Biography, SG Zwirn
Susan received a master’s degree from the Rhode Island School of Design and a doctoral degree from Columbia University. She studied painting with Dean Richardson, Connie Fox and Paul Wood. Presently a graduate director and professor at Hofstra University, she has also taught courses at Cornell, Adelphi, and St John’s universities and at CW Post and Molloy colleges. She has received numerous awards for her paintings, which have been exhibited and collected locally as well as internationally in juried exhibitions and galleries. See vita
Artist statement, SG Zwirn
To capture the essential qualities of landscape takes me on unpredictable and challenging journeys. Ranging from recognizable vistas of water and land formations to abstracted evocations of space, my palette is strongly influenced by seasonal change, light and internal perspectives fostered by emotion. To me, painting is a means to grasp the dynamic present. I try to reveal the underlying structure beneath the surface beauty and chaos of nature.
All of my paintings begin with sketching and painting at a location that I find compelling. Some are inspired by places that I have returned to throughout my life, such as the safe harbors in Port Washington and East Hampton, NY: ‘Landscape Boundaries,’ ‘Atmospheric Variables,’ ‘Luminous Dock’ and ‘Sammy’s Beach.’ I seek places where I can look up, or down hills and invite the viewer along with me, or conflate many perspectives or angles on one surface. ‘On Arrival’ is based on views from an airplane. ‘Insolation’ combines looking down and out at summer images, with suggestions of boats and pools. ‘Event Horizon,’ and ‘Convergent Boundaries’ imagine astronomical concepts in color from a great distance.
My travels within the United States and to locations in Italy and India have enabled me to experience diverse worlds as well as the individuals who inhabit them. This has inspired me to explore the variety, strength, and beautiful landscape of the body in my watercolor paintings of the figure.
Painting suspends my sense of time. Paintings in acrylic can take years to complete; paintings on paper take hours at the most. My great fortune has been my ability to devote my time to art: looking, sharing, teaching, and creating.
All of my paintings begin with sketching and painting at a location that I find compelling. Some are inspired by places that I have returned to throughout my life, such as the safe harbors in Port Washington and East Hampton, NY: ‘Landscape Boundaries,’ ‘Atmospheric Variables,’ ‘Luminous Dock’ and ‘Sammy’s Beach.’ I seek places where I can look up, or down hills and invite the viewer along with me, or conflate many perspectives or angles on one surface. ‘On Arrival’ is based on views from an airplane. ‘Insolation’ combines looking down and out at summer images, with suggestions of boats and pools. ‘Event Horizon,’ and ‘Convergent Boundaries’ imagine astronomical concepts in color from a great distance.
My travels within the United States and to locations in Italy and India have enabled me to experience diverse worlds as well as the individuals who inhabit them. This has inspired me to explore the variety, strength, and beautiful landscape of the body in my watercolor paintings of the figure.
Painting suspends my sense of time. Paintings in acrylic can take years to complete; paintings on paper take hours at the most. My great fortune has been my ability to devote my time to art: looking, sharing, teaching, and creating.
