Special Features / October 2007

Inspiration From Inside

Susan Petryszat

Susan Petryszak is an inspiration to all women. She had an “inner calling” early in her life and she had the courage to act upon it. This Putnam County woman knew she was a painter in her heart since she was a little girl. “It was always there, but life and growing up overshadowed it’. Today, as an adult she is living her dream. Susan Petryszakis a full time artist.

It was a long journey, Susan went to college and received a bachelors degree in biology. She went to work as a science teacher. But, deep inside her there was that feeling that she needed to paint. She continued searching for something. She decided to take classes at Marshall University and began a Masters Degree program in art. She graduated with a Masters of Arts in Painting. “I guess I just needed validation that I was an artist,”. The Masters program opened by eyes and mind to a world of beauty and amazement. Susan became a full time painter twelve years ago. She has had her art displayed in many galleries, especially in Charleston, WV and also Florida. Currently she is preparing for a solo show this April. There is a part of being an artist that most people don’t think about; it is a small business. This is my “job”. When people think about painters, they think that it is a glorious and free-flowing way of life. In some ways that is true, but there is reality also. You just can’t wait for the inspiration to hit you. You have to be disciplined. If you have a gallery opening, then you need to have enough pieces to be able to show. Painting takes time. You have to be disciplined enough to set your own schedule and deadlines.

Susan says her inspiration comes from her memory. She captures images in her mind. Then, she sketches those images. She has developed her own style with her inspiration coming from West Virginia landscapes, flowers, and other types of nature. She takes an image captured in her mind and makes it real. “I guess I am able to make the intangible tangible." Susan says that her profession requires her to be alone a lot. She has a strange love for being alone. “I am always in my head”.

Susan calls her art “open ended painting”. She wants others who see and view her art to fill in their own endings and meanings.

There is great joy in painting. You become so engrossed in the painting that everything else at that time doesn’t exist. There’s the excitement of creating and then there is the gallery openings. They are both exciting and unnerving. It is like putting yourself out for critique.

Susan deals with women a lot, especially as a teacher of yoga. “It is sad that a lot of women have a poor self-image. Insecurities keep women from recognizing their dreams, let alone having the confidence to attempt to act upon the vision or unsettling calling in their mind. Our culture has a very conforming nature that unfortunately keeps us from “stepping out” and following our dreams.

Today, Susan's life is full. In addition to being a full time artist, she teaches yoga, is a wife and the mother of two grown children. Her dream of expressing her inner self through her art has come true as she allows her paintings to explore the beauty of the world. She hopes those that gaze at her art will see the beauty of nature and the joy and expression of her inner being.

Send an Email About This Article

 

Copyright © 2001-2009 A Woman's View. All rights reserved.

Top • Home • Subscribe • Advertise • Submit • Distribution • Contact
Support Our Advertisers • Organization Resources • Women Owned Business

Organization Resource List • Women Owned Businesses • Support Our Advertisers

 

Maintained by TEABROOKE
Website Design | SEO | Social Media Consulting

 

Related Sites | XMLSiteMap | Web Portal
Landing Zone SEO - Website | Search | Usability | Results | Goodness