Susan Shaylor

I have four favorite painters; Frida Kahlo, Gustav Klimt, Edward Hopper, and Salvador Dali.  When I begin a painting, I have particular goals in mind, what it is I wish to accomplish with my work.  Sometimes my goals are based on color, or perspective, or theme or something else I wish to add to my repertoire.  As in the works of Ms Kahlo, I may demonstrate my concern for a particular issue. Or, like Klimt, I may use abstraction to demonstrate my predilection for magic and fantasy.  Or I may focus on symmetry, or the contrast of light and dark reflected in the paintings of Edward Hopper. And sometimes I strive to communicate a theme through my imagery as demonstrated by Dali.  And over the years, my paintings have become more surreal.  They are founded in realism, for accurate perspective is essential in my work, but they transcend reality.  Each painting tells a story.   And I continue to work on a painting until I am satisfied that I have told the tale I intended to tell, though I may have made revisions long the way. And even when I struggle, I persevere, knowing eventually, I will prevail, and the painting will meet my expectations.