Interview with our October Spotlight Artist, Susan Hotard:
1) When and how did you first become seriously interested in Art? Four years old. My parents influenced me. My father gave me art lessons when I was young. But I became a professional artist about 10 years ago.
2) What is your training, and what medium(s) / subject matter do you work in? B.F.A. in interior design, Louisiana Tech University. Design, drafting, perspective drawing, color theory, drawing, lettering, watercolor, and rendering, and Art History. New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts, classical training. Oil mostly, still life, portraiture, figure painting: all from life. Also watercolor and pastel.
3) What do you try to express in your work? Trying to express life through painterly brushwork
4) What artists/professionals have been your biggest influences? M. Dell Weller (at New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts), Raymond Everett Kinstler, John Singer Sargent, Velazquez, Franz Hals
5) What do you do to gain new inspiration for your work? Inspiration: looking at life, being still, thinking, praying, sometimes the ideas are gifts.
6) What would you like to be doing with your art ten years from now? I hope I am still searching, discovering, painting better, teaching my grandchildren.
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) Do you set goals for yourself concerning the making of your art? Goals: sometimes I realize that the galleries need more of my work, and will paint with that in mind. It helps to have either real or artificial deadlines. Goal: paint better and keep studying. Sometimes I set up problems: still life in cool light or in warm light for example. Helps to know that you have a solo show to paint towards! That is a real motivator!
8) Are you happy with your job choice as an artist? Do you have any regrets in this career choice or things you would have done differently? Yes, am happy with my job choice.
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| "Here's Looking at You Kid," by Susan Hotard |
9)
Any fun or interesting facts about yourself that you'd like to share? I created over a dozen Katrina cartoons in the aftermath of the storm. Had an accident when I was a toddler (around 14 mos.), my right thumb was amputated. But mostly, I can do anything I want except twiddle my thumbs. And if ever I become a famous artist, I won’t have to cut off my ear!
10) Best piece of advice for other artists? Keep painting! Keep studying! Keep trying to learn and get better. Encourage others.
Susan's Bio and Artist's Statement:
“Objects radiate brilliantly against dark umber backgrounds”-
American Artist 2005
“an innovative style far from the placid still life”-
The Advocate 2004
“astute use of light and shadow”-
The Advocate 2005
Susan Hotard had a cover story in the national magazine, American Artist, July/August
2005; and was a still life finalist in both The Artist’s Magazine, and International Artistmagazine. Her approach to painting and her palette were published in How Did You Paint That? 100 Ways to Paint Still Life and Florals 2004.
Since being honored with the highest award at the New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts in 2002, Susan has exhibited in numerous solo and group shows. She has studied painting in New York with Everett Ray Kinstler at The Art Students League, and Daniel Greene in North Salem; and has taught painting workshops and classes in portraiture, figure, and still life. She and her husband moved from New Orleans to The Woodlands, Texas in 2007. She knows what it means to miss New Orleans but was delighted that there was a vibrant art community in the North Houston area. Susan makes many trips a year to visit with her large family and close art friends that still live in the New Orleans area.
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| "Meca" by Susan Hotard |
Artist’s Statement:
"Painting is my tool for interpreting the life our Almighty God has so wonderfully made. Whether it be portraiture, still life, or landscape, I try to record my observations of the world in a realistic, yet painterly way. Painting is a life-long journey. And I’m certainly enjoying the trip."
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| "Nandina with Granny Smith Apples", by Susan Hotard |
Publications:
American Artist, July/August 2005 (cover story)
How Did You Paint That? 100 Ways to Paint Still Life and Florals, International Artist Publishing, January 2004
The Artist’s Magazine, Still Life Competition, Finalist, December 2005
The Times-Picayune: Artistic Expression June 19, 2006
Gulf Coast Arts and Entertainment Review, September/October 2004
The Advocate Magazine, Baton Rouge, November 2004 & December 2005 (art reviews)New Orleans
Homes & Lifestyles, Spring 2002
Exhibitions/ Art Organizations/ Awards:
Audubon Artists 69th Exhibit, Allied Artists Award 2011; NYC
New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts, highest award 2002: The Gwendolyn Laan Ozols Award
New Rouge Fusion, Baton Rouge, 1st place, December 2005
The Artist’s Magazine, still life competition finalist, December 2005
International Artist Publishing, Art Prize Challenge 17, finalist, 2003
Art 11, November 2010
Garden District Gallery, Language of Flowers 2009
Garden District Gallery, Food, Glorious Food 2010
Garden District Gallery, Seeing Music 2011
Just Figures, April 2009
Richeson Small Works, March 2009; March 2010
NOAFA Academy Gallery, Invitational Drawing Exhibition, January 2009
NOAFA Academy Gallery, miniature show; November 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
NOAFA Academy Gallery, Response to Katrina, April 2006
La Nouvelle Salon, World Trade Center, New Orleans, August 2006
Mid- City Art Studios, open studios, December 2006
Crazy Eights, St. Tammany Art Association, November 2006
Galerie Eclat, New Orleans, Solo Show, May 2003
Galerie Eclat, New Orleans, Solo Show, May 2005
River Oaks Square Center, June/ July 2008 Degas Pastel Society National show, 2000, 2001, 2004
From Cezanne to Vermeer, Galerie Eclat, 2003
Modigiliani Group Show, Galerie Eclat, 2003
Junior League Show house 2002, 3 paintings
New Orleans Art Association WTC Show 2002
St. Tammany Art Association, Ashes to Art 2001
Associated Women in the Arts 2000
Art in Bloom, NOMA; 1995, 2001, 2007
Whimsie 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
WYES Art Auction Donor
Art Organizations: Portrait Society of America, New Orleans Art Association, Louisiana
Watercolor Society, Degas Pastel Society, Pone Aliquid Contra Faciem Meam Carbone Delineabo, La Nouvelle Salon, Woodlands Art League
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