Sue Campion RBA, our December Artist of the Month, is a painter whose style and evolution echo a profound connection with shapes, colours, and the emotional essence of her subjects. We are delighted to be featuring her as our December Artist of the Month.
Sue, a self-proclaimed Post Post-impressionist, intricately weaves her passion for shapes and composition with an exploration of emotional depth within her work. Much like the masters who've left an indelible mark on her art, such as Matisse and Van Gogh, Sue's artistry is a celebration of colour's emotive power. She gracefully navigates the canvas, guiding the viewer's eye through a tapestry of hues and light, invoking emotions akin to a symphony of feelings.
The roots of Sue's artistic vision delve deep into the influences she encountered in her formative years. From the vivid and flat colours of British Rail Posters that painted scenes of serene seascapes and countryside, to the Post-Impressionists and Impressionists, her artistic journey has been shaped by these luminaries. Additionally, living with a print maker and being mentored by her old friend the American Painter Robert Harvey, instilled in Sue a strong work ethic and professionalism. Along with this the owners of many galleries, including Louise & Amanda from British Art Portfolio, David Kitchen of Rowley Contemporary Art in Winchester and Sarah Russell from The Russell Gallery in Putney have provided great support and encouragement.
Presently, Sue is exploring abstract art, drawing inspiration from artists like Rothko, Cy Twombly, and Franz Kline. Their evocative, bold expressions resonate with her, influencing her own pursuit of abstraction while maintaining her distinctive style.
The current muse for Campion's artistic exploration is her 23-year residence in Shrewsbury, particularly her ever-changing garden. Through a series of paintings, she captures the metamorphosis of her garden, blending a touch of abstraction with the essence of a 'gardeney' feel, portraying a unique emotional landscape that mirrors her personal journey.
Her creative process is a carefully orchestrated ritual. Sketching outdoors in situ, often accompanied by diary-like notations, forms the groundwork for her studio compositions. Sue's preferred medium, pastels, offers her the immediacy and purity of pigment she desires, enabling her to infuse her art with vibrant life.
The finished pieces find their final touch within frames sourced from Florence, Italy which Sue has been using since she started painting in the 1990s. However, recent hurdles post-Brexit have made this process challenging, underscoring her commitment to maintaining a consistent aesthetic in her presentation.
Lisa Takahashi, in her review, beautifully encapsulates Sue Campion's artistry. Drawing parallels between Sue's work and celebrated artists like Hockney, Bonnard, and Van Gogh, she highlights Sue's innate ability to weave landscapes into bold fabric-like designs, resonating with a visual poetry that captures the essence of a place.
From her days as a display artist to her current standing as a member of the Royal Society of British Artists, showcases Sue’s lifelong dedication to her craft. Her paintings are not just landscapes; they are symphonies of colour, emotions, and memories woven onto the canvas, inviting us to embark on a journey through her world of artistry and imagination.
