ABOUT THE ARTIST
Susan Miron has been a professional artist for over 40 years. Her experience covers a wide variety of artistic media, ranging from watercolor, oil, and acrylic painting, to wood and metal sculpture. Over the years she has developed a special affinity for three-dimensional fiber art, and watercolor painting.
Her works have been exhibited in galleries across the United States and have won numerous awards of excellence in juried exhibits. She has received several grants from the California Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. Her work has been on exhibit at the Oakland (California) Museum, and the California Museum of Art (now closed).
All of her works are one-of-a-kind, and reflect her emphasis on the uniqueness of the idea which inspired it. Owing to the nature of her work, much of fiber work shows the influence of Native American culture through the use of chosen materials and stylistic influence But always, her works combine a variety of influences into a truly individual creation. Her watercolor paintings have been influenced by her collaboration with her daughter’s unique landscape photographs, and her favorite florals.
Susan studied art at San Jose State University, Taos Art Institute, California State University Hayward, and various workshops and seminars. She is an active member of many art organizations. She has taught her craft extensively, at levels ranging from the most elementary to college level, and worked as Artist in Residence at Napa State Hospital (California) for many years, and curated numerous exhibits of work by her students.
Susan lost her home and studio in the devastating 2017 wildfires and has rebuilt her home and studio and continues to pursue new and innovative art forms.
ABOUT THE ART
Susan’s rare horsehair baskets resemble pottery in form, with Native American influences. They are created with all-natural materials, which are coiled and stitched with linen cord and then embellished with feathers, semi-precious stones, quills, and beads. Each basket requires many hours of work, much of which is done under magnifiers, using very small dental and surgery tools. Some of the baskets are very small, reminiscent of a fine piece of jewelry.
The kelp sculptures are made from kelp collected at California beaches. The kelp is sorted, cleaned, fumigated, dried, processed, and then cut into strips, which are stitched together using raffia or waxed linen cord. Driftwood, various forms of seaweed, and shells are added as embellishments.
Gourd art pieces are aged for one year, the exterior cleaned, sawed open, cleaned interiorly, and then painted with alcohol inks and leather dyes. They are embellished with a variety of beads, stones, and feathers.
Susan’s watercolor paintings are primarily created from photographs, many of which are collaborations with her daughter’s photography. They are most commonly landscapes and florals, with some animal paintings as well. The beauty of Sonoma County provides Susan with the opportunity to occasionally do plein-air paintings too.