about the artist
Susan Lehman mixes provocative imagery and subtle textures creating multi-layered collages. Her vast understanding of color and design was deepened while studying textile arts at California College of Arts and Crafts. Each collage tells a story, creates a mood, weaving the tapestry of her life together on paper. Environmental concerns predominate in many works. Bits and pieces of handmade paper, scraps of recycled materials -- often picked up from the street -- rusted pieces of metal and images gathered from a myriad of printed media reflect urban challenges. Transferred images are covered by multiple layers of translucent rice paper and tissue. Transparent glazes of fine metallics and rich colors of fluid acrylic are added allowing images and script to peek through revealing the story.
artist statement
My life has been about art, in one way or another — as a student, as a teacher, as a facilitator, serving on art commission committees, or on art gallery boards. Now I am living my dream of being able to walk out to my studio every day, of being able to explore paint and exotic papers — layers of textures — very close to the textiles I studied under Trude Guermonprez at California College of Arts and Crafts. Also part of what I learned from Trude was to share, to exhibit, and to discuss my art. I am currently working on a body of work for several up-coming exhibitions.
If you would like to read my resume, you may download a word doc here.
gallery representation
2nd Street Gallery, Bandon, OR
Select Art Gallery, North Bend, OR
Raincoast Arts, Langlois, OR
Sand Castles Gallery, Avon, NC