Suzanne’s fluid process of making, writing, vandalizing, creating, cutting, and repeated mark-making invites inquiry through whimsy and exacting detail. Her tool kit includes paint, drawing and writing implements, scissors or X-acto knives, adhesive, paper and other surfaces. Add in constant curiosity and an insatiable desire to learn through making and the mix results in work of unrestrained containment.
Her Fine Art paintings are made as contemporary critique of current social constructs. She holds a deep desire to initiate conversations around the underappreciated and unnoticed labor of so many, especially women. Even more to the point, the systematic silencing of these voices. Click for a list of her exhibitions. She has published 3 illustrated books and has continuously created an artist blog since 2010. She now pours her writing and content into Patreon—a subscriber platform made for people to support their favorite artists and creators.
She spent her formative years in Mexico and Brazil, returning to the United States for high school. Her Education details can be found here.
She has shared her passion for creativity through teaching students of all ages from 1996—2016. Following her teaching career she worked full-time as an Artist in Residence at Washed Ashore in 2017. Embarking on full-time creation of her own work in 2018 has resulted in work that more deeply delves into topics and issues close to her heart and philosophical leanings. See Resumé.
Suzanne’s work can be viewed on Instagram. To view her awards, media, membership and collector list click here.
A sample of her current work…
Suzanne Gibbs, ©2019, Shovel Shrug, painting on wood panel with mixed media collage, 14 x 11 inches.
Digital catalog of work.
Trivia.
My 3 favorite foods are coffee, popcorn, and fish tacos (not at the same meal)
With blonde hair as a child in Mexico my head was often rubbed by strangers for “buena suerte” —good luck
Hiking the Inca Trail in Peru, with a group of Wild Women, took me 4 days
Fly-fishing with my father is a gift, I have been to Iceland and Canada to fish for Wild Atlantic Salmon, I release all fish I catch (unless they die, then I eat them)
Suzanne Gibbs and Jim Utaski, Fly fishing Trip 2018
For a year, I helped my son recover from a near-fatal bicycle accident and traumatic brain injury
As the family editor, I have assisted in the completion of dozens of amazing term papers in several subjects including health care, economics, human resources, and environmental studies
I’ve lived in 3 countries and in over 27 addresses in 54 years
In 2018 I worked with a team of experts designing and building a small custom home on the Southern Oregon Coast—a dream come true!
According to my mom, at age 6, I started my first in-home art lessons for the neighborhood kids. Now over a lifetime as an art teacher and artist, I have guided well over 1000 students ages 2 to 82 to enjoy and enhance their personal creativity—I am blessed to share my gift of helping others to hone in on their visual voice and best art practices.
Luna is the little brown dog who will not sit on wet pavement. Zoie is our happy cuddle dog who is always curious.
Mother to 2 grown children, one attending college in Montana and a college graduate in Denver, Colorado
Married to the same great guy for over 25 years (who’s counting)!
Dog lover, goes without saying!