Interview with Emerging Artist Suzanne Taylor

In preparation for Atelier’s Spring  Emerging Artist Series, we posed a series of questions to Emerging Artist Suzanne Taylor so that we could get to know her and her art a little better. Her answers clearly indicate that she is an artist who is driven by an internal compulsion to create art, and we are more than excited to see her work come to Atelier.

An opening reception will be held for Suzanne on Friday, April 27, 2012 from 5pm-8pm at Atelier.

You studied psychology, and you mention Lucian Freud as being one of your influences. How has your background in psychology impacted the way your approach your art?

Studying psychology helped me understand more about myself and others. I think its affected me more on a subconscious level. It’s not until I’ve finished a painting, [when] I stand back and see the relationship between me and my art. A part of me has been left on the canvas and sometimes that is not intentional at the onset.

You mention in your artist statement that the narratives of your still-life paintings are sometimes “dark in nature.” Could you elaborate?

I enjoy narratives in my still life paintings. I try to leave it up to the viewer to imagine what they will. Sometimes, for me, the nature of the painting is dark because of personal connections between the objects. This is true in regards to my painting Your Call.

You sometimes employ found objects to create your abstract pieces. What types of objects have you used, and how does a particular object affect your process?

I enjoy finding new ways to push and pull the paint across a canvas. This opens me up to trying different techniques. I’ve used yard sticks, dentist tools, shovels, serrated edges of saws. All of these objects liberate me to approach application in a different manner.

You current work oscillates between abstraction and photorealism–two very different styles.How does your approach to an abstract piece differ from how your approach one of your photorealist works?

The two approaches are at opposite poles. Both fuel and excite me. They are my proverbial yin & yang. They complete me as an artist and each genre promotes the other.

As you evolve as an artist, is there any one particular style that you see yourself committing to?

I hope to continue both and not become pigeon holed. I also hope to successfully merge the two. This is my next body of work.

One of your most striking abstract pieces is entitled Self Portrait. How do you see yourself reflected in the work?

I can’t take credit for the name. The name was given to the piece by Lea Feinstein, an artist and art critic for ARTnews. She was at the Academy of Art critiquing our class and she made the analogy of me and this particular piece. When she detailed all the painting’s attributes, no one could deny there was a distinct likeness.

Could you speak a little to your inspiration? What motivates your art?

My motivations are many, but I am profoundly moved by some pieces of art work. They captivate and excite me. My motivation is to create something which makes me feel this way and others.

You received your B.F.A. from the Academy of Art University, and now your are showing in Atelier’s Emerging Artist Series. How has your education at AAU, and going to school in San Francisco, impacted you as an artist?

AAU has given me the tools to pursue my dreams. I have studied under exceptional artists and teachers. I will always be grateful. I have to thank Adam Forfang, Craig Nelson, Carolyn Meyers and Tomutsu Takishima. The backdrop of San Francisco is an exquisite and beautiful city, full of inspiration and so many talented artists.