Check Out Susan Libby’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Susan Libby.

Hi Susan , thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
With a degree in Commercial Art Design, my journey began with commercial work, focusing on illustrating, then over time changed over to painting with watercolor and acrylic paints.

Since 2000 my work has been shown in and around Tucson areas, in galleries, festival shows, articles and special events.

The art aspect of my work has four components.
1. Painting
2. Retail card business
3. Giclee prints on canvas retail distribution
4. Online store and sales, which has grown increasingly in the past four years, and where my original art is available.

All my work is done out of my home/studio. It is not open to the public, but I can be contacted any time with specific questions or comments through my website.

After finishing college in Arizona, the journey of work and exploring continued when I lived in Wyoming, Connecticut, Colorado, and then Massachusetts where I married and lived for fifteen years. In 1998 we moved back to Tucson, where I focused on building an art business. All of those locations exposed me to very different lands and wildlife, from the Rocky Mountains to the coastal lands and of course, the desert. Each experience inspired new aspects in my art, widening the subjects on the canvas, and intensity of colors used.

After returning to Tucson, I was a member of Desert Artisans’ Gallery for almost twenty years, along with participating in numerous festivals, events, and teaching adult watercolor classes for several years. I continue to do special events, enjoying working and selling from my online business.

My card business is small, with a wonderful group of people from my card reps, to those who assist in business aspects.
It’s become very popular over the years with wonderful repeat business from many retailers in Tucson and Phx areas.
The giclee prints can be found in Tucson area gift shops, and original art as well as numerous products may be purchase
on my online “gift shop”. susanlibbyart.com

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Life never is a smooth road, whether personally or business! As an artist and business person, it’s vitally important to stay open to change, innovation and ideas. Rethink, readjust and ALWAYS keep moving forward! While at the same time keeping your art fresh and exciting.
The early years were a learning curve in finding galleries to show my work, and then on to a new learning curve with marketing for my various business aspects.

As with many things in business, just when you feel you have the key to making things work, the market changes, styles change, buyers change, or you all of a sudden are tired of creating.
So with these constant changes, artists must continue coming up with new ideas of artwork, new ways to market. BUT most important, always positive ways to excite their own creative needs. If you stay true to yourself, you will connect with your audience, which is essential.

The biggest struggle in my career has been the past three years. Learning a new norm personally due to health challenges has meant learning a new way to continue being viable in my creations and business. Certain aspects have been much more challenging, so it’s understanding how to navigate those challenges, and make them work in a positive way. My motto has always been, simply keep moving forward with positivity.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
During college I worked in two national parks, Zion and Yellowstone. Those were key experiences which broadened my love for nature and wildlife, and was the beginning of my art journey, commercial and painting, though at the time I didn’t realize it would be my focus. After those park experiences and two years into college I changed my degree from Broadcasting to Commercial Art, and never looked back.

After working in commercial art, painting kept “calling me”, which led me on the path of becoming a self taught painter.
First was watercolors which I love, soft and gentle….then I was introduced to acrylics, and wow! Bright, strong color!

Acrylic paints do not fade softly as watercolors, but stay strong and bold which I love! It’s very energizing to use such bright varieties of colors working together. It’s been a mainstay in my art and style, and has stood out from others work.

So the main focus of all of my art? It goes back to the doodling in my youth, and being so active outdoors with hiking and traveling which connected me to the amazing and beautiful world of nature and animals. These subjects continue to provide wonderful creative ideas. Animals and birds are my passion, which includes species from all around the world.

To really succeed on an artistic path…which means to love doing what you do, you need to create and celebrate your own style of art. My style has been bold colors, relaying happiness to myself and the viewer, and many times whimsical images which are fun to create.
I want people to smile, laugh, or simply feel something good and positive when they view my art.

To transform a loose idea into a painting is such a fun adventure, continually creating along the way until the art is complete. No two paintings are alike, so it’s always a new experience. And the best part? Having a job that brings joy to myself and others!

What were you like growing up?
Growing up in the country with two wonderful older brothers, at an early age I was a tomboy, and it began my love of the outdoors.
Always full of energy, active with sports and curious, I was also a book worm. The books took me to new places around the world. There was always something inside me with a curiosity to explore and travel. It never ended and I continue to always have new experiences and explore everywhere possible.

Pricing:

• Boxed Cards of ten: $14.00
• Gift Product Ideas: $5 – $40
• Giclee Prints on Canvas: $55 – $450
• Original Art: $65 – $3000

Contact Info:

• Website: https://susanlibbyart.com
• Facebook: Susan E Libby Fine Art