Q & A with Susan Amstutz
We've been framing Susan Amstutz's work for a number of years - in fact both Sara and Mary have purchased pieces from her. We are excited about her current show both because we get to see a large body of her work and to find out more about her as an artist. Susan is modest about her art but we managed to corner her when she was at the gallery helping to set up the show and were able to ask her some questions.
Q: Susan, your landscapes are so evocative, are they real places?
A: Some of them are real locations, whether painted on site or from photos. I carry a camera with me so I can record places and color. Some of the landscapes are imaginary and some a combination of both
Q: What's your favorite medium to work in?
A:My favorite medium to work in is oil, including the encaustic work. I also enjoy water based paints, batik, cold water dyes, etc...
Q: What can you tell us about your technique?
A:About the abstracts -" I layer alot of color and textures. I use a lot of "found" objects to push and scrap the paint. Cardboard works well because its easy to adjust the size easily.On "Straw" I used wood glue and strips of wood to build up the surface, painted it, let it dry and them pulled off the a significant amount of the wood to create more texture. On "Control" I layered a significant amount of acrylic paint, then oil paint of a lot of different colors and shapes. Next,. I painted it all red (oil). Once dry, I covered it with furniture remover and let it bubble up and almost completely dry. Next, I used a putty knife to cut and scrape a random kinetic pattern. All the abstracts are mixed mediums, a combination of acrylic and oil, with, of course, the acrylic used first, to prevent peeling. I also use combinations of gold leaf, oil pastel, oil sticks, tissue, etc.
About oil encaustic -This is a highly toxic technique. You need lots of ventilation. I don't use pre-mix waxes. I make my own. On top of an electric griddle, I place a cake pan with an inch or two of water in it. Inside the cake pan I place a cupcake tin. Each of the wells in the cup cake tin holds a combination of beeswax, paraffin, damarr varnish, and oil paint. Before the oil paint is added to the mix, I let the excess oil leech out of it by squeezing it out on cold press board and letting it set for a few hours. It works like a double boiler. The painting is done with palate knives and brushes in one had and a hairdryer/heat gun in the other. The paint has to be applied, quickly and remain hot.
Q: When did you start painting?
A:My mother and aunt painted. She taught me about line and color at an earlier age. She also taught me how to use oils when I was in elementary school, around age 10 or so.Later she gave me her oil paints, pastels, everything she had. It created a very supportive atmosphere.
Q: Do You do commissions? How much?
A:Yes, I'm happy to do commissions. Pricing depends on size and complexity.
Q: You've been a generous contributor to Circle of Art. What are your thoughts about the event?
A:The COA is a wonderful event. Its makes a difference in people's lives. It benefits people in need and it enables others to help people in need. Both are gifts to those of us participating. Also, along with honor of being able to help others the COA allows artists to meet fellow artists.
Q: What's your day job?
A:I'm a Graphic Designer for the Sprinkler Fitters located in the Great Lakes Building at Washtenaw Community College. I have also been a teacher in the Visual Arts and Technology Dept, Graphic Design at Washtenaw Community College for ten years. I teach Design History, during which, I show the students gold leafing, paper making, calligraphy, wood block relief, silkscreen and more. I also have taught other design and application courses as well.
Susan Amstutz: Abridgement
February 1st -March 22nd
Opening Reception February 29th 5-8pm
Pictured above, from top left, "Straw", "Hendershot Highway", "Michigan Fence Row I", "Azure"
