I create intimate, intense animal portraiture that interprets a pet’s sense of dignity and their unique personality of joy, desire, or even sorrow, so that each furry individual can be celebrated and cherished, both in the moment, and for life. My imagery celebrates a special presence, an inner spark that connects to ours.  I hope my art brings joy to animal lovers and inspires others to learn about and protect our precious friends.

 Portraying these personalities is a passion for me, a deep kind of intimacy.  My sense of time, age and gender seem to disappear when I am at my easel.  What emerges from my canvases are vibrant interpretations and translations in oil, designed to touch a person's heart.  These paintings are windows into the furriest souls as I see them, tangible, yet magical salutes to the animal-human emotional connection.  

Through use of intense oil color, unusual texture (often with palette knife) and a slight sense of motion, an individual essence and sense of spirit is developed.  The eyes are created first so that right from the start, there is another being here to celebrate and play with me, quite a personal and sensual experience. It feels as if I come to know each individual intimately, bonding in the hours we spend together in creative process.  I fall in love with every animal I paint.

My paintings have been exhibited in Colorado at the Foothills Art Center in Golden, Lakewood Cultural Center, Mt. Vernon Country Club, Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Evergreen Library, Red Rocks Community College,  Cat Care Society in Lakewood, Whole Foods at Denver West and The Empty Bottle Wine Shop on Old South Pearl Street in Denver.  Over 100 commissioned paintings are in private collections throughout the country.

When not making art, I ride the perfect and most lovable Thoroughbred “Geppetto” through the Rocky Mountains (portrait to the left.)

  I earned a BA in Political Science at the University of Texas and an MA and Ed.S in Counseling at the University of Colorado.  From 1976 - 2000, I managed the Boettcher Mansion historic event site on Lookout Mountain above Golden, Colorado.

In earlier times, I taught high school creative writing in Anchorage, Alaska.  Having served as a Vista Volunteer (domestic Peace Corp) in Houston, Texas, I then became a Vista Trainer for Colorado, Wyoming, Montana and Utah.

My art interest began in 2003 and includes studying with artists Steve Tracy, Don Sahli and Jane Jones.

Susan A Becker

Colorado

email:   susanAbecker@comcast.net