Susan Ryan
Paper Mache, Paintings & More

Blog

Earlier this year I was selected (along with 13 other artists) to create artwork for Hudson Valley Seed Company's 2017 art pack. Their artwork seed packs are always very special. The plant I did artwork for is called Anise Hyssop. I had it in my garden this past summer and it covered with happy bees! You can learn more about this small company and the valuable work they do in safeguarding the continuation of heirloom seed varieties at:

www.HudsonValleySeed.com

 

 

(posted on 14 Mar 2016)
I'm pleased to announce that I have been juried into the ACCI Gallery in Berkeley CA. This artist-cooperative gallery has been in operation for 59 years. It is a lovely space, with a wonderful selection of artists. Mike and I packed up the car in cold, drenching rain on Saturday and delivered the work in cold, drenching rain on Sunday. I can't complain about this much-needed precipitation, but I have to say it was sure nice to get back home to our warm, dry house again.

 

(posted on 28 Feb 2016)
This is a new piece I am working on. Every morning, while sipping my coffee, I hammer a few more beer bottle caps. Every evening, while watching a borrowed-from-the-library movie, I put the hammered and distressed bottle caps together and add to the piece. Slowly she grows.

 

 

 

Several of my Asian-inspired pieces will be on view at the Graton Gallery in Graton, CA in December and January. I'll be showing with two wonderful artists--Sally Baker and Taylor Gutermute. Should be an interesting show!


 

 

(posted on 25 Feb 2015)
"Zen" won an Honorable Mention in the Graton Gallery 4th Annual Small Works Show in Graton, California. Show dates are February 24-April 5, 2015.

 

(posted on 24 Jan 2015)
"Succulence," paper mache with oil glazes, won an Honorable Mention at the Graton Gallery, Graton CA, "Anything Goes" juried show. Show dates are January 13-February 22, 2015.

 

 

(posted on 24 Jan 2015)
"Guests in the Garden," oil on canvas board, is on view at Graton Gallery, Graton CA, January 13-February 22, 2015.

 

My oil painting “Book Club” has been accepted to be part of the Art of the Heirloom Exhibition at the National Heirloom Expo at the Petaluma Seed Bank in Petaluma, California. This event draws gardeners, food activists, farmers, and seedy people from all over the country. With educational lectures, garden-and farm-theme activities, and incredible keynote speakers, the Expo brings in more than 20,000 people, while raising awareness about heirloom seeds and the threat of GMOs. Each year at the Expo, the Hudson Valley Seed Library curates an exhibition of garden-themed art. The exhibit is open to artists from all over America, who paint, draw, carve, embroider, collage, print or etch images related to heirloom gardening.

 

"Play It Again, Sam" a juried exhibition of collage, assemblage and recycled art is now at The Sebastopol Center for the Arts In August. The exhibition includes my artwork entitled "Muse," which honors my inspirational Muses--art and music. The box is an old silverware box I found in a thrift store. Sticks and stones--made of paper mache--and found objects nestle cozily in a bed of raffia.

Coordinator Rebeca Treviño summed up “Play It Again, Sam” and the “art” of recycling: "What makes this show so fabulous is the fact that all the artists in the show work with ‘found objects’, working with items that have been discarded, or that the artist intentionally repurposes- items that have been thrown away or are no longer considered useful…and take these items to create things of beauty. Sharon Spain, curator for Recology, San Francisco’s Artist in Residence Program, served as the Juror for the show.

"Play It Again, Sam" runs from July 31st through August 30th at the SCA Galletta Gallery, located at 282 S. High street, Sebastipol, CA 95472. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10am-4pm, and Saturdays from 1pm-4pm. Admission is free to the public.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(posted on 23 Dec 2012)
"At One" has been selected to be part of the 5th Annual Collector's Choice show at the Sylvia White Gallery in Ventura, California. Show runs: January 2-February 2, 2013.

 

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