Florida Artists Group

Suzanne's Bio:

 A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, my affinity for the water was realized when I moved to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida after graduating college. Passionate about photography since childhood, I was self-taught, and attended continuing education photography courses. I was mentored by portrait photographer, Willie L. Hill (my teacher, my friend, my critic and constant support).In February 2015 I had a yearning to experience underwater photography. My “Tiny Dancer Underwater Art Series” began as an experimentation to explore the depth and serenity of this new locale. The grace and fluidity of movement, the soothing quiet and calm beneath the surface, along with the weightless suspension as my subject floated to the surface, left me transformed. After an extensive underwater session followed by careful editing to choose the perfect image, I let my imagination follow the energy and go to work embellishing with artwork to create and enhance. I then commit the piece to metal by dye-sublimation and embellish with reflective materials and hand poured resin to bring the image to life.

In August of 2015, I was commissioned by Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines to produce two pieces of underwater fine art for their newest Oasis Class ship, Harmony of the Seas, which made its maiden voyage from Europe in May, 2016. The pieces are a part of the permanent onboard international art collection, seen in over 250 “ports of call” worldwide.

To date, my underwater art series is enjoyed in four galleries (Florida, Texas, South Carolina and Ohio), has been in thirty-seven exhibitions,thirteen publications and received a “Director’s Choice Award” (New York)and "Photographer of the Year " along with "People's Choice Award"(Art Comes Alive-Juried Show-Cincinnati Ohio)

Inspiration comes from my affinity for being near water, the joy and passion I feel when photographing, along with the new emotional resonance uncovered by every movement that I capture “below the surface.” Color, form, design and movement are inspirational tools I use to bring joy to the senses in hopes of leaving the viewer transformed as well.

In the next five years, I would like to have a presence in England and Dubai. I envision my artwork being an integral part in healing centers. I would like to see my art used for a charitable cause, such as bringing fresh drinking water to areas in need and bringing awareness to the importance of protecting this precious life force.

Artist Statement:

"I am an emotionally intuitive photographer, with an artistic eye that responds to color, design and movement. A new emotional resonance is uncovered by every movement I capture underwater.

My preferential interest, as an artist, is creativity through Photographic Art.. I am an "old school photographer" who has embraced the digital era and it's tools to create unique combinations of color, design and imagination!

My "Tiny Dancer Underwater Art Series" began as a yearning to experience underwater photography.  The grace and fluidity of movement, the soothing quiet and calm beneath the surface, along with the weightless suspension, as my subject floated to the surface,  left me transformed. I witnessed the perfect communion between a dancer's heart and the "inspirational wisdom of water": "Water takes the form in which it is held and moves in the path of least resistance."

Water is vital to life as we know it, -without it, no life exists. It supports us in the womb, it energizes, purifies and cleanses. It symbolizes life, clarity, growth, illumination and transformation. Our bodies average about 70 % water  and our "blue planet" is a little more than 70 %

Water can be powerful, even in it's represented form. The feeling of enhanced well being around water is universal to ALL. The effect is akin to meditation.  This "blue mind" effect reduces stress and anxiety. I want to ignite the "blue mind"  and by nudging this "human relationship with water" -I nudge the protective relationship with water forward!- One Splash at a time!

My latest venture, Mythical Maiden Series, is an attempt to honor the Old Masters
"below the surface"." I want to join them with the modern world using multi media backgrounds of original alcohol ink and acrylic on canvas.

I hope my art brings joy to your sensed and leaves you transformed as well!

It's not about the beauty, but the message behind the beauty: I celebrate IT'S beauty as a gentle reminder to all, that WE are the caretakers of this precious life force!
I hope my art brings joy to your senses and leaves you transformed as well!                                                  

Solo Exhibition:

June 2015 Studio 19 Fine Art Gallery- Ft. Lauderdale FL
February 2017 Gardner Colby Gallery- Naples FL
April 2017 Mary Martin Art Gallery- Charleston, SC
June 2017 Casa Fine Arts, Austin, Texas
Oct 20-Dec 8, 2017 Malmaison Hotel- London, England

Selected Group Juried Exhibitions:
June 2016                   Von Leibig Art Museum- Naples Florida- (Juried Art)
                                      Camera USA 2016 National Photography Exhibition and Award
November 2016         International Super Yacht Society Gala Broward Center for the Performing Arts
December 2016         Endangered Species Exhibition (Juried Art)- Art Basal, Miami,FL
March 2017                3rd Annual Collaboration and Mixed Media Exhibition- (Juried Art)
                                      Gallery at the Center for Creative Education- West Palm Beach, FL
June - July 2016        Blink Art Resource/ Art Design Consultants - Showcase 2017 Cincinnati, Ohio
June - August 2017   Camera USA 2017 National Photography Exhibition and
                                       Award- Juried Art- Frederick O. Watson Gallery - Naples, FL
June - August 2017    Shangrila Springs/ Bonita Springs, FL Underwater Exhibition
June - July 2017        Viridian Artists 28th International Juried Exhibition
                                      Directors Choice Award Viridian Artists Art Gallery- Chelsea
September 2017        Collage and Digital Madness Exhibition-Las Laguna Gallery Laguna Beach, California
Sept - Oct 2017          Celebrating Ocean Life Exhibition- Location 1980 Gallery Costa Mesa, California
October - Nov 2017   Art Comes Alive Awards Exhibition- Cincinnati, Ohio
Oct 21 - Nov 2017      Ashton Gallery Juried Exhibition- San Diego California
Oct - Dec 2017           Malmaison Hotel 6 week solo exhibition- London , England
December 2017         Art Basal - Foundation 360 Exhibition in collaboration with the
                                     Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami FL
January 2018            Continuum WPB 2018, Juried Exhibition, West Palm Beach, FL
January 2018            Honorable Mention- "Artist of the Year Award- International Circle Foundation
Setember 2018         Through the Lens 2018 Las Lagunas Gallery-Laguna Beach, CA
October - Nov 2018  Art Comes Alive Exhibition and Award Recipient, Cinti, OH
November 2018        Harmony Photographic Exhibition-Art Beyond Boundaries Gallery Cincinnati, Ohio
January 2019             Continuum 2019 -  Juried Exhibition-West Palm Beach, FL
January 2018            Art Synergy-  Convention Center-West Palm Beach, FL
January 2019            Art Fort Lauderdale 2019
Jan - March 2019     Art Beyond Boundaries- Dirty Dozen Exhibition Cincinnati. Ohio
February 2019           Festival International De Las Artes - El Rosario/ Pueblo Magico  Mexico     
March - April 2019   Impressions: The New Aesthetic- Bonnet House and Museum Fort Lauderdale, FL
March - April 2019   Scintilla: Aesthetics and the Feminine- Box Gallery West Palm Beach, FL
March - May 2019    Springmageddon- Art Beyond Boundaries- Cincinnati, Ohio
April 2019                  Art and Soul- Business for the Arts Broward-Circ Hotel, Hollywood, FL
April - May 2019       Juried Exhibition- Broward Art Guild- Art Serve- Ft. Lauderdale, FL
April - July 2019       Hot and Bothered -Juried exhibition- Art Beyond Boundaries Cincinnati, Ohio
May - July 2019        Rise and Shine/Hope and Humanity- Washington Park Gallery Cincinnati, Ohio
May - Aug 2019         Palm Beach Cultural Council Biennial Juried Exhibition- Lake Worth, FL
July - July 2019         LGBT Chamber of Commerce Exhibition - Arts United Wilton Manors, FL
Aug - Sept 2019         Humanity/Home Art Serve Fort Lauderdale, FL
October 2019             Selected Artist for the Florida International Trade Exposition
                                      Broward County Convention Center - Fort Lauderdale, FL
Oct - Nov 2019         Island City Juried Art Exhibit   -2nd Place Award-
                                                                                                    Fort Lauderdale, FL
Oct - Nov 2019         Provocative Show-  Tedd's Art  Works- Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Nov 2019                   Art Stroll  Fine Art- Business for the Arts of Broward Fort Lauderdale,FL
Nov - Jan 2020         Changing Perceptions - Art Beyond Boundaries- Cincinnati, Ohio
December 2019         Art Basal At Catalina Hotel- Solo exhibition-South Beach, Miami FL
December 2019         Art Basal Contemporary Art Projects at Red Dot, Miami Fl
Dec '19 - April 2020   Featured Artist at Gallery One, Hilton Hotel, Fort Lauderdale,FL
Dec '19 - Jan 2020    Island City Exhibit-Solo Show-Art Gallery 21-Fort Lauderdale, FL
Jan - Apr 2020          Featured Artist Imperial Point Hospital-Fort Lauderdale, FL
Jan - Feb 2020         Continuum- Art Palm Beach-West Palm Beach, FL
Jan  2020                   Art Fort Lauderdale-On the Water Exhibit- Fort Lauderdale, FL
Feb  2020                  Mixed Media Madness- Las Lagunas Gallery- Laguna Beach, CA
                                                                                    

Selected Commissions/Collections:

May 2016 to present - International Collection aboard "Harmony of the Seas"
Royal Caribbean Cruise Line)- 250 ports of call
Commissioned Art / Private Art Collection
Selected Publications
1972 Who’s Who’s of American Colleges
October 2015 - Riverwalk Magazine- Ft. Lauderdale, FL
May 2016 - Wonderbook- Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines- "Harmony of the Seas"
June 2016 - Gulf Shore Life Magazine -Naples, FL
February 2017 - Gulf Shore Life Magazine -Naples , FL
March 2017 - Riverwalk Magazine - Ft. Lauderdale, FL
April 5 2017 - Post and Courier Special Edition - Charleston, SC
June 2017 -Naples Illustrated Magazine
June 2017- Naples Daily News Art Edition
2017 Blink Art Resource Publication
2017 Artblend Publication
2017 Celebrating Ocean Life Publication- Location 1980 Gallery-Costa Mesa, California
May 2018 -Gulf Shore Life Magazine- Naples, FL
June 2018 - Symphony of the Americas- Summer Fest Poster and Marketing Publication
Selected Press Reviews
April 5 2017 - Post and Courier Special Edition - Charleston, SC
June 2017- Naples Daily News Art Edition

Selected Publications:

1972 Who’s Who’s of American Colleges
October 2015 - Riverwalk Magazine- Ft. Lauderdale, FL
May 2016 - Wonderbook- Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines- "Harmony of the Seas"
June 2016 - Gulf Shore Life Magazine -Naples, FL
February 2017 - Gulf Shore Life Magazine -Naples , FL
March 2017 - Riverwalk Magazine - Ft. Lauderdale, FL
April 5 2017 - Post and Courier Special Edition - Charleston, SC
June 2017 -Naples Illustrated Magazine
June 2017- Naples Daily News Art Edition
2017 Blink Art Resource Publication
2017 Artblend Publication
2017 Celebrating Ocean Life Publication- Location 1980 Gallery-Costa Mesa, California
May 2018 -Gulf Shore Life Magazine- Naples, FL
June 2018 - Symphony of the Americas- Summer Fest Poster and Marketing Publication
Selected Press Reviews
April 5 2017 - Post and Courier Special Edition - Charleston, SC
June 2017- Naples Daily News Art Edition

Awards:

1985             1st Place- Canon Award- "People Contest"
1986             1st Place- HP Books- Inclusion in "How to Photograph People" Book Publication
2001             1st Place- National Little League Photo Contest-
                      Image displayed in National Little League Museum
2017              Viridian Artists 28th International Juried Exhibition Directors Choice Award
2018             Art Comes Alive Award- Photographer of the Year/People's Choice

Gallery Representation:

2015 - Studio 19 Fine Arts Fort Lauderdale, FL
2016-2018 -Gardner Colby Gallery- Naples, FL
2016- Present - Art Design Consultants Gallery, Cincinnati, Ohio
2016- Present - Mary Martin Art Gallery - Charleston, SC
2016- Present - Casa Fine Arts - Austin, TX
2017- Present - Syd Entel Art Gallery - Safety Harbor/Clearwater, FL
2018- Present - Oliver Cole/Effusion Art Gallery -Miami Beach/ Key West, FL
March 2019 to present- Box Gallery, West Palm Beach, FL

Education:

1972 AS,AA- University of Cincinnati
1985 Black and White , Studio Lighting, Portraiture- Miami Dade College of the Arts
1985 Professional Photography-Broward College
1985-2003 Mentored by Willie Hill Jr.-Portrait Corner Studio- Dania, Florida

My preferential interest, as an artist, is creativity through Photographic Art. I am an "old school photographer" who has embraced the digital era and it's tools to create unique combinations of color, design and imagination
 My Underwater Fine Art is inspired by my love for photography and my affinity for water. Water is vital to life as we know it, -without it, no life exists. It supports us in the womb, it energizes, purifies and cleanses. It symbolizes life, clarity, growth, illumination and transformation. Our bodies average about 70 % water  and our "blue planet" is a little more than 70 % .Water can be powerful, even in it's represented form. The feeling of enhanced well being around water is universal to ALL. The effect is akin to meditation.  This "blue mind"effect reduces stress and anxiety. I want to ignite the "blue mind"  and by nudging this "human relationship with water" -I nudge the protective relationship with water forward!- One Splash at a time!
   It's not about the beauty, but the message behind the beauty: I celebrate IT'S beauty as a gentle reminder to all, that WE are the caretakers of this precious life force!
I hope my art brings joy to your senses and leaves you transformed as well!