Artist Biography:
Susan (Suzy) Quader grew up in northern Virginia, relocating to Bowie, Maryland in1994. Suzy attended Vermont College where she pursued a BA in Arts while being employed in the printing industry. She officially became part of a family of 3 very active boys when she married in 1996.
In 2003, Suzy forayed into the Decorative Arts as proprietor and principal artist at SQ Design Studios. For the next eight years her focus was faux finishing, tromp l’oeil and large scale, interior murals. Deciding to close the doors in 2011, she re-entered the workforce first in printing, and later in the non-profit sector as graphic artist and collaborator. A habitual student, classes and workshops throughout the years have included The Corcoran School of Art, The Alexandria Art League, the Faux Finishing School, the Decorative Arts School and others. Today she takes full advantage of the many online and in-person opportunities available to artists. Suzy credits these experiences for building a solid foundation in a large array of mediums and appreciation of styles.
Retiring from the business sector to the east coast in 2021, Suzy “accidentally” discovered soft pastels while trying to expand on an acrylic painting. Her curiosity into a new medium has become a full-time obsession. Her work is largely representational landscapes and seascapes, but the occasional still life or pet portrait might pop in! Her work has been included in juried exhibitions, solo exhibitions, private collections, and was recently awarded first place at the Worcester County Art Council’s “Small Treasures” exhibit.
Suzy is a co-op member of The Worcester County Arts Council, standing member of The Ocean City Art League, The Mid-Atlantic Pastel Society, and the Maryland Pastel Society. She resides in Ocean Pines, Maryland with her husband, and is happily frequented by her family of 3 stepsons, 3 daughters-in-law, 6 grandchildren and a lot of cats and dogs. Maybe a hermit crab.
Artist Statement:
After a lifetime of exploring many different media and disciplines, I currently find myself devoted to soft pastels. There is an immediacy and vibrancy in pastels that I have not experienced with anything else. While my artistic explorations tend to be landscapes, seascapes, and exploring all the eastern shore offers, the possibilities are limitless. Though I’ve been painting for a long time, I learn more every day. Art is a journey. Mine has just started.
Gallery
