022 – Community Spirit group show – Merced Art Center Gallery, Merced, CA
2021 – Provoking Thought group show – Merced Art Center Gallery, Merced, CA
2019 – The Passion group show – Merced Art Center Gallery, Merced, CA
2018 – The CHAA Collective group show – The Artery Gallery, Davis, CA
2018 – The CHAA Collective group show – Merced Art Center Gallery, Merced, CA
2018 – Rhythm of the Arts group show – Mistlin Gallery, Turlock, CA
2017 – Rebirth of the Muse group show – Carnigie Art Center Gallery, Turlock, CA
2016 – Dia De Muertos group show – Merced Art Center, Merced, CA
2015 – Celebration of the Figure group show – Mistlin Gallery, Turlock, CA
2015 – This and That group show – Merced Art Center Gallery, Merced, CA
2015 – Dia De Muertos group show – Merced Art Center Gallery, Merced, CA
2015 – Delicato Vinyard group show – Delicato showroom gallery, Manteca, CA
2014 – Inside Out group show – Merced Art Center Gallery, Merced, CA
2013 – The Process group show – Merced Art Center Gallery, Merced, CA
2013 – Delicato Vinyard group show – Delicato showroom gallery, Manteca, CA
2012 – Then and Now group show – Merced showroom gallery, Manteca, CA
2010 – I’ve Got the Music in Me group show – Merced Art Center Gallery, Merced, CA
2010 – Topophilia group show –Community College Gallery, Merced, CA
2008 – The Valley Experience group show – Turlock City Gallery, Turlock, CA