Susan Garriques - Animal Portrait Artist

Susan began creating animal portraits when she was a teenager. Those portraits
were created with a yellow number 2 pencil and lined three ring binder paper. Since that time, she has experimented with many different types of media, including watercolor, acrylics, colored pencils, and her latest love, oils.

Life got in the way of creating art for awhile, but In 1988, Susan was fortunate
enough to discover the Florida Keys. She spent almost 20 years there, soaking
up the sunshine and the incredible art. It was there that she was able to renew
her love for art and learn from some of the best artists on the islands.

The mountains of North Carolina became Susan's new home early in 2008. She and her husband, Ian, are enjoying the total change in environment. Susan loves the surrounding woods and farmland. Deer visit nearly every day, as well as the occasional turkey or raccoon.

Susan enjoys working in both oils and colored pencils. Her colored pencil paintings take many hours to create. Each painting is created with anywhere from 5 to 15 layers of color. Each layer is influenced by the layers below. Some of Susan’s colored pencil paintings are done with wax-based pencils and some are done with watercolor pencils. She uses different types of paper depending on the pencils she will be working with. The papers vary from smooth to rough and each type has its own characteristics that lend to the final painting.

Early in 2006, Susan began working with oil paints. After 2 years of using only colored pencils, the change to working with oils was amazing. She loves the depth and intensity of the oil colors. In 2007, Susan returned to her first love - animal portraits. Her love of animals shows through clearly in her paintings. She has that special ability to capture the spirit of the animal.


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	Susan began creating animal portraits when she was a teenager. Those portraits were created with a yellow number 2 pencil and lined three ring binder paper. Since that time, she has experimented with many different types of media, including watercolor, acrylics, colored pencils, and her latest love, oils. Life got in the way of creating art for awhile, but In 1988, Susan was fortunate enough to discover the Florida Keys. She spent almost 20 years there, soaking up the sunshine and the incredible art. It was there that she was able to renew her love for art and learn from some of the best artists on the islands. The mountains of North Carolina became Susan's new home early in 2008. She and her husband, Ian, are enjoying the total change in environment. Susan loves the surrounding woods and farmland. Deer visit nearly every day, as well as the occasional turkey or raccoon. Susan enjoys working in both oils and colored pencils. Her colored pencil paintings take many hours to create. Each painting is created with anywhere from 5 to 15 layers of color. Each layer is influenced by the layers below. Some of Susan’s colored pencil paintings are done with wax-based pencils and some are done with watercolor pencils. She uses different types of paper depending on the pencils she will be working with. The papers vary from smooth to rough and each type has its own characteristics that lend to the final painting. Early in 2006, Susan began working with oil paints. After 2 years of using only colored pencils, the change to working with oils was amazing. She loves the depth and intensity of the oil colors. In 2007, Susan returned to her first love - animal portraits. Her love of animals shows through clearly in her paintings. She has that special ability to capture the spirit of the animal.
	Exhibitions: 2010 - Toe River Arts Council Studio Tours TRAC Gallery, Spruce Pine, North Carolina and Selena-Glass and Metal, Burnsville, North Carolina 2010 - Please Match My Sofa Art Show, Conn-Artist Gallery Hendersonville, North Carolina 2010 - Toe River Arts Council's Paint Out Burnville, North Carolina 2010 - Women of These Hills , Transylvania Community Arts Center Brevard, North Carolina 2010 - Blue Ridge Fine Arts Guild First Annual Exhibit Burnsville, North Carolina 2010- Dog-Gonn It Online Exhibition Canine Art Guild 2009 - Fall Celebration of Arts - Toe River Arts Council Spruce Pine, North Carolina "Early Morning" received Show Award 2009- Helping Paws Online Exhibition Canine Art Guild 2009 - Cows of Crabtree Crabtree Creek Gallery, Burnsville, North Carolina 2009 - Blue Ridge Fine Arts Guild Founding Members Show Crabtree Creek Gallery, Burnsville, North Carolina 2008 - Small Canvas Project Atlanta, Georgia 2008 - It's A Small, Small Work, Haywood County Arts Council Waynesville, North Carolina 2008 - Helping Paws Online Exhibition Canine Art Guild "Afternoon Nap" received 4th Place People's Choice Award 2008- Facing South: Portraits By North Carolina Artists Green Hill Center For North Carolina Arts, Greensboro, North Carolina 2007 - Toe River Arts Council's Paint Out, Burnville, North Carolina 2007 - Artists in Paradise Annual Judged Show,Big Pine Key, Florida "Bahamian Boys" received Best In Show 2006 - Lemonade Stand Art Studio "Small Works" Exhibition, Key West, Florida 2006 - Key West Art Center Juried Show 2006 - Artists in Paradise Annual Judged Show, Big Pine Key, Florida "Netta's On Potters Cay" received Second Place in the Graphics Division 2005- November - Stone Soup Gallery, Key West, Florida "Colored Pencils" by Susan Garriques - Solo Exhibition 2005 Key Women Artists - Key West Customs House 2005- Artists in Paradise Annual Judged Show, Big Pine Key, Florida "Saddles" received Third Place in the Graphics Division 2004- Key Women Artists - Key West Customs House 2003- Key Women Artists - Key West Customs House
	Awards: 2010 - Troutacular Paint Out Spruce Pine, North Carolina "Troutacular Morning " received 1st Place 2009 - Helping Paws Online Exhibition Canine Art Guild "No Dogs Allowed " received 3rd Place Tie in People's Choice Award 2009 - Fall Celebration of Arts - Toe River Arts Council Spruce Pine, North Carolina "Early Morning" received Show Award 2008 - Helping Paws Online Exhibition Canine Art Guild "Afternoon Nap" received 4th Place People's Choice Award 2007 - Artists in Paradise Annual Judged Show,Big Pine Key, Florida "Bahamian Boys" received Best In Show 2006 - Artists in Paradise Annual Judged Show, Big Pine Key, Florida "Netta's On Potters Cay" received Second Place in the Graphics Division 2005- Artists in Paradise Annual Judged Show, Big Pine Key, Florida "Saddles" received Third Place in the Graphics Division
	Publications: 2009 - Great Dogs Amazing Artists by Jan E. Irving
	Illustrations: 2008 - Graphic Design for Toe River Arts Council's Annual Art Auction 2004- Easter Seals Annual Christmas Ornament Design Schaus Swallowtail Butterfly 2000- Best Tips from Women Aboard edited by Maria Russell 1999- Easter Seals Annual Christmas Ornament Design Loggerhead Turtle in Coral 1997 Pooch Pals and You - Safety First by Doris Phillips
	Professional Affiliations: Blue Ridge Fine Arts Guild Canine Art Guild National Association of Photoshop Professionals Toe River Arts Council National Association of Photoshop Professionals Western North Carolina Plein Air Painters
	www.susangarriques.com susan@susangarriques.com 828-284-1771