Susan Sapanara is a representational artist living and working in the Hudson Valley of NY, painting nature and encouraging a connection and stewardship to plants, because plants matter. Before beginning a career in Home Textile design and development, Susan attended The School of Visual Arts, studying Fine Art and Art Therapy. She then went on to achieve a certificate with distinction in Botanical Illustration from the New York Botanical Garden where she now teaches. Through instruction, she hopes to enrich students lives and instill a deep respect for the natural world.
Always advocating for Art, Susan co-founded the Tri-State Botanical Artist of NYBG a circle of The American Society of Botanical Artists . With the TSBA, she curates shows, publishes a monthly newsletter and contributes to the groups overall organization and meeting content. Susan also serves on the board of The Light Chasers of the Sun Coast, a lively active Plein Air organization in FL. She has participated in numerous exhibitions of Botanical and Landscape art and her art is held in many private collections. A curiosity to explore techniques and materials has lead to discoveries of new ways to enjoy depicting her subjects.
“Plants and art have the power to lessen the weightiness of our lives and enrich it. I hope my art delights viewers and encourages awareness of our delicate environment”
EXHIBITIONS and PUBLICATIONS
2021
Greenwich Art Society – Buynoski Free-Hand Drawing Award, Greenwich, CT
Carter Burden Gallery- Contemporary Botanical Art From New York Botanical Garden, NYC, NY
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
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
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
Nature Journaling Workshops with Garrison Art Center and Untermyer Garden
Textile Design, Product Development, Design Direction 1986-2016 with Springs Industries, Macy’s/Federated Department Stores, Croscill, Revman/Laura Ashley
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
American Society of Botanical Artist
Oil Painters of America
Contact Info;
Susan Sapanara
ssapanara@gmail.com
ssapanara.com
linkedin.com/in/susansapanara/
instagram.com/susansapanara/
