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

ssapanara.com

linkedin.com/in/susansapanara/

instagram.com/susansapanara/