Sequim Studio Tour: Susan Gansert Shaw

Geraniums

On July 17th, 18th, and 19th Sequim Arts will host its third annual Open Studio Tour. Over the next three weeks leading up to the tour, Sequim-Port Angeles News Online will be featuring a series of articles on the artists in the order that they appear on the tour map.

As we have already discussed our first artist on the tour, Charlotte Watts, we would ordinarily be proceeding to John McBride, who is in the second slot. However, John is unable to participate in an interview due to pressing matters and so we’ll be covering him later in the coming weeks. Today I’ll be talking about Susan Gansert Shaw, number three on the Sequim Open Studio Tour.

Susan is a high energy, slender, perky blonde who describes herself as having a split personality that manifests itself in her diverse work. Susan creates and plays in a variety of mediums and styles. Her love of color and passion for light are surpassed only by her vitality and high energy.

This energetic and cheerful artists harkens from a “Beaver Cleaver” background, having been raised in upstate New York in the middle of 60 acres. She met her husband while still in High School and later followed him to the Olympic Peninsula where she married and lived with him for 29 years in Forks. While raising a son there, Susan taught drawing and painting to both youth and adults. She maintained a studio in the back of a book store – the “Alley Studio” and fondly recounts great memories, incredible friends and some darn good music too!”

Shaw moved to her present location, Rock Hollow Farm, a few years ago and states that it has been an adventure in reconstruction and rehabilitating the old house and barn which sit on ten acres in Sequim. The barn has been completely refurbished and houses Susan’s studio on the west side. She gets excited when speaking of the barn and states that “there is a stage in the barn and there used to be revival or hootenannies there.” She hopes to fill the space again with musicians and dancing.

The move from rainforests and misty shore lines to Sequim has brought a new perspective to Shaw’s work. “Experiencing the openness and vastness of the sky, fields and the horizon line that appears everywhere is a never ending source of inspiration.” These new insights have resulted in small pastel and watercolor landscapes – a new addition to Susan’s work. Susan also creates “White Woman Susu Sticks (see the photo below) encompassing found objects, glass beads and sculpted clay among other objects.

When speaking of them, she says, “These spirit sticks, toas or “susus” have served both practical and decorative uses within our societies since time began. My interest in the power of these sticks was peaked by my many visits to a “west end” beach. I just pick up two sticks that have been brought in from the sea and start tapping them together. It is like magic…..I am one with the universe.”

Another expression of Susan’s work are her watercolor and pastel creatures. These examples of her work reflect attitude and humor. Susan says about them, “they are a reason, if we need one, for a trip to the beach or the forest. Some have social undertones and some political. Some just are.”

Susan invites you to join her in her light filled studio during this year’s tour. Come and enjoy the views of fields and mountains and never ending vistas that inspire this artist to create joyful collections of found objects, paint and light.

Susan’s work can also be viewed at www.susangansertshaw.com.