SUSAN SAPANARA – Contemporary Realism Fine Artist and Arts Educator
Susan hopes to encourage a connection and stewardship to plants. Through close observation and accurate portrayal of nature, she invites viewers to share in the botanical wonder that delights her.
An aptitude for detail led Susan to a career in Textiles and Product Development after a Fine Art education. Her professionalism later extended to her training as a Botanical Illustrator at the New York Botanical Garden where she graduated with distinction. Susan is co-founder of the Tri-State Botanical Artists of NYBG, a circle of the American Society of Botanical Artists. The TSBA is a group of over 120 artists interested in learning about and sharing Botanical Art. Susan creates a monthly newsletter for the group in addition to sharing in the management and content of the group. Through instruction, she hopes to enrich students lives and encourage deep respect for the natural world.
As a board member of the Light Chasers of the Sun Coast, and active Plein Air painter. Susan works to extend the reach of Plein Air painting. Oil painting serves to balance Susan’s close accurate studies of plants in watercolor and she sees Plein Air painting as a service to the future, documenting our changing world. Her work is held in many private collections.
A curiosity to explore techniques and materials has lead to new ways to enjoy depicting her subjects including charcoal and printmaking. Susan also enjoys Creative Writing and is a lifelong learner taking many professional workshops to hone her skills. She hopes one day to combine writing with her art.
Susan resides with her husband and a lovable mutt in the Hudson Valley of NY where nature’s beauty abounds.
“Plants and art have the power to lessen the weightiness of our lives and enrich it.”
EDUCATION
School of Visual Arts, NYC Fine Art, Illustration, Print Making, Art Therapy, 1977-1981
New York Botanical Garden, Bronx NY, Botanical Illustration with Distinction 2012- 2014
Workshop studies with a number of painters including Joseph Mcgurl, Robert Johnson and Morgan Samuel Price
CAREER
Instructor- New York Botanical Garden, Botanical Illustration 2016-present
Workshop Leader-Nature Journaling Workshops with Garrison Art Center
Design Direction, Textile Design, Product Development, Showroom setup-Springs Industries, Macy’s/Federated Department Stores, Croscill, Revman/Laura Ashley 1986-2016
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
American Society of Botanical Artist
Oil Painters of America
EXHIBITIONS and PUBLICATIONS
2021
Greenwich Art Society-104th Juried Bendheim Exhibit, Buynoski Free-Hand Drawing Award
Putnam Arts Council- Picturesque Putnam, Honorable Mention
Carter Burden Gallery- Contemporary Botanical Art From New York Botanical Garden, NY, NY
Garrison Art Center- Art is Everywhere
American Society of Botanical Artists-Small works show
Light Chasers 10th Annual Show – Fifth place award, Sarasota, FL
2020
Garrison Art Center Members Show, Garrison, NY
9th Annual Light Chasers Show, Sarasota, FL
2019
ASBA Silver Anniversary Publication
Garrison Art Center Members Show, Garrison, NY
8th Annual Light Chasers Show and Paint Sarasota Paint Out, Sarasota, FL
Botanical Art at the Maplewood Library, Maplewood, NJ
Sleepy Cat Farm, Open Gardens Day, Greenwich, CT
2018
Garrison Art Center Member Show, Garrison, NY
Walk with Us, Tri-State Botanical Artist at New York, New Jersey Trail Conference, Mahwah, NJ
2017
American Society of Botanical Artists Small Works,San Francisco, CA
2016
The Beauty of Botanicals, OA Gallery, Kirkwood MO
Garden State Gardens, 27th Annual New Jersey Small Works Show, Demarest, NJ
2015
18th Annual International Juried Exhibition, American Society of Botanical Artists NY, NY
Tri-State Juried Exhibition, Ridgewood NJ Honorable Mention
Gold Light Gallery Annual International Juried show, New Hope PA
Pascack Art Association Members show, Ridgewood, NJ, Honorable Mention
2014
17th Annual International Juried Exhibition, American Society of Botanical Artists, NY, NY
Contact Info and Social Media;
Susan Sapanara
ssapanara@gmail.com
Susan Sapanara 