Artist’s Statement
“Art has been part of my life for as long as I can remember — through high school, college, and every chapter since. Creating has always felt less like a choice and more like a necessity; though life has pulled me away at times, I have always found my way back.
After retiring, I turned to abstract painting, deepening my practice through courses, workshops, and seminars. Making art has always been a source of grounding and self-discovery. I work from feeling rather than observation, and the surprises that emerge in the process often carry a symbolic meaning I didn't anticipate. I always hope that my art will resonate with others on a personal level.”
Suzanne Benjamin
Process
“My process is a dialogue between the soul and the surface. I don’t paint what I see — but rather, what I feel. Drawing from a deep well of internal memories and subconscious cues, each piece evolves organically.
Working with acrylics and an array of mixed media — collage, pencil, paint pens, markers, and pastels — a history begins to build on the canvas or wood panel. I use various tools such as awls, knives, paint scrapers, nails and sandpaper to reveal previous layers, and discover unexpected visual surprises beneath the surface that become part of the work. Some pieces emerge bold & vibrant, while others are softer and more calm.
My art is about what lives underneath my own emotional surface - feelings, memories, and symbolism that can’t quite be expressed in words. Color, shape, line, and texture become the language of my expression.
It is always my hope that people will find something in my work that resonates for them both visually and on an emotional level.”