Susan Jarecky

Since early childhood, the act of visual creation has always been the most powerful motivation in my life. I look at my art as sensory interpretations of the beauty I see and feel all around me, the deepest way I know of expressing my experience of being human. I paint to share this experience with others because it’s what makes me truly happy.

A native Californian, I have always been drawn to the western landscape. A 30-year career as a professional architectural perspectivist has helped provide a foundation of strong drawing, composition and colorist skills. Over the last few years, I have searched for instructors to help me develop my talent, seeking out those who teach a simple, more intuitive approach – one that does not dictate or confine. The skills I possess have been achieved through a lifetime of simply doing art, trusting in my own ability and inner voice. I believe that this is the only place from which great art comes, the kind that moves the emotions and speaks to the soul.

My style of painting is alla prima, which is Italian for “at once.” Each piece is nearly finished in one sitting, so that the technique can remain loose and expressive. The first stages of the composition are painted with quick movements. I love the thick buttery texture of the paint, it’s color relationships, and the way it seems to fly off the brush! Because of this, little accidents happen that enhance the final painting. I prefer to work on a toned canvas or masonite panel, working the values wet on wet. Mixing colors from a limited palette, I build from dark to light and strive for thickening layers of paint. There is a deep feeling of satisfaction when all the elements come together and I see the work as complete.

In addition to the studio, I love to work en plein air as an exercise in capturing light and subject with spontaneity. The rewarding experiences of creativity I’ve had while painting out in nature stimulate greater energy and inspiration within me to continue. Newly found camaraderie within the local arts community has been equally rewarding.

My inspiration and reference material come from personal experiences and travel, as I am always visually conscious with camera at the ready. Painting the spirit of the West’s rich treasures, like beautiful, transcendental landscapes in concert with live elements such as horses, cattle and people, is what gives me the greatest pleasure. My heart’s desire is that the viewer of my work feels some of the passion, joy, wonder and peace I feel while painting.

Susan Jarecky was born in 1962, and raised in Irvine, California.
Always with crayon or brush in hand, Susan revealed her passion for art early on. She was fortunate to have people of influence around her while growing up, who encouraged the development of her talent.

While attending Cal State Fullerton and with a scholarship to Art Center College, Susan was accepted for apprenticeship at age 19 with Szabo International, a well-known architectural illustration firm. This launched a 30-year career as a professional illustrator in the architectural field. Her tutelage continued for 25 years under the watchful eye of Dan Nicholl, a world-renowned illustrator/artist who mentored her. His specialized training helped polish the techniques Susan would need to become a well respected perspective renderer and colorist. Working in watercolor, acrylic and mixed media, Susan’s eye and design ability enables her to translate architects’ ideas to presentation form. She eschews the use of computers, which, in her opinion, may become an artist’s “crutch,”and creates visual imbalance. She believes sketching with confidence and trusting the eye is key to any art form. Susan’s work includes commercial and residential projects worldwide.

Having raised a family, her fine art career has become Susan’s focus, as she joyfully returns to her first love of oil painting. Acceptance for representation at Mission Fine Art Gallery opened the door in 2010. Membership with associations LPAPA, SoCalPAPA and SoCal Artist’s have also inspired this direction. Last year, Susan had her fine art debut, and was selected by jury to participate in the “SoCalPAPA Paints the Back Bay” fundraiser art show. In addition, she entered other plein air events, such as LPAPA’s Wells Fargo exhibit and was a juried participant in the SoCalPAPA “Aquatics” show.

“When it comes to the act of painting I constantly study and practice. I think in terms of form, composition, light, dark, color, grays, warm, cool, smooth, thick, soft, sharp, surface and texture. Travel and observation are activities that augment my knowledge base. My style is loose, and non-rendered. The parameters within which I work as an illustrator have pushed my oil painting style in a direction that fulfills the need for freedom, and the feel of paint with brush, on surface,” explains Susan.

Susan works en plein air as well as in studio, and studies a variety of subject matter. “My heart is with ‘the horse.’ It was the first thing I learned to draw and paint. As a horse owner, years of daily grooming taught me every body part, says Susan. The West, a story that never ends, provides endless subject matter for Susan. Her desire to escape city life is expressed in the imagery of nature, horses, landscape and “all things Western.”

Susan has relied on mentorship throughout her career, and is committed to giving back to the arts community through mentoring. “A vital part of my life’s work is volunteering, and supporting the movement to preserve art education for future generations.”

Honorable Mention: Professional Category SoCal PAPA’s “Impressionism: Then and Now” March 2011
1st Place and Artists’ Choice Awards: Professional Category SoCalPAPA’s “Paint the Parks” Show May 2011
Juried Exhibitor in the Festival of Arts, Laguna Beach 2011
2nd Place, Professional SoCalPAPA’s Annual Picnic “Quick Draw”

 Susan Jarecky Oil Painter
susanjarecky.com

Susan Jarecky Gallery