Susan Besselman has a long-standing interest in oil painting and clay sculpture. Initially a self-taught artist from Youngstown, Ohio, Susan began taking lessons from local Atlanta artists in the mid 1990’s and attended the Atlanta College of Art. During this period she studied figure and portrait painting under Nancy Honea and has a long-standing tutorship of landscapes and mixed media with Anita Lentz. Currently studying Chris di Domizio's old world secrets and color theory. Susan has developed her interests in colorful semi abstract figures and still life’s and landscapes. She has been influenced by the rich colors of the Impressionists and the glazing techniques of the Old Masters.
Old world religious symbols, animals and landscapes have influenced Susan. As a child with a lively imagination, she lived in a fantasy
world exploring the woods, ravines and ponds that were behind her home. When not in the woods she was with her Ukrainian grandfathers’
pidgeons, rabbits, chickens, flowers and plants.
“As a child I felt a special connection to all life forms believing now as I did then that all things are connected. Horses would often
appear in my back yard having gotten out of their pastures.
I was always impressed by the animal’s strength and power and yet felt their gentleness and vulnerability through their soulful eyes.
”The Epicureans said that we couldn’t truly experience the joys of life until we develop our souls. Without the soul, the body is empty
and void of sensation. Susan’s subjects are painted from photographs of pictures and places that have moved her. By creating colorful,
close up, abstracted images, she invites the viewer to commune with her subject, hopefully feeling their presence and their soul. Her
ultimate concern is for the translation of emotions. Through this act they live through you and you through them.
Susan has participated in numerous juried arts shows throughout the state of Georgia. Her work is on view at her studio by appointment.
She is a Member of the Dunwoody Fine Arts Association and the Roswell Fine Arts Association.