OK NAMI is using my art for their awards ceremony again this year and they asked me for an artist statement. Heres what I wrote, tell me what you all think of this? And do I need to ask permission if I USE SOMEONES NAME OR IS IT JUST GOOD PROMOTION FOR THEM? Artist Statement for Susan Burgess (Otherwise known as: Sanna) The masters of art are of great relevancy for me, the fact is they all have something to offer. When I look upon Vincent Van Gogh’s Fields of hay or Starry Night brings tears to my eyes, The depth, swirling of paint and form is beyond mere words.. He is the greatest art genius I have ever studied, but there are others like Matisse for his bright use of colors, and Picasso for his understanding of abstract shape and dynamic design that intrigue me leading to further inspiration, and creativity. I’ve taken a few classes with more modern artists in the past two years that have also inspired me towards growth. One such artist’s name is Flora Bowly, she does a lot with movement texture and understanding your medium as a tool of texture as wells as intuitive flow. Something I immediately wanted to give to others. Thus two years ago after taking Flora’s class, I came up with a wonderful idea to paint with the local youth. I would teach them basic dynamic mark making, and then paint over what the children have created leaving the essence of what they created. I created a stamp for the back of these canvases where they sign off as official under painters, and I sign the front of the finished paintings. My idea was to sell these works and then to give the under painters a percent of the profits, teaching them the value of their own abilities, how to self express and become more creative together in the process. I gain insight about raw marks and beautiful use of color, texture and the personality of the new artist. Last year I took a class (Life Book 2013,) with Tamara Laport (willowing.org/). Her art is whimsical and full of meaningful quotes and self healing. In Tam’s class I grew in leaps and bounds in my art and on my focus of where my creative abilities are taking me with God’s loving guidance.. I was blessed enough to work with 20 children from Uganda, on my very front lawn. destinyafrica.org/news/ Then while I was taking the class with Tamara Laport, I heard one of the class teachers named Shiloh Sophia (shilohsophiastudios/about-the-artist-2/), speak about using the arts for healing. How she uses art to reach out to Oppressed women and children as a form of inner healing and to give them a voice. Although Shiloh never worked with a third world country using this method of healing, she went before the United Nations to give it recognition with the hopes of eventually doing just that! Hearing this was like “ding ding ding “, a bell went off in my head, and I had my “A ha” moment. I knew the children were coming from Uganda to sing, dance and raise money for The Kampala Children’s Centre, so I thought maybe God would allow me to work with this third world country. I got together with my friend Tina Landel (nashuatelegraph/news/961091-196/african-childrens-choir-performs-in-milford.html a teacher of music and science who has been to Uganda and hosts the children whenever they visit NH. Tina and I wrote a statement of intent for the art and the children and submitted it to the children’s program director for permission and it was granted. I finally knew this was why I got my bachelors degree in Fine Art (from UMASS Amherst), AND my Masters degree in Counseling in Human Development (from Troy State Alabama)! Finally I knew and it was all coming together. Yes folks at age 51 I started to recognize my actual calling!!!! I want to work with others to teach a method of art for healing wounded hearts and souls, to give the oppressed voice and self reliance. The children’s art was put up for auction, and every painting was sold! The art raised over $1600.00 dollars for the homeless children of Uganda!!! My hope: to eventually going to Uganda to teach this method of painting and under painting of strokes and textures colors and art to heal, as it has healed, and still heals me, then to have others go out and do the same. Over painters, and under painters everywhere giving a voice to those who have not yet recognized that they’ve had one all along just waiting to be heard. During this endeavor I continue to create my own work l since God has also called me to use my own voice and palette. Currently I am working on mixed media paintings from books of the bible. I have dyslexia and have never really enjoyed reading, so my dear husband bought me an audio Bible for Christmas. This is the first time ever I have really enjoyed the Old Testament. It’s so much more understandable for me listening to the differentiation of the voices and makes understanding a lot more linear. I’ve finished my first in a series of at least four bible book paintings. I call it Genesis,(and my word for this year is “BEGINNING”) if you wish to see it go here: http;//wwwsannasartmind.blogspot/ this is also where I post my other art, and parts of my life I share with others. Art that I create in many instances is versatile and eclectic. I have ADHD (Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). Rarely do I stay on one theme. I am Forcing myself to stick to one theme this year so that I can reapply to the New Hampshire League of Craftsmen. One of their requirements is four thematic paintings, hence the bible books tribute. No one can tame this tiger so in-between my thematic paintings and while teaching classes I will also be doing a little mixed media this, and a lot of mixed media that! Other art media that have my focus right now are antique shakers which I alter, (pinterest/pin/329044316496623738/ ) Last year the shakers were snow people, but this year they will be something new. Using my art to help others and uplift or bless the world is a blessing unto me. I give when I can and this year I also gave to groups such as Teen Challenge, A Place to Bark, and will be giving a piece to The National Cancer Association. I have also always enjoyed working with others who are mentally handicapped through art and healing. My desire is to do more of this as well. I have in the past worked as a volunteer at Granite Pathways of NH, and intend to do more of this in the very near future. Actually I started working with mentally handicapped at age 12. When I was still only in Junior High School, I loved it then too!!! NAMI is such a wonderful organization that has helped me and my family’s lives when we have needed them. Painting a landscape of the building on 85 North Street in Concord for the betterment of NAMI was my absolute pleasure! Similarly doing last year’s awards ceremony piece and I also did another for them this year titled:” Gratitude”. In thanks to all of those heroes out there who do so many marvelous works for those struggling and need assistance? A painting isn’t nearly enough to show how thankful we truly are but it’s a start.
Posted on: Tue, 04 Mar 2014 23:41:48 +0000
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