Female

1952-02-08

"Kinetic Impressionism" is a new term I have coined to describe the energy inherent in each of my palette knife oil paintings. Although my work is based in French Impressionism, my style is a modern hybrid wherein I strive to encompass and express more of the sensibilities of our times.
I work exclusively in oils on canvas, using lavish impasto to convey the passion I have for my subjects. I have been painting and studying art since earliest childhood; partially due to natural inclination and talent, but also because I was very sick during most of my childhood with severe blood chemistry problems and not expected to live. So I delved deeply into painting to assuage the pain and isolation. Fortunately, experimental medical trials provided the intervention which allowed me to heal.
My early career years were spent as an award-winning corporate art director in California and later Boston. By1990, I had decided to devote my focus to full-time fine art painting. I was encouraged to return to Louisiana in order to facilitate my art goals as well as take care of aging parents and other family members until they passed on. Now, I have my studio and home in a cabin in the deep dark woods of Northwest Louisiana, which was hand-built by my husband and me. My daughter and her family also make their home in the area, so grandchildren are an important part of my life.
The challenge and power of using palette knife stokes with the oil medium imparts a passionate vitality and immediacy to each subject. The unique textural appearance appears to alter in various light affording ever-changing glimpses of new detail, depth and color.
The juxtaposition of freedom and control in this style of painting convey and relate to the contrasts and continuums that give our lives interest and balance. I work hard to express those intensely deep feelings which inherently connect all of us to each other and to our environment. I want my paintings to open a door for the imagination to pass through -- giving the viewer a place to gain rejuvenation and renew personal power. The essential essence of each painting simultaneously commemorates a particular place in time and reaches for the timeless.

I have painted and worked in commercial and advertising art my whole adult life. After completing college with a dual degree in graphic communication and journalism, I spent the next 12 years as an art director and illustrator for major international companies such as the New York Times Company and EF Foundation, during which time I garnered 23 state and national awards.
My goal had always been to become a professional fine art painter, so having mastered sufficient skills, I dedicated myself to that prospect in 1990. Since then, my original palette knife oils have been shown at upscale galleries around the country including: Boston/ Renjeau Gallery; New York City/ The Ambassador; Boca Raton/ Deerfield Beach Resort; Fort Lauderdale/ Delaney, Sterling; New Orleans/ Myown, LaBelle; Dallas/ Raymond; Aspen/ Sky High, Ridge Line; La Jolla/ Victor; Carmel/ L'Attelier Carmel; Atlanta/ Buckhead; Shreveport/ Hinton, Heritage, Smith Mason Legacies, artspace, 1800, Marlene Yu Museum, Norsworthy, East Bank and Agora Borealis. My work is represented in numerous private and corporate collections coast to coast.
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(318) 218-0552

265 Circle M Road

LA 71006

Benton

United States

http://www.susandukeart.com