Susan Budash

Artist Statement

I currently reside in Chattanooga TN, but I was born and lived in Chicago until I was married in 1975. My parents, recognizing in me a budding artistic talent at the age of 10, they enrolled me in weekly oil painting classes for more than 3 years with Jack Simmerling, the accomplished Chicago landmark water colorist. Years into my marriage and living in the Niagara Region of New York State, I attended the State University of NY at Buffalo, thus earning a BFA in Printmaking and an MA in Art History.

“My studying Modern Art History and further applying that knowledge in creating art, with conventional and non-conventional materials was stimulating and fun, but it left me feeling unfulfilled and unchallenged as an artist. Within a decade of graduating with my Masters, I had the good fortune in visiting Italy and Austria and seeing their magnificent art collections. The genesis of this esthetic experience instilled in me a quest not only to return to Traditional Oil Painting, but also to actively seek out the archival methods and materials used by the Old Masters and apply them to my own creative expression. In doing so, I’ve discovered my creative voice.”

My paintings have been featured in Fine Art Connoisseur, American Art Collector and The Chattanooga Free Press, and have exhibited in numerous national juried shows. Lastly, I am an award recipient and exhibiting member with OPA and an exhibiting member with NOAPS.