Background of Denise Susalka

I came late to art after a long career in finance.  I have been painting full-time since 2004.  

At the studio around noon, I work until early evening.  Occasionally I wonder: "Should I paint today?"  "Am I inspired now?" Then I remind myself that much of my art comes from "just showing up and painting.”  Often new inspiration comes after warming up and, if not, I work on paintings in progress.  This results in working on 4 or 5 paintings at a time (allowing for time to let the oil dry).  I seem always to have many works in process just waiting to be reviewed and renewed.

When new inspirational arrives, I put the works in process away while I develop my new concept (capturing fruit on a divided canvas in a graphic manner, doing a series of tropical flowers or voluptuous fruits, working on destination landscapes when I return from travel).  Every few weeks, I experiment with non-representational art just to free myself and loosen up. 

Having traveled extensively, I try to bring different cultural perspectives to my work.  While bamboo is ubiquitous in Puerto Rico where I spend the winter, I see bamboo only with my Asian eyes.  I appreciate the cultural ethos as well as the universality in our attraction to the mystical.

Teaching provides a wonderful source of inspiration.  I often regain my child-like vision when I see through the eyes of my students.  I love to see children incorporate the new information with their unique perspective to arrive at something fresh and undeniably original. 

In 2000, I began studying art and painting in both acrylics and oils. In 2005, with another artist, I established the Cannondale Studio and Gallery.

Prior to 2000, I used my foreign travel, undergraduate language study and masters in international finance to assist U.S. multinational corporations in meeting their American and foreign credit and other banking needs.  My varied past also includes studying French culture and media in France, editing a bilingual encyclopedia, teaching English in Japan and developing a program for intellectually gifted Japanese teenagers.

I hope this helps you understand the well from which my art is drawn.  I would love to hear if my art affects you and how you respond to it.

Thank you so much for your visit!

SOLO EXHIBITS
Caracoles, Humacao PR, February 2008
Cannondale Studio Exhibit, Wilton CT, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005
Marriott Hotel Norwalk CT, November-December, 2007
Nancy O’s Gallery, Ridgefield CT, May 2007
Palmas del Mar Country Club, Humacao PR, March 2007
Wilton Food Company, Wilton CT, July 2006 through2007
Cheshire Public Library, Cheshire CT, June 2006
Tom E Toes Gallery, Wilton CT, December 2006, April 2004

GROUP EXHIBITS
Spirit Within, Invitational Exhibit, Georgetown CT, June 2008
Palmas del Mar Country Club Members’ Art Show, Humacao PR, April 2007, 2006, 2003
East End Art Guild Annual Exhibition, Humacao PR, January 2008, 2007
Mark Twain Library Annual Exhibition, Redding CT, December 2006
Wilton Arts Council Annual Exhibition, Wilton CT, Oct 2006
New Haven City Wide Open Studios, New Haven CT, October 2005 and October 2003
SoNo Annual Art Exhibit, Norwalk CT, August 2004
Cheshire Public Library, Cheshire CT March 2004 and December 2003
CT Women’s Caucus for the Arts with Women Supporting the Arts, Bridgeport CT, January 2004
Society of Creative Arts of Newtown, Newtown CT, January 2004 and October 2003
Art from the Heart, Litchfield CT, November 2003
Silvermine Guild Student Art Show, New Canaan, CT August 2003, 2001
Earthplace, Westport CT, October 2002 and 2001