About
CANADIAN FINE ARTIST — SUSAN GOTTSCHICK
“Whatever I’m doing in life I feel the need to be true to myself. I think that applies doubly to creating art because I’m exposing a piece of my soul to the world.”
My name is Susan Gottschick and I live and create on the west coast of Canada. My entire life has been focused on art in one form or another. Drawing, singing, painting, crafting, playing the piano, graphic design, and more painting. It was even my after-school job during high-school when I sold dozens of pieces.
I’m thankful to say that I’m generally a very happy and motivated person, and I live with amazing people in a home full of love and creativity.
I’ve been a graphic designer since 1984 (self-employed since 1991). I think entrepreneurialism is in my blood. I LOVE being self-employed and have always been thrilled with the freedom that allows. Spring of 2022 marks my 28th year as the main graphic designer for the wonderful Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. I’ve loved every minute.
I’ve primarily been a realism artist most of my life. The methods and mindset of capturing realism don’t easily translate to creating expressive and successful abstract art. I’ll be honest — for years I found it very difficult to move outside of the realism genre. I was lucky enough to have a breakthrough in the fall of 2019 when I discovered multiple fluid art techniques and styles of abstract that I had never tried before.
The start of an exciting new chapter!
Like many others, I had to reinvent myself when Covid shut down our graphic design business in March 2020 (our clients are primarily in the entertainment industry). After the initial shock, I realized that I had a special opportunity, so I converted the basement into an art studio and dedicated my days to non-stop abstract painting exploration.
Over 100 paintings later, expressionism and freeform abstract are integrated fully into my life — into the way I think about art.
Will I do more realism? Of course! I already have an amazing series in mind for the future.
For abstract work, it’s important to me that each collector is allowed to decide what my paintings mean to them without me dictating a meaning. I may tell my intention, what I experienced during the creation, or what it makes me feel — but I’ll rarely define an exact description (unless it's very obviously a specific subject).
I don’t know where I’ll be going next on this evolutionary journey, but I can’t wait to find out.
It’s a journey that I hope never ends.