Biography
Artist Susan Abston Wiley is passionate about color and drama in her art, regardless of the subject or media. She works comfortably in oil, acrylic, and watercolor, but a recent workshop led her to soft pastel, which has quickly become her favorite medium because of the lush, vibrant colors readily available and the velvety appearance of the finished work. Currently, she is fascinated by the portrayal of huge, almost abstract close-ups of flowers and other elements of nature.
Sue's work has been juried into numerous shows and exhibits. At the Austin Pastel Society’s Juried Spring Exhibition in 2007, Sue took Third Place in Still Life/Other for her pastel floral, Fireworks. In 2006, she won an Award of Merit at the Waterloo Watercolor Group’s Juried Fall Exhibition for Hot Cha Cha! In a first-ever occurrence for the Williamson County Art Guild, two of Sue’s paintings, an oil entitled Waiting for Spring, and a watercolor entitled Trellised Roses, tied for the People’s Choice Award in 2005. Her work has been featured in several gallery shows locally, including Chez Zee Gallery in Austin, Hang Ups Gallery in Lakeway, and The Framer’s Gallery in Georgetown.
Sue’s artistic training includes a minor in Art and Art History from the University of Vermont, and training under such notable artists as Richard McKinley; William Kalwick, Jr.; Carole Barnes; and Don Andrews. She has been strongly influenced by the works of O’Keeffe, Gauguin, and the Impressionists.
She resides in Austin, Texas, with her husband and a house full of cats and one very gentle dog. She is a member of Austin Pastel Society, Capitol Art Society, Waterloo Watercolor Group, The 620 Group, and Williamson County Art Guild, and has served on the boards of several of these organizations.
Visit Sue’s other web site at yessy.com/susanabstonwiley, and the web site of a really good, new, Austin-based photographer at alphadogphotography.com.
Susan Abston Wiley