Biography

Having begun drawing and painting as a child, Susan had the opportunity to study at the Rhode Island School of Design’s children’s summer art program. During her college career she enrolled in drawing classes at the Rhode Island School of Design and graduated with a minor in Art from Rhode Island College. While at Rhode Island College, Susan studied sculpture and drawing with Enrico Pinardi and drawing with Rhode Island artist, John DeMelim. More recently, she has studied color and light with Bill Griffiths at the Worcester Art Museum’s school. Her uncle, Philip G. Nickerson, a Cape Cod artist known for his atmospheric paintings of scenes from Cape Cod and interior Maine, is her mentor. When together, they enjoy discussing composition and design.

Individual collectors in California Florida, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina and Rhode Island hold Susan’s paintings.

While Susan’s representational works are primarily in watercolor, she has dabbled in pen-and-ink and watercolor as well as acrylic and oils. By experimenting with different techniques and materials, she is continually redefining her approach and her results.

Susan is currently a member of Maine’s Kennebec Valley Art Association, the Waterville Area Art Society, and the Creative Arts Center in Chatham, MA.

Website: www.sjfowlerwatercolors.com

Daytime Moon Over the Kennebec
3” x 4” .

Artist’s Statement

From the time I was small, I enjoyed color and shape in the environment around me. I work to fill my life with creativity, dynamism, learning and joy. Painting with watercolors gives me joy and challenges me to be continually learning and growing. One gets bored doing the same thing over and over again and I am always looking for new techniques, color combinations and subject matter.

Although I am always pleased when others enjoy my work, I paint for myself. My goal is not to copy every detail of the scene but to show the essence of my subject and to convey how I feel about it.

In Southern New England, I painted mostly boats (skiffs, dories, row boats, etc.). I broke my foot shortly after moving to East Madison, Maine and began painting the bouquets my companion created from flowers in our garden and still live groupings I found in our home. These changes spurred me to use new techniques in applying color. Most recently I been exploring Maine scenery as well as continuing my love affair with the sea and her skiffs, dories and other small boats. I can’t wait to see where this leads me next.

Showings:

Artist of the Month at the Framemakers Gallery in Waterville, ME – August, 2010, March 2009

Member Show of the Kennebec Valley Art Association – July, 2010

15th Annual Juried Show of the Kennebeck Valley Art Association at the Harlow Gallery in Hallowell, ME – May 2010.

Juried member of River Roads Artisans’ Gallery – Skowhegan, Maine (2008 to present)

Harlow Gallery – Hallowell, Maine (Member and Juried Shows in 2008, 2009 and 2010)

Waterville Area Art Association Member shows (2009 and 2010)