Calgary Artist Susan Hull was born in Nova Scotia, grew up in Ontario and has lived and worked in Calgary since 1992. Since 2019 she’s been diligently practicing as an artist from her basement studio, having retired from a social work career in Youth Probation. Her love of learning has fed her art practice throughout her life, particularly honing her skills in abstract design, painting in mixed media as well as creating intricate representational landscapes of the Bow River, Bowmont Park, trees and gorgeous skies. Sue is fussy with her own reference photos; only those that have very unique perspectives or gnarly roots, branches, depth and movement are worthy of the effort to translate onto a painting. One of her walking buddies commented recently “I think you see things differently than me” in relation to her ability to capture intriguing outdoor photos.
Sue enjoys hiking, skiing, gardening, walking in Calgary’s incredible parks, participating in book club, travelling with her husband and art buddies and is a volunteer member with the Indigenous Gathering Place Society, and several art clubs.
Sue became unstoppable in her desire to create authentic paintings after taking the comprehensive 12-week Nicholas Wilton art course, “ Creative Visionary Program” in 2019, 2020 and 2022. In 2023 Sue achieved Active status with the Federation of Canadian Artists. In 2024 she was accepted into the Leighton Art Centre’s Juried Members Show, as well as an open call for an online show “2024 Artists Choice” with the Federation of Canadian Artists. She constantly learns from local artists, and online and is incredibly grateful to be travelling to California and Italy this year for painting workshops. Sue’s friends and partner often comment that they wish they had the focus and passion she’s found through her art practice.
***
Which ‘hood are you in?
I live with my husband in the NW Calgary community of Montgomery, and we take full advantage of an off-leash dog park across the street, the short walk to beautiful Bowmont Park, the river pathway, as well as the Rockies of course!
What do you do?
Working on multiple paintings at one time, I mainly paint using acrylics, incorporating mixed media such as charcoal, pencil, water-soluble crayons, made papers, collages and oil pastels. I paint on canvas as well as paper and wood panels. I participated in my first plein air competition last fall at the Leighton Art Center.
What are you working on?
Currently, I’m enjoying creating abstract collages on paper, and various landscapes. In my landscape work, I aim to use a limited palette, simplify my interpretation, and focus on shapes I love, such as gnarled tree branches against gorgeous Alberta skies. I am also open to commissions for people who have a great idea and quality references for a beloved vista. I find it very stimulating to work in both abstracts, which can be incredibly challenging to resolve, and landscapes which make my heart sing with that feeling of awe and appreciation of our environment.
Where can we find your work?
You can see much of my work on Instagram, and I sell art cards of many of my paintings.
I’m proud to have been recently juried into the Leighton Art Centre’s online Members exhibition, featured on Leighton Art Centre between February 9 and June 9, 2024. In-person showing of the exhibition during the Clothesline Art Sale, June 8-9, 2024.
I’m participating in the Calgary Creative Arts Guild, hosting a public show on April 13, 2024, at Montgomery Community Association, 5003 16 Avenue NW from 10 am until 4 pm.
In June, I’m participating in Vales Greenhouse Cultivation of Art Show and Sale, Diamond Valley June 21-23, 2024
