Artist Statement

Pakistan 1975: in the midst of a clambering market place, unable to speak the language...I became aware of the importance of the common bonds that universally unite us all. The necessity to communicate these visions, feelings and emotions became paramount. Art became my language.

I have chosen as my subject matter the simple, beutiful touching moments that are common both in nature and in the life of every person. These are the moments that often pass without notice and are the very ones that lend continuity to our lives and contribute to its richness and depth. These moments are the language I use when I paint.

As in any meaningful conversation, the structure of the message must be clear. Thus, my color, brush strokes, textures and composition are carefully chosen, like essential words, to convey to the viewer the message that I wish to impart. My studies of classical art techniques began when I was a child and will always continue as I strive for better clarity and higher achievement.

As words are carefully chosen for a poem, I, too, limit my brush strokes and detail to relay just enough to give the viewer my thoughts and involve their imagination. I purposely leave areas of my paintings in mystery for the viewer to become engaged in the story. I strive for each painting to be a poem rather than a novel. Some of my loose paintings are like haiku poems that are simple imporessionistic vignettes. While some of my paintings are like sonnets, more spelled out in detail. Through the medium that I have chosen, I strive continually to develope a rich and colorful dialog in a language that will reach the heart.

Background

Born in Chicago, Susan Blackwood comes from six generations of artists. Her family history has been dated back to Rembrandt's parents. Both of her own parents and her two sisters are artists. She remembers her first art instructions were at the knee of her dad, oil and watercolor painter and sculptor,
David Swartwout. (Please Click on David Swartwout's name to see his paintings and read about his life.) As for her formal education She received her Bachelors of Fine Arts from Northern Illinois University. In 1982 Susan extended her watercolor studies with Irving Shapiro at the American Academy of Art in Chicago. She has traveled and painted extensively, including three years in Pakistan where she maintained and active studio and had three solo exhibitions. Her works are in the collections of American Express, and the French Consulate of Lahore, Pakistan Anheuser Bush, the Tucson Desert Museum and many others.

It was primarily through her limited edition reproductions, posters and cards that became popular in the late 1980's that sold nationally and internationally that Blackwood first become well-known. They have appeared in more than 2,000 galleries world-wide.

Since 1975, Blackwood has taught watercolors in colleges and workshops around the country, overseas in Pakistan, the Bahamas, Great Britain, France and Italy. Susan has lead painting holidays to Europe with her husband, oil painter Howard Friedland . They both have been featured in the Master Painters of the World section of the International Artist Magazine.

After 32 years as a watercolorist, in 2003 Susan switched to oil painting. She now paints almost exclusively in oils. Her oils have been heartily received by patrons, galleries and museum shows. Her work has been seen in Southwest Art Magazine, U.S. Art Magazine, and Wildlife Art News. A partial list of her publishers include the National Audubon Society, the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Alliance, the Big Brothers Association, National Riflemen's association, North Light Publishers-(Best of Flower Painting by Katherine Kipp) and Medici Society Ltd. of London, England. Watercolor Magazine featured an article about Susan's paintings in 1999. Her originals have been exhibited in galleries in England and all over the U.S. in National Shows and galleries. The recipient of numerous awards, currently her paintings are in 5 galleries in the U.S., in addition to both museum and corporate collections.

Major Honors, Awards and Shows since 1975

2008 Miniature Show - Howard Mandville Gallery, Kirkland, ID
2008 Featured Artists in August - Montana Trails Gallery, Bozeman, MT
2008 Miniature Show - Couer d'Alene Galler, Couer, d'Alene, ID
2008 Howard Mandville Anniversary Show - Howard Mandville Gallery, Kirkland, WA
2008 MPA Study to Studio - CM Russell Museum, Great Falls, Montana
2008 Montana Painters Alliance Show - Betsy Swartz Fine Art
xxxxxZoot Enterprises, Bozeman, Montana
2008 Danforth Invitational Show - Danforth Gallery, Livingston, MT
2008 Oil Painters of America National Juried Show - Dana Gallery, Missoula, MT
2008 Salon International Juried Exhibition-
xxxxxInternational Museum of Contemporary Masters of Fine Art, San Antonio, TX
2008 Jury's Top Fifty Award - Salon International Show
xxxxxInternational Museum of Contemporary Masters of Fine Art, San Antonio, TX
2008 South Wind Gallery Show on OPA Paintout, Tokepa, KS
2008 C.M. Russell Auction and Exposition, Great Falls, Montana

2007 Oil Painters of America Central Regional Juried Show - Topeka, KS
2007 Jury's Top Fifty Awards - Salon International -
xxxxxInternational Museum of Contemporary Masters of Fine Art, San Antonio, TX
2007 C.M. Russell Auction and Exposition, Great Falls, Montana
2007 C.M. Russell Quick Draw, Great Falls, Montana
2007 Solo Show - The Master's Fine Art Gallery of Loveland, Colorado
2007 Masters in Miniature Invitational Show - CM Russell Museum - Great Falls, Montana
2007 Three Person Show- Montana Trails Gallery, Bozeman, MT
2007 Kimball Art Center Auction Invitational - Park City, Utah
2007 Artists for Open Space - Land Reliance Show - Flathead Lake Lodge, Big Fork, MT
2007 Big Hole River Foundation Invitational Show and Paint out
2007 Yellowstone Invitational Show - Montana Trails Gallery, Bozeman, MT
2007 Gateway to the West Invitational Show - Bozeman, MT
2007 Two Person Show - Highlands Art Gallery, Chester, New Jersey

2006 Masters in Montana Invitational Show- Chaparral Gallery, Bozeman, Mt.
2006 Masters in Miniature Invitational Show - CM Russell Museum - Great Falls, Montana
2006 Treasure State Auction Invitational Show - Hamilton, Montana
2006 Kimball Art Center Auction Invitational - Park City, Utah
2006 Salon International Exhibition -
xxxx Juried Show International Muesum of Contemporary Masters of Fine Art San Antonio, Texas
2006 C.M. Russell Auction and Exposition, Great Falls, Montana

2005 Southwest Art Magazine featured in "Artist to Watch" April issue
2005 C.M. Russell Auction and Exposition, Great Falls, Montana
2005 C. M. Russell Quick Draw, Great Falls, Montana
2005 Montana Heartland Show, Two Person Show- Old Main Gallery, Bozeman, MT
2005 Holiday Show 2005 - Two Person Show - Montana Trails Gallery, Bozeman, MT
2005 Exquiste Miniature Show - Mocking Bird Gallery, Bend, MT
2005 Steen's Plein Air Show - Mocking Bird Gallery, Bend, MT
2005 Honorable Mention - Rhode Island Watercolor Society - 12th Annual National Show
2005 Artists for Open Space - Land Reliance Show - Flathead Lake Lodge, Big Fork, MT
2005 Collectors Classic - Mocking Bird Gallery, Bend, OR
2005 Kimball Art Center Auction - Kimball Art Center - Park City, MT
2005 25th Annual Show - Frameworks Design, Bozeman, MT
2005 Salon International Juried Show- International Museum of Contemporary Masters of Fine Art,
xxxxxGreenhouse Gallery, San Antonio, TX
2005 Miniature show - Meadowlark Gallery, Billings, MT


2004 Montana Watercolor Society's Watermedia 2004 - National Juried Show
2004 H. Graham Award - MTWS Watermedia 2004
2004 Awarded Signature Membership - Montana Watercolor Society
2004 Jury's Top Fifty Awards for 2 paintings (One of three artists) Salon International -
xxxxxInternational Museum of Contemporary Masters of Fine Art, Greenhouse Gallery, San Antonio, TX
2004 CM Russell Museum Benefit Invitational
2004 Figurative Show - Mocking Bird Gallery, Bend, OR
2004 Post Card Show - Dana Gallery, Missoula, Montana
2004 Buck - Neckkid Art Show - Latigo and Lace Gallery -Augusta, MT
2004 Landscape Show - Mocking Bird Gallery - Bend, OR
2004 Montana Painters Alliance Annual Plein Air Show - Dana Gallery, Missoula, MT
2004 Images of Yellowstone Show - Montana Trails Gallery, Bozeman, MT
2004 Collectors Classic Show - Mocking Bird Gallery, Bend, OR
2004 Lewis and Clark - Through the Artist's Eyes Exhibit - The Center for Western Studies -
xxxx Augustana College - Sioux Falls, SD
2004 Vice President of Montana Painters Alliance
2004 C.M. Russell Auction and Exposition, Great Falls, Montana
2004 C. M. Russell Quick Draw, Great Falls, Montana
2004 Floral and Still Life Show - Mockingbird Gallery, Bend, Oregon
2004 Plein Air Show - Mocking Bird Gallery, Bend Oregon


2003 Montana Watercolor Society's Watermedia 2002 - National Juried Show
2003 Vice President and Founding Member- Montana Painters Alliance
2003 International Watermedia XIII, juried - Pikes Peak Watercolor Society -
xxxxxColorado Springs Fine Arts Center, Colorado Springs, Co.
2003 Arizona Watercolor association - National Watercolor Exhibition, juried,
xxxxxWest Valley Art Museum - Surprise, Arizona
2003 Watermedia 2003 - National Juried Show - Montana Watercolor Society -
xxxxxBig Fork Art and Cultural Center, Big Fork, Montana
2003 Smith Rock Plein Air Show - Mockingbird Gallery - Bend, Oregon
2003 Buck - Neckkid Art Show - Latigo and Lace Gallery - Augusta, MT
2003 Two Person Show - Hodges Fine Art Gallery, Big Timber, Montana
2003 18th Annual C. M. Russell Museum Benefit - Invitational
2003 It's for the Birds Art Show - Invitational Show - Bozeman, Montana
2003 International Watermedia XIII - Pikes Peak Watercolor Society Colorado Springs, Colorado
2003 C.M. Russell Exposition Invitational, Great Falls, Montana
2003 Painters of the Big Sky Show, Montana Painters Alliance, Dana Gallery, Missoula, Montana
2003 Post Card Show - Dana Gallery, Missoula, Montana
2003 5th International Women Artists of the West, Juried Show,Dubois, Wyoming
2003 Utrecht Award - Arizona Watercolor Association - Juried Membership Exhibition - Glendale, Arizona
2003 Honorable Mention - Watercolor Wyoming XVIII National Juried Exhibition-
xxxxxWyoming Watercolor Society, Wheatland, Wyoming
2003 Featured Artist for the Red Cross


2002 Open Water 77 - The Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour
2002 Rhode Island Watercolor Society 9th Annual - National Watermedia Competition
2002 Montana Watercolor Society's Watermedia 2002 - National Juried Show
2002 It's For the Birds Art Show - Invitational Show - Bozeman, Mt
2002 Featured Artist for the Red Cross
2002 Emerson Cultural Center Invitational Benefit
2002 C.M. Russell Museum Miniature Invitational
2002 C.M. Russell Exposition Invitational
2002 Quick Draw Artist for the C.M. Russell Auction - C.M. Russell Musem - Great Falls, Mt
2002 Solo Exhibition - Sikeston Cultural Museum, Sikeston, Missouri


2001 Invitational Show Missouri Breaks, Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, Great Falls, Mt
2001 Trout Unlimited Invitational Benefit Auction, Bozeman, Mt
2001 C. M. Russell Exposition Invitational
2001 HOCKADAY MUSEUM ART AUCTION - Invitational Show - Kalispell, MT
2001 Featured Artist for the Red Cross
2001 C. M. Russell Museum Miniature Invitational
2001 Workshop Instructor- In the Footsteps of the Artists of the French Riviera, France


2000 C. M Russell Bennefit Miniature Show- Invitational
2000 A Brush with Europe- 2 person show - Savant Clair Galerie,Bozeman, MT
2000 Masters in Montana Invitational Show- Chaparral Gallery, Bozeman, Mt.
2000 Grand Kohrs Ranch Show- Gathering of Artists- Invitational Deer Lodge, Mt.
2000 Western Spirit Art Show - Juried, Old West Museum, Cheyenne, xxxxxWY.
2000 Featured artist for the Red Cross
2000 Quick Draw Artist for the C.M. Russell Auction, C.M. Russell Museum, Great Falls, MT
2000 C. M. Russell Auction, Juried Invitational, C.M. Russell Museum, Great Falls, Mt.
2000 C. M. Russell Exposition Invitational

1999 Master Painter of the World- North America - International Artist Magazine - April/May issue
1999 C. M. Russell Exposition Invitational
1999 Watercolor Magazine - feature article on painting in Venice - Summer issue
1999 Grand Kohrs Ranch Show- Gathering of Artists Invitational- Deer Lodge, Mt.
1999 Masters in Montana Invitational Show- Chaparral Gallery, Bozeman, Mt.
1999 Featured artist for the Red Cross
1999 Instructing watercolor workshops - in Kent, England

1998 Grand Kohrs Ranch Show- Gathering of Artists Invitational- Deer Lodge, Mt.
1998 Masters in Montana Invitational Show- Chaparral Gallery, Bozeman, Mt.
1998 Featured Artist - Governor's Energy Conservation Calendar for the state of Montana
1998 C. M. Russell Exposition Invitational
1998 Duet Showing - Visions West Gallery, Livingston, Mt.
1998 Mattise Cultural Center Exhibition - Vence, French Riviera, France
1998 Solo Exhibition - First Security Bank, Bozeman, Mt.
1998 Instructing watercolor workshops - in Kent, England
1998 Instructor and Co-Designer of 10 day Painting Holiday in the French Riviera
1998 Instructor and Co-Designer of 10 day Painting Holiday in Venice
1998 Instructor for Montana Institute of the Arts Jubilee - Statewide convention
1998 Featured artist for the Red Cross

1997 Masters in Montana Invitational Show- Chaparral Gallery, Bozeman, Mt.
1997 Published in the BEST OF FLOWER PAINTING, By KatherineKipp, North Light Publishing
1997 2 paintings selected for the C. M. Russell Auction, C.M. Russell Museum, Great Falls, Mt.
1997 Quick Draw Artist for the C.M. Russell Auction, C.M. Russell Museum, Great Falls
1997 C. M. Russell Exposition Invitational
1997 Solo Exhibition - First Security Bank, Bozeman, Mt.
1997 Instructing 5 watercolor workshops - in Kent and Sussex, England
1997 Instructor and Designer of 10 day Painting Holiday in England
1997 Featured artist for the Red Cross

1996 Select Artist - Big Brothers - Bozeman, Mt.
1996 Featured article in U. S. Art Magazine, January
1996 Masters in Montana Invitational Show- Chaparral Gallery, Bozeman, Mt.
1996 Governor's Mansion Invitational Showing, Governor's Mansion - Great Falls, Mt.
1996 Solo Exhibition - First Security Bank, Bozeman, Mt.
1996 4 Generations Exhibition - Bozeman Public Library
1996 Instructing 5 watercolor workshops - in Kent and Sussex, England
1996 Instructor and Designer of 10 day Painting Holiday in France
1996 Featured artist for the Red Cross Invitational
1996 Exhibition at the Governor's Mansion, Helena, MT

1995 Featured article in U.S. Art Magazine, June
1995 Featured article - Montana Institute of the Arts
1995 Solo Exhibition - First Security Bank, Bozeman, Mt.
1995 Instructing 5 watercolor workshops, Kent and Sussex, England

1994 Instructor and Designer of Painting Holiday in Tucson, Arizona
1994 Solo Exhibition - First Security Bank, Bozeman, Mt.
1994 Solo Exhibition - Grey Fox Gallery, Bozeman, Mt.
1994 Instructing 5 watercolor workshops - in Kent England

1993 Solo Exhibition - First Security Bank, Bozeman, Mt.
1993 Solo Exhibition - Le Petite Gallery, Bozeman, Mt.
1993 Guest Instructor - Montana Institute of the Arts, Big Sky, Mt.

1992 Instructor and Designer of Painting Holiday in the Bahamas
1992 Staff Instructor of watercolors for the Loveland Art Academy, Loveland, Colorado
1992 Solo Exhibition - First Security Bank, Bozeman, Mt.
1992 Solo Exhibition - Le Petite Gallery, Bozeman, Mt.

1991 3 paintings purchased for the permanent collection of Anheuser Bush of Fort Collins, Co
1991 Honorable Mention- Lake Worth Art League's 50thAnniversary, Lake Worth, Fl.
1991 Invitational Colorado Watermedia II, Colorado Springs, Co.
1991 Staff Instructor of watercolors for the Loveland Art Academy, Loveland, Co.
1991 Best of Show, Castle Rock Art Festival, Castle Rock, Co.
1991 Foothills Art Center Celebrating the Art of Clean Air - Golden, Co.

1990 Staff Instructor of watercolors for the Loveland Art Academy, Loveland, Co.

1989 Artist of Choice - Professional Picture Framers of America- PPFA
1989 National Award Kansas Watercolor Society- Five State Exhibition
1989 Cover - Outdoor America Magazine- Winter Issue

1988 Patron Purchase Award, Kansas Watercolor Society - Five State Exhibition, Wichita, KS.
1988 Best of Show- Vail Art Festival, Vail, Co.

1986 Artist of the Year - Sponsored by Home Federal Savings and Loans, Fort Collins, Co.

1985 Purchase Award for the Museums Perminant Collection, Summerart, Steamboat Springs, Co.
1985 Best of Show, Tucson, Az.
1985 Honorable Mention, Art Gala, Craig, Co.

1984 Watercolor Instructor for the Northwest Community College, Craig, Co.
1984 Purchase Award, Summerart, Steamboat Springs, Co.
1884 Honorable Mention, Summerart, Steamboat Springs, Co.

1983 Diamond Jubilee Award of Excellence, Most Outstanding Professional Local Artist,
xxxxxSponsored by Coors 1983 -1ST Place, Art Gala, Craig, Co.
1983 3RD Place, Art Gala, Craig, Co.
1983 Honorable Mention, Skokie Art Fair, Skokie, Il.
1983 Watercolor Instructor for the Northwest Community College, Craig, xxxxxCo.
1983 Catherine Lorrilard Wolf Annual Juried National Show, New York, Ny.

1982 2nd Place Art Festival, Grand Junction, Co.
1982 2 Honorable Mentions, Moffat County Fair, Craig, Co.
1982 Catherine Lorrilard Wolf Annual Juried National Show, New York, Ny.
1982 2ND Place, Art Gala, Craig, Co.
1982 4 Honorable Mentions, Art Gala, Craig, Co.
1982 Honorable Mention, Summer Art, Steamboat Springs, Co.
1982 Watercolor Instructor for the Northwest Community College, Craig, Co.

1981 Invitational Solo Exhibition, Lahore, Pakistan
1981 Invitational Solo Exhibition, Wool Grower's National Convention, Vail, Co.
1981 Cover of National Wool Growers Magazine
1981 Aqeus Open ‘81, Pittsburgh Watercolor Society, Pittsburgh, Pa.(National Juried Show)
1981 1ST Place, Art Gala, Craig, Co.
1981 Honorable Mention, Art Gala, Craig, Co.
1981 Honorable Mention, Art Gala, Craig, Co.
1981 Honorable Mention, Fall Art Festival, Glenwood Springs, Co.
1981 Purchase Award, Art Festival, Grand Junction, Co.
1981 Watercolor Instructor for the Northwest Community College, Craig, Co.
1981 Grand Champion, Moffat county Fair, Craig, Co.
1981 1st Place, Moffat County Fair, Craig, Co.
1981 2nd Place, Moffat County Fair, Craig, Co.
1981 3rd Place, Moffat county Fair, Craig, Co.

1980 Invitational 3 Generations Showing of Artists, Tulsa University, Tulsa. Ok.
1980 2nd Place, Northwestern Colorado Art Show, Steamboat Springs, Co.
1980 Watercolor Instructor for the Northwest Community College, Craig, Co.
1980 1st Place, Womanart West, Grand Junction, Co
1980 Watercolor USA National Juried Show, Springfield, Mo.

1979 Solo Exhibition - 1st National Bank's Grand Opening, Craig, Co.
1979 3RD Place, Womanart West, Grand Junction, Co.
1979 Best of Show, Womanart West, Grand Junction, Co
1979 2nd Place, Northwestern Colorado Art Show, Steamboat Springs, Co.
1979 Watercolor Instructor for the Northwest Community College, Craig, Co.
1979 Grand Champion, Moffat County Fair, Craig, Co.
1979 1st Place, Moffat County Fair, Craig, Co.
1979 1st Place, Moffat County Fair, Craig, Co.

1978 5 paintings purchased for the Permanent collection of American Express of Pakistan
1978 Solo Exhibition - Lahore American School, Lahore, Pakistan
1978 Illustrator for the Family Planning Bureau of Pakistan
1978 Art Instructor for Lahore American School, Lahore, Pakistan
1978 Watercolor Instructor for the Northwest Community College, Craig, Co.

1977 Mural for the French Consolate, Lahore, Pakistan
1977 Illustrator for the Family Planning Bureau of Pakistan
1977 Solo Exhibition - Lahore American School, Lahore, Pakistan
1977 Art Instructor for Lahore American School, Lahore, Pakistan

1976 Illustrator for the Family Planning Bureau of Pakistan
1976 Solo Exhibition - Lahore American School, Lahore, Pakistan
1976 Art Instructor for Lahore American School, Lahore, Pakistan

1975 Art Instructor for Lahore American School, Lahore, Pakistan