Susan McCullough
“Untitled”
Oil
About Susan:
Susan McCullough is an oil painter, painting plein air landscapes as well as large studio paintings. Her plein air landscapes are representational while her studio landscapes are more contemporary, reflecting a heightened sense of color and focus on design. Susan has a passion for painting and solid technique to build an exemplary body of work.
“Plein air painting is the ultimate artistic experience for me as an artist,” says Susan, “this genre of painting is the ultimate learning experience; increasing the skills of drawing, color, design and paint application. In the field, one has to be quick because of the changing light patterns and it is a test of the artist’s painting and drawing skills.”
Susan uses her plein air landscapes to embark on a studio painting adventure, using inspiration from the small paintings to push color and design into large studio paintings. “I use the plein air paintings or ‘studies’ to translate the ideas into large studio works by sketching different scenarios into design sketches, choosing the best elements to produce the desired look for the painting.”
A Colorado native, Susan McCullough has the passion and determination to paint outdoors in all seasons and conditions. She has a superb eye for color, form and light in nature, sharpened by years of observation and painting outdoors. Her deep awareness of the natural world, combined with a sensitive handling of paint, from delicately touched passages to bold strokes with thick paint, results in paintings of depth and inspiration.
Susan has studied with Matt Smith, Ralph Oberg, Kevin Macpherson, and Stephen Datz and belongs to New Mexico Plein Air Painters- Signature Member, Plein Air Artists Colorado, Oil Painters of America and American Impressionist Society. Susan Serves as the Southern Colorado Paint out Co-ordinator for Plein Air Artists Colorado. She has been accepted into many national and international shows.
Publications
Featured in Southwest Art Magazine, June 2014, “In Open Air”, pg. 106. “Meet 10 Artists who seek inspiration en plein air.”
Southwest Art Magazine, December 2014, Artistic Excellence Competiton, pg. 85 “Meet the Artistic Excellence Finalists”
Awards
2015
First place Quick Draw- Plein Air Santa Fe- June 2015
2014
PAPNM (Plein Air Painters of New Mexico) Annual Juried Show- Award of Excellence- Oil – “Fading Light on Sangres”
Artistic Excellence Finalist, Southwest Art Magazine
2013
Plein Air Santa Fe- Second Place
Colorado Plein Air Festival- Western Art and Architecture Award of Excellence- “Harvest Lights”
2012
PAPNM( Plein Air Painters of New Mexico)- Annual National Members juried show- Rio Grande Arts Association Award
Sangre Art Guild Plein Air Event in Westcliff- Awarded the Judson’s Art Merchandise Award
La Veta Plein Air Event 2012- Awarded first place for painting “Morning on West Spanish Peak”
