Wow, is that really colored pencil?

     Everyone who sees my artwork asks that question, so I decided to use it as my tag line.  Some people say it looks like watercolor or oil painting.   I tried everything from oil painting to screen printing.  Colored pencils, though, are perfect for drawing precise details in a realistic style.  My favorite subjects are simple, everyday objects.  I use bold, bright colors and I love to incorporate shiny, reflective surfaces.  My paintings (I prefer to call my artwork “paintings” similar to pastel artists) are done on archival paper.  I layer many colors, often six to twelve layers, until they are vivid and saturated.     

     I was born and raised in St. Louis, Mo.  I’m married, have two adult children and three (with one on the way) grandchildren.  Although I began my college career in art, my degree is in education.  I taught for over twenty years.  I didn’t do anything artistic for a long time, but the itch returned a year ago.  Facing my 60^th birthday, I felt it was now or never.  My goal was to see if I could truly be an “artist.”  My daughter created a web site for me, www.susietenzer.com.  I started a Facebook business page:  www.facebook.com/SusieTenzerArt and Twitter: www.twitter.com/susietenzer.  I opened a shop on Etsy www.susietenzer.etsy.com and Artfire:  www.susietenzer.artfire.com.   I sold my artwork at a local boutique and had a painting juried into a gallery show.  I became a juried member of the Missouri Artisans’ Association (the Best of Missouri Hands).  What a whirlwind year!

      It was serendipity.  On Etsy, I met a lot of talented artists.  Several months ago I met Mary Nasser http://www.marycnasser.com/ who connected me to artist and gallery owner Heather Haymart http://www.heatherhaymart.com/.  Heather invited me to show my work in her gallery, Wood Icing http://www.chesterfield.woodicing.com/.  What a thrill!  I truly feel I accomplished my goal of becoming an artist.  Did you see the movie, “City Slickers” with Billy Crystal?  He said it’s all about finding the one thing that’s important to you.