I am thrilled to bring you an interview with award-winning painter Susan Lyon. Open and genuine, Susan shared her confidence struggles early in her career. She also gives frank advice on how artists can truly succeed in business, and looks at the life of a professional artist from a wholistic view with a strong spiritual component. In speaking with Susan, I felt as though I'd known her all my life, and I'm grateful for her time and giving spirit.

Part two of this interview is available now in episode 42.

Susan Lyon grew up in Oak Park, Illinois. Her initial interest in art was sparked by a PBS television show on Georgia O’Keefe, that inspired her to take weekend art classes. Lyon studied art at the American Academy of Art in Chicago and was an active participant in Chicago’s Palette and Chisel Club. It is there she first began exhibiting and selling her work.

Susan works equally in oil, pastel, charcoal, and mixed media, drawing inspiration from painters of the Gilded Age, such as Anders Zorn, Joaquin Sorolla, and John Singer Sargent. She also is passionate about artists like Philip Malavin from Russia, and contemporary masters Richard Schmid and Nancy Guzik.

Lyon’s technique is to paint wet on wet to start and then wet on dry for her finishing touches. “My style is realistic with as much impressionistic color as possible. I like to combine wide brushes for sweeping strokes in the background with small, soft brushes for subtle details in my center of interest. One of my greatest passions is drawing, I hope to show collectors that works on paper is a wonderful addition to a serious collection," she says.

Susan lives in a rural area of North Carolina with her husband, artist Scott Burdick, whom she met at the Palette and Chisel Art Club in Chicago. She and her husband travel widely. “The excitement of traveling, seeing so many new sights and people, plus incredible works in museums; combined with the challenge of painting on the spot make me a travel addict! Even before I go on a trip I’m planning the one after,” she said.

She has been in numerous publications, including “Art Talk”, “Art of the West”, and “International Artist”, to name just a few. You will find an extensive list of publications in the shownotes for this episode.

Susan has also won dozens of Honors and Awards, including 1992 First Place in the Gold Medal Show — Palette and Chisel, Chicago, Gold Medal in the Oil Painters of America National Show 2020, and Finalist in the Portrait Society of America Gold Medal show. A complete list of Susan’s awards can also be found in the show notes at passionatepainterpodcast.com/episode41, as well as a list of just a few of her many exhibitions.