Sue Graef: Bold & Brilliant Streetscapes
Artist Sue Graef is known for her brilliant and bold urban landscapes - infused with neon greens, deep purples, and florescent yellows. Drawing inspiration from daily experiences, Sue depicts vibrant, colorful streetscapes that reflect her innovative approach to painting.
How did your creative journey begin?
I began drawing and painting as a child and enjoyed doing that more than anything else. Luckily my mother was an artist and helped me along the way.
Where do you find inspiration for your work?
The inspiration for my work comes from life itself, the environment around me, whereever I may be. I find joy in taking the most common scenes and translating them into a two dimensional communication of brilliant color and bold composition.
How has your work shifted and evolved over time?
We’re talking about a period of over 40 years. The very early days as a teenage art student were tormented by rules and all the shoulds and shouldn’ts, worrying about what other people thought of my work and trying to please my instructors. Back then I tended to mute my colors and restrict my subject matter to a very few things. Now and for the last few years, I’m painting urban landscapes as well as rural scenes and suburban streets. There was a long period of painting mechanical objects blown up on large canvases followed by a large series of painted musical instruments. Earlier I was working for a decade on strictly abstract patterns and geometric shapes.
What does a typical day in the studio look like for you, and how has your art practice grown or changed?
I paint in a loft space on the second floor where I live with my husband. There don’t seem to be any typical days; they are all different depending on what is happening. When I’m painting, which is probably four days a week, it’s very intense, stopping only for meals and to go to the bathroom from early in the morning to late at night. When I’m working I’m in my own little space capsule. I don’t hear anything around me or think about anything. I’m in the zone so to speak. It’s only about what shape and what color is next, that’s all. The rest of the week I am packing up sold work for shipment, looking for new opportunities to exhibit, marketing my work on social media, ordering materials or preparing for my next show. My art practice has grown immensely, especially over the last few years. I’m now reaching many, many more collectors and art enthusiasts online and physically in exhibits. My sales have more than doubled from last year and it looks like it will continue in this direction.
Which experiences have impacted your work as an artist?
The experiences in life that had the most impact on my work would be my formal education at Tyler School of Art, Philadelphia College of Art and Clemson University. My mother’s patient encouragement had quite an impact and gave what I needed to continue when I was discouraged and ready to quit.
What are your future goals and aspirations?
I want my work seen all over the world and in collections, private and public where it can be enjoyed. My work should be in some large museums during my lifetime. I’d like to help other artists along the way once I get there!
Website: suegraeffineart.com
Instagram: @suegraefineart